AW Extra 2/21/13 – Keepsake Box
Keepsake Box Build them in bunches and avoid gift shopping this year. By Mac Wentz As the holidays approach, my thoughts turn to how I can weasel out of gift shopping. And this year I have the [...]
Handy Blast Gate Lever
Reaching down to open and close my tablesaw's blast gate was a real pain until I built this pivoting mechanical arm from pieces of 1/8-in. flat steel and 3/8-in. rod. It may look cobbled [...]
AW Extra 6/28/12 – 12 Tips for Better Sharpening
12 Tips for Better Sharpening Get better results in less time with these great tips. By Ed Krause Hand tools are a joy to use, but only when they’re sharp. Just as learning to walk is the [...]
AW Extra 9/13/12 – Restore an Antique Oak Table
Restore an Antique Oak Table Thoughtful finishing and new leaves prepare this classic for the next 100 years. By Kevin Southwick This old table looks like a prime candidate for refinishing. Strip [...]
AW Extra 8/30/12 – Stile and Rail Joinery
Stile and Rail Joinery A reversible stile and rail cutter makes perfect-fitting frames for doors and cabinets without dowels, mortises or biscuits. By Tim Johnson One of the best buys you can [...]
Using Melamine
Melamine is the professional cabinetmaker’s best friend. Build a cabinet with it and you have a complete, durable interior that requires no sanding (yes!) and no finishing (oh, yeah!). Pros [...]
Small Shop Tip: Instant Drawers
Instant Drawers Large plastic boxes, the kind that restaurants use for bussing dishes, are perfect for shop drawers. They're strong, durable and lightweight, plus they have built-in handles. [...]
AW Extra – 6 Storage Solutions
1. Sandpaper Roll Storage I use pressure-sensitive-adhesive (PSA) sanding discs. For easy access, I like to get them out of their packages and lined up by grit. I hang my rolls of sanding [...]
MDF vs. Particleboard
How two versatile woods can be both a blessing and a curse. by Karen Nakamura Cheap, plain and definitely not wood. That’s how many woodworkers describe particleboard and MDF (medium-density [...]
Economical Inserts
Commercially made zero-clearance inserts cost about $20. I make my own for less than $3 from 3/8-in.-thick polyethylene cutting boards, which are flat and rigid. A 14-in. x 17-in. cutting board [...]
Hide-Away Bin for Short Stock
I don't like to throw wood away; offcuts and other short boards work great for small projects, jigs and shop fixtures. But until I built this mobile cart, my shop was littered with piles of [...]
My First Woodworking Project!
When I completed this letter holder in 7th grade woodshop, I had no idea that I'd end up as an editor at a woodworking magazine. In those days, woodshop was one of three manual training [...]
