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Table of Contents

Tips & Techniques4

New Spin On Slot Cutters8

Some new design innovations make these workhorses even more versatile and easy to use.

Getting a Flat-Bottom Dado10

Combine the table saw and a hand-held router to get clean, perfect dadoes.

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5 Steps for Perfect-Fitting Tenons12

We'll show you what it takes to get tight-fitting, gap-free tenons in a short time.

Using the Keller Jig14

Through dovetails in minutes? You bet. It's a snap with this simple router jig.

Shop-Made Louvered Shutters16

Here's your chance to make movable louvered shutters. We'll show you what it takes.

Louvered Lamp20

Once you've built louvered shutters, put them to work in this accent lamp.

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  • Louvered Lamp
    Normally, a louvered shutter is used to keep light out of a room. But the louvered shutters of this cleverly designed lamp are meant to let the light into the room.
  • Window Shutters
    I put the louvered shutters that I built to a pretty unique use, but you can build them for a more conventional purpose. With a few simple design changes, you can build louvered shutters custom-sized to fit the windows in your home.

Shop Notebook24

Nantucket Bench26

This simple, country project features a unique table saw "mortising" technique.

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  • Short Nantucket Bench
    Sometimes the simplest of design changes can give a project a whole new look and function. By taking this design and changing the overall length, the long bench becomes a nicely proportioned "one seater" or even a small side table.
  • Nantucket Bench
    This bench is a simple, country classic. I'm guessing it might look kind of familiar. Because this basic style has been used for ages. Two ends, a seat, and a few connecting pieces -- that's really about all there is to it.
  • Building the Nantucket Bench

Classic Oak Tool Cabinet32

What more could you ask for? Quartersawn oak, simple joinery, fine details, and lots of storage.

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  • Classic Oak Tool Cabinet
    When it comes to building a big project like this, it can be a little intimidating. So I find it's helpful to step back and break it down into sections so you don't get overwhelmed by the details. That's what I did here. The tool cabinet is made up of four different elements: the case, doors, drawers, and trays.
  • Chest of Drawers
    Even though it's a shop project, the heirloom tool cabinet looks good enough to be a piece of furniture. And with a few changes, you can easily transform this tool cabinet to a handsome chest of drawers.

Fine Tool Chest42

Build the perfect companion to the tool cabinet. It shares all the same details -- just smaller.

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  • Fine Tool Chest
    When it comes to keeping and organizing my favorite hand tools, I wanted to make a special case for them. So I built this tool chest. You can build it to sit on top of the tool cabinet in this issue, or your workbench. The construction of this chest is very similar to the tool cabinet -- just on a smaller scale.

Finish information: The chest was stained with Woodkote Jel'd Stain Dark Oak and was constructed with quartersawn white oak.

Putting Your Best Face Forward44

The wood you use in a project is just as important as how you use it. We'll share a few tips on wood selection.

Table Saw -- Space-Saving Ideas46

Make the most of limited shop space with these four practical ideas for your table saw.

5 Ways to Revive a Finish48

Bring back the shine to your tired and worn furniture with these proven techniques.

Q & A50

Final Details52