Alexander Novak

Co-founder, architect

Alexander is a co-founder of CarpDraw and a practising architect. He prepares technical drawings for his own projects, so he runs into the same problem every week: turning a furniture idea or a reference photo into drawings and specifications a maker can actually build from. CarpDraw is the tool he wanted for that work, and he writes here about drawings, dimensions and getting furniture from idea to build.

Published guides

Two open pots of pale and brown repair compound beside a walnut board and putty knives

Wood Filler vs Wood Putty: Choose Before You Finish

Choose filler or putty by the wood surface and the next finishing step. Learn when to sand, when to color-match, and why a stain test matters.

Alexander Novak 15 October 2026 11 min read

Walnut side table in a sunlit woodworking shop

Tung Oil Finish: 4 Steps to Avoid a Sticky Surface

Apply a tung oil finish with a clear plan for preparation, wipe-off and cure time. Avoid sticky patches and write a useful furniture finish brief.

Alexander Novak 15 October 2026 11 min read

Pale pine board with a wet coated area, brush and metal tin on a workshop bench

Wood Conditioner: Get Even Stain Without Guesswork

Learn when wood conditioner helps, how to test it and why the timing on your exact product matters more than a general staining rule.

Alexander Novak 15 October 2026 11 min read

Bare wood panel with a cork block and abrasive sheets on a workbench

Sanding Wood: 5 Steps to a Finish-Ready Surface

Choose a sanding sequence, protect furniture edges and veneer, and check a finish sample before coating the whole piece.

Alexander Novak 14 October 2026 11 min read

Assorted wood screws, a light wood offcut and a steel caliper on a workshop bench

Wood Screw Size Chart: Gauge, Diameter and Length

Identify wood screw gauges, compare inch and metric diameters, and measure length correctly before choosing a screw for a furniture joint.

Alexander Novak 14 October 2026 10 min read

Oak dining table with a cross-grain end rail in a sunlit room

Breadboard Ends: A Joint That Lets Your Table Move

Understand breadboard ends, plan the tabletop size, and fit a pinned joint that holds the end rail while allowing seasonal wood movement.

Alexander Novak 14 October 2026 11 min read

Lower white oak cabinet doors above a recessed toe panel and stone floor

Cabinet Toe Kick Dimensions: Measure the Finished Space

Measure cabinet toe kick height and depth from the right surfaces. Use a worked detail to account for finished flooring, toe panels and workshop notes.

Alexander Novak 14 October 2026 9 min read

Upside down walnut table on a padded workshop bench

Table Top Fasteners: Fit Clips Without Trapping Movement

Fit a slotted-apron tabletop clip with a checked groove, screw depth and grain-aware layout. Includes manufacturer dimensions and exact diagrams.

Alexander Novak 14 October 2026 10 min read

Open oak wall cabinet with two concealed hinges in a sunlit workshop

Cabinet Hinge Placement: Measure Before You Drill

Separate hinge height, cup setback and plate position. Use a tested layout before drilling a finished cabinet door.

Alexander Novak 13 October 2026 11 min read