To Build or To Buy??
This is a question I ponder all the time. How do you know when you should take a project on yourself, or when you should raise the white flag and just purchase the item from a store? Judging from the many emails I receive asking this exact question, I know I’m not alone. I decided this would be a great topic to explore for my Popular Woodworking Wood Whisperer column. Taking some influence from Nicole’s Glamour magazine, I constructed a quiz for us woodworkers. Answer the questions honestly, and you should end up with a reasonablly objective result. Popular Woodworking was cool enough to distribute the quiz as a PDF worksheet which you can download now. For the entire article, you’ll have to either subscribe or pick up the latest issue on the newsstand.
Wood Talk Online #59
What’s on the Bench?
Marc had more electrical work done in his shop and the new garage is starting to look like a shop. He’s currently cannibalizing old cabinets and using them for storage under the extension wing. He’s also teaching two classes in January at the William Ng School.
Matt finally completed Samantha’s bookcase and he’s starting a child’s dresser project.
Around the Web:
Megan’s LVL workbench video.
Charles Neil coming out with a new web series (subscription only)
Magazine Website Roundup:
PopularWoodworking.com Features
- Home Page updated automatically: new blog posts, Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/pweditors), and new articles.
- Three great blogs: Popular WW’ing Editors Blog, Woodworking Magazine Blog, Art & Mysteries Blog (Adam Cherubini).
- A crap ton of free Sketchup models in Google’s SketchUp Wharehouse.
- Feeds Feeds everywhere! You can sign up for email notification or use the RSS feed in your own reader. No ads, no spam, just content.
Exclusive video content.
- The Woodworker’s Bookshop- Matches Amazon’s prices and they have free shipping on orders more than $25. They also have a rewards program if you buy a lot of books.
- Contact Us: Direct phone numbers and email addresses for the entire staff. Let the stalking begin.
- The article index: find back issues. Search by author, keyword or date.
- A directory of all woodworking suppliers, whether they advertise or not. Get phone numbers, web pages etc. Searchable.
FineWoodworking.com Features
Free Stuff:
The free plan blog, The Tool Addicts Blog, SketchUp blog, huge user gallery, monthly gallery contests for cool prizes, a collection of free videos on our site,Free Weekly Newsletter, Getting Started in Woodworking.
Two free video workshops:
– Build a small cabinet
– Build a wall cabinet
Paid Member Stuff:
$34.95/yr (14.95 for magazine subscribers) or $4.99/month
Video Workshops: Build a project start to finish with step-by-step video.
Technique videos for members on our site.
Current Issue published online for members.
The Archive! Use the search to find tons of old articles in pdf format.
Sweet Deals:
Sent in from Michael Dove of Kaytrim’s Customs: Lee Valley Overhead Radiant Heater $55
Sent in from Kerry Drake on Facebook: $19.99 Router Base Plate with centering Pin
At WoodWerks: Delta Right Tilt 10″ 3HP Unisaws (no fence) for $699.
Zdillenger from Twitter Woodcraft: At check out, on the left side it mentions Coupon Codes. Enter 812 there and you will get 20% off all LN stuff in your cart.
It Came from the Forum:
A brown paper bag for a fine finish?? HUH WHAT?
A post by dtrust in the Wood Whisperer Forum: “I was wondering if anyone else had heard of this. A friend told me about it a couple years ago, and I’ve been doing it ever since. After all is said and done, polish the final surface with a brown paper lunch bag. It gets rid of any tiny dust nibs and leaves the surface feeling like you rubbed it with baby powder. Maybe the paper is equivilent to 10,000 grit sandpaper?”
Voicemail:
Shannon Rogers – Renaissance Woodworker – Shannon’s world is rocked because Matt is using more power tools and Marc is using more hand tools!
Roberto – Wondering if Norm was going crazy when he dipped his tenons in water.
Tom’s Tip (TomsWorkbench.com): Measure Twice Cut Once
Kari’s Tip: (Village Carpenter): Gunk on old blades.
After Show Voicemails:
Margaret from MagnoliaWorks.com tells us exactly how to pronounce Jim Ipekjian’s name.
Wood Talk Online #45
Status Report:
Marc is finishing up the holiday projects, a magazine rack and small clock. Matt is trying an old rust removal technique that’s all natural and even tasty!
Around the Web:
A New Tool Deal Everyday from Toolking!
Some great content at the ToolCrib Blog
News:
New Giveaway- Some great Lee Valley schwag, including their sweet Small Router Plane. Just fill out the form at WoodTalkOnline.com.
Rockler dream shop giveaway with Delta/Porter-cable
Rockler now offering DeWalt Tracksaw- $499 vs Festool $475
Hot Deals:
7-Piece Forstner Bit Set Rockler for $11.49.
170-piece Drill Bit Set from Woodcraft for $29.99
10% off All New Dewalt tools & Accessories at ToolKing.com
Receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 Purchase at ToolKing.com just for signing up for their email newsletter.
Topics:
Power Carving- Popular Woodworking Article December 2008 issue on newstands now!
Tom’s Tip:
Save by buying in bulk.
And don’t miss the live chat room questions. Unfortunately, Nicole’s microphone wasn’t working so I apologize ahead of time for the audio. But you’ll get the idea.
Wood Talk Online – #39
Status Report: Marc goes into a bit more detail on his Gadget Station: grain direction and acclimation. Matt is making his new bench out of……….(drum roll)……….PLYWOOD!
Around the Web:
If you aren’t on Twitter, you are missing out on the fun! We also review Charles Neils website, AntiquesBuiltDaily.com. Charles has a great collection of incredible videos and DVDs on all kinds of topics. We can all learn something from Charles’ years of experience.
Safety reminder - Tablesaw injuries to remind us of what we learned during safety week.
Review of Final Cut Saw Blade and more info.
News:
Woodworking in America hands-on classes sell like hotcakes!!
Fine Woodworking starting to sell ebook versions of popular titles. Currently you can buy individual chapters downloadable as PDFs for $2 or buy the whole book (ebook version) for $15.
Hot Deals:
Pop WW’ing 50% off back issues
Bessey K-Body Clamps 25% Off
Simple Green Cleaning towels (pop up container) almost 40% off.
Topics:
We discuss a recent article by Bob Flexner in the August issue of Popular Woodworking, titled “7 Myths of Polyurethane”
if you have a question or comment, you can email us at woodtalkonline@gmail.com or leave us a message at 623-242-2450.
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