Issue 243
Issue 243
My Favorite Hardwood
While the question “what is your favorite hardwood” might seem like one of those silly magazine cover lines (What is YOUR workshop I.Q.?), I am actually serious in my curiosity. Why, you ask? Well, because if you had asked me three or four years ago what my favorite was, I would have answered without hesitating – cherry lumber, specifically, curly cherry. But if you asked me today … the answer would be different.
Now I know that the singular fact that I have a favorite hardwood means that I have passed a woodworking geek-test of tremendous proportions, but that is kind of the point. I want to know that I am not alone in this, that there are other woodworkers out there who are just as wacky over walnut, bonkers about birch or manic regarding maple as I am about…
So here is the deal. I am asking you to send in an email declaring your favorite hardwood, and next eZine, after we share your information, I will let you know my new favorite. (I don’t want to have undue influence on your choices!)
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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Ryobi HJP002 12-volt Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit
Ryobi’s 12-volt Lithium-Ion Drill Kit (HJP002) weighs 1.8 pounds and is 30 percent more compact than Ryobi’s other 12-volt drill.
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Civil War Woodworking
Civil War Woodworking by A.J. Hamler is a book that incorporates information on the history of wooden items used during the Civil War, as well as plans for creating authentic reproductions of 17 of the items, ranging from a hardtack crate to an officer’s field desk.
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Amana Undermount Bowl Router Bits
Amana Tool has a new line of undermount bowl router bits designed for trimming and finishing countertop edges in undermount sink bowl applications.
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Craftsman 12.5-amp, 2.25hp Fixed-base Router
A mid-size, fixed-based router can accomplish a wide range of edge-profiling and joint-making operations.
Tricks of the Trade
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Third “Hand” for Changing Dust Bags
I used to dread emptying my dust collector bag, because it’s hard to fit the bag back in place without it slipping off the rim at least a couple of times.
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Router Jig Turns Spindles
Turning chair spindles exactly the same size and with a consistent diameter used to be frustrating until I set aside my chisels and let this router jig do the job.
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Magnetic Resaw Fence
“Point-style” resaw fences are usually made from scrap wood, but they can be hard to clamp exactly where you want them. I’ve got an easier solution that requires no clamping.
Today's Woodworker
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Malcolm Tibbetts: A Segment of Woodturning
Each ring, in turn, is made from stave-constructed cylinders that have been turned, cut apart and reassembled in the proper dimensions for the piece: an example of Malcolm’s specialty, segmented woodturning.
Q & A
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Wood Species for Toolbox
Is there a “correct” wood species for making a toolbox? Also, should I avoid using certain kinds of glue, such as PVA?
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Connecting Benchtop Tools to Dust Collection
Does anyone make an adapter kit which allows you to connect various different tools to standard shop vac?
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Best Speed for Sanding on Lathe
With the multiple speeds on the lathe, at which speed is it best to sand finish the project?
Industry Interviews
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U-Bild Woodworking Plans: More than a Half Century of Patterned Woodworking
While watching his wife sew one day, Ellingson wondered if the concept of sewing patterns could be adapted to woodworking.
Feedback
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Right Sizing and Shaping: Tiny Wood, Flat Stones
In last issue’s Q&A section, a woodworker was looking for ways to flatten wood – including tips on using the planer he borrows occasionally. A couple of readers wrote in to share their experiences in this matter.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Tables and Bench
I have been a woodworker for most of my life and enjoy making different styles of different woods and finishes.
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Dining Room Sideboard
Dining room sideboard I built for my daughter. It is curly cherry with all raised panels, doors and drawer fronts book matched.
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Maloof-Style Chairs
These are the two Maloof style chairs I have built. I’m currently working on a cherry one. The occasional chair is Paduak and the Rocker is Maple.
