Issue 370
Issue 370
Tiptop Birthday
January 31st was my granddaughter’s third birthday. As you might expect, she was very excited about the whole thing, with a lot of jumping up and down and “Is it time to open presents?” repeated many times.
My gift was three small tops that I turned on my lathe. Two were made from mahogany and one from ash lumber. They were not fancy or difficult to make, but they were well-received. In a house with two kids three and under, with two dogs and a couple of cats, I really do not think that all three tops will survive the year, but you never know. What I do know is that they made my grandkid happy, and I was happy for having made them.
That seems like a pretty good deal to me.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
P.S. (If you want to turn some tops, too, check out this video of the process from Ernie Conover, the regular woodturning columnist for Woodworker’s Journal.)
Industry Interviews
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Big Ass® Solutions: Poised for 200 Years and Beyond
Kentucky-based company builds state-of-the-art ceiling fans and LED lights using innovative engineering and a progressive corporate culture.
Today's Woodworker
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Tasos Vardopolous: Sculpting Wooden Stairs
Tasos Vardopolous is the third generation of wooden stair makers in Athens, Greece. He continues the tradition of carving the stairs with hand tools.
What's In Store
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Infinity Rip Resawing Blades
Infinity Cutting Tools now offers a line of 5/8- and 3/4-in.-wide Rip Blades for band saws, with several distinct advantages.
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Rockler Joinery Tool Bag
Measuring 12-in. wide, 16-in. long and 13-1/2-in. deep, Rockler’s Joinery Tool Bag has a rugged diamond-pattern PVC reinforced bottom and an easy-grip plastic handle with multiple pockets and hook-and-loop dividers.
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DeWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Jobsite LED Spotlight
Whether you need a powerful spotlight around the house, shop or jobsite, DeWALT offers a new handheld solution that’s powered by its 20V Max* lithium-ion battery (sold separately).
Tricks of the Trade
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A Better Container for Mixing Epoxy
5-minute epoxy works great for many woodworking projects. One of our readers shares this great tip for a using a…
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Get a Grip on CA Glue
I use a lot of CA glue on my turned projects, but as I get older, my hands just don’t do what I want them to do.
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A Sweet Way to Apply Putty
When using Durham’s Rock Hard Wood Putty, I used to mix it in a Dixie cup. Of course, I mixed in too much water and eventually would mix way too much putty and apply it with a knife. It was messy and a waste of putty.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Lattice Entertainment Center
This was my project last winter as we were going to purchase a new 70” LED TV set to replace my 6” projection TV.
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Cherry Dowel Cradle
Your recent article on making dowels on the router table reminded me of this cradle I made about 3 years ago.
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Adjustable Picture Frame
This is a picture frame with adjustable angles of display. The outside frame is maple and inside frames are cherry.
Feedback
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Aging in the Shop
Rob’s recent birthday had him considering his age — and his shop. Readers share the accommodations they’ve made, and their thoughts on aging and woodworking.
Q & A
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Can Marine Varnish be Rubbed Out?
My mahogany storm door has a gloss marine varnish finish. Can it be rubbed to a satin sheen instead?
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Accounting for Cross-grain Wood Movement on Breadboard Ends?
How should I make the joinery on breadboard ends so the center panel can expand and contract?
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Which Sander Pad Should I Choose?
Which will be the better choice for general sanding — a softer or a harder pad?