Archives

Q & A: Which Glue for Bent Lamination? Q: A chair design I’m working on requires bent laminations for the back spindles. I’m using maple and am having a hard time keeping the glue [...]

Q & A: Cock-Beading on Drawer Fronts Q: I have plans for a Queen Anne highboy in which the drawer beads are applied as separate strips to the edges of the drawer front. How is this done [...]

Q & A: Mortise and Tenon Dimensions Q: I would like to use mortise and tenon joinery on a project. Are there any rules of thumb for sizing mortise and tenon joints? A: Here are a few good [...]

Q & A: Is Blue-Stained Pine OK? Q: I have some pine that was given to me.The price was right but the wood is full of blue stain. Is it safe to use this wood for painted projects or as…

Q & A: Restoring a Blued Chisel Q: The first thing I did with my new grinder was to blue the edge of a chisel. Is there anything I can do to save it? A: Most woodworkers have faced…

Q & A: Folding Bandsaw Blades Q: I once saw someone fold a bandsaw blade for easier storage— how was that done? A: Folding a bandsaw blade can be a bit intimidating when you first [...]

Q & A: Matching Old Stains Q: I have to match an old stain. I’ve come pretty close with a new stain I bought at the hardware store, but it’s not good enough. Is there a way I can [...]

Q & A: Setting Jointer Knives Q: How can I set my jointer knives without using a jig? A: A wood block and a pencil will do the job on a jointer with an adjustable outfeed table. If the [...]

  Cutting Gauge Tune-Up Q: I bought a new marking gauge to cut across the grain when I lay out tenon shoulders and dovetails. The problem is, it doesn’t make a clean cut. All I get is a [...]

  Removing Old Glue Q: I’ve got some old furniture that’s been reglued too many times. How do I get the old glue off so I can get back to clean wood? A: If your furniture was [...]

How to Hang Inset Doors Install butt hinges perfectly and establish consistent, slender margins. By Tim Johnson Nothing signals skillful craftsmanship like an inset door with elegant hinges and [...]

Tom’s Torsion Box Workbench This rock-solid workhorse is simply four easy-to-build 2×4-and-plywood boxes. By Tom Caspar Quick, cheap, solid. You can’t ask much more from a workbench, [...]