Face

Either of the two wide surfaces of a board.

Face Frame

In cabinetmaking a face frame is a flat frame attached to the front of a carcase. The face frame is used to conceal the exposed edges of the plywood panels used to build the carcase.

Face glue

Gluing pieces together so their faces are joined.

Face Veneer

High quality veneer that is used for the exposed surfaces on plywood.

Faceplate Turning

The process of turning a project on a lathe such as a bowl, cup, vase or other piece with a hollowed-out center. Faceplate turning enables this hollowing because unlike spindle turning, the workpiece is usually only supported on one end during operations.

Factory edge

An edge of a board or sheet good cut at a mill or factory.

Feather Board

A special safety device with many slender, springy "fingers" that press against a workpiece during operations to maintain the stock's position in relation to the blade or cutter and helping to keep hands out of the danger zone.

Feed rate

The speed at which stock is moved through a cutter, blade or bit.

Fence

An adjustable part of a woodworking machine used as a guide to keep stock square to the cutter, blade or bit.

Fence Extension

A special, shop-made extension that is attached to the fence of a table saw, jointer or other piece of machinery and used to extend its length or height for specialized operations or to provide additional workpiece support. The use of such an extension often improves the accuracy of the cut as well as the safety of certain operations.

Fence Straddler

A unique, adjustable safety device that has been designed to straddle the rip fence on a table saw and serve as a pushing device during rip cuts. The fence straddler is especially useful when cutting strips that are too narrow to permit the use of a push stick or push block.

Fiber/fibre

the fine tube-like structure of wood which is hollow and determines the grain direction.

Fiddleback

A decorative wood figure caused by wavy grain. Fiddleback veneer is prized for it's character and often used for musical instruments.

Figure

naturally occurring decorative patterns in wood, usually due to medullary rays.

Finger joint

A joint where the lines of the joint resemble interlocked fingers; commonly used in paint grade trim.

Finger Lap Joint

A very strong corner joint in which a series of square or rectangular "pegs" are formed on one workpiece to mate with interlocking, matching recesses on the adjoining piece. Finger joints are most often used in drawer and box construction, and are sometimes called a "box joint".

Firmer

a chisel bevelled on both sides instead of only one.

Fishtail chisel or gouge

a chisel or gouge with a splayed end.

Fittings For dust collection

Accessories that are used to connect hoses, pipes, and tools within a dust collection system. Click here for dust system fittings.

Fixture

A special aid or device that is used to guide a workpiece through a cut or help position stock accurately for a specific operation. Fixtures are most frequently used for repetitive operations or in production situations where precision is critical, often providing the added benefit of improved operator safety.

Flat gouge

a gouge with minimal curvature, used for finishing and smoothing.

Flat-sawn Lumber

In softwoods, a method of sawing lumber where the log is cut tangential to the growth rings. Also called plain-sawn.

Flitch

a board in which the round of the trunk is still visible, a rough-cut board.

Flute

a deep channel cut in woodoccasionally denotes the cannel of a gouge.

Foot

The part of a handheld power tool that contacts the surface of the work piece; also called base.

Foxing

a yellow-brown discoloration of wood due to fungal infection.

Free Water (Free Moisture)

Moisture found in the cell cavities of wood.

Fret saw

a saw with a very fine toothed blade used for delicate cuts in thin material.

Frosting

regular indented patterns created with a special-purpose punch called a froster.