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

Saved by My Lathe

Rob Portrait Some folks seem to think that the winter holiday season is the hardest on their budget. Not so with me -- it's the graduation/wedding season that makes my wallet look as bare as last year's Christmas tree. Now, let me cushion that mean-sounding statement with this: few things make me happier than young people moving successfully and hopefully forward with their lives. (But why does it have to be so expensive?) I was cogitating on this very subject a short while ago when I was suddenly struck by an epiphany (don't worry, it only hurt for a minute).

In a nutshell, my thinking came to this: I love to turn small projects, people love to get one of a kind personal gifts, and I can get lots of turning wood for next to nothing. It's truly sweet and simple. So this week I am putting my new program to work with a couple of large salad bowls for two different sets of newlyweds. I love them dearly, and it is my hope that they will love the gifts.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker's Journal

P.S. Speaking of being thrifty: be sure to check out the ads and the Industry Interview and Tool Preview for this issue of the eZine. Gorilla Glue is our sponsor this time out, and their support means that we can continue to send the eZine out to you free of charge.

New from the Blog

Interesting Woodwork is Wherever You Find It

On a recent visit to Northern Italy, I found myself strolling along the narrow lanes of Venice, surrounded by flocks of international tourists.

Tree Planting Goal Met

You may remember that, about a month ago, Chris Marshall brought you news of Rockler's goal to support the planting of 20,000 hardwood trees leading up to Earth Day.

Click Here to Read More!

Downloadable Plans

ONLY $1.00!

Two Deck Railing Planters

We've seen variations of these clever railing-mounted planter boxes in the garden shops, but if you've got a table saw, it's cheaper to make them yourself. We show two types of planters: a straight version and a corner version.

Pine Wall Cabinet with Louvered Doors

This Early American style cabinet will look good in any room, although it seems particularly well suited for the kitchen or bathroom. To make it easy to build, we simplified the joinery, using a basic butt joint secured with countersunk and plugged wood screws.

Bandsawn Heart Box

These lovely heart-shaped boxes will make perfect Valentine's Day gifts. They are made almost entirely with the band saw, and with a refined procedure of only a few basic steps, you'll find these boxes surprisingly easy to make.

Cabinet with Punched Tin Doors

The punched-tin panels, black iron hinges and simple casework make this little pine cabinet a country gem you'll want to put in a prominent spot.

Oval Extension Table

Massachusetts furniture maker Gene Cosloy designed this table so that it forms a perfect oval without any extensions. With with both extensions in place, though, the table has an elegant look and doesn't appear stretched out of proportion.

Toy Airport Baggage Cart

A couple of evenings in the workshop should be about all that's needed to make this toy. The two carts are identical except for the location of the cart couplers.

Click Here for More Plans!

In This Issue of the eZine . . .

Today's Woodworker

Maryellen Burdwood-Porter: Hitting the Target in Woodworking

Maryellen watched him make the bow, and watched apprentices come and go in the shop. When her order was finished, "The moment he finished making the bow, I put it in my truck and took it home; when I got to my house, I called him from home and said, 'I want to be your apprentice.'"