Issue 236
Issue 236
Thankful for Woodworking
Next week is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., a holiday known mostly for its food, family and traditions. While I’m in favor of food traditions – even though my doctor says that some of them aren’t good for me – I’m even more in favor of some other traditions. Like the traditional craft of woodworking. Don’t get me wrong: I’m no Ian Kirby, and you won’t find me trading in all my power tools for a hand plane.
No, I mean that I appreciate the work that goes into woodworking, and how well it supports some of those other traditions. Where would you rather gather your family: at a plastic-topped table with legs made from cheap metal, or a handmade wooden trestle table lovingly polished by hand until it makes a lovely surface for that gravy boat to rest on? Hey, even those first Thanksgiving Pilgrims probably ate off of wooden tables – even if today’s “traditional” dinner looks nothing like what they actually ate.
So, on Thursday Nov. 26, you might want to ask your family to take a moment to be thankful for woodworking, and woodworkers. It’s easy as pie.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
P.S. Check our Feedback section for the winners of our Talkin’ Turkey contest from last time out: don’t follow any of the bad woodworking advice!
Feedback
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From Turkey to Tools
We asked you to talk turkey and tell us the worst woodworking advice you’d ever received – and you gobbled up the invitation.
What's In Store
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Stanley SquidBrite
The Stanley SquidBrite worklight has a pivoting head to adjust the light source, mounted on flexible arms.
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General Tools Pro-Angle 6” Stainless Steel Digital Protractor
The Pro-Angle 6” Stainless Steel Digital Protractor from General Tools quickly calculates angles by swinging open the 6” stainless steel pivoting arm, which can be locked in any position.
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Gator® Ultra Power Premium Sandpaper with Black Zirconium
Gator Ultra Power Premium Series sandpapers with Black Zirconium, from Ali Industries, are designed to be used on power sanders.
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Craftsman 4-1/8” Bench Top Jointer/Planer
The Craftsman 4-1/8” Bench Top Jointer/Planer (model number 21789) is designed for woodworkers doing smaller projects.
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Easy Leaf Products Oil-free Steel Wool
Steel wool is an asset to finishers and woodworkers alike, but some wool types include certain amounts of oil, which can contaminate new wood finishes.
Tricks of the Trade
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Squaring Blocks
Those of us who work alone have to find ways to make up for the lack of another pair of hands.
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Jammed Face Plate Fix
When turning segments on a lathe, the face plate often jams and is difficult to remove.
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Improved Router Wrench
I liked the “router helper” featured in a previous issue, but I took the idea one step further and added an extension handle.
Today's Woodworker
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Denise DeRose: Turner of Handbags
Denise DeRose has been a woodturner for a while — ever since she inherited her father’s shop, along with his love for wood – but she’s only been following her current focus in turning for about a year.
Q & A
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Table Saw Blade Height
Somewhere along my pathway of woodworking, I was told that a table saw blade should be limited to 1/8th inch above the wood being cut.
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Spontaneous Combustion?
Is this a real threat? Should I be worried? How should I throw out used rags?
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Router Bit Removal Difficulties
I only have two of the required three hands, so I put the router in a vise. Any suggestions?
Industry Interviews
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“Bad Dogs” Fetches Good Burls from Oz
If someone had told Rob Doyle years ago that he’d one day be importing one-of-a-kind burls from Australia and Tasmania, he probably would have laughed about it. It wasn’t even on his radar.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Candy Dish
This project was not turned, it was made using DeWalt 788 Scroll Saw and bowl sanders mounted in my drill press.
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Raising Bench Top Planer
I had the same problem as a reader who needed to raise and lower his benchtop planer, so I went to a scrap car yard and got a car jack for $2.50.
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Intarsia Dog Portraits
These are two custom intarsia collies I made for a family that rescues collies. They usually have 10 at any given time.
