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

Hough’s American Woods

During a recent visit to the library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the librarian was kind enough to show me their collection of Hough's American Woods.

Worn, with Pride

One of the most popular finishes these days is the so-called “shabby chic,” a modern term for what we used to call antique finish.

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Downloadable Plans

ONLY $1.00!

Keepsake Jewelry Box

If the ability to make a box is the foundation of most every carcase construction in woodworking, then this jewelry box carries the concept even further. If you can make a drawer, then you can make this box and conversely, if you can make this box, then you can make not only drawers but chests, cases and cabinets.

Father Christmas Woodcarving

This figure lacks the jolly smile of modern Santas. Instead he has a somber expression typical of many older St. Nicholas figures. His thoughtful look reflects the Saint's role as judge of the deeds of children and adults over the past year.

Early American Style Curio Shelf

This traditional Early American design is as useful today as it was 200 years ago. It's perfect for displaying curios or any other small items. Ours is made from bird's-eye maple, but walnut, cherry, and pine are other appropriate woods.

Child's Stepped-Back Cupboard

This cupboard is a scaled-down version of a slant-top cupboard. To make the piece look right in a smaller version, the stock thickness must be reduced, so our cupboard employs 58 inch thick pine for most of the parts and 1/2 inch thick pine for the back.

Workbench Helper

Generations of craftsmen have used these handy helpers to hold the other end of the board. They're especially useful for hand planing or jointing boards too long for a vise to support. Once you make this shop project, you'll wonder how you got along without it.

Shop-Built Mortising & Tenoning Table

The special jig adapts a portable router, preferably a plunge router, for use as a stationary tool. This "master" jig supplies a host of work setups in one compact package.

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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.'"