Issue 369
Issue 369
Adapting to Change
I became 59 years old last month. My kids find this both hard to believe and fodder for fun — with comments like “Dad’s pushing 60!” seemingly adding joy to their lives. I don’t really feel old, but I have had to adapt to some changes in my body. Picking up a 4′ x 8′ x 3/4″ piece of melamine or MDF now requires some strategic planning, rather than brute strength. Even with my bifocals, I need extra good lighting when marking out my lumber. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining — I am healthy and vital, but I am not 25 years old any longer (despite what my brain tells me).
Which got me to wondering, what kind of accommodations are my fellow Boomers making in their woodshops? More foam footpads? Massage chairs? I am very interested. So let me know what time has done to your workshop program, and we just might share it with the rest of the eZine faithful.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Industry Interviews
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Maine Heritage Timber: Turning Old Logs into New Possibilities
First-growth logs become flooring, wainscot countertops and more, thanks to small company’s reclamation efforts.
Q & A
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Should I Use a Blade with a Missing Tooth?
My table saw blade has a missing tooth. Should I continue to use it?
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Easy Way to Draw a Spiral?
Can I draw a spiral without doing a lot of math?
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Which Bed Slats are Strongest?
What dimension of slats will be best for supporting a queen-size bed?
Today's Woodworker
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Chris Hall: A (Japanese-Inspired) Timber Framing Philosophy for Furniture
Chris Hall, who began woodworking in earnest while living in Japan, applies timber framing practices to both architectural and furniture pieces.
Feedback
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Readers’ Means of Heating Their Shops
We received several responses to Rob’s question about how you keep your shops warm (even though, to us Minnesotans, 30 degrees Fahrenheit is not really “cold”).
What's In Store
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Rockler Router Table Spline Jig
The Rockler Router Table Spline Jig attaches to a router table to create decorative splines for mitered box and frame joints.
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STANLEY FATMAX Premium Box Beam Levels
STANLEY has introduced a new line of seven FATMAX® Premium Box Beam Levels in 24-in., 32-in., 48-in., 58-in. 72-in., 78-in. and 96-in. lengths
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Shop LED Light
The Shop LED from Big Ass Light is made with a single piece of extruded aluminum for strength and durability.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Walnut Chest of Drawers
My husband and I made this dresser for my father as a fathers day gift out of walnut that came from a tree in his yard that I played in as a child.
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Banana Hanger
Recently, a client in Florida asked me to make them a banana holder.
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Cedar Bench
After the first bench I submitted to Wooodworker’s Journal earlier this year that I made for my youngest daughter, I made the following bench for my other daughter.
Tricks of the Trade
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Another Use for CD Holders
Recently, I was looking for storage suggestions for some three dozen circular saw blades which have been sitting on my workshop floor for far too long.
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Put Woodshavings to Work
I am primarily a woodturner, and I always have a great load of shavings.
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Upgrade Your Caster’s Brake Lock
Learn how this simple modification makes it easy to know which side of the caster brake lock to press when you want to lock the caster.
