Issue 289
Issue 289
It’s Gut Check Time!
As I emerged from my tryptophan-induced coma — approximately last Saturday (yes, Turkey Day was an epic gastronomic success at the Johnstone home) — my woodworking energies were suddenly supercharged by a glance at the calendar. Did you know that Thanksgiving is only a month away from Christmas? Whoa! My holiday gift making efforts (based loosely on the “Think System” made famous by Meredith Willson’s super-salesman, Harold Hill) had produced exactly zero gifts thus far; hence a change in tactics was obviously required.
So I charged out to my workshop and promptly built a sorting cabinet for my laundry room and a hanging rack system to help me overcome my laundry ineptitude.
And while I understand that, technically, this effort did not result in a gift being completed, I do think that a dam of sorts has been broken, and I feel in my gut (much diminished from its expansive holiday state) that this is the week that the race has begun in earnest.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Industry Interviews
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From Field to Finish: Rust-Oleum Offers Soy-based Wood Care Products
New stains and topcoats promise planet-friendlier solutions without performance compromises.
Feedback
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Saw and Scrolling Follow-ups, Plus (Proposed) Table Saw Regulation Reactions
We have a few additional comments on questions featured in the Q&A section of last issue’s eZine.
Reader's Project Gallery
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L-Shaped Bar
While finishing my basement I saw a Classic looking bar at a neighbor’s house and when I found out how much it cost I decided to do the research and build one with my boys.
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Cherry Gun Case
Cherry gun case for my best friend.
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Sculpture Stand
We received this hand signing sculpture as a wedding gift from our artist friend. My wife and I decided it needed something special for displaying it in our living room.
What's In Store
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Natural Wooden Toys
The book Natural Wooden Toys includes plans for over 75 toys in themes ranging from fairytale to forest and farm to city.
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Milwaukee M12™ Cordless 1/4″ Ratchet
Milwaukee’s new M12™ Cordless 1/4″ (2456-21) Ratchet expands their M12 Lithium-Ion system with the compact battery-powered tool.
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Magfence II
The Magfence II® from Carter Products is a band saw rip fence magnets that switch on and off and allow for easy attachment to most ferrous metal tables.
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Infinity Adds New Double-flute Keyhole Bit
A keyhole bit in your plunge router can create a sturdy and hidden attachment point for shelving and frames.
Tricks of the Trade
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Salvaged Bottles Ideal for Storing “Touch-Up” Finishes
Each bottle comes with its own built-in brush, so there’s no time spent looking for one or cleaning it after.
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Roll out the Paintbrush
I often line the small boxes I make with felt.
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Craft Your Own Crevice Tool
To build a crevice tool for my shop vacuum, I turned an adapter block for the hose on my lathe, then made the nozzle from copper tubing.
Q & A
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Matching a Stained Finish?
He’s asked me if I can match the stain color. Where do I start? Do I buy $1,000 worth of stain and try every can?
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Failing Flower Boxes?
Without fail, after two to three weeks in the weather, the joints pull apart. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong?
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Bulletin Board Joinery?
What would be a good, strong way to join the uprights to the inside of the curved piece?
