Woodworker's Journal eZine - From America's Leading Woodworking Authority

Rob's Editorial

Thankful for Woodworking

Next week is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., a holiday known mostly for its food, family and traditions. While I'm in favor of food traditions – even though my doctor says that some of them aren't good for me – I'm even more in favor of some other traditions. Like the traditional craft of woodworking. Don't get me wrong: I'm no Ian Kirby, and you won't find me trading in all my power tools for a hand plane.

No, I mean that I appreciate the work that goes into woodworking, and how well it supports some of those other traditions. Where would you rather gather your family: at a plastic-topped table with legs made from cheap metal, or a handmade wooden trestle table lovingly polished by hand until it makes a lovely surface for that gravy boat to rest on? Hey, even those first Thanksgiving Pilgrims probably ate off of wooden tables – even if today's "traditional" dinner looks nothing like what they actually ate.

So, on Thursday Nov. 26, you might want to ask your family to take a moment to be thankful for woodworking, and woodworkers. It's easy as pie.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

P.S. Check our Feedback section for the winners of our Talkin' Turkey contest from last time out: don't follow any of the bad woodworking advice!

And start thinking about holiday "cookies" for our next contest – but not the kind you eat. Rockler launched a new product this year, Bench Cookies™. They're designed as clamp-less hold-downs, but they also open up a world of other possibilities. Click here to submit your ideas for what to do with them for a chance to win one of three great prizes!

Sample the Digital Version of Woodworker's Journal Magazine

Queen Anne Highboy (Part 2)

Last issue, we tackled the base of this classic project. In Part 2, our author builds the upper case and all of the dovetailed drawers.

Dovetailing Outside the Box

Are clamp-in, template style jigs the only way to make beautiful dovetails? With plenty of practice, you can learn to do it by hand - or perhaps one of these nontraditional jigs could be your ticket.

Modular Bookcases

This geometric design combines modern styling, flexibility of function and durability into one tidy package. At home in a living room, bedroom or dorm room, it even expands to become a home for your flat-screen TV.

Horizontal Tilt-Top Router Table

This horizontal router table’s tilting top puts it in a category of its own. Its versatility will take your routing to the next level.

Picture Frame on the Table Saw

A table saw is the only tool you need to create a handsome cove-and-dentil picture frame. Suitable for art or portraits, it makes an attractive holiday gift.

Queen Anne Highboy (Part 1)

Every piece of furniture has a story, and the story of this highboy begins three summers ago, with an ad in the local paper offering air-dried walnut and cherry for $1 a foot.

Adjustable Tenoning Jig

Cut crisp, clean tenons quickly and safely with this helpful shop jig. Suitable for any table saw, this jig can be built out of plywood, scraps and easy-to-find hardware.

In This Issue of the eZine . . .

Today's Woodworker

Denise DeRose: Turner of Handbags

Denise DeRose has been a woodturner for a while -- ever since she inherited her father’s shop, along with his love for wood – but she’s only been following her current focus in turning for about a year. While working her booth at a craft show, she saw a woman carrying a small bandsawn box, about the size of a paperback book, as a handbag. “A light went off in my brain: why couldn’t it be a vessel? Woodturners make vessels. I started thinking about it, and I got consumed by it.”

Tool Preview

Easy Leaf Products Oil-free Steel Wool

Steel wool is an asset to finishers and woodworkers alike, but some wool types include certain amounts of oil, which can contaminate new wood finishes.