DOVETAIL SECRETS master this classic woodworking joint p.ss «90 ~ Better Homes and Gardens’ CAL. ; < Tips, Tools, Techniques, and Projects > = for the Home Woodworker Cr Cd just handheld power tools. ed LEARN MN34 two-way lathe-tool holder 46 elegant trellised arbor 58 arts and crafts table lamp 66 porch or patio candle lanterns 74 executive desk set . 78 chef's sliding bookshelf 94 pleasing cedar planter Xs 102 customized drawer organizer how to clean tarnished hardware sanding solutions for tight spots cutting half-laps in small parts acd copper motifs to your projects createhendsome onayaccens i a planer tricks and truths turning basics 19 dovetail know-how tool test: 10 portable planers Buy the machine that best matches your budget and woodworking needs. 6 must-have turning tools Hear what toos every wooaturner shouldn't ive without and how fo use them, 6 shop-proven products 42 workshop woods: padauk 56 make it special with spalted wood 65 medicinal trees that make life better a 106 frontier woodworking lives again ‘An expert's keys to a great finish editor's engle 6 sounding board 18 short cuts 22 shop tips 32 at your service 36 ask WOOD What's ahead in our next issue Visit our Web site at www. woocdonline.com for free woodwerking plane, tipe, shop toure, and mors,furmiture repair shop take off before the tarnish A few pennies’ worth of cleaners takes dull-looking metal back to its glory days. hen you restore furniture, you often encounter metal knobs, pulls, backplates, and hinges that are coated with tarnish or paint, Fortunately, you quickly can make them brighter and more attractive with the inexpensive techniquos shown here. Ifa piece is very old and you believe it might be especially valuable. check with an antiques expert before cleaning Determine if it’s plated. A piece of hardware that looks like solid brass could ke brass-plated ste! Find out with a magnet, whieh won't tick 1 solid brass. Ciean brass-plated Steps outlined below for solid brass, but don't rub any harder than necessary. You don’t want to remove the thin laverof brass steel with the sam Strip away paint. Use a heayy- bodied paint and varnish remover, applied with a throwaway brush, to take the paint off metal hardware. However, be avare that some strippers also remove brass plating. Serub stubborn spots with ‘sti nylon bristle brash, Work in a metal tray t0 contain the chemicals and cissolved paint, and dispose of the residue properly Buff it to beauty. Charge a cloth buffing wheel with tipoli compound to clean smooth solid-brass tems in a jiffy, You can order the Dico brand shovn here from Wooderaft, Call 800/225-1153 to order item aumber Spots and fine help. Soak the piece with citic seid, as described below, and then scrub the surface with a rag or a nylon or soz brass brush, plus automo= tive rubbing compound. Take away the tarnish. You can hardware for an hour in vinegar or any food preduct containing citrie acid Lemon juice or ketchup will do the tick. The stronger hydrochloric acid found in toilet bowl cleaner accelerates after the process, but follow the safety proce- dures recommended on the label. ‘Add a protective coat. When you finish cleaning the hardware, wipe away any residue with liequer thinner. Th {ng on a lacquer that’s with metal, One example is available in a 6-ounce spray can from Van Dyke's Restorers for $7.89, plus shipping and handling. Call 800/558. 1234, and request item no. 02012466. # protect the shine by spray rade 10 bond aybrite, ‘WOOD magazine agreat to have a full array of electric inders—pad, random-orbit, belt—to call into slbcciion, Bu all of that power doesn’t do you mich good when you find rough spots between the spindles ofa chair back, around the flowing ede of ‘carving orn any tight spot where most machines {just wor't fit, Instead of power, you need finesse The techniques shown here should solve those problems. Also keep th stions in mind a Resist the temptation to rotary tools, They're great for shaping, but not so 004 for smooshing, Tough-lo-sind nooks and erannies will be less troublesome if youcarefully sand all of the exposed sutfacesbefore you assemble the piece. Check your work by holding each pisce at an angle to a light source. As the light slants across the surface, it highlights milling marks and other imperfections. a Apply finish to potentially troublesome pieces before assembly, whenever possible. You'll avoid lobs and rans in spots that are hard to reach, TF T[se sotr-baskee sandpeper, avaliable in stins, 10 work ihe msice U egos of narrow openings. it won'trip in use, as paper wil, but you can fearitto fit the job, 2s we did here. Wo're using a 2M stip For presized widths ina variety of ars, see the Kinspor's Woodworking Shop catalog, avaible tree at 800/228-0000. 10 solutions for eae . eh eh Ph Pee Sey A, Ce ! Se ee ee a 7'0u can reach lots of hard-to-sand spots with a smple sanding «dl stick Bandsaw és thickness to a wedge shape for flexibility, and ten ma port ots io teint ook Ap sean saripape tot ena diferent il each ste you choot, and tag Fee een are eae en i to late fo another tip acs the outer able, take YY cow high spots wth ruber rrofies, wrapped with senda: per Choose fram convex and eancave shanes of various éameters, or an assortment of angles. Hingspo: cates a range of "Tadhole Contour Sander” sets for $3.95 apiece, i ‘continued on page 12 WOOD magazine ay 20low-tech solutions for hard-to-sand spots continued fiom pase 1 ee (Al ) brasive cords and tapes heb you Fou can tum a putty knife ino a scraper, stroot tiny détais in scrolsavn W Customizedto tt any contin erea. This ‘on spindles, We're using acord.052" in Red Devil too! cost only $2.98 at a Tue Value ‘damptor to cean od finish from this char Hardware storo, Grind it othe nepded width leg. The EC. Mitchell Company makes cos oy shape with standard grinding wheel. as small a5 012" in diameter and tapes as Remove any burr witha fle, and draw a tur- vwideas 1. Check the Kir ‘ishing teo—or he shank ofa serendrver 0° mmentoned on page 19. cnisel—aong the edge to form asigit hook. Pou'l find a neele fle to sult any minia ture cure or crevice, and you can get wide variety one set. Siown here ae ta of tho 12 fils rlued in pert rumor 76H10 in Bandra and ing ae tho bet wae to handle mast reugh arse, bt somtimos youl be abe the Woof eason, ree at $4299 Call te brnish the pat fat hy utbing it wth hard ste, ‘Dental ike” work wel in eames 00/25-1163. These tos orkslowly but suchas tis one. We bought st offre picks including ths heoked model, for S739 at our excelin he fnal soothing stp. ical rueVaueHareware store, ® 12 Woop magezinetalking shop A simple jig ensures safety and success. jhtweigh, sturdy frames, such as the ones that make up the lanp- shade on page 58 oF the candle Janie on page 6, cal for finely crafted half lap joins in thin stock. Whether the frame pars form a rape7oid, a rectangle corother shape, lacing them in a simple rakes the euting easy and sae. Build the jig Cut sp stock for the fis base and handle, as dimersioned on Orawing 4. Install a dddo blade in your tablesaw sized tothe ‘width ofthe frame stock, and raise itto cat a groove equal in depth tothe stcck’s thickness, For a trapezoidal frame, such aw the ones that make up the lampshade cata par of angled dadoes across the base where shown, (To accurately set yous miter gauge, see the Shop Tip. right.) The angled does allows you to mike eppesing- angle half lps on the ends of pas, sich asthe lampshace's top and bottom rails For a rectangular frame, such asthe ones used in the candle lantern, cuta single dado straight aeross the base. Hold off the rabbet. You'll do tat during fir’ use, Clamp the handle t the pilot and countersunk shank holes, and drive the screws. Prepare the frame stock Piane tock 424" forthe lampshade) toa thickness that matches the width sted forthe frame members forthe lamp- shade). The stock should be about I" m longer than the longest frame member. As you approach final thickness, check the ‘Stock’s ft in your jig's dado(es). Its Jmportant that the stock fits snugly. From the edge ofthis thicker than te thickness listed for the frame parts. (Rip extra strips for test-fitting purposes and in case of a cutting emor,) Plane both faces ofthe strips until they fit How to easily set precise angles When you need to make deac- accurate miter cuts, relying on your ‘saws miter gauge for precison can be ify, To ensure an exact setthg, Use an adustable triangle to position the miter gauge. To do this, align one side of the triangle wih the miter bar slot, as shown. The saw blade must be parallel tothe slot, 30 check your Dlade’s alignment. (Your saws owner manual should show you how.) ‘Some woodworkers preferto place the triangle against the saw blade. ‘This works, 09, proved the trian- gle fits flat against the blade’s plate, Butsomo blades’ tocth profies ‘make this impossbleto do, Cut the parts to size Install a zeroclearance inset in your tablesaw, Now, attach an auxiliary extension to he miter gauge, positioned so the blade will cut through i. Set the miter gauge to the required angle (39° for the lampshade, 90° for the candle lantern), and cut the pieces tothe listed lengths forthe project. When cuting the lampshade parts, you'll have 1 agjust Scare oy eens ‘You can set adjustable tranges ‘accurately to within “Find them atart and offce supaly stores, ‘where they sell for $15-$20. Continued on page 16 ‘WOOD magazine Nay 200talking shop wes #80100 bass FH. wood cre elie ay | : ence sé snanknoe, 7 uxaxi2 countarsune oe j 1A" abet s" deep : (formed during frst ise of je) 4 hat plot hole 2" deep the miter gauge to both the left and right of center HANOLE seen?” ‘out the frame parts on your work. hench, avetlapping them at the corners (For both the lampshade and the candle lantern, the stiles [vertical members) fyerlay the rails [horizontal members) Mark the surfaces where you'll cut the half laps—the bottom surfaces at the er of the stiles, and the top surfaces atthe ends of the rail Using the jig ficial wood fence t your ence, Position the fence soi just touches the dado blade’s side. Set the blade height just shy of one-balf the thickness of your parts. Using your miter alge for suppor, cut a half lap onan end OF 640 of your spe st for a flush fit IF neces- pieces, and check sury, adjust the blade height and retest. When you're satisfied with the fit, place «frame part in the jig with the marked surface visible. Align the end to be cut with the jig’s fence-side edge. For a part asthe a oo that has oblique-angled ends, such as the lumypshde's tp and Bottom al, use fot angled does to et the hall laps in tach piece. See Photo A. Repest is needed Keering te ji and part pressed flush agains the sacrificial wood fence, pass the for the remaining parts. # across the dado blade to form the half lap in the end of the workpiece. 6 WOOD magazine ay 20develop your Create copper motifs Here’s an easy way to “metal” with a woodworking project and add to its styling. Jake a mite o see how the pine cone and iris “appeal ofthe able lamp on page 58 and candle lantern on page (6. As you'll scon age sheet copper, available at home centers, or hardware, crus, sents above greatly enbance the u will need al hobby stores. ‘Yau'llalso need a paper pattern (like those in our WOOD PATTERNS inset) spray acheive, Ye" hardboxrd serap, and the simple three-step process described below. Cut the pattern Rough-cut thee pieces of " A card and two pieces of sheet copper to lightly lager than the paper patern you wish to duplicate in coppet. Using Spray adhesive, make a sandwich bank, bonding together the five pices, placing the capper where shown in the phot. Adhere the patem tothe sandvich op. Nov drill any needed blade start hoes tivough the patern fr inside eats, and scrollsaw the pauernto shape wsing ano. 2 blade (20 teeth per inch) at high speed. Note: Ifyouneed only one moif. go with ‘wo pieces of hardboard and one piece of ‘copper. For quality contol, avoid serol- saving more than mv pieces of copper in this manerat the same ‘ov. woadonlise.com Sand the burrs 4) Cachlly pry apart the erolsawn Gasandwich, wipe off the adhesive from the copper moti with pant shiner. and rinse with waer. Next, place the motif on a fat surface, and, with a sanding block and 220-grit Sandpaper, sand the copper suuface, removing any burrs along the edges of the riece Find the fulrsize patterns in the WOOD PATTERNS insert. Apply the heat 4PPlace x piece of scrap copper on Dserapwvood. Using a propane roren on «Tow sting apply heat o the copper, keeping the nozzle about thre inches from the surface, Move the flame back and forth to avoid scerching. What you want isa pinkish orange coloration like that in the mous atthe fop of the page Once you fel confident with the process, tny flaming your motif, as seen ebone-® 7short cuts News and notes from the woodworking world I City wood makes good in the extreme Not all domestic woods suited for woodworkin; A woodiworkersinee second grade, and a can be found at your local suppliers. Look instead irsiPice 4-H Grand Champion in the in your own backyard. That's the message rom stale of Michigan during his senior year, | East West Urban Forest Products, a sour year old Jamey Roush definitely has Califomia lamer company commited to harvest created his own unique lookin hs wood- ing the woed from trees found inside city limits Working wonders, Using gallons of glue, Instead of tansporing the trunks of such trees to and cherry and walnut from te family the city dump, Eas-West mill the logs into farm in Three Rivers, Michigan, Jamey usable, high-unlity lumber and sells it cn its luc joins contasting woeds many tines | Web ite or ough appointment at the com ‘ver slicing an ding the glue-upsto__pany’s headquarters in San Marcos. achiovea varity o geometric pater ‘Wood milled by East-West include Carona ‘These he incorporates into any number of chery, black acacia, Rd River gum, sycamore project designs rom simple platersand silver maple, ard holly oak—to name afew. For ‘tng boauds 0 massive executive desks, example, craftsman Dan Gindhing used quaner- Coffe tables, and poo! ables, Traveling | sawn sycamore and walnut to fashion the CD the county, he currently sllshis work at cabinet, right. For more information, o 0 pur- ‘major fumiureshawsand though his chase milled urban wood, call 866/234-9663, or Web sie at www,ameyrouch.com. hist ww.castwesiwood com: Ifyou decide to harvest your own city logs, be sue to san them for meta before saving Piecework Show time for turners Woods harvested within city mits by East-West Urban Forest Products provided the materials {or this syish pect Every June the American Association of Woodltumers (AAW) bolds its annual symposium, bringing together nearly a thousand members worldwide, In 2002, the event took place in Providence, Rhode Island, and was attended by WOOD magazine projects editor Jan Svec. turning clubs team-desi unique, complex projects that vie for a Spot on the awards platform. This past yeas, 17 clubs entered the fray. and their ‘uumed creations had to fit within a 2424534" box. Beloware the impressive ‘winners, For mere information onthe AAW, call 691/484-9094, or visit This fullsize sculpted poo! table by Along withthe workshops, and a gallery ‘budaing professional woocworker Jamey, Roush weighs 1,500 pounds, includes an ‘estimated 6500 plocos of wood, ard sells for $29,000. (of tumed pieces by individuals, one ofthe more entertsining events is the Chapter Collaborative competition. Here, wocdl- A handy resource for Southern pine ant to know mote onthe changes in ‘the pressure-treated lumber indus- “ry! Looking for & few tips on eallng with wood mold or nose problems? Get help from the Sauthern Pine Council ts new Web site at wwesouthernpinecom provides valuable information on He us, isialaion, and hendllsg oF Souter yellow pis: 18 _, www awoodturmen org. ‘Winners of the AAW Chapter Collaborative turning competition for 2002 include (from left) “Cookie Tree,” Best of Show, Dallas Area Woodturners; "St. Basil's Cathedral,” Best {iistc Entry, Central Conrecticut Woodturners; and "Rhode Island Capito! Dome," Best ‘Technical Entry, Maseashusetts South Shore Woedtumers. Continued on page 20 WOOD magazine ay 2003short Gu A classic woody Crowning achievements rides again Hats offto Denise Nielsen and George ‘The hat pieces are glued together into the Recently, our fends at Woodkraftletus Wordhington of Saugenies, New York, | final design, an then finished with now aboutan impressive accomplishment fortheirone-of« kind ful-size wooden | Wateo Danish Oil to ad ister. To see by one a theiregularcustomers,Daxe hts. While Dense provides the inspim- | more of Dense and George's work. 010 Wesirate of Parkersburg, West Virginia. AS tion for many of the designs, George anhats@oilswoodstonecom. # novice woodworker in 1995,Dave took looks after the up the task of completely restoring a 1939 woodworking. Ford station wagon, a bona fide “wooly.” | George's (Bee below.) approach involves Acroding to Dave, he car barely carving the brim, worked and the wood body was almost | cap, and band si consumed by ro, but it didn’t mat- _arately. Similarly ter—I was in love."Inall,he spenttwo he fashions the the vehicle's mechanical lower petals one ‘orks, and five years replacing the maple | ata time, and then ‘and birch plywood panels making up the glues them togeth- body's sides and back. Attaboy, Dave. certomake the flowers. He sands the pieces with progressively finer sandpapers, polish: ing the wood with super-fine Micro- Mesh abrasives. George Worthington's decorative hats feature a variety of woods. WOOD magazine ny 2005 Pre oR NM a a ee Tee Tce ROT eee a Tern Caco i Penson are See mM ¥ Ri JOINTER, —— SE iaplatigle FE ner eth ‘© Superior dust callecion + Fixed rae eas . Rae E oe ae aeeaert g cocc~ i s ees” al “sauna f+ Kea forall shops & + SEP motor erevering sith sages nmegroctar eens ET eae: 800+