Our cover story for the August 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking is a Pennsylvania spice box built by Senior Editor Glen D. Huey, with three hidden compartments behind 11 drawers.
Ron Herman teaches how sizing tools to the user leads to more efficient and more comfortable work.
In Coffee with the Brethren, Managing Editor Megan Fitzpatrick builds a Shaker-inspired coffee table with through-drawers.
Executive Editor Robert W. Lang shows how elements of a martial art can help improve your work in Tai Chi & Woodworking.
Editor Christopher Schwarz builds a light bulb-shaped lamp out of plywood in A Bright Idea.
You’ll learn how to make massive dovetails that fit together like a glove using a router, band saw and hand tools from Jameel Abraham.
In Royal Flooring in Appalachia, Don Williams shares his story of how antique parquet floors from Paris found a new home in his rural Virginia woodshop.
Detailed article previews are below. Online Extras (downloads, links, etc.) are found within that article.
From the August 2011 issue #191 Buy this issue now Portable productivity with a nod to steampunk style. By Mag Ruffman The glorious thing about being self-sufficient is that you can usually figure out ways to create what you need. My latest need arose after a bad case of Burning Thighs Syndrome, a malady caused … Read more
Behind a distinctive double-arched door are unknowns and secrets.
By Glen D. Huey
Pages: 26 -33
While surfing the Internet for examples of spice boxes, I stumbled upon an antique box with a distinctive door. While I’m familiar with arched-door boxes, a double-arched door, at least to my knowledge, is something not often seen.
VIDEO: See how to size the drawer parts from the drawer fronts.
MODEL: Click here for the Google SketchUp Model of the Spice Box.
ARTICLE: Read about the best and worst qualities of premium dovetail saws.
BLOG: Develop your own ogee bracket feet design using Google SketchUp.
TO BUY: Discover advanced dovetail techniques with Charles Bender.
IN OUR STORE: Learn in-depth finishing techniques with “Finishes That Pop.” Read more
Stripper types. There are five categories of strippers. From left to right: high-percentage methylene chloride, low-percentage methylene chloride, strong solvent and no methylene chloride, refinisher (no methylene chloride and no wax), and NMP (n-methyl pyrrolidone). Repair, strip and refinish to restore old pieces. By Bob Flexner Pages: 58-60 From the August 2011 issue #191 Buy … Read more
From the August 2011 issue #191 Buy this issue now The August 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine is making its way to subscribers (it will be on bookstore racks in a few weeks). As a result, I’m beginning to get questions about the Spice Box drawer layout and construction, as well as the secret … Read more
An ingenious way to combine routers, a band saw and hand tools for big dovetails.
By Jameel Abraham
Pages: 48-53
I know what you’re thinking: “Another opinion on how to cut dovetails.” I hear you. But this one’s different. I promise. No back and forth over pins or tails first. No Rob Cosman vs. Frank Klausz. Well, actually a little Klausz.
SLIDESHOW: See a slideshow of this process with additional steps.
ARTICLE: Read a review of the Benchcrafted vise hardware.
WEB SITE: Visit Jameel’s web site for ouds and workbenches.
TO BUY: “Dovetail Mastery” with Charles Bender.
IN OUR STORE: “The Workbench Design Book” by Christopher Schwarz. Read more
This light bulb-shaped lamp requires a little plywood (plus a little geometry) to make it look just brilliant.
By Christopher Schwarz
Pages:46-47
For me, one of the most perfect shapes ever designed is the general-purpose incandescent light bulb. While some people use the word “mushroom” to describe its profile, I’ve never seen a fungus with such sinuous and perfect curves.
VIDEO: See how to cut and sand the round discs – no jigs.
MODEL: Click here for the SketchUp model of the Light Bulb Lamp.
WEB SITE: See the RISD project that inspired this design.
BLOG: Read how hand-tool skills helped with these power-tool operations.
TO BUY: “Making Japanese-Style Lamps and Lanterns” by Edward R. Turner.
IN OUR STORE: “Boxes, Clocks, Lamps, and Small Projects.” Read more
Balance, concentration and the quest for the easy way to work.
By Robert W. Lang
Pages: 42-45
You wouldn’t expect a Welsh chair bodger who’s teaching how to build a stick chair to mention a Chinese martial art in relation to using a jack plane. And you wouldn’t expect the student to get the connection, see the truth in it and relate that to most good techniques in woodworking.
VIDEO: Learn tai chi from online videos.
ARTICLE: Read on our editors’ blog about preventing pain in your feet.
WEB SITE: Visit the Mayo Clinic web site to learn about the benefits of tai chi.
TO BUY: “Exercises in Woodworking” shows you good form for working smart. Read more
