Issue 470
Issue 470
That One Thing
“Why is she still here?” was my thought as I was standing at the counter of my local hardware store … the third time I had been to that same counter and spoken to the same young woman on that specific Saturday. On my first trip, I bought a bunch of things: in my mind, “everything I needed to complete my project.” I was chatty, happy and likely annoying to the young person with my attempt at charming witty repartee … and off I went with spirit and determination. The next trip was right before lunch. I was getting that one last thing I needed, and replacing a product that I had purchased the first time that proved to be wrong. I was in a hurry, business-like — no attempts at charm were made. The third time, I was a beaten man. My countenance had fallen; I had little hope that this third desperate shot in the dark would be the solution to my day of distress. (It was not.)
As I stood there in line, I wondered how many other customers she has seen demonstrating the same obvious sequential cycle of failure? Do the hardware folks make bets in the morning which of their customers will be back and how many times? Or is it so common and predictable that they are inured to it? Inquiring minds want to know.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Today's Woodworker
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Ricky Fitzpatrick: A Woodworking Family Business
A heart attack prompted Ricky Fitzpatrick’s move out of the corporate world and into a woodworking business with a focus on reclaimed wood and family involvement.
Tricks of the Trade
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A Quick Trim for Binding Drawer Slides
Have you ever made a drawer slightly too wide so that the slides bind? This reader did and he shares his solution.
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Test Fitting Dowel Joints
Dry-fitting a dowel joint is a must before you glue it together, but the dowels are made to such tight tolerances that they can get stuck in their holes. This reader has a solution.
What's In Store
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Festool Hand Sanding Abrasives
Festool now offers a complete line of premium Hand Sanding products in sheets, blocks, sponges, rolls and pads for a broad range of applications.
Q & A
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Squaring Up a Table Saw Table?
I need table saw tune-up advice: When putting the table of a table saw back on the base, what’s the best way to align the table saw blade?
Reader's Project Gallery
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Tiger Maple & Purpleheart Kitchen Table
In addition to the beautiful inlay and the two wood species’ contrasting colors, the coordination between the modified tusk tenons and the extension slide handles are incredible details not to be missed on this reader-submitted project.
Feedback
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Shakers: Not Just Style
A reader remembers Shaker contributions to inventions, not just furniture styles.
