Tricks of the Trade
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Simple Scribing Template
When I need to scribe an inside corner, two playing cards make it easy.
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An Easy Way to Tackle Fractions
Here’s an old carpenter’s trick for solving fractions that works either with two tape measures or steel rules.
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How to Make a Straight Board Crooked
Straight boards are unnatural. Chris shows you how to turn a straight and square board into a crooked board. The secret is starting with the right template.
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Peace and Relaxation Through Sanding
Rob Johnstone shares the inner peace and relaxation that can be found in the meditative practice of sanding.
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VIDEO: How to Plane Thin Panels Safely
Thin panels are more likely to bow under the planer roller which can cause damage to the front edge or kickback. A planer sled is easy to make and solves this problem.
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Cardboard Stands Save Effort
It’s tough to hold long pieces of quarter round molding for priming and painting, but recently I had 300 ft. of it to prepare for our new home.
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Indentations Set Screw Placement on Drawer Faces
Here’s an easy way to lay out the screw holes on drawer faces for handle hardware.
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Self-feeding Glue Sticks
I use hot-melt glue to make temporary part connections (such as attaching templates to workpieces). But invariably, the glue stick in the gun is nearly spent when I need it.
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Spacer Makes Laminate Safer to Cut
Plastic laminate is thin enough to slip into the gap under a table saw rip fence, presenting a real safety hazard.
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Tips for Maintaining Jointer Cutterheads
Is your jointer not producing smooth wood or giving you trouble when you’re pushing it through? You may need to rotate or change your jointer’s cutterheads.
