Archives

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 chisel in water as you approach [...]

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 the saw kerf. The [...]

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 precise so [...]

Bleaching Wood Subtract color to add life. By Michael Dresdner There are four types of bleach that woodworkers commonly use: chlorine, two-part wood bleach, oxalic acid and peroxide. Two-part [...]

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 trim pieces once they’re in place? A: Don’t [...]

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 using an ice pick and a [...]

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 me how. A: Yes, it can be [...]

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 a piece of [...]

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. A splitter [...]

Clean Cuts in a Countertop   Q: I have a plastic laminate countertop that’s about 12 in. too long. I know that plastic laminate tends to chip when cut. How can I trim the countertop to size [...]

Tips for Gluing Miters By Bruce Wiebe Every woodworker faces their share of miter joints, whether framing a mirror, edge-banding a coffee table or assembling a jewelry box. And even for seasoned [...]