Issue 296
Issue 296
What is Woodworking?
Have you ever stopped to consider the scope of what a person could mean when they say simply, “I am a woodworker”? Back in the day, when almost everything was made from wood, we had names for the people who made products in a variety of categories: cooper, wheelwright, luthier, bodger, woodcarver, patternmaker, carpenter (who seemed to build anything and everything), and there were many more. In our eZine today, we have a boatbuilder — a profession that was once the exclusive realm of woodworkers. It is kind of amazing that things as different as wooden spoons and boats that can sail around the world are all made by woodworkers.
Going a step further, the breadth of woodworking has been, in a small way, demonstrated in my own endeavors. At one time, I briefly helped build a 44-foot Alden ketch, and in the December 2011 issue of the Journal, I built a 6-inch-long toy boat.
Which brings me back to the question: what is a woodworker? I am guessing that you have some ideas on the subject. Why don’t you share them with me … and I’ll share them with you all.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Tricks of the Trade
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Rockler I•Semble Shelf Blocks
The I•Semble Shelf Blocks from Rockler are designed to be just as easy to use in constructing do-it-yourself furniture as the traditional milk cases of a college student — but sturdier, and more attractive.
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It’s in the Bag: Catch Small Parts and Dust
I can cut all the pieces without stopping the saw or getting my fingers close to the blade.
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How to Remove Those Stubborn Dowels
Don’t even think about reaching for the pliers and digging their teeth into the dowels. Instead, try making the dowel removing jig described here.
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Acetone for Excess Contact Cement
When using contact cement to apply plastic laminates, I recommend trying acetone to remove any excess cement on the decorative surface of the laminate.
What's In Store
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LumberMate Pro MX34
The LumberMate Pro MX34 manual sawmill from Norwood Industries can handle logs up to 34″ in diameter and mill boards up to 28″ wide.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Table Saws
Furniture maker Dave Trull of Trull Gallery in Gulfport, Florida, has published his first e-book, an introduction to the table saw with a light approach.
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New Shop Fox W1829 6-in. Benchtop Jointer
For small-shop convenience, Shop Fox now offers a 76-lb. alternative that fits on a bench and will flatten stock up to 6-in. wide.
Today's Woodworker
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Robert Rutkowski: Liking Machine-Like Woodworking
Robert Rutkowski has a background in engineering, which means, he said, that “I like machinery.”
Q & A
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What’s the Best Way to Break a Hide Glue Joint?
How do you get a partially separated hide glued joint apart in an old oak top so it can be re-glued?
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Right Way to Pronounce Riving (Knife)?
Is “riving” supposed to rhyme with “living” or “diving”?
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Melamine: Is It Paintable or Not?
Would this be a good choice, or should I sandpaper the surface with 400-grit paper first? And are there better solutions?
Industry Interviews
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Learn Boat Building for a Vacation or a Vocation at GLBBS
School preserves Great Lakes rich heritage of boat construction through various woodworking programs.
Feedback
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Homemade Tools for the Home Shop
In last issue’s eZine, after highlighting an online discussion about homemade tools, we asked eZine readers if any of you have made homemade tools. It turns out, you have.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Turned Flowers
I turned the flowers out of different exotic and domestic hardwoods. Then turned the interior Bulbs from other different hardwoods.
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Curly Cherry Dining Table
From 8/4 Cherry with breadboard ends. Built for my deserving wife who puts up with my long hours in the shop and rarely gets her gift by Christmas.
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Red Oak Bookshelf
Here is a bookshelf I built out of red oak, stained with a General Finishes oil stain in “warm cherry” and finished with three coats of gel top coat.
