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Edition #247.1

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Edition #247.1

Shop Project

Small Parts Sled Part 2

A small-scale sled is the first step toward working with small workpieces safely. But this sled is designed for attaching task-specific modules. One of those add-ons is a stop and tray system for cutting pieces to a short length.

Shop Project

Small Parts Sled Part 3: Miter Fence & Ripping Guide

Increasing safety is the name of the game with these two modules for the small parts sled. One holds a workpiece for making accurate miters. The other lets to make rip cuts without fear of kickback or binding.

Shop Tip

Miter Saw Dust Shelter

A miter saw is notorious for the dust it creates. The dust port and shroud may not work as well as it could. Here's a simple, portable way to corral the dust and channel it to a dust collector.

Edition #247.2

Designer's Notebook

Pet Bed

For a lot of people, pets are important members of the household. So as a woodworker, it's a small step to consider building a project with your pet in mind. Designer Dillon Baker took up this challenge and designed a bed that also gives you a chance to develop your skills as well.

Shop Tip

Router Jointer

One of the challenges of working with plywood is getting clean, smooth edges on such large project parts. Here's a way to get the job done using a hand-held router.

Edition #247.3

Woodworking Technique

Using the Shave Horse

A shave horse is used by many traditional style chair makers to create the parts for wood chairs. It clamps a workpiece securely but that part can also be repositioned quickly. This version incorporates a wood vise screw. Phil Huber shares how it works.

Shop Project

Best Pushblock Ever

Forget thin, bird mouth shaped push sticks. This push block is made from scrap two-by lumber and keeps your hands safely away from the table saw blade. The block and heel are made to be cut into and easily replaced. Stay safe, maximize control with a good push block.

Shop Tip

Shellac Applicator

Shellac can be tricky to apply unless you know a few things. First, thin the shellac 1:1 with denatured alcohol. This thins the shellac to be applied in thin even coats that dry in less than 10 minutes. Then use a tight ball of cotton cloth to hold a lot of shellac and dispense it evenly.

Edition #247.4

Designer's Notebook

Empire Dresser

This project has nothing to do with a galaxy far far away. Instead, it's built in a style that arose in the early 19th century. Creative Director Chris Fitch talks about the style and how he designed this dresser to suit it.

Shop Tip

Straightedge Jointer

Before ripping a board at the table saw, it needs one straightedge. Here's a method to create a reference edge using a common power tool accessory.

Edition #247.5

Designer's Notebook

Floor Lamp

This accent light is a great mood-setter in any living room. Dillon Baker took a dive in the mid-century modern playbook to come up with its details while adding a few touches of his own. See how it all comes together.

Furniture Project

Small Shaker Bench: Cutting Parts To Size

Building a classic project doesn't mean you need high-end skills. Phil Huber demonstrates how to use common DIY tools to create a Shaker bench from materials you can find at any home center.

Shop Tip

Sizing Tenons

A lathe makes creating round parts pretty easy. The trick is getting parts down to a consistent size. Logan Wittmer shares a tip for making accurate tenons using mechanics tools.

Edition #247.6

Furniture Project

Small Shaker Bench: Creating The Legs

Most of the work on the Shaker bench is done on the two legs. In this installment, Phil shows how to shape curved cutouts using a jig saw, rasps, and files.

Shop Tip

Mind Your Beeswax

A block of beeswax comes in handy for all kinds of applications in the workshop. You can use it to lubricate hand tools as well as power tools. A bit of wax helps to drive screws. Logan Wittmer shows how to make a wax dispenser so you always have wax close at hand.

Edition #247.7

Furniture Project

Small Shaker Bench: Attaching The Top & Finishing

The Shaker bench projects concludes with attaching the top, some final sanding, and applying a finish. Phil Huber shows how to use screws covered with wood plugs to make a secure connection that adds some visual punch, too.

Shop Tip

Chamfer Guide

Easing the edges of workpieces gives them a finished look and makes them more comfortable to handle. Getting an even chamfer on small parts is harder than it seems. Phil Huber found a fun solution in his sharpening kit.

Great Gear

Hedgehog Featherboard

We rely on our hands and push blocks to guide a workpiece through the table saw. But there are accessories that that help you make safe, clean cuts. This featherboard takes a new spin on a reliable helper.

Edition #247.8

Shop Project

Shop-Made Sanding Block

A little time in the shop is all that's needed to make one of the best sanding blocks you'll ever use. It holds sandpaper well and the handle makes it comfortable to hold while in use. One of the nice things is that it takes scraps that you probably already have in your shop.

Shop Tip

Small Parts Hold Down Sled

Cutting parts accurately and repeatably is hard without having to worry about keeping your hands far away from the blade. This reader-submitted tip is the perfect solution for all of those issues. The secret lies in the shop-made hold down that allows you to keep the small workpieces held firmly while you make a cut.