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: Japanese Paper Lantern

By: Rob Brown (April/May 2006)
This semi-circular lantern is an electrical version of a lantern style that was popularized in the orient around AD1600. Today, with its soft, warm glow that radiates light 180 degrees, it is ideally suited to providing subtle accent lighting for a buffet, end table or night table. You may know Rob from the ‘One of a Kind’ and the ‘Interior Design’ shows, in which he wows visitors every year with his stunning pieces. When he contributed this lantern, he told me: “I think I have provided a project that almost anyone can build with minimal trouble!” And I have to agree. Once completed, this lantern will make you look like a pro, no matter what your skill level. Rob leads you through the step-by-step process with 3 full colour photos, two detailed illustrations, a materials list and helpful resources as to where to find hand-made paper for the shade. He even shows you how to make your own jig, so that you can easily bend wood, for this and other projects.

Furniture Project: Accent Table

By: Glen Gunther
This is Glen’s first contribution to Canadian Woodworking, and we certainly hope that it’s not his last. Glen has designed a table, both simple and elegant, that would be a wonderful compliment to almost any home. Glen gives you easy to follow instructions; a detailed materials list; two full colour photos showing the drawer, and table-top details; and two illustrations. The 3D exploded view illustration shows all of the parts, with special emphasis on how they all go together.

Storage Project: Blanket Chest

By: Michael Kampen
If you live in an older home you’ll no doubt have found that closet space is at a premium; for whatever reasons, builders didn’t include adequate closet space for the storage of seasonal clothing, and other household items. The construction of this blanket chest is straightforward and uses common materials and techniques. Follow Michael’s step-by-step instructions and soon you will have all the storage space you need. Michael provides a full colour photo of the completed chest, a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and measurements, and a detailed materials list.

Turning Project: Ring Stand

By: Paul Ross
This is an easy project that is a great spindle exercise. You can make it an elaborate piece with multiple woods, or you can make it from one piece of wood. The shape is what really dictates the outcome of the piece. A ring stand is not something that you see sold commercially, so it makes a great gift! Paul makes this project so easy, you’re sure to make a bunch, just to have some around for when you need a quick gift. In this article, Paul includes 11 step-by-step photos, with detailed instructions.

Scroll Saw: Coaster

By: Heather Craig
New ideas are often born of workshop leftovers. These coasters, both functional and decorative, provide a great way to use up some of those little gems that you have squirreled away. Heather used walnut for the coasters and birch for the holder, but of course almost any combination would work. Heather gives easy to follow instructions, along with two full colour photos, a detailed illustration, and a full size pattern. Just transfer the pattern to your selected wood and follow the instructions. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is.

Home Project: Planter Box

By: Michel Theriault
Your patio is something to be enjoyed each summer, and this classic planter will make your space even more enjoyable. You can fill it with earth and plant your favourite annuals, or use it to show off an already potted plant. Michel gives 3 colour photos of the process, a full colour photo of the finished planter box, a detailed illustration, and a materials list. Make sure that you get enough supplies, because you are sure to want to make several of these.

Wood Joinery: Splined End Mitre Joints

By: Michel Theriault
The mitre joint is an attractive joint, often used in framework for cabinets and cabinet doors, picture frames, and box lids – wherever you don’t want to see end drain at a corner joint. The butt joint, created by the mitre joint, is very weak and needs a little extra strengthening (i.e. a spline), which can either be hidden, or visible as a design element. In this article, Michel shows (and explains): when you need a splined end mitre joint; what you need to make it; and detailed instructions on how to make it. Be sure to add this joint to your ‘bag of tricks’, it will come in handy more often than you can imagine.

Wood Carving: Intaglio

By: David Bruce Johnson
Most wood carvers are familiar with the concept of relief carving from the very beginning of their carving experience (probably even earlier). In contrast, very few of the same carvers are familiar with the opposite of relief, known as ‘intaglio’. Intaglio really needs to be seen to be appreciated, as much of the effect of this type of carving is illusionary. By that I mean that although the carving is ‘below’ the surface of the wood, it appears to be above (i.e it looks like relief). David explains the history of intaglio, and shows you how you can do it yourself. He includes 17 full colour photos and explains how to use a study board to improve your work. This is a surprising easy way to have your carvings get a lot of attention. See for yourself how this type of carving tricks your eye into thinking that it is something that it is not.

Skill Builder: Using the Skew

By: J.P Rapattoni
If you are a novice turner, then like many other novice turners, it is likely that you own a skew that rarely gets used. In order to become proficient with the skew, it is important to get a feel for the tool, and the techniques for using it properly. In this practical, skill building article, J.P. introduces you to the practice stick: a learning/practice tool to improve your use of the skew. With his instructions, and your practice stick, you will master: the v-cut; the taper; turning a bead; rolling a bead; and how to shear, not scrape.

Shop Essentials: Shop Clamps

By: Carl Duguay
There is one inescapable fact in woodworking – you always need one more clamp than you have. Often, when setting up shop, the first tools that a woodworker will purchase are: a table saw; mitre saw; thickness planer; or some other major power tool. These are all solid choices, but almost every project you build will require clamps of some type. Commercially available clamps are found in a dizzying array of styles and prices. That’s why Carl has put together this exhaustive list of clamps and explains when and why to use each particular one. To make it especially clear, Carl includes 16 full colour photos including: pipe clamp; bar clamp; quick grip clamp; fast action clamp; edge clamp; corner clamp; mitre clamp; parallel clamp; C clamp; band clamp; wooden hand screw clamp; spring clamp (plastic and metal); and wooden cam clamp. Once you’ve seen this article you’ll want to start a project just to use some of the clamps that you have learned about.

Skill Builder: Drawing Curves

By: Michael Kampen
Curves can soften the look of a piece of furniture in a way no other design element can. A gentle arc can lead the eye from one point to another in an effortless way that functions on an almost subconscious level. Depending on your intention, curves in your work can give it a sense of motion, or a sense of power. In this article, Michael shows you how to draw curves using commercially available products. He also shows you how to build your own jigs, so that you can get the accuracy of the commercially available methods, without the expense.

Shop Machinery: Stationary Drill Press

By: Hendrik Varju
Bench top drill presses are nice machines, and can certainly drill accurate holes. However, their heavier counterpart the stationary drill press, will allow you to do so much more. Stationary drill presses have a number of features that make them suitable for a larger variety of tasks, including greater throat depth, quill stroke, chuck capacity, table size, and speed selection. As well, drill presses are surprisingly affordable compared to other stationary machines such as table saws and planers. In this article, Hendrik covers: why you need a drill press; why you need a stationary machine; and features to look for (including: table size and design; quill stroke; depth stop; drilling capacity; drilling speed; and motor.). There are also sidebars that cover: favourite drill press accessories; the radial alternative; and bits that make the difference. Hendrik also shows 8 full colour photos including: Bitmore drill press vise; Delta mortising attachment; Kreg drill fence Trac and Stop system; Lee Valley hold down; brad point bit; twist bit; saw tooth bit; Forstner bit; snug plug; dowel plug cutters; and mortising bit. When you finish this article you will understand why you see so many stationary drill presses in woodworking shops.

Tool Specs: Stationary Drill Press

By: Graham McCulloch
Check out all of the specs on some of the most popular stationary drill presses. Graham details drill presses from the following manufacturers: Delta; King; Craftsman; Ridgid; and General. If you are in the market for a drill press, be sure to see this very informative article.

Woods to Know: White Pine

By: Laura Morris
Across Canada there are nine species of pine, of which four are referred to as the ‘soft’ or ‘white’ pines, which have leaves (needles) in clusters of five. The other distinct group of pines are the ‘hard’ or ‘yellow’ pines, characterized by leaves in clusters of two or three. In this article, Laura tells all about this popular wood, including it’s uses, it’s physical properties, and it’s working characteristics.

Tool Test: Spokeshave

By: Carl Duguay
When you need to shape and smooth convex or concave surfaces, the spokeshave is the way to go. In this article, Carl reviews the Kansas City Windsor Tool Works spokeshave. Find out why Carl is so impressed with this manufacturers product.

Tool Test: Norton Flattening Stone

By: Carl Duguay
Norton waterstones are fast becoming Carl’s favourite. They are a generous size, cut aggressively, wear less quickly than other waterstones, and are competitively priced. He goes on to detail exactly why he likes the Norton flattening stone so much, and why it is “efficient, effective, and affordable.”

Scroll Saw: Regina

By: Marcus Cutler
Regina (or Pile of Bones as it was originally referred to by the First Nations peoples) is the next scroll saw pattern in our ‘Canadian Cities’ series. If you (or any of your family/friends) have any connection with Regina, this project makes an easy and thoughtful gift.

You can subscribe to our magazine by clicking here.

Your Privacy - Disclaimer - Subscribe to Canadian Woodworking Magazine