Woodworker's Journal eZine - From America's Leading Woodworking Authority

Keep it Moving!

Rob-Portrait As you click through the pages of the eZine this time out, you may notice a theme of sorts. Wooden bicycles and carved motorcycles -- transportation hits the woodshop. For me, transportation in the shop has a more plebeian orientation: I put everything I can in my shop on wheels. Casters are the gift that keeps on giving, in my opinion. My benchtop planer? On casters. My chop saw? On a cart — with casters. Table saw, band saw, lathe, bigger band saw, planer/jointer combo tool — all on casters.

That's just how I roll.

I admit, my addiction to all things casters may be a bit of overkill. I do tend to run an idea right into the ground. (My rolling lumber rack … turned out to be just a bit too big to actually roll.) So what about you? Are you going mobile in your shop or are you firmly planted to the ground? As always, your feedback will be shared with the gang.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker's Journal

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Satisfaction from the Simplest of Tools

Cleaning up the surface of his workbench with a scraper was a good chance for Chris Marshall to get back to basics with one of woodworking's simplest tools.

Tile-Topped Coffee Table

This reader-submitted coffee table features hand-made joinery and a clever use of tile for the tabletop. I wanted to share this project that I'm so proud of: a custom built coffee table with marble stone tiles on top. To use stone tiles for the top of a table is a great way to give furniture [...]

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Downloadable Plans

ONLY $1.00!

Prancing Pony Napkin Holder

A few hours in the workshop should be all that's needed to make this fanciful napkin holder. We've also found that it doubles nicely as a letter rack. It's a great project for scroll saw enthusiasts, although the band or saber saw can also be used.

Colonial Bunk Bed

For the growing family, saving space always seems to be a top priority. A bunk bed helps solve this problem by opening up more floor space and permitting greater flexibility.

Shaker Tall Clock

The Shaker Tall Clock is an heirloom piece that will repay your weeks or months of dedicated woodworking with untold years of satisfaction. A clock built by Shaker Erastus Rude inspired this version, which has been changed to accommodate modern woodworking techniques. The Rude clock can still be seen at the Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, New York.

Toddler Cart

This cart provides ample storage for the tot who likes to tote those toys about. We just can't guarantee that they'll load the toys back into the cart after play time is through.

Pine Vanity

This small Country-style vanity is perfect for a dresser top. Ours is made from pine, but it will look good made from any wood.

Sink-Top Cutting Board

We've seen cutting boards in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but this variation has to be one of the most useful. It fits on the sink-top, with a hole added to make it easy to push the scraps off the board and into your sink where the garbage disposal takes over.

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