The key to quality work is to fit the parts before assembly and to pay close attention to the fine details. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 66-69 From the December 2005 issue #152 Buy this issue now Few things speak of craftsmanship like a fine drawer. Flawless dovetails, crisp, yet mildly textured hand-planed surfaces, and a … Read more
Building fine furniture is challenging, but never impossible. Learn the techniques necessary for efficiently building any casework. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 58-65 From the November 2005 issue #151 Buy this issue now If you’ve never tried your hand at building a chest of drawers but you’ve built several projects with success, the simple tall chest … Read more
Owning the right tools and knowing a few tricks will ensure accurate work. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 76-79 From the April 2005 issue #147 Buy this issue now Layout is one of the most important processes in woodworking; it provides an essential “road map” to point you in the right direction when cutting and fitting … Read more
The right techniques and tools (plus a few tricks) will give you a good start on mastering this fine traditional joint. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 60-65 From the February 2005 issue #146 Buy this issue now Dovetails have long been recognized as the premier joint for casework and drawers – and for good reason. They’re … Read more
Sinuous and beautiful, this period furniture detail is actually straightforward to make. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 49-51 From the August 2006 issue #156 Buy this issue now The flowing curves of ogee bracket feet provide a sculptural look to desks, chests and other forms of fine casework. Although there are a number of variations of … Read more
Your workbench’s vise isn’t the only way to secure your workpieces. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 40-44 From the June 2006 issue #155 Buy this issue now Learning to use hand tools opens a whole new realm of woodworking possibilities. Planes, saws and chisels give your work fine details that can’t be matched by any machine. … Read more
Out-of-the box chisels can derail your chances of tight dovetails. Improve almost any tool with these quick fixes. By Lonnie Bird Pages: 61-63 From the February 2006 issue #153 Buy this issue now In my recent article on cutting dovetails (“Your First Handcut Dovetails,” February 2005) I stated that the process of creating this time-honored … Read more
