Solid Top w/ Mitered Frame?- Question of the Week
December 31, 2007 | Filed Under Blog, Question of the Week | 4 Comments
This week’s question comes from Brad. He writes:
Marc, I’m making a hall table out of lyptus and would like add a maple border to the book matched top. I think it’s called picture frame style or something like that…..with mitered corners…I have never done this before. Any advice? Do I need to do the ends (endgrain) like a breadboard end to allow for expantion? Any help would be appreciated.
And here was my reply:
“Hey Brad. If the panel is solid, there is no way you can surround it with a frame. Eventually something will have to give and typically it’s the frame itself. It will start with a little separation at the miter joint and progress to a complete joint failure (worst case). The only way to create frame in a panel like that is to let it float, kind of like a frame and panel door. But a frame and panel door is not exactly a good surface for a table top. I assume you want the frame to be flush with the panel. So you may want to consider resawing the lyptus boards and veneering them to a substrate. This way you can surround it with a frame and not have to worry much about movement.”
“You mentioned breadboard ends so I should explain why that wouldn’t work. With breadboard ends, the panel is allowed to expand and contract because nothing is restricting the cross-grain movement. The “frame” only exists on two sides. A full frame that surrounds the panel would limit the cross-grain movement and would negate any “breadboard-style” joinery you create.”
Episode 35 - A Visit To Fine Woodworking
December 30, 2007 | Filed Under Blog, Video | 25 Comments
High Resolution Version
A few months ago we paid a visit to the offices of Fine Woodworking Magazine and The Taunton Press. It was a great experience and incredibly cool seeing how an initial idea becomes an article. This video gives you a behind the scenes look into that exact process. You’ll also get to see the Fine Woodworking shop and we’ll hear from numerous key staff members as they explain their roles in the process.
And by the way, most of the interviews were significantly longer than what appeared in the video. If there is any interest, I would be more than happy to release the full interviews at a later date. Just let me know.
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If you like what you see and you want to support the cause, please consider donating. There are no set amounts. Just decide what the show was worth to YOU.
Not Your Typical Table - Viewer Project of the Week
December 28, 2007 | Filed Under Blog, Project of the Week | 5 Comments
This week’s project comes from Russel. Here’s what he has to say about his project:
The top is maple. I glued up some stock and ran it through my friend’s widebelt sander a few times. All of the edges are mitered and reinforced with biscuits. It gives the effect of the top being a solid piece of material. The legs and stretchers are poplar. I glued up some 6/4 poplar and milled it down into 4 blocks that were 4″x4″ by 18″ in length. I then notched out (using router table and chisels) what would become the top inside corner to create a space for the table to rest on. The legs were then cut on the bandsaw. The stretchers were cut using a
jigsaw and shaped with rasps, files and chisels. That was a tedious process. The stretchers are connected to the legs with dowels. As far as the finishing goes that was an adventure unto itself. The top was sprayed with 6 coats of a black lacquer. The legs were covered with 6-7 coats of a gold glaze. They were then distressed and a dark brown glaze was wiped on and then quickly removed. After everything was dry I coated it with a couple of coats of a clear lacquer.
“Workbenches” by Chris Schwarz - Book Review
December 27, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | 8 Comments
Many of you may already know Chris Schwarz. He is an editor for Popular Woodworking Magazine and a self-confessed hand-tool and workbench enthusiast. His most recent work is a book called Workbenches, truly a modest title for what is contained within those 144 pages. Perhaps it was just great timing, since I am currently focusing on my hand tool skills, but this book really struck a chord with me. In fact, since my two-day adventure in reading the book, I’ve spent many hours daydreaming about bench designs and bench functionality. I think I have been bitten by some sort of nostalgic woodworking bug and I have Chris to blame for it. I have even gone so far as to wander into the shop just to look at my workbench and think. And unfortunately, after reading Workbench, I have realized that my workbench is woefully inadequate. But more on that later.
Chris has a friendly and accessible writing style that makes this book read more like a great story than a reference book. A book that teaches you is good. A book that entertains you and educates you without you being aware of it is priceless. The book is chock-full of historical images and information on the workbenches of yesteryear as well as detailed explanations of their features and how they influence the workbenches we know and (sometimes) love today. But with Chris’s anecdotes and light-hearted story-telling, even a person who runs a powertool-focused shop will find that the information is not only palatable, but pleasurable.
I don’t want to create a spoiler here, but after reading this book, you will never look at a workbench the same way again. As I said before, my beautiful workbench that I spent weeks working on (ok maybe it was days, but it sure felt like weeks), is now a painful reminder of my lack of knowledge at the time that I built it. Like many woodworkers, I constructed the bench before I really knew exactly how I would use it. I actually came up with a simple design that reflected the fact that I primarily use power-tools. But now that I am beginning to focus more on the hand tools, it has become clear that a new workbench is on this year’s to-do list.
While Chris strikes me as something of a connoisseur of workbenches, he is by no means snobbish. In fact, he has very down-to-earth theories concerning workbenches, their design, their function, and their looks. One of Chris’s strongest messages is that workbenches don’t need to be made from the most expensive hardest wood. In fact, doing so is completely unnecessary. You’ll have to read the book to find out Chris’s opinion on the best woods for the job, but suffice it to say you will most likely find it at the local home center……..a refreshing change of pace.
The book contains two workbench plans: one English and one French. I am leaning toward the French version myself. The plans are very clear and just about anyone should be able to construct these benches with ease using Chris’s methodology. The Deluxe version of the book comes with a CD that contains bonuses such as the complete and searchable text of the book, 3D models of the two benches in the book, plus a bonus workbench plan and slideshows of the bench-construction process.
I would go so far as to say this book should be a required prerequisite for any woodworker who has any level of interest in workbenches. Whether your current bench is super fancy with all the bells and whistles, or simply a solid-core door on saw horses, you will have some real food for thought after reading this book. I don’t expect everyone to experience the ground-shaking revelation I did, but you will certainly walk away with a better understanding of a workbench’s intended role in a wood shop, and more importantly, YOUR workbenches role in YOUR shop. Now if you will excuse me, I have some day-dreaming to do.
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Chris was kind enough to supply us with one of his books for our January Wood Whisperer Giveaway. I will post an official announcement about that in January. But if you would like to purchase a copy of Workbenches, you can do so here. By the way, this package is an INCREDIBLE value. You are getting a 144-page hardbound book and a cd containing the complete and searchable text of the book, 3D models of the benches, a bonus workbench plan and slideshows of the bench-construction process. In case you weren’t counting, that’s 3 workbench plans in addition to the book. A killer deal for $34.
Check out Chris’s blog at Woodworking-Magazine.com/blog. And if you would like to see what other books and DVD’s Chris has to offer, check out LostArtPress.com/
A Well-Trained Spouse
December 27, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | 15 Comments
I just had one of those hilarious realizations at how “tainted” my wife’s opinions have become. I was typing away on my laptop this morning and I heard her on the other side of the office watching a podcast. The two female hosts were walking through Home Depot looking for gifts for their husbands. They found what they were calling the ULTIMATE gift: I think it was a Rigid multi-pack with a jigsaw, recip saw, circular saw, etc… Now, I really have nothing against Rigid tools. But I must have made a negative comment or two in the past because I hear Nicole say, “Ultimate?!?! Haha! If you like cheap tools!” I just about sprayed my coffee all over my computer. And I thought getting her to agree to keep the cars out of the garage was a victory. Just one of the many reasons I love my wife: she’s a tool snob!
New to the Craft. Where to Start? - Question of the Week
December 26, 2007 | Filed Under Blog, Question of the Week | 14 Comments
This week’s question comes from Eric. He writes:
I finally have a two car attached garage that I’ve talked my wife into letting me keep as a workshop only. The trouble is, I watch all the woodworking programs and shows, and I don’t what to do first. Like most people my age (29), I haven’t got an extensive budget. First, how do I get started? I have a router, compound miter saw, lots of hand tools, clamps, compressor, nail guns, skill saws, a jig saw and a Dremmel. What’s the next major tool to buy? How do I arrange my garage? I’d like to maximize the space with areas to keep stock and a little bit of yard storage too (no sheds with my HOA). I haven’t found a functional plan that works for me yet. Any ideas? Lastly, will you send me a list of a novice’s guide to starting a working shop out of a two car garage? I was quite impressed with your shop and aspire to have one of my own one day.
And here was my reply:
“Hey Eric. Congrats on the garage. From your list of tools, it sounds like you have everything needed for a small weekender shop. But if you plan to get serious, there are 3 major tools that you will eventually need. The tablesaw, the planer, and the jointer (in that order). How soon you need them is up to you. My suggestion is start building projects. As soon as you hit a wall because you don’t have a particular piece of a equipment, thats how you know what you next purchase will be. Lots of people buy pre-dimensioned lumber and cut their sheetgoods with a circular saw. So its certainly possible to survive without the big set of tools. As far as arrangement, the best thing to do is look at other people’s shops. The best place to do that is here: ShopTours.org You can even see my old shop in there (3 car garage).”
“Just remember that a shop is always being rearranged. I have yet to find the “perfect” setup. Check out this article I wrote on the topic. And you might find some helpful info here as well: Fine Woodworking Article”
Evolution of a Workshop
December 26, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | 3 Comments
As you may have noticed, WoodTalkOnline.com now links to a page within The Wood Whisperer. As a result, some of the articles that I posted at WoodTalkOnline have been lost. There are only a few, so I will repost them over time. This week’s Question of the Week refers to one such article so I am reposting it here. Enjoy.
I recently had a question from a viewer concerning my shop setup. The gentleman was building a new shop and had questions about equipment arrangement. He stressed that he wanted to get the setup right the first time. This made me laugh a little. If I only had a dollar each time I thought my shop was FINALLY setup perfectly………….well, I wouldn’t be rich but I would have at least 20 bucks.
Whether minor alterations or major rearrangements, my shop has seen its share of modifications. New tools are usually the culprit. You just cant drop a new tool in the middle of the floor. You need to find the perfect spot. Preferably a spot that fits into the shop work flow and is located near an appropriate outlet. For most of us, this is the biggest challenge. Most of our garages and basements are inadequately wired for a shop. But for the viewer who emailed me, there was still time to increase the number of outlets, and that was the advice I gave him.
It is important to recognize the fact that the setup WILL change and you need to be able to adapt. So if possible, its always a good idea to have multiple 220v outlets and numerous 110v outlets throughout your shop. Today, in my own shop, I had a work-flow dilemma. My shop, while generously-sized, has limited wall space. Most walls either have doors, garage doors, or something else in the way. And walls are a natural place to put a large tool. So some of my tools are positioned in the middle of the floor in a group of three. The group in question consisted of a drum sander and a planer sitting perpendicular to one another, and a 14” bandsaw wedged between them. This worked for a while, but there were two major issues. First, when going from the planer to the drum sander (the usual work-flow), I had to pick up the whole pile of boards and walk around to the other side of the little triad. Once there, I had no place to sit the boards as I sent them through the drum sander one by one.
The fix was rather simple and involved putting the drum sander and planer side by side so the out-feeds were going in the same direction and finding a new home for the bandsaw. So now the drum sanded pieces can rest right on top of the planer and I don’t have to carry them around when moving from one machine to the other. It will probably save me a few seconds per board and makes the whole operation easier and safer. The workflow just makes sense.
Now I have been in this garage for almost 3 years now and none of these tools are new to me. So why did it take this long to come up with an ideal solution? I wish I knew. But the moral to the story is there is no reason to think of our shops as static entities. Our equipment changes, our needs change, our tastes change. Heck, I sometimes like to move things around just for the sake of seeing something different. I find it very inspiring. Just ask my wife who recently came back from a work trip to find our office completely rearranged just for fun.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
December 25, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | 15 Comments
Ok, time to take a break and enjoy the holiday. Well, unless I get that new router plane I asked for. Then I will be back in the shop. lol.
Impressions: Incra LS32-TS Table Saw Fence System
December 21, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | 25 Comments
Many of you have emailed me about my experiences with the Incra LS32-TS Table Saw Fence System. If you’ve followed the videos in order, you will notice that in Episode 30, I was very excited to have this “high end” fence on my tablesaw. Many of you soon noticed that I was back to my old Powermatic fence shortly thereafter. I certainly do owe everyone an explanation.
Before I go into the details here, I would first like to talk about product reviews. I am by no means a “reviewer”. I don’t have standardized testing procedures and I really don’t care to. All I can do is tell you how a product worked in my hands. That doesn’t necessarily indicate how it will work in your hands. But I do feel the “everyday man” approach can sometimes be much more informative than the formal, over-complicated, and “out of touch with the real world” scenarios we read about in many publications. So please take my comments with a grain of salt. They are, after all, one man’s experience.
So why did I upgrade the fence in the first place? I was very happy with my Powermatic fence, but I really liked the idea of micro-adjustability and increased accuracy. I wasn’t convinced that I NEEDED it. I just WANTED it. I am sure you can relate. After all, Incra has a reputation for unparalleled precision and accuracy (excuse the pun). And who wouldn’t want a little more accuracy.
The system was pretty straight forward and the instructions clear. The kit came with a excellent DVD as well. Everything was going smoothly until it was time to align the fence with the blade. In my case I just used my miter slot. Alignment of the fence is accomplished by tightening down the 8 screws that hold the positioner in place on the far right side of the saw. Now for initial setup, I am not very picky. I actually use my fingers to determine whether the fence is parallel with the miter slot (surprisingly accurate, by the way). I would position the fence and tighten the screws. Then I would release the fence, push it all the way to the right and then back to the miter slot. When I would clamp it down, the alignment would be slightly off. I proceeded to go through what felt like a trial and error-style setup procedure for another hour. And when it was all said and done, I was still not confident the fence was locking into exactly the same position every time. Several week’s later, I felt the same way.
FesCool Contest Reminder
December 21, 2007 | Filed Under Blog | Leave a Comment
I know we are getting close to the big holiday, so make sure you guys have your entries in for the FesCool Giveaway. Remember this month we are giving away an OF1400 Plunge Router. As many of you know, I use that model in my shop all the time. In fact its my go-to router for about 90% of my hand routing tasks. So get your entry in before Santa comes. Head to our FesCool Giveaway page, watch the movie, and answer this month’s challenge question. And that’s it! And who knows, maybe you’ll be the lucky winner of an awesome belated present. Good Luck everyone!
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