Issue 294
Issue 294
Find Me in the Shop
Football season is (mercifully, for Vikings fans like yours truly) over for the year. Hunting season is likewise on hiatus. And while, in my neck of the woods, you can still fish right now, it means standing on top of the water and drilling holes — which is just not for me. All of the siren songs that seek to sway me from my full-time sweetheart, woodworking, have once more left me in the lurch. Which, of course, means that all those ideas and plans that I have been noodling over while sitting in boats and tree stands, chasing a bird dog and flipping from NFC to AFC — in terms of what to build and how to do it — are now turning into real projects. Which makes this the very best time of year to me.
So, if you want to find me from here until the fishing opener — my shop is your best bet.
Sawdust, here I come.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Tricks of the Trade
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Store Lock Out Keys in Back of Drawer
Several of my power tools have lockable power switches, but keeping the keys away from kids posed a problem.
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Handy, Inexpensive Sawdust Collector
After purchasing my new scroll saw, it became apparent that I needed some sort of collection device to stop the constant rain of dust.
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Expanding Your Shop Space
My shop was getting too crowded, so I put my stationary tools on casters in order to push them against a a wall when not in use.
What's In Store
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Metabo ASR 35 Heavy-Duty Vacuum
Metabo’s new ASR 35 is a heavy-duty vacuum with wet/dry capabilities with automatic electromagnetic vibration filter cleaning.
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Comparing Apples to Apples: Basement Edition
“Comparing Apples to Apples: Basement Edition” by Jeff A. Edvenson is a book written by a general contractor for homeowners looking to refinish their basements.
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Carpenter Pro App
The Carpenter Pro application for iPad and iPhone devices will calculate how many plywood sheets you need to cut parts for your project and generate detailed cutlist diagrams for every stock sheet.
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Domino XL: Sometimes Bigger is just Better!
Here is a sneak peek at a brand-new product from Festool.
Today's Woodworker
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Earl Nesbitt: Challenging, Sculptural Projects
Earl Nesbitt has “always loved wood and furniture,” but he spent the first part of his career working as a machinist — until he decided to look for something more fulfilling.
Q & A
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What’s the Difference Between an Armoire and a Chiffarobe?
What’s the difference between an Armoire and a Chiffarobe? I will be building a few of these to maintain the historic look of the house.
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What Warped My Lattices?
Are there assembly or preparation tips and tricks I might use in the future to build these lattices for a wider range of environmental conditions?
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How to Finish Large Surfaces without Spraying?
What are the best methods for applying hand finishes, especially waterborne products, to large surfaces such as a conference table or oversize vertical panels?
Industry Interviews
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Wixey Digital Accessories Deliver ‘Measure Once, Cut Once’ Convenience
Accuracy, clarity and repeatability are three reasons why Barry Wixey is bringing digital accessories to the woodworking marketplace.
Feedback
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Rolling Along…
Rob’s editorial last issue confessed to his obsession with casters: an addiction to adding mobility to everything in his shop that could be put on wheels. Readers had a lot to say on whether or not their shops were mobile.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Five Drawer Chest
Five drawer chest with full extension glides made from a Pecan tree I cut down in my yard.
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Mission-Style Bench
I built this mission-style bench from reclaimed white oak lumber that came from a barn. My son and I are taking down this barn that was constructed entirely with white oak.
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Pedestal Cake Dish
A neighbor asked me if I could make a pedestal cake dish for her. Since I don’t have a lathe I suggested that it be an octagon and she said that would be okay.