Issue 237
Issue 237
Speeding to 2010
For some reason, I am surprised that the last month of the year is here. For me, December always arrives with a mixed emotional impact. For example, on a personal level, I cannot get 2009 into my rearview mirror fast enough – it was a lousy year. On the other hand, December not only contains the regular run-of-the-mill holidays (which are great) – but also contains my birthday (December 11th, for those of you not yet my Facebook friends).
Another reason that I am really fond of December is that it is often full of stories of how generous folks are to one another. I’ve mentioned before in this editorial the breadth of the generous spirit that woodworkers have displayed over the years. It seems that putting their skills to work for the benefit of others is second nature to many involved in our craft.
So, following up on that inclination, our contest for this issue of the eZine is designed to collect a list of good works in our world of woodworking. Simply send in the best charitable program that you have heard about that features woodworkers doing their thing, and your name will be put into our very large electronic hat. From that list, we will select three random winners. But the big winners will be the rest of us, as we will get to see a big list of opportunities for us to get involved. Think of it as an opportunity to make 2010 a better experience.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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ZipWall Heavy-Duty Zipper
ZipWall’s new Heavy-Duty Zipper for their dust wall barrier is seven feet long, constructed from a single, wider piece of fabric to withstand heavy use.
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Skil 18-Volt 4-Tool Ni-Cd Combo Kit
Skil’s 18-Volt 4-Tool Ni-Cd Combo Kit consists of a two-speed drill/driver, multi-finishing sander, orbital jigsaw, a pivoting-head flashlight and one rechargeable 18-volt nickel-cadmium battery.
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Bench Cookies Limited Edition Gift Pack
Rockler’s Bench Cookies with Glass Mug Gift Pack is a limited edition product which includes four of the Bench Cookies clamp-free hold-downs, a 20 ounce glass mug with a hammer style handle, packaged in a gift box.
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Rockler Clamp Handle Grips
It’s difficult to maximize the potential of your clamps if you can’t tighten them down fully. But, Rockler’s Clamp Handle Grips can make that process easier and your clamps more comfortable to use.
Tricks of the Trade
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Bovine Attraction
I’ve just discovered “cow magnets” and their usefulness around the shop.
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Better Depth Stop on Your Drill Press
Anyone with a benchtop drill press knows the frustration of trying to lock the depth stop in place.
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Ad Hoc Dust Collection
My portable contractor’s saw came with no dust collection system.
Today's Woodworker
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Michael Cullen: Woodworking Combines Engineering and Art
Michael Cullen has been doing some woodworking since he was a kid, building terrariums in his dad’s friend’s shop and taking shop classes in high school.
Q & A
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What is Wet Sanding?
Can you describe what this is, when to use it, on what wood, how to use it without water damage, etc?
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Shed for Tool Storage
Would this protect the tools well enough, and prevent any rusting?
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Coloring Glue
What can I use to get the dark blue without deeply penetrating the red oak? Other than the standard prep when laminating wood, is there something else I need to do like sealing the wood prior to the glue-up?
Industry Interviews
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Keller & Company: Keeping it Simple, Fast and Accurate Since 1976
After 33 years of making dovetail jigs, David Keller continues to prove that there’s more than one way to stay viable in the woodworking product industry.
Feedback
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Confusion, Clarification – and Cookies
We’ll start with the cookies, and the winning ideas our readers cooked up for alternate uses for Rockler’s Bench Cookies™. Here, in order, are the first, second and third place winners.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Cherry Jewelry Box
This is a cherry wood jewelry box I made for my wife for our 10 year anniversary. It is all solid cherry saved from a few raised panel doors I picked up at a local flea market for next to nothing.
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Gun Display Case
Here is a Gun Display Case that I made for a friend. It can be laid on a table or hung on the wall. It is made of Paduke using Sommerfeld’s Tools Junior Raised Panel Set.
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Oak TV Stand
This is a TV stand I built for our HDTV. The stand measures approximately 48″ x 18″ x 26″.
