Tile Board Drawing Pad

          While working on a project, I used to draw sketches, keep notes and record shopping lists on writing pads. Unfortunately, they always got lost.  ...

AW Extra 10/11/12 – 7 Trim Router Tips

7 Router Trim Tips Multiple bases make this compact router extremely versatile. By Randy Johnson Laminate trim routers are amazing little machines. Their light weight and compact size make them...

Shop Plan Protector

          I like to work from plans, but paper is hard to protect in a workshop. My plans often become so torn, crumpled and soiled that...

New Clamps from Lidwig

I stumbled upon these clamps from Lidwig , an Australian company , a couple weeks back, but decided to hold my post until a few samples made it to our...

Handy Blast Gate Lever

Reaching down to open and close my tablesaw's blast gate was a real pain until I built this pivoting mechanical arm from pieces of 1/8-in. flat steel and 3/8-in. rod....

Stamped Steel or Cast Iron Wings?

Should I spend more money on cast-iron wings? Q. I can save money by buying stamped steel rather than cast-iron extension wings for my new tablesaw. What do cast-iron wings...

Using Melamine

Melamine is the professional cabinetmaker’s best friend. Build a cabinet with it and you have a complete, durable interior that requires no sanding (yes!) and no finishing (oh, yeah!). Pros...

Chuck Bender's Favorite Books

Chuck Bender is the author of “Carving Spanish Feet” in the current issue of Popular Woodworking magazine and has a couple additional articles forthcoming. He was also the subject of...