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Light Table

From Edition #234.4

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Edition #234.1

Designer's Notebook

Greene & Green Bookcase

If you want to build a bookcase, there are several things to think about beyond just a storage space. Phil and Chris talk about the design details that go into building a Greene and Greene-style bookcase.

Router Workshop

Rub Arms

If you're ready to take your router table to the next level, you may want to consider making a rub arm or two. These handy add-ons allow you to tackle curved parts with ease. Phil shows you a few techniques to help get the ball rolling.

Shop Tip

Router Chip Deflector

Routing dovetails using a dovetail jig can lead to a face full of dust. One inventive woodworker solved the problem by reusing an accessory normally used for turning. Check it out.

Edition #234.2

Designer's Notebook

Salt & Pepper Set

With a unique mechanism and clean lines, Designer Dennis Volz crafted a salt and pepper mill set that you can use with one hand. Learn about the process and the inside story of how this gift project goes together.

Shop Tip

Gauge Block & Tote

Sometimes, it seems that setting up a router takes longer than the actual cutting. If that's been your experience, then take a look at this two-for-one tip to save time and boost your accuracy as well.

Edition #234.3

Woodworking Technique

Ebony Plugs

Contrasting wood plugs give your projects a visual boost. And consistency is the name of the game when it comes to making and installing them. Phil walks through the steps and shares a couple of jigs and a cool tool for getting great results time after time.

Designer's Notebook

Plywood Shop Projects

When setting up a shop, you need a place to work and way to store and organize your tools and supplies. Here Creative Director Chris Fitch shows off his latest workbench and tool rack design. Both pieces are made from sturdy plywood and are built to last and look great, too.

Shop Tip

Lathe Tool Rack

Keeping your turning tools organized and close at hand is one easy way to make a turning project go a lot smoother. With a few scraps of plywood, you can make a rack that accommodates most turning tools.

Edition #234.4

Designer's Notebook

Light Table

Project ideas may start as the proverbial napkin sketch, but when you want to do more detailed work, it's nice to have a place to draw. Dennis Volz designed this tilting top, light table to create a portable space for drawings and sketching. Listen in to learn how the project came about.

Shop Tip

Router Stand

When you're using a hand-held router, it would be nice to have a place to set it down safely in between tasks. This compact stand does the job and throws in some extra storage to boot.

Edition #234.5

Mastering the Table Saw

Specialty Blades

With a combination blade, you can tackle most cutting operations at the table saw. However, it pays to consider a few special-purpose blades. Phil takes a look at four interesting blade choices.

Woodworking Technique

Box Joints

Instead of using a table saw and dado blade, try your hand at creating box joints with a router. A simple jig gives you clean, crisp joints that fit together snugly. See how easy it is.

Shop Tip

Light Cover

Dust finds its way into every corner of a shop. Most of the time, it's just a nuisance. But it can damage lamps and magnifying lenses. Here's a low-cost way to keep your magnifiers clean.

Edition #234.6

Working With Tools

Holding Small Parts

Safely handling small parts is a challenge no matter what you're doing. Here are a few simple ways to work safely and accurately with small parts at the drill press.

Shop Tip

Turntable Sander

A combination disc/belt sander is a valuable shop workhorse. The problem is it can be tough to find a place in your shop so you can easily access both sides. Here's a clever, space-saving solution.

Edition #234.7

Woodworking Technique

Table Stretchers

Timber framed buildings put joinery on display. In a recent table project, we translated that to a smaller scale. In this video, Phil shows you how to make the eye-catching curved stretcher.

Great Gear

Plywood Movers

Moving full-size sheets of plywood or MDF can be a real pain. Thankfully, you can put your back at ease with some commercial plywood helpers. You're sure to find one that suits your shop and budget.

Shop Tip

Magazine Holder

Keeping track of woodworking plans and magazines can be tough in a small shop. They can quickly get buried or are just plain in the way. Here's an easy-to-build rack that gets the job done.

Edition #234.8

Woodworking Technique

Pepper Mill Turning

With a few simple lathe tools and some easy to master techniques, you can create a stylish project in a short amount of time. Designer Dennis Volz walks you through the process in making a unique pepper mill.

Shop Tip

Door Helper Jig

Installing cabinet doors often turns into a juggling act of holding the door in place, aligning the hinges and screws, and reaching for the driver. Here's a simple jig to save the day.