Tips & Techniques4
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The bottom cleat in the Box Fan Dust Filter should be 2 1/4" wide, not 6 1/2".
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Time-tested techniques for getting the ultimate edge on your chisels and plane irons.
Stropping is a good way to keep sharp edges on your tools. The leather strop that is shown on page 8 of Woodsmith No. 171 came from the Woodsmith Store. Similar strops are available from sources listed below.
In addition to the strop, you'll need an abrasive compound to hone the edges. The Yellowstone compound came from Woodcraft. The Veritas Honing Compound is available from Lee Valley and the Woodsmith Store.
For crisp, accurate layouts, a cutting gauge can't be beat. We'll show you why.
The article on page 10 of Woodsmith No. 171 shows you several good reasons to include a cutting gauge in your toolbox. They're great tools for laying out the pieces of your projects.
The rosewood gauge shown in the article is from Woodcraft. Other cutting gauges are available from sources listed below.
This versatile jig will turn your router table into a machine for precision joinery.
The Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig on page 12 of Woodsmith No. 171 brings precision to a more affordable level. This jig is available only through Rockler. They also carry the accessories for the jig.
Here's a way to have two tables in one. This unique design features "nested" tops that slide open to double the size of the table.
The sliding-top table described on page 14 of Woodsmith No. 171 is a great project when you need a large table only occasionally. And the hardware and other supplies to build it are easy to find.
The UHMW plastic for the slides (UHMWS-0500-F) came from Small Parts Inc. (As an alternative, Rockler stocks a similar item. Item 34030 is 3/4" thick and 4" x 24". To get the required parts from it, rip 1/2" strips and then crosscut them to final length.) The 50mm connector screws (1420-CWB) and the 70mm connector screws (1426-CWB) were ordered from McFeely's.
The veneer for the tabletop came from Veneer Supplies. The Titebond Cold Press Veneer Glue (145718) I used is available from Woodcraft.
Classic Designs had the maple turning blanks (#S1636.SM) I used to make the table legs. And you can get the rest of the hardware and the glass for the tabletop locally.
Finish information: There are several stain options, depending on the wood used for the table: Maple - Bartley's "Honey" Gel Stain; Pine - Wood conditioner, then Bartley's "Antique Pine" Gel stain; Oak - Burnt Umber pigment and linseed oil in a 1-1/2 tbl. to 1 pint of oil.
Comfortable, great-looking, and built solid as a rock. This outdoor project is almost too nice to subject to the elements.
Just in time for summer is the chaise lounge project on page 22 of Woodsmith No. 171. Much of the hardware to build it can be purchased from your local hardware store or home center. I picked up the V-belts from an auto parts store. But there are a few specialty items you'll need to order.
The shoulder connector bolts (00N14.30), the large head connector bolts (00N15.40), the bolt caps (00N20.17), and the hex drive threaded inserts (00N11.20) came from Lee Valley. The antique finish, single pin hinges (29157) were ordered from Rockler.
Finish Information: The project was stained with Olympic Weatherscreen Water Repellent Oil Stain Semi-tranparent 911. The first coat was wiped off, then a second coat was brushed on; not wiped off but brushed with a dry foam brush to soak up excess and make the coat more even.
There's a lot of detail packed into this small project. Craftsman-styling and the chip-carved panels make it a great project to build.
Finish information: The stain on this project was a mix of 1 part General Finishes Antique Cherry and 3 parts General Finishes Red Mahogany. The finish was three coats of Hope's Tung Oil Varnish.
Learn the basics of this traditional art. The tools are simple and the techniques easy to master.
These are photos of some of the beautiful and intricate chip-carving done by local craftsperson Elaine Hoekman-Dugan.
All you really need to get started chip carving is a basic knife, a way to keep it sharp, and the article on page 38 of Woodsmith No. 171. You can purchase knives, accessories, and books from the Woodsmith Store and other sources listed below.
This simple smoothing tool might be one of the hardest-working and handiest in the cabinet.
Hand scrapers, like the ones described on page 42 of Woodsmith No. 171, will give you great results for a glass-smooth finish on your workpieces.
I got the Super-Hard Curved Scraper Set (05K20.10) from Lee Valley. The Veritas Scraper Holder (05K33.01) and the Tri-Burnisher (05K32.01) came from the Woodsmith Store and are available from Lee Valley as well. The sharpening jig is available at the Woodsmith Store.
To clean up moldings and carvings, you can get the Auriou profile scrapers from The Best Things, listed below.
Tired of dragging power tools and supplies around the shop? Try making them mobile.
Oil stains are the number one choice for adding color to a project. Here's how to get great results.
A solid-wood back can really dress up the right project. We'll give you all the details.