Two Dados, Two Ways

This week I was in the shop working on an upcoming magazine article. On the case back there are two dados that locate and hold the drawer dividers of the project. For me, that generally means I [...]

Super-Size Disc Sander

Super-Size Disc Sander A 15″ disc sander like the new 15-205 from General International, is a great addition to any shop if you’ve got room on the floor and in your budget. There was a time [...]

Q & A: Slot Cutter vs. Plate Joiner

Q & A: Slot Cutter vs. Plate Joiner Q: I saw an ad for a slot-cutting router bit. I have a router and buying the bit instead of a plate joiner would save me a lot of money. Is there …

How to Buy a Bandsaw

How to Buy a Bandsaw This workhorse is one of the four basic stationary tools in most shops, and can greatly expand the kinds of projects you can build.   A bandsaw can rip, crosscut, resaw [...]

Joint Rough Lumber with a Planer

Joint Rough Lumber with a Planer I came across some wonderful oak boards for a small table I wanted to build. The problem was the boards were too wide for my jointer and I didn't want to rip [...]

Do Power Tools Have Soul?

I don’t generally think of power tools in the same reverential, (perhaps) overly romanticized tones that come to mind when I consider hand tools. I can stare at my grandfather’s 8 oz. [...]

Clean Rusty Tools by Electrolysis

Clean Rusty Tools by Electrolysis Electrolysis is a gentle, safe way to chemically remove all the rust from small tools, and it leaves the iron untouched. An abrasive can remove rust, too, but it [...]

Your Guide to Router Collets

How a Collet Works • A collet is the steel sleeve that holds a router bit in a router. The collet works with the router shaft (connected directly to the motor) and the collet nut.   • [...]

Decorative Carving

I’ve been making these wine bottle stoppers as gifts for the holiday season. They are a lot of fun to make on the lathe and it doesn’t take very long to knock a few of them out. I use [...]

Soup Up Your Shop

Soup Up Your Shop The right accessories for maximizing your performance and safety. By Dave Munkittrick Here at American Woodworker we see a lot of tools and accessories.We’ve been impressed by [...]