We all make mistakes. But too often, we make the same mistake over and over again because we don’t even know we have a problem. In this November 2004 issue of Popular Woodworking, we point out 33 big mistakes that plague your projects – and show you how to avoid them.
A ruler (yup, a ruler) slashes your sharpening time.
A secret weapon to fix your damaged finishes.
A classic Shaker tripod table that uses a simpler joint for sturdy legs.
Join Christopher Schwarz on his journey as he builds a Welsh stick chair.
Learn why you need a rasp.
Build a $10 table saw tenon jig.
Lonnie Bird offers tips for better glue joints.
Tune-up your auger bits.
Woodworking Essentials continues with everything you need to know about buying, using and maintaining your saw blades.
Learn the basic moves to sharpen your set of lathe tools.
Test your layout tools.
We put the Veritas Low-Angle Jack Plane, a new miter gauge from Kreg and an ingenious splitter through our tool test.
Plus, Tricks of the Trade, Q&A and much more.
Check out previews of each article below. Online extras can be found here.
Once available in dozens of patterns, the rasp has all but disappeared. But the stage is now set for a comeback. By Christopher Schwarz Pages: 73-75 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now One of the most useful wood-shaping tools – the rasp – is on my personal list of endangered tools. … Read more
A quick tune-up of your auger bits will produce astonishing results. By Samuel Peterson Pages: 68-72 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now If you’re like most woodworkers, an occasion has come up where you had to drill an odd hole but only the brace and bit will do the job. These … Read more
Part 2: Building the base. My detailed finishing techniques will allow you to complete this beautiful period piece. By Glen D. Huey Pages: 61-67 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now In the October 2004 issue I showed you the steps to create the cabriole legs for this classic Massachusetts Queen Anne … Read more
By Nick Engler Pages: 49-56 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now Your table saw is the central piece of machinery in your shop, and the blade (or more appropriately – blades) is a critical aspect of the ease and accuracy of your work. A top-quality blade mounted on a medium-quality saw … Read more
David Fleming, a former English teacher turned chairmaker, teaches the craft of building chairs on the edge of the Canadian wilderness. By Christopher Schwarz Pages: 42-48 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now After eight hours of a complete physical and mental workout, the seat of my Welsh stick chair is finally … Read more
Your joints will last for decades if you know how to apply your glue. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 38-41 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now Much of woodworking is joinery: An edge-to-edge joint is used to join two or more boards to create a tabletop, dovetails are carefully cut and fit … Read more
Is your square really square? Is your straightedge straight? Tools that have been trued make woodworking easier. By Don McConnell Pages: 32-36 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now A couple of years ago, while demonstrating edge jointing using hand planes, the shot edge appeared to be slightly convex when I checked … Read more
