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On The Cover: Burls Turned Beautiful

By: Paul Ross (Dec/Jan 2005)
Turning a natural edge hollow vessel is no different than turning an even rimmed hollow vessel – all the same rules apply. Paul guides you through the process with detailed instruction: explaining how to begin the turning; how drilling out the centre saves you time; how to use the captive bar; how to deal with wall thickness; and how to turn the foot of the vessel. In addition to the stunning photo of Paul’s turned burls on the cover, the article provides six beautifully photographed examples of different shaped hollows. The whole project is made easier, with nine full colour, step-by-step photos.

Furniture Project: Corner Cabinet

By: Jim Shaver
This corner cabinet was designed to hold a TV, VCR, and DVD, as well as all of the related tapes and disks. Jim provides a full colour photo of the finished cabinet, a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and measurements, and 3 full colour photos of the mouldings and base. Jim covers the design; cabinet; doors; base; assembly and finish.

Furniture Project: CD Cabinet

By: Danny Proulx
Do you have a beautiful cd/dvd system, but nowhere to store your disks attractively? If so, this cd storage unit might be just the solution for you. It has three full extension pull-out drawers (each able to hold 80 disks), and can be finished to match the décor in any room. Danny used oak veneer plywood, but just about any sheet material will work fine. You could even use MDF and paint it. This cabinet also makes a great side table for your computer desk. With its 240 disk storage capacity, it makes an ideal place to keep all of your computer software. In this article, Danny gives detailed instruction and 21 full colour photos, showing the construction steps and finished project. He also provides a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and measurements, and a detailed materials list, including hardware and supplies.

Circa 1900: Laying Out, Measuring and Testing Tools. Grampa’s Tool Kit (Part IV)

By: Gary Dover
Winding sticks, try squares, trammel points, rulers and marking gauges were an integral part of grampa’s tool kit. Gary offers five full colour photos of these essential tools, and details the story of how his grandfather spent a week’s wage for his treasured set of three squares. Find out more about how our grandparents did woodworking, in this insightful and informative series.

Tool Accessories: Ryobi One+ Battery System

Got a bunch of chordless tools, each with their own batteries and corresponding chargers. It’s not a pretty sight. That is, until the One+ system from Ryobi. This system gives you a battery/charger that works with every 18 volt cordless tool that Ryobi has ever made. One battery, one charger. Replacement batteries are surprisingly inexpensive. Read all of the details in this tool review.

Hobby To Business: What Do Clients Want?

By: Hendrik Varju
When you consider the question of what clients want, you are likely to jump to a conclusion, like ‘cheap prices’. That might be true in certain markets, but for finer wood crafts the market is more influenced by ‘good value’. Hendrik draws on years experience and gives you the low-down on what clients really look for. But he doesn’t stop there. He goes on to tell you exactly how you can provide what potential customers are looking for.

Shop Project: Measuring Gauge

By: Carl Duguay
Carl made his first rosewood measuring gauge about a decade ago. Since then, he has used it pretty well every day he’s in the shop. It’s a simple project that gets you a great shop tool. You can make it in about 2-3 hours, spread over 2-3 days. Carl shows a couple of full colour photos of different gauges that he has made with various woods. He explains in detail the step-by-step process of making your own measuring gauge. He also gives full colour photos and a detailed materials list.

Shop Project: Bandsaw Circle Cutting Jig

Garrett Lambert This jig enables you to cut perfect circles of almost any diameter with your bandsaw. The size of your circles will be limited only by the length of the arm. With this jig you will be able to cut toy wheels or table tops, efficiently and easily. Garrett gives instruction and 5 full colour photos of the building process.

Wood Joinery: Lock Mitre

By: Michel Theriault
In addition to using the router to help make traditional joints, you can use the router and a single bit, to make unique joints that solve specific joinery issues. The lock mitre is a good example. Michel leads you through the process of making a lock mitre joint with detailed steps and 5 full colour photos. If you aren’t already using your router to make unique joints, get it out and follow along with this joinery series. Michel will cover a number of different joints, each involving the use of a specific router bit.

Carving Project: Direct Carving Using the Johnson Method

By: David Bruce Johnson
Direct carving can be defined as ‘the process of creating a three-dimensional image without using a pattern or clay model for reference’. This is an intimidating proposition for most carvers because of the risk of making a mistake. The Johnson method of direct carving eliminates that risk and the accompanying fear of failure. This article is an ideal way to learn from a pro. David leads you through the steps of this process, and backs his steps up with 17 full colour photos.

Shop Utilities: Heating

By: Michael Kampen
There are a few things to consider when heating a shop. To select the best heater you have to take into account such things as the size and location of the shop, ceiling height and the amount of insulation. Michael helps you to access your shop’s needs, and outlines some solutions to heating your shop.

Tool Review: Kell Specialty Honing Guides

By: Carl Duguay
We all know how important it is to keep plane blades and chisels in tip-top condition. Sharp tools make for safer, easier , more accurate and more enjoyable woodworking. Carl takes a look at the Kell specialty honing guides and gives a detailed account of their features and benefits. Carl also gives 5 full colour photos of the honing guide being put to good use.

Décor Project: Fireplace Screen

By: Therese Riley
Therese built this fireplace screen to dress up a false fireplace in her daughter’s home. However, it can also be used to screen a real fireplace when not in use. The original screen turned out so well, that Therese is now selling them at craft shows. Therese explains the construction process and gives two beautiful colour photos of the finished screen. She also provides a template of the intricate design that she has incorporated into the piece. This is an easy to make project that is sure to be a beautiful addition to any home with a fireplace.

Shop Tested: Irwin Pipe Clamps and Bar Clamps, Warren Cutlery Company’s Traveller Compact Tool Chest, Ryobi Ltd. Air-Grip Laser Level

Irwin Pipe Clamps and Bar Clamps Pipe clamps are a mainstay in cabinet and furniture shops. See why Irwin’s new pipe and bar clamps are so popular. Warren Cutlery Company’s Traveller Compact Tool Chest If you like to carve while traveling, camping, or vacationing, this traveller’s chest is just the thing. Chest comes with all you need to carve on the road. Ryobi Ltd. Air-Grip Laser Level There are lots of laser levels on the market, but nothing like this. No need for pins, nails or screws. The laser is encased with a vacuum pump which holds it to the wall. Read all about it.

Furniture Styles: Chippendale

By: Michel Theriault
After the Shaker, Chippendale is perhaps the best known north American furniture style. Named after Thomas Chippendale, the style was derived from English, French and Chinese designs. Michel tells of the history of the style, including its timeline; key design elements and typical wood types that were used in it’s construction. He also shows two gorgeous full colour photos of a Chippendale style table (courtesy N.A.I.T Northern Alberta Institute of Technology).

Wood Craft: Christmas Tree Ornament

By: J.P. Rapattoni
These decorative balls are a big hit at Christmas time and make wonderful gifts. It’s a great project for either the beginner or the advanced turner, because they can be made as simple or as complicated as you like. JP leads you through preparing your stock; removing the waste/ cutting the profule; removing the blank. He also includes five important construction notes to make the whole process go easier. The article includes 9 full colour photos showing the step-by-step progression and three diagrams showing the measurements and cuts.

Shop Jig: Vacuum Chuck

By: Ron Clemmons
Vacuum chucking is used to hold a workpiece on a lathe, so that it can be turned or sanded. Vacuum chucking is particularly suitable for finishing off natural edge bowls and salad bowls. Ron shows an illustration of the jig he uses, as well as a full colour photo of the jig set up and ready to go.

Tool Review: Try Squares

By: Carl Duguay
Squares are indispensable shop tools for layout and measurement. They are also invaluable for aligning shop machines. Much of woodworking involves the use of right angles; ensuring that corners meet at 90 degrees would be difficult without a decent square. In this article, Carl covers: selecting a square; checking for accuracy; and using a square. Once that’s done he goes into a detailed look at six different try squares. The squares looked at are: Nobex 400; Crown 126; Bridge City AS-9; Incra GSQR7; Engineers; and Starrett 13.

Wooden Puzzle: Give Me Your Heart

By: Rea Gibson
For woodworkers who like to give their sweetie something different, this project is for you. The object of the puzzle is to remove the heart with the hole, from the rest of the puzzle. Rea gives a full colour photo of the finished puzzle, a full size pattern of the heart and a materials list. Rea also gives the solution to last issue’s ‘Whale Trap’.

Impact Drivers: Ridgid, Ryobi, DeWalt

While impact drives may be new to you, auto mechanics, electricians, and pipe fitters have been using them for quite some time. Unlike a drill/driver, that uses a motor and transmission to generate torque, an impact driver uses a hammer-and-anvil mechanism inside the tool housing. Find out what to look for in an impact driver, and more, in this article.

Dust Collection: Planer and Jointer Dust Hood

By: Chester Van Ness
The proper design of a hood for a planer or jointer will allow trouble free collection of shavings. The main reason to hook up a dust collector to a planer or a jointer is to keep the shop floor clean. If you are diligent about keeping the knives sharp on this equipment, then all that should be coming out are large shavings and no dust. Chester leads you through the construction of a hood for his jointer planer, and includes 13 full colour photos of the process. Follow along and you too can enjoy operating your jointer planer in a dust-free environment.

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