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Woodwork

Winter 2012

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Tips

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A Great Glue Bottle Tip
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I like the narrow tip on refillable glue bottles. What I don’t like is the tiny little cap, which is very easy to lose. The other day I was pawing through shavings on the floor looking for my lost cap when the pencil in my apron pocket decided to...
Snap-On Soft Jaws
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I’ve been using an old metal-working vise in my shop for years. Occasionally I really do need a metal-working vise, but most often I use it to hold drawer sides up high when cutting dovetails. Unfortunately the metal jaws can be a hazard to edge...
Small-Parts Organizer
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I’ve designed a small-parts chest that’s as useful as it is simple to make. I’ve found those disposable, plastic containers for leftovers are ideal for small parts, such as screws and nails. The containers come in a variety of sizes...
Dust Collection Tips
by American Woodworker Editors Thursday, April 29, 2010
Dust Collection Tips Practical solutions for a cleaner shop. Vacuum-Assisted Bench I got tired of hooking my bench tools to my shop vacuum. Now I simply plug their dust collection hoses into the bench. I drilled and routed a hole in the bench to house...
Strike Plate Mounting Magic
by American Woodworker Editors Monday, December 14, 2009
When I had to install a bunch of magnetic catches recently, I came up with this simple method to mark the doors for the strike plate. It requires no measuring and the results are neat and clean. Just insert the mounting screw in the plate and attach it...
8-ft. Straightedge for $5
by American Woodworker Editors Monday, December 14, 2009
Whenever I have to cut down a sheet of plywood I reach for one of my trusty metal stud straightedges. Metal studs are available in different thicknesses for different applications. A 20-gauge non-load-bearing drywall stud (about 50¢/ft.) won't...
World's Best Routing Guide
by American Woodworker Editors Thursday, November 19, 2009
This simple guide guarantees success whenever you need to make a straight routing pass. It’s perfect for jointing a long edge or routing dadoes and grooves. You’ll get smooth, chatter-free results, thanks to the guide’s firm support...
9 Ways To Untangle The Mess
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Electric spaghetti. That’s what most of us have lurking behind our computer desks and entertainment centers. Every time you want to add or take out a component, unsnarling that mess can be a real nightmare. There’s a term for the solution...
Capture Tablesaw Dust
by American Woodworker Editors Monday, November 9, 2009
My contractor-style tablesaw spewed sawdust everywhere until I enclosed the base by covering all the openings with 1/4-in. MDF panels. First, I added two aluminum angle rails so the collection box slopes toward the dust port in the back panel. Then I...
Ladder Lumber Rack
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I organized all my short boards by turning an inexpensive 6-ft. stepladder (about $30 at a home center) into a lumber rack. Now every board is easy to see and reach. My ladder didn’t have treads on the back legs, so I screwed on wooden cleats that...
Hanging Your Cordless Drills
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, September 15, 2009
While building this little station to organize my cordless-drill paraphernalia, I discovered that bicycle hooks make great drill holders. Mounting the station on the wall saves valuable benchtop space. Now I never have to hunt for my drills, chargers...
Plastic Stickers Don't Stain
by American Woodworker Editors Wednesday, September 9, 2009
I use plastic conduit to make stickers for stacking and drying my wood. These stickers provide consistent spacing and excellent air circulation with minimal contact. I’ve never had problems with insects, mold or staining, which can occur around...
Rollers Ease Plywood Storage
by American Woodworker Editors Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Before I installed these rollers, sliding plywood in and out of my storage rack used to wear me out. It also damaged the edges of the sheets. Now plywood sheets glide in and out.I cut the 2-1/2-in.-dia. rollers from 3/4-in. hard maple on my drill press...
Faster Sharpening
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, September 8, 2009
One of my favorite sharpening tools is a diamond paddle. I use it for router bits, knives and, most importantly, scrapers. The problem is that it cuts so fast the tiny spaces between the diamonds quickly fill with metal particles, called swarf, which...
Scratch-Free Flush Cuts
by American Woodworker Editors Tuesday, September 8, 2009
No matter how carefully I cut with my economy-model flush-cutting saw, it always left scratch marks on the wood’s surface. To solve the problem, I attached a playing card with double-faced tape. Now I don’t have to worry about scratches, because...