Issue 209
Issue 209
Searching For an Answer?
I know that I am not alone in this (in fact, my wife thinks it is a Y chromosome-linked trait), but I am a sucker for a cool gizmo or gadget. For example, in my office you can find a radio-controlled racecar, a battery-powered pistol type foam-disk shooter, a couple of little telescope devices (for looking at ducks in the pond across the road) — and sadly, the list goes on. As you will have noticed, these gizmos have almost no practical purpose – OK, absolutely no practical purpose.
But I am newly enamored of an online gizmo that is not only very cool, but is truly practical. (OK, it is only practical if you are thinking of buying a new router. But hey, what woodworker is not thinking of buying one?)
On our WoodworkersJournal.com More on the Web page, you can find a searchable router database. It is free to use and contains almost every router on the market today. You can thank Woodworker’s Journal field editor Chris Marshall, content coordinator Matt Becker and web wizard Dave Werden for our new online buyers guide.
The list of routers goes from the tiniest trim router to the biggest handheld behemoth you can behold. You can search by price, brand, horsepower, handle type, and a host of other features and categories (combo kits, for example). You can mix and match your search criteria and continue to refine successive searches. If you are interested in a new router, there isn’t a better tool on the web. And even if you are not that interested in buying a router today, I can verify, it is a great gizmo to mess around with.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
NOTE: The Router Database is no longer available.
Q & A
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Jointer, Table Saw: What Tool Next?
I have a jointer and a table saw. Which should come next, a band saw, disk and belt sander, staple gun or drill press?
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Gluing Walnut over Polyurethane?
Can I glue walnut strips over the polyurethane with Gorilla Glue and expect them to stay fastened?
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Refinishing an Outdoor Walkway
How can I strip and refinish the outside to match the inside, using something that will look good and protect the wood from the afternoon sun?
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Stripping Branches for Walking Sticks
Is there an easy way to strip bark off branches that will be used as walking sticks?
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Removing a Splitter
Since my splitter is in the kerf of the blade, is there any reason to remove it to use a sled?
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Oil vs. Water: Best Sandpaper Lubricant?
I smooth polyurethane with 600-grit wet and dry sandpaper lubricated with furniture oil instead of water. Is this a good idea?
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Drawbacks to Aftermarket Laser Guide?
Are there any drawbacks to using an aftermarket laser guide attachment on a compound miter saw?
Feedback
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Raves, Cleanliness, Homemade, Piano Finish, Metric
We may not make everyone happy about everything we do, but as this letter shows, at least we do some things right, even in the estimation of one with a heartfelt complaint.
Contributing Bloggers
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Making Box Joints
This is a useful joint which can be made with four cuts on the table saw.
Not yet categorized
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Using Stripper on Mahogany?
Can you use a stripper on mahogany?
What's In Store
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Offset Mortise-and-Tenon Bits from Amana
Amana Tool’s new Offset Mortise-and-Tenon bits are tungseten carbide bits, designed by Lonnie Bird, for constructing offset joints in Mission style glass doors.
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H-100 Honing Guide from Wood Artistry
WoodArtistry is now offering an optional H-100 Honing Guide for their Lap-Sharp sharpening system.
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All-Terrain Mobile Base from Rockler
Rockler’s All-Terrain Mobile Base has 5-inch diameter urethane casters designed to roll over cords, cracks, surface changes and more, while carrying loads of up to 800 pounds.
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Festool Kapex KS120: A Tool That Could Inspire Dreams
Festool freely admits that their new Kapex KS120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is not for everyone. With a price of $1,300, that’s a pretty safe assumption. Still, though, a person can dream.
Today's Woodworker
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David Western: Love Spoons
I’ve got a lot of wooden spoons in my kitchen, and I can assure you not one of them bears the slightest resemblance to what David Western carves.
Industry Interviews
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Dispozablade: You Can Never Go Hone Again
I sincerely doubt there is a less enjoyable shop maintenance job than resetting planer and jointer blades.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Toys
I made these children’s toys without any plans. – Rob Canten, Holland
