Issue 686

Issue 686

Shape Shifting

It is a curiosity that while wood in its natural form is round in section, by the time most of us get our hands on it, the lumber is all sticked up in right angles. Then we woodworkers get busy adding curved segments back into many of the pieces we manufacture.

Back when I had to dodge velociraptors in my dad’s shop, we did a good deal of the bullnose shaping and other types of edging on a shaper — a relatively low RPM stationary machine that was really versatile when it came to machining complex shapes, grooves, rabbets and other types of cuts. You could stack cutters and even grind your own shapes. But it was a relatively expensive machine and the cutters were not chump change either.

Now, with robust routers, router tables and some amazing router bits (not cheap but amazing!), most home shops do not have a shaper and do not miss it. And even if your router table is not up to that level, you can always go with a spokeshave! Long live curved wood!

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

Ins and Outs of Roughsawn Lumber

Marked rough-sawn boards on shelves

Woodworking lumberyards often carry unsurfaced hardwoods. Here’s what to expect when buying these diamonds in the rough.

Scratch Awl from Scratch

Old screwdriver turned into a woodturning awl

This reader found a new way to give life to an old screwdriver, by turning it into a handy woodturning tool.

From Our Sponsor

Free Shipping on Orders of $39 or More from Rockler

Selecting cabinet hinges needn’t be a stressful process. We have assembled tips and advice based on cabinet type and various functions and aesthetics. Use this video and our hinge guides to make choosing hinges fun!

Various hinge types

European Hinges: The #1 Choice for Cabinets!
European Hinge Buying Guide

Semi-Concealed Hinges: The Classic Hinge Look
Semi-concealed Hinge Buying Guide

Click here for Free Plans!

Feedback