Issue 218
Issue 218
Winding Down the Winter
For those of you in warmer climes, this may be a bit hard to think about: as I write this missive, a nasty winter storm is bearing down on my small corner of the world. We have been flirting with 40-degree days around here for a little while, so the impending snowstorm feels like it is adding insult to injury. Last month it would have been “ho-hum, more snow. . .” but now it feels like winter is holding on and just won’t let go.
But the great thing for woodworkers (especially those with heated shops like me!) is that I can cocoon in my sawdust surrounds, and the snow will have no power over me. Why worry? You can’t fight the weather.
It’s March in Minnesota, and we might have five more of these late blizzards. I’ll just fire up the table saw and wait for April. And if spring arrives and I have a more pasty white pallor than usual, it will just mean that I have been that much more productive. So come on, let the winter winds blow. If you need me, you can find me in my shop!
– Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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Universal Ball and Socket Shields from Rockford Systems
Rockford Systems’ Universal Ball and Socket Shields are high-impact-resistant 3/16ths-inch clear polycarbonate shields in a variety of sizes to protect operators from flying chips, sparks and coolant from tools.
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SoniCrafter from Rockwell
The Rockwell SoniCrafter (RK5102K) is a 2.3-amp multifunctional tool with variable speeds of 11,000-20,000 oscillations per minute.
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ET200 Nail Master 2 from Arrow Fastener
The redesigned ET200™ Nail Master 2 from Arrow Fastener is a 14-amp electric nail gun with a hardened carbon steel delivery system that will drive four sizes of brad nails.
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MicroZip Sander: Tackling Tiny Details
You think you’re done with a project, and then – the final sanding. Of all those nifty, tiny, hard-to-reach details. If you leave them unsanded, you’ll always know.
Tricks of the Trade
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Shop Pencil Storage
The next time you have chinese soup, save the container (the small soup) and fill it with saw dust, drill some 1/4 inch diamater holes in the lid.
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Dust Collector Seal
I use a 35 gal galvanized garbage can on my dust collector along with a commercial plastic collector top.
Today's Woodworker
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Kate Taylor: Thinking Inside the Box
As with most woodworkers, Kate Taylor’s website nicely displays her work, a delightful collection of beautifully made boxes, furniture and turnings.
Q & A
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Sanding Cocobolo
When I try to sand cocobolo, it gums up the sheets of sanding paper very quickly. Is there a way to sand this wood that will not gum up the paper?
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Proper Fence Side
When making a 45 degree cut on the table saw, does it matter which side I have my fence when I angle my blade?
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Featherboards on Aluminum
I want to use feather boards on my table saw but the table is aluminum and has no T-slots and no flat areas on the back for clamping.
Industry Interviews
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Alpha Clamp: The Big Dog of Clamps
Lowell Thomas is, by his own admission, a professional inventor that has, as he puts it, never held a real job.
Feedback
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Redesign, Angle Formula and Blades
Last issue we rolled out a whole new look for the eZine, prompting this comment.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Blanket Chest
Blanket chest of maple,the carving was made on the carvewright machine. 3 coats of tung oil and 1 poly. –…
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Projects from Inexpensive or Salvaged Materials
Projects from Inexpensive or Salvaged Materials All projects below submitted by Kelly Craig, of Olympia, Washington The sign-shelf-coatrack was at…
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Maple Burl Egg
This project is of a maple burl egg, hollowed out and placed on a walnut stand that is carved to…
