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.
Sometimes sawing isn’t the smartest solution. By Jim Tolpin Page: 108 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now When I lived in Pennsylvania, an Appalachian furniture maker I met gave [...]
Sometimes it’s a good technique for repairing damaged finishes. By Bob Flexner Pages: 102-104 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now In the woodworking community, French polishing [...]
Turning tools come in many shapes. Here’s how to keep those shapes sharp. By Judy Ditmer Pages: 97-99 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now Many years ago, I was cooking with a [...]
A simple and inexpensive accessory that will cut accurate joints. By Bill Hylton Pages: 94-96 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now The mortise and tenon is one of those [...]
There are many things we do wrong but we don’t know they’re wrong. By the Popular Woodworking staff Pages: 88-92 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now In woodworking there are two [...]
Radically reduce the time it takes to prepare and sharpen a plane iron with the help of a $5 steel ruler. By David Charlesworth Pages: 82-86 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now I [...]
Although delicate, this graceful table should provide years of service in your home. By Kerry Pierce Pages: 76-81 From the November 2004 issue #144 Buy this issue now Several years ago while [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]