Edition #221

Heirloom Project

Curved Tray Centerpiece

Part 1: Project Overview

Can you make a project from a single block of wood? You bet. This curved tray centerpiece starts with a thick blank but you transform it into an eye-catching item worthy of display. Take a look at what you'll learn while making it.

Heirloom Project

Curved Tray Centerpiece

Part 2: Prepping the Blank

Finding a thick piece of hardwood for the curved tray project may not be easy to come by. Don shares some tips on finding or creating your own thick blank.

Shop Project

Table Saw Sleds

Part 4: Sled Accessories

There's no doubt a crosscut sled makes a big difference in how your table saw works. In this segment, Phil shares how to make some improvements to a basic sled to improve accuracy for creating multiple, identical pieces.

Shop Tip

Finishing Standoffs

One hassle in applying finish to a project or assembly is waiting for the finish to dry on one side before you can apply it to the other. Here's a handy solution that eliminates the waiting game.

Talking Shop

Plunge Cuts & Routing Direction

Moving a router in the proper direction is vital for making smooth cuts safely. Many times, knowing the proper direction is straightforward. But for some tasks, it may not be apparent. Join Bryan and Phil as they walk through a few scenarios and share some advice.

Shop Tip

Bar Clamp Connectors

Quick-action, pistol-grip clamps are great additions to a shop. But they come in a limited range of sizes. Here's a intriguing way to link two clamps to extend the reach of the clamp using some common hardware items.