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Tips & Techniques4

Bargain Router Bits8

Are low-cost router bit sets worth the money? You'll be surprised at what we found out.

You can find bargain router bit sets at most home centers, local discount stores, and several of the sources listed below. The Timberline router bit set featured on page 8 of Woodsmith No. 160 is available from Amana Tool as well as the Woodsmith Store.

Miter Saw Blades10

Getting the best results with a miter saw starts with choosing and using the right blade.

15 Tips & Tricks for Assembly12

Learn the tips and tricks for gluing up a drawer.

Table Saw Miter Sleds14

Take your table saw to the next level by adding a precision miter sled.

A miter sled is a great addition to your table saw. The sleds shown in the article on page 14 of Woodsmith No. 160 are available from the manufacturers.

You’ll find the Dubby Sled at Inline Industries. Delta makes the Sliding Miter Jig and it’s available through Delta and their retailers. The Deluxe Sled is made by Woodhaven.

DVD Storage Case16

Organize your growing collection of DVDs with one (or more) of these versatile storage cases.

Online Extras

  • DVD Storage Case
    It doesn't take long to build up a rather sizable collection of DVDs. But the challenge is keeping them all organized and neatly stored. That's just one of the reasons I like this DVD storage case.

You’ll only need a few pieces of hardware to build the DVD storage case on page 16. All of the hardware I used came from Rockler.

The brass file drawer pulls with cardholder (#70763) on the front of the drawers added a great look to the storage case. They also make it easy to locate the contents in each of the drawers.

I also added stem bumper glides (#28373) to the top of each drawer. These help the drawer slide as it’s opened and closed.

If you plan on making more than one storage case and connecting them together, you’ll need a couple of other items. The first is some 1/4"-20 standard barbed threaded inserts (#32025). Then to join them together, you need some 1/4" x 1" Fh machine screws. You should be able to find these items (or similar hardware) at your local hardware store or home center.

Platform Bed22

You won't lose sleep building this bed. Built with simple joinery, it yields rock-solid results.

  • Page 29: Illustration
    The drawing shows measurements of 76" to the outside of the bed posts. The arrows should indicate the "shoulder-to-shoulder" measurements to the inside of the posts. The online cutting diagram and parts list are correct.
  • Page 24: Top illustration
    The note should read "Rails and stiles are cut from 1 1/2"-thick stock."
  • Page 29: Online Extra Materials List
    The materials list in the online extra (and on the issue's coverwrap) show part N as 40 3/8" wide but it should be 40 5/8". This dimension is shown correctly in the illustration on page 29.

Online Extras

  • Platform Bed
    Here's a project I've been looking forward to building for some time. This queen-size bed completes the five-piece bedroom suite that includes an armoire, dresser, night stand, and wall mirror.
  • A Different Size
    Building a wider frame is about the only change you'll need to make for a full-size version of this platform bed. Check your mattress size before you start work.
  • Staining the Platform Bed
    The cherry platform bed in Woodsmith No. 160 features two contrasting stain colors on the headboard. This "two-tone" scheme is the same combination used on the matching pieces in the suite.

The platform bed on page 22 of Woodsmith No. 160 requires minimal hardware. All it takes is one package of bed rail fasteners (#28597) from either Rockler or the Woodsmith Store.

You’ll also need to get a flush trim plunge router bit to cut the mortises for the fasteners. The one I used came from Amana Tool (#45460-S) and was 1/2" wide with a cutting depth of 1/4". You’ll often find them listed as dado cleanout bits by the manufacturer.

Shop Notebook30

Inlay Mirror Frame32

Show off your skills with this mirror frame that features stylish inlays and miter-free corners.

  • Page 54: Cutting diagram
    Diagram incorrectly shows parts A & B as being 3 1/4" wide but it should be 2 1/4". (The drawings are correct.)

Online Extras

  • Inlay Mirror Frame
    Icing on the cake -- that's what this project is all about. The frame joinery is just butt joints reinforced with splines. But then, the frame is dressed up with figured veneer, marquetry medallions, inlay strips, and stringing that really make it stand out from the crowd. While this may sound complicated, it's not.

One of the things that makes the mirror on page 32 of Woodsmith No. 160 so striking is the variety of woods and the patterns used for the inlays. You’ll need to obtain these materials from a specialty supplier.

The flower marquetry medallions (#333M), tulipwood inlay strips (#397) for the frame pieces, and black inlay strips (#702) I used on the corner blocks all  came from Inlay Product World. You’ll have to place a minimum order of 10 strips for the tulipwood inlay and 20 strips of the black inlay. The information you need to order these is listed below.

You’ll also need some veneer to complete the project. Almost all veneer suppliers and woodworking stores will carry the straight-grain mahogany veneer needed for the corner blocks. The Carpathian elm burl veneer for the frame pieces came from Constantines. You can find ordering information below as well.

The last thing you’ll need is an adhesive for the veneer. For this, I used Better Bond Cold Press Veneer Adhesive that I got from Veneer Supplies listed below.

Countersink Bits40

Not all countersink bits are the same. Here's what you need to know before you buy one.

Workbench Location42

Where you put your workbench is the key to getting the most out of your shop.

Getting a High-Gloss Finish44

A classic, high-gloss finish is easier than you may think. We'll show you how.

Q&A48

Coped Joints50

Installing molding with a good fit is a challenge. Learn how to cut a tight-fitting coped joint.

Final Details52