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Table of Contents

Tips & Techniques4

The Benefits of Secondary Wood8

Sometimes, using a less expensive wood can make a project better. We'll explain how.

Woodworking Drill Bits10

Not all drill bits are the same. Here are the best options for clean, accurate holes in wood.

Although brad point bits, like the ones in the article on page 10, are available from a number of sources, not all brad point bits are created equal. The Best Things carries Miebach “Colt” brad point bits. These high-quality bits are made in Germany and drill cleaner holes with less tearout.

The Morris Wood Tool Co. is the only company that still makes genuine Forstner bits. They also make the end grain (custom order) and V-point bits shown in the article, as well as a large selection of brad point bits.

Simple Circle-Routing Jigs12

You're guaranteed consistent results with these inexpensive and easy-to-use router jigs.

Jasper Tools makes the circle jigs shown in the article on page 12. The three jigs can be purchased separately or in combination sets from a variety of woodworking retailers listed below. We purchased ours from The Woodsmith Store.

Bent Lamination14

We'll show you a great technique for making strong, gracefully curved workpieces.

Slant-Sided Tote16

Here's an easy-to-build project that still offers a great range of woodworking experiences. You start with some basic joinery, then get to learn a new skill -- bent lamination.

There’s not much in the way of hardware for the tote on page 16. We used decorative, pyramid head black iron screws from Horton Brasses (PH-6).

The paint on the tote shown on page 18, is Benjamin Moore Regal Matte Covington Blue (HC-138). The box also has an undercoat of General Finishes’ Mahogany oil-base stain.

File Storage Cabinet20

Who says that a practical file cabinet can't also look great? But the classic appearance isn't all this project has to offer. The challenge of building it will keep you on your toes.

Online Extras

  • Storage Cabinet Option
    If you like the look of the file cabinet but don't need the file drawers, you can convert it to a cabinet with a slim top drawer and a storage compartment below. In this configuration, it works well as a bedside table or a lamp table in the living room.

The file storage cabinet that begins on page 20, uses 18″ full-extension drawer slides by Accuride from Rockler (32490). Blum makes the Metafile file hangers used inside the drawers, also available from Rockler (70326). The drawers open with card frame drawer pulls from Lee Valley (01A57.60).

The profile on the trim was routed with a classical bead and cove bit from Amana Tool (54106). The stain used on the file cabinet was General Finishes’ Light Oak oil-base stain.

Shop Notebook28

Craftsman Library Table30

This library table gives you everything you could want in a project. The design is traditional, the woodworking is down-to-earth, and the end result will be a treasured heirloom.

  • Page 39: Illustration callout
    There is a callout in the drawing at the top of the page that gives the dimensions of the top as 24" x 84". The correct dimensions are 28" x 54".
  • Page 38: The far right drawing
    Several corrections: (1) The long callout should read: "Stop routing when drawer front reaches layout line." The arrow is pointing to the correct line. (2) On the other layout line to the right add the following callout: "CL of bit", please note that CL means centerline, the callout should look like the one in the "Routing the Grooves" drawing just to the left. (3) Add a dimensioning callout to reflect that the distance between the two layout lines is 1-7/16". To sum up: The drawing on the right should have "mirror" image information in regards to layout lines, distance, and where to stop the drawer when routing the groove.
  • Page 39: Cutting Diagram
    The letters on several parts were switched and one part was omitted. As follows: Part H should be changed to I; part F should be H; and part I should be F. Four small spacers, parts P, were left out, but there is plenty of extra material to cut them from.
  • Page 39: Materials, Supplies & Cutting Diagram
    The screw counts for the hardware list should be as follows: (16) #8 x 1-1/4" Fh Woodscrews – not the (8) listed ; (12) #8 x 1" Fh Woodscrews – not the (18) listed ; (18) #8 x 5/8" Fh Woodscrews – not the (12) listed.
  • Page 36: Detail a
    The screw in detail 'a' on page 36 should be a #8 x 1-1/4" Fh woodscrew, not the 1" shown.
  • Page 36: Adding the Drawer Supports
    Some of the knockouts in the main figure are not layered correctly and as a result cover up some or most of the arrows associated with the End Drawer Support Rail (N) at the left, the Drawer Runners (O) at the lower left, and the End Rail Spacer (P) shown at the upper right.
  • Page 34: Exploded View illustration
    The Back Ledger (part F) should be 1 3/4" wide, not 1" as originally printed. (The dimensions are shown correctly in detail B and in the materials list on page 39.)

Classic Craftsman-style furniture, like the library table on page 30, deserves classic Craftsman-style hardware. So we chose the dark bronze bail pull from Lee Valley (01A28.40). The figure-eight desktop fasteners that anchor the top came from Rockler (21650).

The profile on the inside of the drawers was routed with a two-flute ogee bit by Amana Tool (54120). Amana bits are available from The Woodsmith Store.

To finish the table, we used Varathane’s Early American wood stain to further enhance the Craftsman look.

Ripping Thin Strips40

All it takes to rip perfect thin strips at the table saw is the right setup and technique.

Quick Table Saw Tune-Up42

Keep your table saw in top-top shape with this simple, seven-step tune-up.

Any time is a good time to make sure your table saw is in perfect working order. The dial indicator shown in the article on page 42, will help. It was purchased from Woodcraft (128397).

Using Paste Grain Fillers46

When you want a perfectly smooth finish on porous wood, grain filler is the key.

A high-gloss surface on your finished wood project can be achieved with the help of the grain fillers featured in the article on page 46. Natural Bartley Grain Filler (77115) and CrystaLac Wood Grain Filler (34644) are both available from Rockler.

Adding Perfect Pulls48

Learn the secrets to installing the drawer or door pulls that complement the look of a project.

Q & A50

Mahoney Utility Finish is the walnut oil mentioned in the article on page 50. It was purchased from Rockler (26836).

Final Details52