Q & A

  • Dissolving Old Glue

    I have a wood armchair, which was previously repaired, but not well. I would like to take the chair apart at the glued junctures and repair it properly. What is the best way to dissolve the old glue?

    by Reader Submitted • Jul 15, 2003 • Q & A

  • Does a Jointer Complete the Shop?

    I am a novice at woodworking. I have a table saw, a table router, and a cordless drill. What exactly does a jointer add to a shop? I have not even settled on what projects I wish to do.

    by Reader Submitted • Jul 15, 2003 • Q & A

  • Pesticide for Stored Furniture Lumber?

    I recently saw an episode of a nationally televised woodworking show in which the host said lumber should be treated with pesticide before being placed in storage.

    by Reader Submitted • Jul 15, 2003 • Q & A

  • Filling Pin Knotholes?

    I’m building a Shaker-style crossbuck table out of cherry. On the top surface of the table there are several pin knotholes of 1/16″ diameter or less. What is the best way to fill these holes?

    by Reader Submitted • Jul 15, 2003 • Q & A

  • A Small Wood Plane

    I do a lot of woodworking with small projects, and I am looking for a special wood plane designed to take the edge off lumber. It is small and only 2 or 3″ long.

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 17, 2003 • Q & A
  • Using crosscut sled to cut parts for Mid-Century Modern dresser

    Edge Marking and Burning

    I thought the blade was worn, but when I replaced it with a new 10″ carbide-tipped blade, the same thing still occurs. Does something need adjustment, or is it the blade?

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 17, 2003 • Q & A

  • Homemade Finish for Mahogany

    I am getting near the finishing stage of a plant stand made from mahogany. I want the wood’s natural beauty to pop but also need the protection of a urethane. I have heard of a tung oil/poly mix and do you know the recipe?

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 17, 2003 • Q & A

  • Making Small Box Finger Joints?

    I want to use a router to make 1/4″ finger joints for a small box. What would be the most appropriate bit to use straight, spiral upcut, or spiral downcut?

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 17, 2003 • Q & A

  • Can’t Cut a Flat Joint

    No matter what I do, I keep cutting curves on the jointer and not the perfectly flat surface I expected. I’ve checked that the tables are perfectly level.

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 3, 2003 • Q & A

  • Difficult and Dangerous Plunge Router?

    I’ve heard it’s both difficult and dangerous to mount a plunge router in a router table, but that’s exactly what I want to do.

    by Reader Submitted • Jun 3, 2003 • Q & A