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Wood Movement – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Martin. Let’s see what he has to say: I’m a relative newcomer to woodworking and have been watching your podcasts for a month or so now and am finding them very interesting. One major point I have picked up on is how much attention needs to be paid [...]
Check it out!Water-Borne vs. Water-Based – Question of the Week
This weeks question comes from Yoann. He asks: What is the difference between “water-based” and “waterborne” finishes, is it the same? If not, can any finish be either water-based or waterborne?
Thanks for the clarification !!
Hey Yoann. Not a stupid question at all. Its another example of labels not doing us any favors! [...]
Domino Miter Joint vs. Bridle Joint – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Craig in Springfield, OH who writes:
“I’m getting ready to start my mahogany Barrister’s Bookcase, and I had a quick question. The plans I’m using call for 32 X 14 inch doors with rails and stiles that are only 1 1/4″ wide, (3/4 stock). Since the rails and stiles [...]
Removing Glue from Clamps – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Jeff who writes:
Hey Marc, I have the following question, and could really use some advice. Do you know any way to clean the bars on the Jet Parallel clamps? They are supposed to be coated so glue doesn’t stick. Mine, however, stick. In fact, I can no longer open nor [...]
Another Fool Proof Finish? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Craig, The Ham Handed Wood Savage, who writes:
I’m trying this “fool proof” oil and wax finish that I learned from the Fine Woodworking site. I think I might have managed to mess it up. The boiled linseed oil seems tacky to the touch, and it doesn’t look so [...]
Spraying Oil Stains? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Jorge who writes:
I’m finishing some maple kitchen doors. I have a Fuji Mini-Mite 3x to apply the finish. I first applied a 1.5 to 2 pound cut of shellac and now I’m spraying the oil based stain. The problem is that I get what I think is [...]
Shellac as a Sealer? – Question of the Week
This week’s question from from Ron in Chicago who writes:
I have a table top that I stained with oil based stain and I want to use Endro Precat Lacquer but the directions say that I have to use a pre-cat sealer. Can I use a 1LB cut shellac as a [...]
To Refinish or Restore? That is the “Question of the Week”
This week’s question comes from Kyle who writes:
Lately I’ve been working on refinishing an old dresser. It’s been in my family for a long time and has been abused pretty badly. But since it was a family heirloom, it was like pulling teeth to convince my mom to let me restore it. I’ve [...]
Swelling Dovetails? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Ben who asks: Why do my dovetails dry fit perfectly – but when I go to glue them up, they no longer fit flush? It’s cheap pine (this is a test project) – and I’m using a dovetail jig: if that helps? Any suggestions?
And this was my [...]
Tools For A New Woodworker? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Allan who writes: I am interested in woodworking but scared of buying a crap ton of tools and sucking at it. Can you please tell me what I should buy to get started? Thanks.
And here is my response:
When you are getting started, tool-buying decisions can be [...]
Professional Cuts From Inexpensive Tools? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Ben who writes:
I am using craftsman shop tools – Table saw, scroll saws, drill press, planer, ect and I’m finding my cuts are not as perfect as I’d like. How can I get professional cuts w/ unprofessional tools ($ is always an issue) – should I be buying $90 [...]
Shellac as a Wiping Finish? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Austin who writes:
I have a couple questions on shellac. I want to use it as a wipe finish for the inside of drawers. How much should I dilute a 3lb cut? Or a 2lb cut? haha i’m a little confused how you get a 2lb or a 3lb cut. I [...]
Router Bits and Table For a New Shop? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Craig, who writes:
My question is basically about a router table – I am just starting out in the woodworking arena as a hobby– I have a Dewalt Miter saw, a Bosch Table Saw, Bosch router (fixed and plunge kit) and am looking to start some woodworking – I have [...]
Keeping Shelf Pin Holes Clear? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Avraham. He writes:
In the past when I’ve built bookshelves and entertainment centers I drill all of the holes for the shelf pins before I assemble the whole piece. However, after finishing the piece with polyurethane the holes get filled with finish and I end up re-drilling them all. [...]
How To Make Cauls? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Geoff. He writes:
I have a question about cauls and how to make them. I have made some small ones (about 24″) out of some 2x pine. They did the job of gluing up a small table top, but… I want to make a real “set” of them but [...]
Which Lacquer Should I Use? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Larry. He writes:
I just purchased an Earlex Spray station 5000 and I’m very pleased with its performance thus far. I’ve sprayed shellac, water based dye, and Deft brushing lacquer, all with good results. I woulsd like to get into spraying more lacquer because its looks great and [...]
Router Climb-Cutting? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Ryan who asks:
I realize this question is probably a complete beginner’s question, but I saw mention to the concept of a “Router Climb-cut”. Please can you explain what is meant by this? Thank you for helping.
And this was my response:
Hey Ryan. Climb-cutting can be a pretty risky [...]
Dust Collection for Sanders? – Question of the Week
This week’s questions comes from Douglas. He writes:
I have a question on dust extraction. I have a Delta 2hp dust collection with the HEPA bag, it works great but…. You knew there was a but… :-) Sanding is the issue. I generally hook up my shop vac to the portable disk [...]
Door Frames with Acoustic Fabric? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Gary. He writes:
I built the cases out of MDF, and was thinking of just doing a poplar frame, and installing those push-in speaker clips on it, so the face can be removed. Speaker fabric will cover where a panel typically would be (to be acoustically transparent, of course). [...]
Thin Strips More Stable? – Question of the Week
I starting my first real project. It is a mission style sofa table of my design constructed with semi rough cut oak. I am very pleased with the results so far. The wood is turning out great, the mortise and tenons are good (room for improvement here), and the overall look is [...]
Check it out!Avoiding Gaps in Your Glue Up – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Mike. He writes:
My most recent project as I’ve mentioned to you before is a baby crib for our first child. This crib will later convert to a day bed and then a full size bed. Therefore there are several legs that must be built first, 6 in [...]
End-grain Through the Planer? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Matt. He writes:
After reading much debate on this issue, I thought I might like to hear your input. What does the Wood Whisperer think about running end-grain through the planer? I’m SOOOOOOOO tempted to try it because it would be so easy to clear up some high [...]
Oil finish on cocobolo? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Brad. He writes:
“Hi Marc, I have a question about finishing..I’m making a small decorative box with a sliding maple top and cocobolo sides. I’ve read that it is not advisable to use an oil finish on this wood. Any experience or advice??”
And here was my reply:
“Hey Brad. Woods [...]
Wood Acclimation in Hawaii – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Robert. He writes:
“I live on an island in Hawaii (surrounded by water of course) where the humidity is always high and it rains a lot. All the material that I’ve been reading says to dry your wood to about 6% before working on it. Then you leave it in [...]
When should I throw away sandpaper? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Jonathan. He writes:
“So I’ve been doing this woodworking thing for a long time (even though I’m just 40) :-) So there I am in the shop listening to my ipod, hand scraping some stuff, sanding some other pieces (long story) and after a while, the brain starts [...]
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