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Table of Contents

Tips & Techniques4

  • Page 5: Main drawing and Detail a
    Main drawing: The stop should be 1 3/16" wide, not 1 1/8" as indicated in the callout. Detail a: The 1/8" dimension at the bottom of the drawing should be 1/16".

Shop Clamps8

Tackling difficult clamping situations is simply a matter of having the right clamp for the job.

Most of the specialty clamps (or similar versions) on page 8 can be found through many of thesources shown in the margin at right. The wooden cam clamps are a little harder to find. They're available from Japan Woodworker (26.100.850) and The Best Things.

Router Table Dust Collection10

Clear the air with one of these simple dust collection strategies for your router table.

Adding dust collection is a great upgrade for your router table. Rockler carries the universal dust port (92031), Down Under Dust Port (25893), and Dust Bucket (32321). The Free-Hand Guard is available from Woodpeckers.

Precision Honing Guides12

We compare the features of ten different honing guides to see what each has to offer.

Any of the honing guides shown on page 12 will make sharpening a lot easier. The General and Stanley guides are available from Amazon. The Kell, Veritas, Veritas Mk. II, Oar, and Eclipse-style guides are available from several of the woodworking sources shown in the margin at right.

A few of the guides aren’t as readily available. The Alisam Sharpening Sled can be purchased from Alisam Engineering. Woodcraft carries the Pinnacle. And the Sharp Skate 2 is available through HMS Enterprises.

Raised Panels on the Table Saw16

Learn a new technique for creating coved raised panels using only a table saw.

Mail Organizer18

Here's a simple organizer that can be built in a day, doesn't require much in the way of materials, and can be put to use right away.

Aside from a few wire brads, the only other item required to build the mail organizer is a standard keyhole hanger. We purchased this from Rockler (28837).

To even out the color of the cherry, we stained the project with a combination of three parts Zar cherry stain and one part WoodKote Jel'd Stain (Cherry). Then the project was sprayed with a couple coats of lacquer.

Trivet Centerpiece20

Contrasting woods, a stylish design, and fine craftsmanship combine to make this trivet centerpiece as attractive as it is practical.

There's no hardware or special items used to build the trivet on page 20. But when it comes to finishing this project, you'll want to select a finish that can stand up to the heat from hot dishes placed upon it. I simply applied a couple coats of an oil finish — General Finishes' Seal-a-Cell.

Two-Tier Storage Bench22

This unique bench offers convenient storage as well as a place to sit down. Straightforward construction makes it a snap to build.

  • Page 24: Main illustration
    In order for the back panel to fit correctly, the bottom panel (C) needs to be slightly narrower than the End Panels (A & B) and Center Panel (D). The bottom should be 15" and not 15 1/4" as printed. (This will affect the materials and supplies list as well.)
  • Page 29: Materials, Supplies & Cutting Diagram
    The dimensions of part C (Bottom Panel) should be 15 x 35, not 15 1/4" as originally printed. (See related correction to page 24).
  • Page 24: Third drawing, Trim Center Panel Tongue
    In order to match the notch cut in the back, the tongue should be trimmed 13 3/8" from the bottom instead of the 13 1/8" as originally printed.
  • Page 23: Exploded view
    The side panel on the far right shows a tongue on the front edge that should not be present. The top end of the face frame stile correspondingly shows a groove that should not be there, either.

The two-tier storage bench requires a handful of hardware items. Rockler carries the hinges (55902), knob (22735), and drawer pull (38677). The bun feet (465-BF) and the dowel screws (ADDS) were purchased from Classic Designs by Matthew Burak.

To finish the bench, we painted it with a couple of coats of Benjamin Moore paint (Montgomery White). Then to give the bench an aged look, we applied a coat of Behlen's Glazing Stain (VanDyke Brown).

Shop Notebook30

Tambour Tool Cabinet32

Your favorite hand tools deserve a home that's equally special. The tambour door really makes this tool cabinet stand out from the pack.

  • Page 34: Drawings
    The location of the groove that holds the false back in the case sides was omitted from the drawings. The groove is cut 7" from the front edge. (That's 7" to the front edge of the groove.)

Online Extras

  • Shop Made Tool Holders
    The drawings on these pages provide you with the information needed to build tool holders for the tambour tool cabinet featured in Woodsmith 187.

There are only a few hardware items in the tool cabinet on page 32. The small ring pulls (00S30.21), large ring pulls (00S30.22), and chest handle (00S30.23) are all available from Lee Valley.

You'll also need some plastic stem bumpers (28373) and a pair of keyhole hangers (28837). We purchased these from Rockler.

The tambour door requires some canvas for the backing. We purchased a piece of artist's canvas from a local art store.

To maintain the natural color of the wood, we didn’t stain the tool cabinet. Instead, we wiped on a coat of General Finishes' Seal-a-Cell to give the oak a warmer color and then sprayed on a couple coats of lacquer.

Making Tambour Doors41

Making a tambour door isn't as complicated as it may seem. Here's a step-by-step approach.

Template Routing44

The secret to routing accurate curved grooves is a guide bushing and a shop-made template.

Fast Finish46

This easy-to-use finishing method is quick, looks great, and protects your projects.

Working with Figured Woods48

Figured woods can make your projects stand out. Here are some tips for top-notch results.

Q & A50

Final Details52