Issue 238
Issue 238
Yankee Heading to ‘Bama
As I write this missive, those of us in the North Country have just weathered our first severe winter storm. Many inches of snow, winds exceeding 40 miles per hour, followed by below-zero temperatures. No big deal … just life on the tundra. And in truth, this sort of weather makes me feel invigorated. But at the same time, I just can’t help remembering my wife saying to me, “You know, there are places where the words snow and shovel are not combined to form a noun.”
Why bring this up? Well, with those ever-so-true words ringing in our ears, my family and I have made a momentous decision regarding our year-end activities. We are going to Alabama for the holidays! And we are not just tiptoeing over the border: nope – we are going all the way to the Gulf Shore and more. Dauphin Island, here we come, with plans to do a whole lot of nothing! I am going to be leaving my woodworking shop behind me for a while, but I will get through it — I just might get some ideas for projects for 2010, perhaps even some that could utilize the multi-tool from Dremel, the sponsor of this issue of the eZine. (And I will probably come home with some wormy cypress or other local wood hard to get in the frozen North. Never waste a trip when it comes to lumber, is what I say.)
So what brought on this Southern migration? A spirit of adventure … and the well-reasoned consideration that a week without a snowshovel is a week well spent.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
P.S. Check out the winners of our charitable giving contest in the Feedback department.
Q & A
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Undoing Glue Joints
I need to disassemble a coffee table I made. Is there a “trick” to undoing glued joints?
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The Fight Between Glue and Stain
Should I try to wipe the glue off as soon as it is applied, wait until it is partially set or try to cut, chip, sand, etc., after it has completely set?
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Port Orford Cedar
Is it a hardwood, and could I blend this together with other hardwoods for food prep?
Industry Interviews
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Dremel Shakes Things Up with Versatile Multi-Max
Dremel defines its tools using four adjectives: versatile, ergonomic, precise and compact.
What's In Store
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Solematte Adhesive Floor Mat
Solematte Adhesive Floor Mats come in a stack of 30 sheets measuring 24 by 36 inches.
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Native Wood Crafting Sheets
Native Wood Crafting Sheets from Rolling Hills Reprographics are .5-millimeter thick, 7 x 10 inch sheets of unbacked veneer, currently available in cherry, oak and maple species.
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Flexaust Flx-Thane® MD Polyurethane Hose
A new variation of polyurethane hose from the Flexaust company is Flx-Thane MD Polyurethane.
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Craftsman Professional 10” Contractor Table Saw
The Craftsman Professional 10” Contractor Table Saw has a 1-3/4hp induction with maximum depths of cut of 3-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 2-3/16 inches at 45 degrees.
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Multi-Max Oscillating Tool System
Some shop tools are “one-hit wonders” that only come out for specific tasks. But, that’s not true of the Multi-Max Oscillating Tool System from Dremel.
Tricks of the Trade
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No-freeze Shop Box
Protecting freeze-sensitive shop supplies such as rechargeable tool batteries, glues, finishes and waterstones from winter cold is a hassle.
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Edge-Jointing with a Planer
I find it a great convenience to be able to machine-plane boards on edge, and all you need is this simple three-piece jig.
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Crown Your Blade to Eliminate Drift
Most band saw tires have a crown in the middle. If the blade is tracking in front or in back of the crown, you’ll find that the blade will drift left or right.
Today's Woodworker
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Glen Guarino: Striving for Beauty
Glen Guarino has loved woodworking since he was a boy – and, as a retired high school shop teacher, passed along that love to other boys and girls.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Jewelry Boxes
Some jewelry boxes I make.
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Water Wheel and House
It may not be “Fine” woodworking, but this is a project I completed for Michigan Christian Youth Camp in Lapeer, MI for their nature center.
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Cradle
Here is a cradle I built for my daughter.
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Planer Cart
I was reading in a recent E-zine about how some of the folks store and use their planers and thought I would send this picture of the cart I made several years ago that works great.
Feedback
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Wet Sanding and Keeping Tools Dry
The winners of our eZine contest for the best charitable program involving woodworking found charities that covered the range from toys to turnings – all of them great ways to use woodworking to help others.