Issue 339
Issue 339
Free Plans Are Great!
I know that there are lots of us woodworkers who like to create our own designs. It sparks the creative process, adds a bit of individuality and a personal touch. And when the whole process ends up with a great-looking piece of furniture, toy or whatever ― it is such a great feeling. However, I don’t know about you, but not every one of my designs has turned out “great.” I’ve brought home coffee tables that were so large that they would fit the scale of Buckingham Palace. I’ve made chairs that made regularly sized women look like three-year olds when they used them. (There may be a pattern here….)
All of this is why woodworking plans are so useful. Even if you don’t build the exact project as drawn (and who does?), you can get proportions and construction ideas. Which is why our Free Plans page can be so useful. Every two weeks, we give you new plans that you can build exactly as presented, or modify to your preference. It helps the eZine to be a true value as well. A free eZine with free woodworking plans? That’s cool.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Industry Interviews
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Bainbridge’s Markers Offer Woodworkers a Perfect Match
Naysayers might believe that there isn’t much new under the sun, but for an enterprising inventor like Harry Bainbridge, there’s always room to take a good product or idea and make it even better.
Feedback
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“Making Stuff” Memories; Kentucky Coffee Bean Wood; Spell Check
Last time out, Rob mentioned his lifetime of “making stuff” in his editorial. In the tradition of eight-year-old Rob’s submarine, we heard about this reader’s first (attempted) project.
What's In Store
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Rockler Koostik Kit
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware’s Koostik Kit is a freestanding wooden cradle that fits any model iPhone and uses passive amplification to boost the iPhone’s sound to a higher volume.
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Limited Edition Lamello Classic X Biscuit Joiner
From now until the end of the year, Colonial Saw Company, the American distributor of the Swiss-made Lamello joining systems, has a Limited Edition Lamello Classic X Biscuit Joiner.
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Black & Decker 4V MAX Snakelight Flashlight
Black & Decker’s new 4V MAX Snakelight Rechargeable Lithium Flashlight has a flexible, wrap-around hose to provide a source of light where needed.
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Nexabond 2500 Wood Adhesives
Packaged like cyanoacrylate (CA) glue but with a longer open time, and no need for an activator, the makers of Nexabond 2500 Wood Adhesive hope it will revolutionize general-purpose woodworking glues in a number of ways.
Tricks of the Trade
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Storing Glue in the Shop
The solution I use for glue storage is simple.
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Dust Collection Helper
The volume of air blowing over the top of the wood allowed me to saw out the tambour clock in short order without having to clean the sawdust off my cut line.
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A Pair of Quick Clean-up Tips
Remove glue and pencil marks with these handy tips.
Today's Woodworker
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Tom Fidgen: Woodworking. Unplugged.
Tom Fidgen is an “unplugged” woodworker: hand tools all the way.
Q & A
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Extending My Router’s “Reach” for a Router Table?
Plunge or fixed? Is there a model that allows the collet to extend beyond router base? Should I be thinking of purchasing a router lift instead of a new router? Or what?
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Best Brew for Wax/Oil Finish?
I would like to make a finish for wood projects out of beeswax and linseed oil.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Night Stand Set
These are two night stands I built for my sister’s guest bedroom. I used the plans from the February 2002 issue of Woodworker’s Journal and modified them to meet my desire for cleaner lines.
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Grandchild’s Cradle
I just completed a cradle for our first grandchild based on a design that my son had seen and liked. It is made of walnut, maple and ash.
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Piano Bench
This is an older styling Piano Bench made from hard maple with spade legs. The legs have Myrtle inlay.
