Archives

Q & A: Jointing Thick Wood with a Router Q: I have a very small shop and don’t have the space for large machines like jointers and planers. I need to make thick table legs from three 3/4-in. [...]

Q & A: Pencil Mark Cleanup Q: How do I get the pencil marks off my oak plywood bookcase? I tried using an eraser, but that didn’t get down into the open grain.When I tried sanding it out I [...]

Q & A: Cupped Door Panels Q: Recently I glued up some 1⁄4-in. panels for cabinet doors.My other life kept me out of the shop for a week and when I returned the panels had a [...]

Q & A: Veneered-Plywood Tear-Out Q: I have some planks with a pronounced crook.The grain is beautiful and I would like to make use of the crook in a desktop design. How can I edge join the [...]

  Q & A: Keep the Crook Q: I have some planks with a pronounced crook.The grain is beautiful and I would like to make use of the crook in a desktop design. How can I edge join the boards [...]

Q & A: Router Bit Slipping Q: Is there any reason why my router bits are suddenly slipping? I have had this router for years without any trouble. A: Because you haven’t had trouble with [...]

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 [...]