Issue 357
Issue 357
Tell Longhorns: “Hit the Trail”
No one likes a pest, especially one who comes to call then lingers way too long and wrecks things in the bargain. It’s bad enough when it is a human pest, but when it is the Asian longhorned beetle (aka “ALB”), it can be devastating to trees and even forests. Since 1996, the beetles have destroyed 80,000 trees in the mid-Atlantic states and, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all states are at risk. So, with August being “Tree Check Month,” we and the USDA are asking you to take 10 minutes to look over the trees in your area. If you see areas of dying branches, the beetles themselves or “sawdust” on branches or at the bottom of the tree, report it by calling 866-702-9938, or at www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com.
As woodworkers, we like trees in all their natural conditions, from green and leafy to nicely milled and finished in our shop. But it is in everyone’s best interest to stop the ALB (and other bugs) from killing our tree stock. Check out a short video here!
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Tricks of the Trade
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Stopping Glue Joint Slippage
A few grains of salt might help keep your joints just a bit sturdier.
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Multi-purpose Shop Paper
Wax paper has many uses throughout the shop.
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Perfect Alignment for Random Orbit Sander Paper
Chris Marshall shares a reader’s tip for getting paper aligned perfectly on your random orbit sander using a bit of scrap you probably have around your shop.
Today's Woodworker
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Jerry Maxey: A Woodturner, and a Basket Weaver
All of the wood Jerry uses is found wood: he buys none of it, but acquires it from downed trees, construction sites, friends who have had to have trees cut down in their yards, etc.
What's In Store
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Woodpeckers® BladeSaver
Today’s carbide-tipped saw blades are significant investments, so their brittle teeth deserve protection when a blade needs to be stored…
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Rockler Auto-Lock T-Track Clamp
The new Auto-Lock T-Track Clamp from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware slides into any T-track that accepts 5/16” T-bolts and locks in perpendicular, in-line and 45 degree positions.
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JET 14″ 3HP Steel Frame Bandsaw
JET has a new 14” 3HP Steel Frame Bandsaw (item 714550), which has a resaw height of 13-1/2” and a blade-to-frame cutting width of 13-1/2”.
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Craftsman 1.5 Amp Detail Sander
Craftsman’s new 1.5 Amp Detail Sander (item 39598) has a low-profile body design with a Vibra Shield grip for comfort.
Feedback
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Fillers: A Bleaching Hazard?
In last issue’s eZine, one of our expert’s suggestions for a question related to Sealing Plywood Edges with Paint mentioned Bondo®-type filler.
Q & A
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Solid and Plywood Cherry Darkening at Different Rates
I am now building cabinets again for another house. Is there a way to help the solid and plywood cherry to darken to the same degree?
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How Do You Use Winding Sticks?
Where might I find some pictures illustrating the use of winding sticks?
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Edges Cracking On Outdoor Plywood
The problem I seem to be running into is that everything we made over the winter was put out this spring and, within months, the edges of the painted and varnished boards are peeling and splitting.
Industry Interviews
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A Young Man’s Interest in Turning Founds Carter and Son Toolworks
While the gouges are everything you could want in a bowl or spindle gouge, the story behind the family that designed and makes them is even more interesting.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Craftsman Crib
I built this for my younger sister’s first child. The Crib is Craftsman style, following my own plans that were created in Sketchup.
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Router Joinery Box
I recently took a Router Joinery class at Santa Fe Community College where one of our projects was to build a box and base using some of the router joinery techniques taught in the class.
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Cherry Jewelry Box
This is a jewelry box I made for my wife for our 16 year anniversary. It is made of solid cherry from the panels of two raised panel cabinet doors that I saved from the trash at a local cabinet shop.
