Vocab - N

Nail Set

A steel punch-like rod that is used to position the head of a nail flush or below the surface of the wood. They are available in a variety of diameters and with a number of tips for certain jobs. They are essential tools for any fine work being done with a hammer. While modern pneumatic nail guns automatically set the nail below the surface of the wood, a nail set is still handy because occasionally the nail gun fails.

Natural Finish

A transparent finish that does not seriously alter the original color or grain of the wood

Natural-Edge Turning

A woodturning, usually a bowl or goblet, which features remnants of bark along the rim

Neanderthal

a.k.a. Galoot: A woodworker who prefers hand tools to power tools, occasionally to the exclusion of power tools from their shops altogether. In general, their media hero is Roy Underhill (sometimes called “St. Roy”), the host of PBS’s “The Woodwright’s Shop.” Neanderthal woodworkers typically use a separate slang lexicon to describe their work. A couple examples: “tailed apprentice” is the term for power tool. “Crispy” is the term for a vintage tool in mint condition.

Nickel Metal Hydride

a type of rechargeable battery (abbrev. “NiMH”)

Nickel-Cadmium

a type of rechargeable battery (abbrev. “Ni-Cad”)

Nondrying Oil

When used on wood, any oil-based finish that penetrates the surface but does not harden when exposed to air; mineral oil and most vegetable oils are nondrying

Normite

A term used primarily by Neanderthals to describe woodworkers who use only power tools. “Normite” refers to Norm Abram, the host of the popular PBS program “The New Yankee Workshop.” Abram is know for his affection for power tools, though Neanderthals have noted (and secretly been thrilled by) later episodes that show Abram using hand tools in his work.

Notch

a dado cut into the edge of wood that is part of an edge lap joint if it extends halfway into the wood