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Table of Contents

Tips & Techniques4

Steel Wool8

Find out why this tried-and-true tool still deserves a place in your shop.

Steel wool can be found at just about any hardware store. But the Liberon steel wool is a little harder to find. We ordered ours from from Rockler (35161).

Measuring Tapes10

Take a look at the innovative features found on the new generation of measuring tapes.

New measuring tapes have turned this shop necessity into a multi-functional tool. I ordered the FastCap tapes from McFeely's. They include the Lefty/Righty tape (FSC-4020), Story Pole tape (FSC-4022), and FlatBack tape (FSC-4024). The center-finding tape (25N10.16) and large print "Blindman's" tape (50K16.01) came from Lee Valley. You'll also find most of these tapes at the Woodsmith Store.

If you want to eliminate reading error, you'll want to give the new digital measuring tape made by Starrett a try. The information below will help you locate a distributor or retail store in your area.

Tips for Installing Knobs & Pulls12

Our best techniques for attaching hardware.

Micro Fence Plunge Base14

Upgrade your trim or palm router for precision plunge routing with this high-tech base.

The addition of a precision plunge base to your palm router will most definitely improve the accuracy of the cut. You'll need to order the Micro Fence plunge router base directly from the manufacturer. The contact information can be found below. I ordered the Trend T3 router from Klingspor's Woodworking Shop. You can get the router and plunge base for about $80.

Book Rack16

This desktop shelf can be built in short order from just a few boards.

You'll only need a couple of hardware items to build the desktop book cradle. The brass knurled knob (70003) and the 1/4-20 threaded inserts (33183) all came from Rockler. The rest of the materials can be readily found at your local woodworking store or home center.

Message Center20

With a magnetic chalkboard, writing surface, and storage bin, you'll never miss another event.

Online Extras

  • Slimline Message Center
    The message center that is featured in issue No. 163 offers plenty of room for posting lots of messages -- provided you have the wall space for it. If you don't, this narrow version might be more appropriate.

Building the information center doesn't require a lot of hardware. Most of the items you'll need can found be at any hardware store or woodworking store. The keyhole hangers and galvanized steel for the chalkboard were purchased at a local home improvement center.

I ordered the 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" brass hinges (7665ZA) that I used for the lid from Rejuvenation Hardware. Information for ordering these hinges is listed below.

You'll also need paint to make the chalkboard. I got the chalkboard paint I used at a Benjamin Moore dealer. The information below will help you find the nearest store. You'll also find it at the Woodsmith Store.

If you add hooks for keys, the 7/8" J-Hooks (00H27.30) that are shown on the back cover of Woodsmith No. 163 can be ordered from Lee Valley.

Shop Notebook26

Craftsman Sideboard28

Built with solid, mortise and tenon construction, distinctive Craftsman details, and in a perfect size for your home.

  • Page 30: Expanded view of legs
    The lengths of the mortises on piece A, Rear Leg, are missing. Top mortise is 1 3/4" long, middle mortise is 2 1/2" long, and the bottom mortise is 1 1/2" long
  • Page 31: Illustration at top of page
    The location for the angled notch on the rear legs should be 4 1/4" from the top of the leg to the top of the notch. The lower arrow is pointing to the wrong line.
  • Page 34: Exploded view
    A piece is mislabeled. The piece labeled R is really P.
  • Page 36: Materials & Supplies
    Dimensions for Piece A Legs is printed with first two numbers transposed. Printed as 1 1/2 x 1 3/4 – 31 but should be 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 – 31.

You won't need to find a lot of hardware to build the Craftsman sideboard. The nylon stem bumpers (28373) I used for the drawers came from Rockler. And I was able to order the Mission-style drawer pulls (01G62.40) from Lee Valley.

You can apply any finish you like to the sideboard. I chose to use the "Candlelight" gel stain made by General Finishes. You'll find distributor information below. The stain is also available at the Woodsmith Store. I followed the stain with the "hybrid" finish described in the article on page 46 of Woodsmith No. 163.

Additional finish information: Another stain option is Bartley's Country Maple/Honey in a 1:1 mix. Try leaving the stain on longer than normal - then lightly wipe off. The "hybrid" finish consists of General Finishes Seal-A-Cell Clear followed up with three coats of General Finishes Polyacrylic Blend Semi-Gloss.

Twin Mortise & Tenon38

Learn the secret to this sturdy joint.

The Versatile Biscuit Joiner40

Seven simple techniques for case construction.

Drill Press Accessories44

Accurate holes in less time. All it takes are a few accessories you can build in less than an hour.

Quick & Easy Hybrid Finish46

In finishing, oil and water do mix. And the results are hard to beat.

Q & A48

Attaching a Top50

Here are a few of our favorite ways to hold a table or cabinet top in place.

Final Details52