July/August 2020 Archives - Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To

Adding Extra Table Saw Storage

Reader Submitted — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 18:08:26 +0000

I finally got tired of searching for all of the throatplate inserts, push sticks, blades, featherboards and angle gauges scattered around the shop instead of stored on my mobile table saw where they belong. I was planning on adding just a drawer to my saw and locating it below the rip fence rails. But that would have left about 3″ of unused vertical space above the drawer in the rail area. So I’ve filled that spot with a tray and a top door that opens with concealed cabinet door hinges.

Now, my throatplates, push sticks, tape measure, pencils and angle gauge store in there. The drawer gives me a place for extra blades, dado set, small jigs, featherboards and the blade guard when I need to remove it. This combo unit is just the storage solution I’ve needed!

– Edwin J. Santiago
West Allis, Wisconsin

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Simple Magnet Separator

Reader Submitted — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 21:28:44 +0000

Rare-earth magnets can be difficult to separate when they are stuck together, but here’s a simple jig I use that solves the problem. It’s a scrap of plywood with a shallow hole drilled in it that matches the magnet’s diameter.

I drilled it just deep enough to recess one magnet. A second smaller hole in the middle of the magnet recess goes all the way through the plywood. To use the jig, I place both magnets on top and swipe the top magnet off of the bottom one with my finger. Then, I poke the recessed one out of the jig with a dowel.

-John Jakobs
Mason, Ohio

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Bolt Makes Blade Cleaning More Efficient

Reader Submitted — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:51:59 +0000

When it’s time to clean a saw blade, I insert a 1/2″ threaded bolt through its 5/8″ arbor hole. The bolt’s head keeps the blade from suctioning to the bottom of the bucket I use for the cleaning solution, and the threaded shaft provides a safety handle of sorts for me to pick the blade up when it’s wet. The bolt is just a 2-1/2″-long all thread I happened to have. If I have several blades to clean, I thread a nut onto the bolt, which serves as a spacer to keep the blades from touching. This way, I can soak several blades at once to make the task more efficient.

– Jim Wilson
San Marcos, Texas

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Space Balls Prevent Stuck Router Bits

Reader Submitted — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 19:55:51 +0000

In the past I’ve resorted to a dead blow hammer to tap router bits free when they get stuck in my router’s collet. Then a better solution came to me: I inserted one of Rockler’s rubber “Space Balls” for cabinet doors into the collet to prevent the bit’s shank from bottoming out.

I first applied a small dab of multipurpose adhesive inside the collet (inset photo) to hold the ball in place. I’ve been using the original Space Ball for more than a year now. It hasn’t fallen out, and I haven’t had a stuck router bit since.

– Gary Storme
Anacortes, Washington

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Apron-maker Shifts to PPE Amid COVID Crisis

Guest Post — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 16:52:47 +0000

Under normal circumstances, I spend most of my time hand-making leather work aprons and a variety of other leather goods under the Calavera Toolworks brand, which I founded some five years ago. But early last spring, the COVID-19 pandemic shook me from the comfortable life I had established for my young family here in Charleston, South Carolina. While I’m not one to worry much over myself, I certainly struggled with the uncertainty and potential health consequences ahead for those I love most, including my wife, four children and aging parents. At the same time, there was a national shortage of protective masks to meet the challenges at hand. The need for personal responsibility and action rapidly became all too clear to me.

I’ve never been much of a bystander, so I quickly set to work on prototypes for personal protective equipment (PPE) that I hoped to produce in sufficient quantities to at least cover the needs of my closest friends and family. And since “crazy” seems to know my exact location at all times, it took less than 48 hours for a major national news network to find me and place an order for 8,500 face masks for the purpose of protecting their reporters and staff who would be so critical in covering news of the crisis.

Michael Williams, founder of Calavera Tool Works, assembling a custom leather work apron — the company’s primary product line.

To make this essential, yet (then) extremely scarce piece of gear a reality, we ramped up from a single parttime employee to a team of 10 to seamstresses working from home. Calavera purchased many thousands of the most expensive vacuum bags known to our woodworking and construction industries and scrounged for every inch of elastic we could get our hands on. By the time of this writing, we have shipped well over 20,000 high quality, well-fitting masks, including a couple thousand donated outright to veterans hospitals, food banks and many other good causes around the community. (And yes, I made sure Mom and Dad had plenty from the start to stay safe.)

Last spring, Calavera began to manufacture protective face masks, made of vacuum bags and elastic, to help offset PPE shortages.

We must take responsibility for one another, regardless of politics, beliefs or any of the other factors that make individuals out of each of us. I have been extremely grateful for the opportunity to put whatever skills I have to use for the greater good, in whatever small manner that may be. And well, if I’m being honest, I do enjoy a good challenge and a little bit of chaos now and then. Stay safe, good people, in these challenging times.

Michael Williams is the founder of Calavera Tool Works

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PROJECT: Updated Miter Saw Station

Chris Marshall — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 19:47:49 +0000

Ten years after the Journal published his previous design, our senior editor revamps this popular shop project with many updated features in a smaller footprint.

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PROJECT: Carved Dough Bowls

Rob Johnstone — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 17:08:42 +0000

Replicate this hard-working kitchen accessory from days of yore using your band saw and a power-carving tool. It’s a perfect excuse to head outdoors and let the chips fly.

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PROJECT: Adjustable Mobile Desk

Dan Cary — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:37:50 +0000

Here’s an easy-to-build solution for standing or sitting while working, crafting or taking a meal as you binge-watch your favorite shows.

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Woodworker’s Journal – July/August 2020

Matt Hocking — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:23:58 +0000

Projects Include: Miter Saw Station, Adjustable Mobile Desk, Bamboo Fly Rod and Carved Dough Bowls

Techniques Include: Advice on Buying a Used Lathe and Simple Finishes

Tools: Hand Planes and Rockler Drilling Accessories

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More on Using Hand Planes

Journal Staff — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:23:52 +0000

Learn how to set up and and use a hand plane from master woodworker, Ian Kirby. This is a free preview episode from The Way to Woodwork: Essential Starters series.

In this episode of the Hand Planes Video Series, Ernie Conover teaches you how to reassemble and adjust your hand plane after sharpening the blade. Set up your hand plane for perfect cuts.

Here are a few pages that will help you learn more about hand planes. Enjoy!

Understanding Bench Planes from Popular Woodworking

Sargent Planes By Number

Bench Plane Model Number Chart

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