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Here's what you need to know to pick the right type of oak for your next project.
Take a look at all the great features available on the current crop of routers.
Choosing the best router for your router table can be a difficult decision. The routers featured in the article on page 10 of Woodsmith No. 172 represent the current crop of mid-sized models from a variety of manufacturers. You can find most of them at your local home center or through the online retailers like Rockler or Amazon.com.
An auxiliary on/off switch is a great accessory to have for your router table. Not only is it convenient, but it also provides safety by allowing you to turn off the router quickly in an emergency. The auxiliary switch is available from the Woodsmith Store and other retailers (see below).
If you demand dead-on accuracy from your table saw, check out these alignment jigs.
The secret to a smooth-running table saw that produces great cuts is proper alignment. The article on page 14 of Woodsmith No. 172 highlights three great jigs that will help keep your saw cutting straight and true.
The A-Line-It jig is manufactured by In-Line Industries, while the SuperBar and MasterPlate are made by MasterGage. These jigs were purchased from Rockler, and are also available from the Woodsmith Store.
The TS-Aligner Jr. is made and sold by the Edward J. Bennett Co. (see below).
Tired of the clutter? Get your mail organized with this compact wall unit. It features graduated, lattice-panel compartments that give it a great look and provide a nice challenge for your woodworking skills.
The letter bin shown on page 16 of Woodsmith No. 172 is a great way to keep your mail organized. And building it won’t require any unusual hardware.
In fact, other than the screws, the only other hardware you’ll need is a pair of keyhole hangers to hang the bin on the wall. The ones I used came from Rockler (28837), but you can also get them from the Woodsmith Store.
The impressive look of this Craftsman-style hall bench will surely make it a standout in your entryway. Add storage, classic details, and shop-tested techniques to the mix and this project is a hard one to pass up.
The hall bench on page 22 of Woodsmith No. 172 is a great-looking way to welcome visitors into your home and keep clutter under control.
While I could get the screws and washers locally, I ordered most of the other hardware items from Lee Valley: the 3" no-mortise hinges (00H51.24), the T-nuts (00N22.16), and the threaded inserts (00M90.01). The coat hooks (02005910) came from Van Dyke’s Restorers.
Finish Information: For the Rift Sawn Red Oak finish we used a Woodcote stain, 2 parts Cherry Jeld, 1 part dark Oak. Note about Woodkote Jeld Stains - Be sure to allow stain to dry at least 24 hours or an applied finish may pull the pigment back out and cause finish problems.
Here's a small, "time-friendly" project with a unique look and function. It's a desktop stamp dispenser and letter opener all in one.
The desk set on page 34 of Woodsmith No. 172 will be the focal point of any desk it sits on. Most of the hardware used in making the project can be purchased at any hardware store.
I ordered the brass sheet (0.09"/ 11 ga. brass 260 H02 Sheet) from Online Metals. After clicking on the link for the brass sheet, just fill out the dimensions on the website.
To shape the brass, I used my scroll saw with a metal-cutting blade. I ordered the blade (MAB#3) online from BG Artforms, whose contact information is below. If you decide to use a jig saw and the table on page 32 instead, you can find metal-cutting blades for jig saws at hardware stores and home centers.
The desk set is also the perfect project to build with a specialty or exotic wood. I used bocote, a tropical hardwood from Central America, that I purchased from the Woodsmith Store.
Your local lumberyard might carry some interesting wood species, or you could contact some online retailers, such as Constantine's, Rockler, or Woodcraft to see what they have in stock.
Here's a quick, easy way to make strong frame and panel assemblies at the table saw.
Learn how to put a sliding compound miter saw to work in your shop.
Keeping your finishing cabinet well stocked will give you a big boost toward a quality finish.
Make traditional-looking crown molding with a few basic router bits and a simple technique.
