peter arthur martin

There’s a well-documented phenomenon researchers call advertising skepticism, and surveys consistently show it’s been rising for decades. A few data points: The scale of disillusionment Studies routinely find that 70-80% of people distrust online ads. Ad blocker usage has grown dramatically — hundreds of millions of people now run them as a matter of course. … Read more

If you’ve searched for woodworking information lately and found WoodCentral near the top of the results, there’s a reason for that — and it has everything to do with how Google is fighting a war it’s been waging for decades. The web has always had a spam problem. In the early days it was keyword … Read more

In the age of online shopping, product review sites promise to cut through the noise and help us make smart purchases. Sites like BestBuyersGuide.org claim to use “advanced algorithms” analyzing quality, price, user reviews, brand reputation, and more, backed by expert testing. Sounds helpful, right? Unfortunately, this is often pure marketing hype. Many such sites … Read more

Preventing blotch on cherry is one of the most common frustrations in woodworking — cherry is beautiful but very prone to uneven stain absorption because of its varying density and ray structure. Here’s a practical, battle-tested guide ranked from most reliable to “worth a try”: 1. Best overall method – Pre-conditioner / gel stain / dye … Read more

Here are some of the most interesting facts about Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), along with how it’s used today and historically. Fascinating facts Historical uses Modern woodworking uses Because of its incredible density, stability, and striking color, Osage Orange is highly sought after by woodworkers: Working tips for woodworkers: Fun woodworking fact:A freshly cut piece of Osage … Read more

Think Wood is a communications campaign that provides commercial, multifamily and single-family home design and build resources to architects, developers, and contractors. Think Wood’s primary funder is the Softwood Lumber Board. SLB is a check-off program and was established to promote the benefits and uses of softwood lumber products in outdoor, residential and non-residential construction. Programs and … Read more

Whether you came from a Google search, a link in an old article, or just stumbled across us, we’re glad you’re here. WoodCentral has been a home for serious woodworkers since 1998. While the internet moved toward quick social media feeds, we deliberately kept (and modernized) something increasingly rare: a real, traditional forum built for … Read more