Author Archives: Jim Stuard

About Jim Stuard

Jim Stuard is a former associate editor for Popular Woodworking.

Ultimate Miter Saw Stand

This clever rolling stand allows you to make dead-on crosscuts, and then it folds up when not in use. Plus, you need only two sheets of plywood to build it. Read more »

Start With a Sandwich Begin by sandwiching three pieces of wood. This part is made from two pieces of 3/4" x 6" x 36" plywood with a piece of 1" x 1" x 36" solid wood centered between. Use a spacer to index the center precisely in the middle of the larger panels. Glue and nail the sandwich together.

Dovetail Jig

Years ago when I first learned to cut dovetails, my first joints weren’t things of beauty. Sometimes there were more shims than pins. Over time, my work got better and faster. But despite the improvement in my skills, I still had trouble cutting tails or pins consistently, especially if I got out of practice.

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Routing the Plate Opening: A good way to get a parallel and square opening is to use the saw fence as a guide for two of the cuts. Measure the offset from the edge of the router base to the side of the spiral bit and use this in setting the fence for each cut, parallel to the fence. Clamp a square piece of wood in place as a guide for the sides of the opening, perpendicular to the saw fence. Next form the rabbet that holds the insert in place by using the same procedure and bit you used to cut the opening

Router Fence for a Table Saw

Your table saw is a router table and jointer just waiting to happen. Replace one of the saw’s wings (or adapt your existing table board) to hold a router table insert, and you’re in business. Read more »