Issue 320
Issue 320
Beauty as You Behold It
While watching the Antiques Roadshow (the program which asks the question: why didn’t your parents give you a Chippendale highboy?), I was once again struck by the way that all humans attempt to surround themselves with beauty. From folk art to fine furniture, the desire is the same — to make the space we live in more pleasant. (And, of course more functional, but even there, beauty occasionally trumps practicality.)
Which brought my mind back to woodworking. So many choices that I make in my work revolve around making the project look better. And while that is an entirely subjective judgment, it can be as firm as the Rock of Gibraltar. (Have you ever changed your significant other’s mind if they announce, “oh, that’s ugly”? I thought not.)
So how about you? Do you buy a more expensive piece of wood to add beauty to a project? Do you take the extra day or so to achieve a smooth and silky finish?
This editor wants to know.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Q & A
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What’s the Difference Between Rasps and Floats?
What’s the difference between floats and rasps, other than the tooth patterns?
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How Can Bevel-ripping Feel Safer on My Table Saw
I am right-handed and usually have the fence on the right side of the blade, but move it to the left side when the blade is tilted.
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Can Maple be Stained to Match Oak?
I have had problems getting maple to accept stain. Do you have any recommendations to help me out?
Feedback
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Shops as Refuge
In his editorial last time out, Rob paid homage to time in the shop by referring to it as a refuge — a concept that struck a chord with several of our readers.
Industry Interviews
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Tomboy Tools: Building Confidence with Better Tools, Know-how
Empowering women to use tools and tackle projects one party at a time.
What's In Store
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Workshop Detachable Blower Vac
The Workshop® Detachable BlowerVac is a wet/dry vac with a 12-gallon drum and a vacuum power head that doubles as a detachable handheld leaf blower.
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Rockler I-Semble Shelf Blocks in New Sizes
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has added two new sizes to their I-Semble™ Shelf Blocks, a component designed to help DIYers design and build custom furniture using common household tools.
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Amana High Mirror Finish Spiral Ball Nose Router Bits
Amana Tool has released a line of new high mirror-finish spiral ball nose router bits.
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Woodworker’s Journal’s New Tool Maintenance App
The printed manuals that come with woodworking machines are helpful to a point, but most don’t cover routine maintenance tasks and tune-up procedures to the level of detail and thoroughness that we need.
Tricks of the Trade
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Roller Stand Outfeed Support
Don’t throw away that roller stand!
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Making Miniature Rulers
I found a way to have very small rulers
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Abranet Sandpaper Replacement
It seems like most woodworkers still use conventional sandpaper for their projects.
Today's Woodworker
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Mark DelGuidice: Secret Codes and Unique Pieces
Mark DelGuidice, with his trademark carved hieroglyphs, says he works “at the intersection of arts and crafts and design.”
Reader's Project Gallery
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Toy Bulldozer and Clock
The toy bulldozer was built out of Oak and Walnut. The blade moves up and down along with the wheels that roll when you push it.
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Wooden Stairway
We remodeled our family room in the lower level which has steps going down from the main level. I made my own step plates out of 5/8 saw mill cut oak boards.
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Squirrel Condo
This squirrel condo has a small interior platform used to gain access between the main house on top and the large nest box at the bottom.
