Make a Rabbet Block Plane

I recently converted a common #220 Stanley block plane into an effective rabbet plane. I think a block plane’s comfort, low profile and blade angle can provide precision for paring...

Do Double-duty with a Dovetail Jig

I was intrigued with Nick Engler’s Ingenious Jigs article from December 2001 that showed you how to make a jig for cutting perfect dados in the sides of case pieces....

Make Forstner-powered Dovetail Pins

Chiseling and paring away the waste between dovetail pins can be largely eliminated by using a Forstner bit to remove the waste. Set up a Forstner bit (the diameter equal...

How to Sharpen Dull Router Bits

Most shops have two types of router bits – dull and sharp ones. It’s easy to tell the difference because the sharp bits ease through the wood while the dull...

April 2011 Tricks In Action

Our Tricks of the Trade column is written by our readers, and most of the entries come from “regular guys.” Occasionally we receive a trick from someone more recognizable, and...