Woodworker's Journal

woodworkersjournal.com

Heads up, woodturners! We have something new to share that we think you’re going to like. We partnered with the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) to launch a new email newsletter called Woodturning Monthly. You can guess what it’s about.We include woodturning in every issue of Woodworker’s Journal, but based on your feedback, it just wasn’t enough. Woodturning Monthly gives you more. It will feature articles and videos from the AAW, the foremost advocates of woodturning in the world. You can’t find a better source for woodturning. You can check out the latest issue and subscribe (it’s free!) at www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodturning-monthly. ■…

letters

Adirondack … Again!THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY…As you will have already noted from the photo on the cover, we have reprised the venerable Adirondack chair once again. Please allow me to say that I know that there is no middle ground in what I’ll call the “Great Adirondack Debate” that makes up the warp and weft of the woodworking community. For many woodworkers, another version of the classic American chair, especially one with the folding ability of the model on the cover, is news that sweetens their lives. Clouds part, sunshine is plentiful, and all is well with their world. Then there are the remaining cohort of woodworkers. I can feel their ire even as I write these words. Of all the sophisticated and elegant woodworking projects that are available…

there’s more online at woodworkersjournal.com

Check online for more content covering the articles below:Woodturning (page 28): Turning closed form bowls (video)Scroll Sawing (page 32): Downloadable plan for Rose Inspired Scroll Sawn Corner Shelf (PDF)Folding Adirondack Chair (page 34): Project build (video)Wooden Hand Plane (page 42): Forging a plane ironWeathered Wood Shelf (page 46): Finishing process for creating weathered wood look (video)Tool Tutorial (page 54): Basics of how a dust collection system works (video)Tool Preview (page 62): Video series on hand planes, for subscribers (video)A Maker’s Project (page 64): Building the Modern Dresser (video)What’s in Store (page 72): Featured tools in action (video) ■…

reader projects

Secret Drawer BoxI have an 11-year-old granddaughter and grandniece and I thought they could use a nice trinket box. A box is just a box, but a box with a (sort of) secret drawer is a special box.Pressing the button on the left side of the top edge releases the drawer, which pops out about half an inch because of a back wall spring. The tricky part, at least for me, was the releasing mechanism.I used two pieces of 1/4" oak-veneered MDF board with matching cutouts for the face side. A concealed spring holds the plunger up and, yes, you guessed right, a modified Popsicle stick for the lever. I also added a cross pin on the plunger, not shown, so it can’t be removed. These boxes will be sent…

solutions for retrofits and do-overs

Better Cap Options for Precise GluingSometimes the standard tips on woodworking glue caps dispense too much glue for precise situations, leaving a mess to clean up. I’ve found that caps from unlikely sources like mustard bottles or craft glues can offer a finer tip for better control when you need it. There actually are a lot of different caps that will fit 8- and 16-oz. glue bottles, so experiment to find the ones that suit your needs best. Keep them with your gluing supplies so they’re ready to thread on when just a tiny bit of glue will do.Jim WilsonSan Marcos, TexasStow More Driver BitsCordless drills provide only one or two slots for storing driver bits, but you can carry even more of them on the tool by attaching a…

why so many radii?

Q I am about to buy a flush-trim router bit. I was checking various websites and noticed that flush-trim bits come in several diameters. As all of them serve basically the same purpose — trimming one wood surface to match another wood or template surface — why do they come in different diameters when they do the same thing? Is there any advantage?Kanade Ulhasvia InternetA A 1/2" flush-trim bit has a 1/4" radius. A 3/8" flush-trim bit has a 3/16" radius, and a 1/4" flush-trim bit has a 1/8" radius. Forgive me for sounding pedantic here, but I’ll bet you’re beginning to see one reason why flushtrim bits come in different diameters: their varying radii can be an advantage. Sometimes you need a tight radius to trim into corners, slots…