Articles | woodworking dust collection syste | Hardwood Floor |Polishing Abrasives|Bandsaw|Saw Mill|Sand Paper|lathe

Subscribe NOW

Woodworking Forum

Free Woodworking Classifieds

Free Woodworking Newsletter

To order with credit card by phone call 1-800-204-1773

On The Cover: Fine Woodworking

By: John Ottewill (April/May 2005)
John Ottewill is big in the area of miniatures, so when he offered to write up a feature story telling us about miniatures, we jumped at the opportunity. John gives a great over view of miniatures, with specific photographic examples of his incredible miniature furniture. He also features photos of another well-known Canadian miniature craftsman, Ken Manning. There are lots of beautiful colour photos, including 11 stringed instruments crafted by Ken Manning, and 4 reproductions of antique museum pieces by John. Violin shown on cover by Ken Manning.

Home Décor: Wooden Floor Vents

By: Michel Theriault
Making your own wooden floor vents is an easy way to add the beauty and warmth of wood to the rooms of your house. Try replacing the plastic or painted metal vents in your home with these attractive wooden ones, and see what a big difference a little wooden accent can add to your rooms. Michel gives step-by-step details along with 4 full colour photos detailing the whole process. He also gives an illustration and materials list with all of the necessary measurements. You’d better make a few extra of these, because when your company starts to go on and on about how much they wish they had wooden vents, you can pull them out and make a few buck (or smiles).

Furniture Project: Dining Room Chair

By: Danny Proulx and Luc Rousseau
This project is the second of three dining room projects. Last issue we built a large double pedestal dining room table. This issue we build the chairs that go with that table. Next issue, we’ll do a buffet hutch to tie everything together. This chair is designed to be both comfortable and sturdy. To make the construction process easy, Luc leads you through each step. He also provides a nice photo of a finished chair, a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and important details, a materials and cut list, and 18 full colour photos showing all of the steps involved. If you’ve ever considered making your own chairs, this is the chair to start with. If you’ve already made chairs, you’ll probably be wondering why you didn’t do it like this before.

Home Project: Entry Door

By: H.C. Sakman
The front door of your house is one of the first things that visitors see when they come to your home. Therefore, a beautiful hand made door can have a significant visual impact to the first impression visitors have of your home. This quartersawn white oak front door is easy to make, and is sure to improve the look of your home. In addition to the step-by-step instructions, Sakman gives a full colour photo of the finished front door, 4 illustrations of the construction and assembly, and a detailed cutting diagram. He also gives a detailed 3D exploded view of an easier alternative: a solid door. Whichever you choose to make, this entrance door is sure to impress whoever opens it.

Wood Joinery: Butterfly Key

By: Michel Theriault
The butterfly key joint is more decorative than structural. Although often used for tabletops, you can use it anywhere to join the edges of two boards together. The key can actually be any size and shape you want to suit your application, although the traditional butterfly key looks like a dovetail. Michel leads you though the process of making a butterfly key joint with detailed instruction (for both bandsaw and router), step-by-step photos, and a great close up photo of the finished joint. If you haven’t been following this series, make sure that you get in on it. We will be covering a different joint every issue, so keep up and soon you will have a whole variety of joinery methods you can use in your woodworking.

Wood Carving: Wood Grain

By: David Bruce-Johnson
When carving wood, one thing is a certainty – you must deal with wood grain. The growth rings of a tree are like several tubes that fit perfectly together and run lengthwise along the tree’s trunk. Once the tree is cut, it isn’t always obvious which way the grain goes. Sometimes the grain can be a real challenge, but most of the time, it provides a built-in way to enhance a carving. To understand the challenges wood grain presents, David explains how best to carve ‘across’, ‘along’, and ‘on’ the end grain. He also details how to virtually eliminate grain pattern problems. David makes his points especially clear with 12 full colour photos. He even gives a simple exercise to put into practice what you have learned from the article. David gives a stunning photographic example of one of his own carvings, that emphasizes the impact that grain can have on a carving.

Easy Project: Desk Top Organizer

By: J.P. Rapattoni
JP had a hard enough time keeping his own desk free of clutter, but when he had to share his desk with his family he decided he’d better come up with something that would keep everything tidy. JP gives a photo of the finished organizer, a 3D exploded view showing all the parts and measurements, and detailed step-by-step instruction. If you can’t see your desk for the paper, this project might be just the thing for you.

Storage Project: Walking-Stick Stand

By: Michael Kampen
Walking sticks and umbrellas are handy to have near your entrance, but storing them attractively is another thing. This Mission-style stick stand offers both an attractive and convenient way to store your sticks and umbrellas. Michael leads you through the process with step-by-step instructions, a full colour photo of the finished project, a full colour photo of how to lay out the parts before gluing, a detailed materials list, and a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and how they fit together.

Shop Tool: Sliding T-bevel

By: Michel Theriault
The tools you use to mark lines on your wood are almost as important as how well you measure where the line should be and how accurately you cut to that line. The sliding t-bevel is one tool that will not only improve the marks you make, it will also be a welcome addition to your selection of hand tools. Michel gives detailed instructions and 3 full colour photos detailing the whole construction process. He also gives a beautiful photo of the finished project, a 3D explolded view showing all the parts, and a materials list with all of the necessary measurements. This easy project is a great way to build up your own hand-made tool collection.

Décor Project: Wood Paneled Ceiling

By: Jim Shaver
On a trip to Toronto’s Casa Loma (the palatial former residence of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt) Jim was inspired. He had been looking for something to dress up his own home, so when he saw Henry’s wood paneled ceilings he figured “Why not in my castle?” If you’ve never seen the beauty and richness of a wood paneled ceiling, check this project out. It was one of Jim’s first projects, so even though it makes his room look like a million bucks, it is surprisingly easy, and inexpensive, to do. You can do it too by following the instructions and detailed 3D exploded view showing all of the construction parts and measurements.

Turning Project: Travel Mirror

By: Paul Ross
Sometimes you just need a quick look in the mirror to know everything is alright. Whether you’re waiting for a doctor’s appointment, a job interview, or stepping off an elevator, it’s reassuring to know that there is no spinach between your teeth, or lipstick where it ought not to be. This easy and practical project makes a great gift, and offers the assurance that only a mirror can. It’s simple to make, doesn’t take a long time, and is always well received. Paul makes this project especially easy by giving detailed step-by-step instructions, a full colour photo showing 7 different samples, and 12 full colour step-by-step photos.

Circa 1900: Fastening

By: Gary Dover
This is the last segment of our 6 part ‘Grandpa’s Toolkit’ series. In it, Gary describes how his grandfather used: a bow saw; square nails and wooden pegs; wooden mallets and hammers; screwdrivers; braces and bits. Gary’s series is a fascinating exposition that opens up a world of woodworking that has been all but forgotten. When you see the amazing photos and read about how these old tools were used, you can’t help but feel a deep appreciation for our woodworking forefathers.

Turning for Beginners: Mounting a Blank

By: J.P. Rapattoni
There are a number of ways to mount a turning blank on a lathe. In this article, JP shows three of the most common methods: turning between centres; using faceplates; and shop-made faceplates. JP is an accomplished turner and has started this series for beginners so that they get off to a good start, right from the beginning. He also gives some tips for the more seasoned turner, so no matter where you are in your skill level, you can’t go wrong with this series.

Shop Utililities: Shop Safety

By: Michael Kampen
When planning a new shop (or upgrading your current shop) it’s a good idea to consider both safety and convenience. In this article, Michael outlines ways to enhance shop safety and make it more user-friendly, without incurring substantial costs. Topics covered include: installing a sub panel; child-proofing your shop; and the danger of dust and how to minimize it. Michael bases all of his articles on electrical questions asked by woodworkers about their shop. Get in on all of this practical knowledge.

Woods to Know: Butternut

By: Laura Morris
This is the second in a series that you just don’t want to miss. Each issue features a different species of wood that you really should know about. And by feature, I mean feature. First Laura starts off showing 3 simply stunning illustrations of (in this instance, Butternut): it’s profile - both with and without foliage; it’s leaves; and it’s buds. She also gives two large colour photos of butternut samples: one of clear butternut; the other of wormy butternut. To back up all those gorgeous visuals, Laura explains in detail the uses; physical properties and working characteristics of a different wood each issue. Learn all about Butternut in this one, and be sure to keep up with future issues so that you will know all of the woods to know.

Tool Review: Portable Compressor

By: Carl Duguay
The air compressor is a valuable addition to any woodworking shop. Air tools are generally less expensive that their electric or battery counterparts, and they’re more economical to repair, as well as being more compact and lightweight. In this article. Carl outlines the features and benefits of compressors in general. He also goes into particulars and takes a close look at the Ridgid Portable Air Compressor. Carl gives two full colour photos of a portable air compressor, labeling all of the parts and how they fit together. He also gives a helpful chart showing the air requirements of common tools. If you have ever wondered about using air tools in your shop, check out this review. You may want to pursue incorporating air tools into your shop earlier that you first thought.

Shop Tested: Trade Secret Furniture Restoration Kit, Ryobi 25 piece Master Router Bit Set

By: Carl Duguay
Trade Secret Furniture Restoration Kit Let’s face it, furniture gets scratched, scuffed and scarred. For serious surface damage you’ll likely have to refinish the surface – a lot of work. Minor blemishes are easier to deal with. If you don’t have a lot of refinishing experience, then you owe it to your self to check out Dover Finishing Products’ Trade Secret Furniture Restoration Kit. Carl tells you why in this review. Ryobi 25 piece Master Router Bit Set If you are new to woodworking, it’s sometimes difficult to know what tools and accessories to purchase. Too many choices and too little money. When it comes to router bits, the choices are myriad and the cost can very quickly hit the stratosphere. The new Ryobi 25 piece Master Router Bit Set offers a convenienetly packaged set of 1/4” shankded bits in a variety of styles. It’s a great set and Carl explains why it’s also a good value.

Learning the Craft: Rosewood Studio - Fine Woodworking School

By: Susie Mah
Rosewood Studio is a fine woodworking school, housed in a historic mill in the small town of Almonte, Ontario. Suzie went to this world class facility and spoke with Ted Brown, it’s program director and chief instructor. In this article, she shows a beautiful full colour photos of a students work, a photo of the students workshop, and discusses with Ted his approach to and method of woodworking.

You can subscribe to our magazine by clicking here.

Your Privacy - Disclaimer - Subscribe to Canadian Woodworking Magazine