Bleaching Wood
Bleaching Wood Subtract color to add life. By Michael Dresdner There are four types of bleach that woodworkers commonly use: chlorine, two-part wood bleach, oxalic acid and peroxide. Two-part [...]
Q & A: Filling Nail Holes
Filling Nail Holes Q: I am making an oak bookcase as a builtin for our living room. What’s the best way to fill the nail holes and finish the trim pieces once they’re in place? A: Don’t [...]
Q & A: Spray-On Crackle Finish
Spray-On Crackle Finish Q: Is it possible to get a crackle finish in a pigmented, water-based lacquer that is applied with an HVLP spray gun? If so, please tell me how. A: Yes, it can be [...]
AW Extra 1/23/14 – Steel Wool Holder
Steel Wool Holder I came up with this idea because I often use steel wool, bronze wool, and synthetic-steel wool. I attach the hook part of adhesive-backed, hook-and-loop strips to a piece of [...]
Q & A: Splitter for Narrow Pieces
Splitter for Narrow Pieces Q: How can I avoid burn marks when ripping thin strips? A: Add a splitter to your zero-clearance throat plate. A splitter [...]
Q & A: Clean Cuts in a Countertop
Clean Cuts in a Countertop Q: I have a plastic laminate countertop that’s about 12 in. too long. I know that plastic laminate tends to chip when cut. How can I trim the countertop to size [...]
AW Extra 1/2/14 – Tips for Gluing Miters
Tips for Gluing Miters By Bruce Wiebe Every woodworker faces their share of miter joints, whether framing a mirror, edge-banding a coffee table or assembling a jewelry box. And even for seasoned [...]
Q & A: How Can I Avoid Kickback When Resawing on a Tablesaw?
How Can I Avoid Kickback When Resawing on a Tablesaw? Q: Is there a splitter that can be used for resawing on a tablesaw? Mine is hooked onto the blade guard so it won’t work. A: [...]
Q & A: Should I Run My Tablesaw on 120 or 240 Volts?
Should I Run My Tablesaw on 120 or 240 Volts? Q: My contractor’s saw pops a breaker every once in a while, and that’s driving me crazy. I noticed that its motor can be wired [...]
AW Extra 12/19/12 – Tubular Storage
Tubular Storage Here’s my solution for storing skinny things like wood trim and edge banding. I bought a 12-in.-dia. by 8-ft.-long cardboard concrete form at a home center for about $14. I [...]
AW Extra 12/12/13 – Suspended Outlet
Suspended Outlet This is one of my favorite shop upgrades.By adding this suspended outlet over my work area I always have electricity close at hand. It sure beats running an extension cord across [...]
Q & A: Do blade stiffeners and stabilizers really help?
Do Blade Stiffeners and Stabilizers Really Help? Q: I’m trying to get a super-smooth cut on my contractor’s saw. I’ve seen blade “stabilizers” for sale. Do [...]