Issue 284
Issue 284
Learning Somethin’
I haven’t been “back to school” (unless you count my class reunion) for — well, let’s just say it’s more years than I care to count. But, as the saying goes, “you learn something every day.” Of course, when it comes to woodworking, I hope you’re learning all you can from Woodworker’s Journal, whether it’s this eZine, the print or digital issues of our magazine, or the downloadable plans we have available in our Store that will teach you how to make a certain project — or learn a specific technique.
Some of us are even still applying, in our day-to-day shop life, lessons we learned long ago from our high school shop teachers. My thoughts turned to these unsung souls when reading over the questions in our Q&A section this time out. One of them is from a shop teacher who’s being asked to take on projects that, well, just don’t seem like they belong in a classroom setting. Take a read and let us know what you think — and let me know any of your own memories of your old shop teacher while you’re at it!
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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RZ Dust Masks
RZ Masks are made for a variety of applications — including woodworking (as well as cold weather and off-road sports and more).
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Duluth Trading Company Magnetizer/Demagnetizer
The pocket-sized Magnetizer/Demagnetizer from Duluth Trading Company is one of those handy little gadgets for your shop.
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Amana Tool CNC Compression Spiral Bits
For CNC users, Amana Tool has released new solid carbide CNC compression spiral router bits.
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Sheet Dolly
Moving heavy sheets of plywood or particleboard in and out of my shop is awkward – especially when working alone.
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Craftsman’s C3 19.2-volt One-hand Reciprocating Saw
If you’ve ever needed to squeeze a full-size reciprocating saw between floor joints or up into the confined spaces under a cabinet, sometimes a big saw just won’t do.
Tricks of the Trade
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Tensioning the Band Saw
The usual band saw tensioning devices are not only awkward to use but have no reference point.
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Drilling Holes in Dowel Ends
Drilling holes in the ends of dowel rods is awkward because they’re hard to clamp vertically.
Today's Woodworker
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Mary May: Embellishing a Career with Carving
Mary May is now a woodcarver in the traditional style – something that she didn’t realize was possible when she first encountered traditional woodcarvings on a study abroad trip to Europe.
Q & A
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Sharpening Mortising Chisels?
Is it advisable to hollow grind the face of the chisels before sharpening, or should they be left flat as they came from the factory?
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Liner Ideas for Custom Coolers?
I’m looking for ideas on where to get or how to make cooler linings for my outdoor custom coolers. Any ideas?
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How to Refinish School Doors?
My principal wants all the wood classroom doors refinished in the schools — about 35 doors. Please help.
Industry Interviews
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Craftsman’s New Screw*d Reality Series Puts Tool Newbie’s Skills to Extreme Test
What happens when you turn a tool novice loose on a challenging project with only his newfound skills and online viewers to help him escape a tough scrape? Tune in to Craftsman’s summertime Screw*d interactive series to find out.
Feedback
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Pillow Talk
In Rob’s editorial last issue, he spoke of his need to make – literally, make – a couple of beds, and his bewilderment at the number of bed photos depicting piles of pillows. eZine readers had plenty to say about pillows.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Wagon Trailer
Here is a fun project that I recently completed for myself. It is a scaled up 2.5x Radio Flyer Wagon replica.
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Entertainment Center
This Oak entertainment center was made to accommodate up to a 60″ flat screen TV set. It is built from a combination of solid oak and furniture grade oak plywood.
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Keepsake Box
The body of the box is hard maple. The hardwood keys in the corners are padauk. The top is made from an unknown species of exotic wood.
