Essentials of Table Saw Safety
It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of all woodworking requires some type of sawing. The power, accuracy and control of the table saw has made the process of sawing wood a lot more productive [...]
Quick, Slick Burnisher
A nice scraper burnisher can be made quickly for little or no cost. All you need is a cheap wooden file handle (available at hardware stores) and an old drill bit. You simply drill into the [...]
Safer Ripping of Short Stock
Ripping very narrow stock on the table saw can be a bit dicey because your push stick runs so close to the blade. If you’re not careful to keep it against the rip fence, it can tip into the [...]
Shop-made Beam Compass
In my work I often need to draw large-radii curves, for which I use this long beam compass. Built from scrap wood and a dowel center, it’s cheap and easy to make in any length. It can be quickly [...]
Reversible Bench Hook
Like many woodworkers, I use a bench hook to support small pieces on the bench for handsawing. A typical bench hook is just a small panel with a shortened topside fence at one end for supporting [...]
Offset Detail Sander
When doing repair work, I often have to inlay small patches of wood into a finished surface. To help level the patch afterward without marring the adjacent surface, I made up several of these [...]
Popping Plugs
After cutting out plugs on the drill press, I used to saw them from their blank using the table saw. Unfortunately, this would often send the freed plugs flying across the shop, forcing me to [...]
Clamping Edges with Wedges
I made a built-in bookcase for my daughter that required attaching the face frame after installing the case. I didn’t want to mar the face frame with nail holes, but I don’t have any [...]
Online Extras: October 2008 Issue
Online Extras for the October 2008 issue include a video of a behind-the-scenes look how a Popular Woodworking cover is shot, a video about Bob Lang's 21st Century bench, as well as [...]
Out of the Woodwork: Et tu, Brute?
But a small cut may lead to thoughts of treason. By Jeff Skiver Page: 88 From the October 2008 issue #171 Buy this issue now I already have more lumber than I can use. However, I cannot seem to [...]
Random-Orbit Sanders
These mid-size sanders take on the brunt of our sanding chores. Find out what sets them apart. By Glen D. Huey Pages: 58-63 From the October 2008 issue #171 Buy this issue now As we prepared to [...]
