2013 Popular Woodworking Magazine Favs – Part 1

I’ve been associated with this magazine in one capacity or another for the past 20 plus years. As a new year begins, I’ve made it a habit to look back through the previous seven issues to pick out which articles caught my interest. I grabbed a copy of the Popular Woodworking Magazine 1995 – 2013 DVD and began reminiscing. (There’s also a one year CD available, click here.) I’ll take a look at February through June in part 1, then wrap up the year next week in part 2.

I tried to be objective and not select my own projects. But in the February 2013 issue (#202), I had to choose the Southern Cellarette. I had a lot of fun building this piece, there are a few techniques used that are not a regular part of my woodworking and the result was not too bad, if I say so myself. Another strong influence for my decision is that this piece was a gift made to a retiree and avid Bourbon drinker; it found a good home. (If you want video instruction on this project, pick up a copy of “Building a Carolina Cellarette.”)

The April 2013 issue (#203) presented a bit of controversy for me. I like Mario Rodriguez’s sideboard (the cover project), but I decided to go with Chuck Bender’s article on router-cut quarter columns. Throughout my woodworking days, whenever I made fluted quarter columns, I glued brown-paper bag strips between two – or sometimes four – pieces of stock, turned the assembled parts at my lathe, fluted the pieces then split the turnings. Just reading that sentence makes me realize how much easier using a router can be.

I stayed away from the 1747 Line & Berry Chest in lieu of Bob Rozaieski’s article on building a Chimney Cupboard in the June issue (#204) – it was a difficult decision, but I had already dipped my toe into the cellarette. Bob’s hand-tool process was such a difference from how I work, that I found myself re-reading sections so I could wrap my head around the concept. Besides, I agree with Bob; these narrow cupboards are great additions to any home. Whether you follow Bob’s track, or if my Colonial Chimney Cupboard from way back in April 2003 (issue #133).

That covers the first half of the year. If you have favorites that haven’t made my list, please share them in the comments below. Write about any 2013 issues, too. I’ve made my selections for the remaining issues, so don’t worry that you’ll influence my choices.

— Glen D. Huey