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Mobile Machine Caddy My shop space is so limited—only 12 feet square—that I designed this system to house four machines: belt-disc sander, miter saw station, drill press and planer. Each...

Q & A: Soaking Stones   Q: I just bought a 6,000-grit Japanese waterstone mounted on a wooden base. Can I soak it like my other stones? Also, what’s the...

Accurate Bevels The standard angle scale on my bandsaw is too small to read accurately. I made a large, new scale on the back side of my bandsaw and attached...

Grind a new 25-degree bevel. Grind all the way up to the leading end. Make sure the end is square within a few degrees. To prevent overheating, frequently dip the...

Turning Halves I often make decorative turnings that I later divide into two halves. Sawing the turnings down the middle is awkward and reduces the diameter by the width of...

Drawing Intersecting Rounds Joining two pieces of round stock to make a “T,” such as where a chair post joins a rail, requires a tricky intersection. Your layout must be...

Filling Nail Holes   Q: I am making an oak bookcase as a builtin for our living room. What’s the best way to fill the nail holes and finish the...

Vertical Panel Clamping Gluing panels and other large assemblies vertically saves floor space and is easier on your back—you don’t have to carry anything. Make the crossbar from [...]

Blade Alignment I made this rig to check the alignment of my tablesaw blade with the miter gauge slot. I don’t own a precision dial indicator, so I devised one...

Spray-On Crackle Finish   Q: Is it possible to get a crackle finish in a pigmented, water-based lacquer that is applied with an HVLP spray gun? If so, please tell...

Steel Wool Holder I came up with this idea because I often use steel wool, bronze wool, and synthetic-steel wool. I attach the hook part of adhesive-backed, hook-and-loop strips to...

Splitter for Narrow Pieces   Q:   How can I avoid burn marks when ripping thin strips?       A:   Add a splitter to your zero-clearance throat plate....