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On The Cover: Patio Tray

By: Michel Theriault (June/July 2006)
This simple tray will make outdoor meals much easier this summer. Use this handy tray to carry the small items you need at your patio table, back and forth from the kitchen. This tray is made from oak. However, almost any wood will work just fine. We used contrasting screw hole plugs. You could use plugs that match your wood. The bottom of the tray is made from matching oak veneer plywood, but an alternative is to use contrasting plywood, for added effect. Michel makes this project remarkably easy to build, with step-by-step instructions and photos, 3D illustration (showing all of the parts and measurements), a detailed materials list, and a handy list of the tools and equipment that you will need to complete the project. This tray is sure to reduce the number of trips back-and-forth to the kitchen, and allow you a little more time relaxing on the patio.

Furniture Project: Bookshelf with Hidden Compartments

By: Michael Kampen
Finding a bookshelf to store your treasured collection of books can pose a bit of a challenge. The mass produced units are usually poorly constructed out of particleboard, with a bad imitation of wood grain printed on them. As books are quite heavy in relation to their size, it isn’t long before the inevitable happens, and the shelves start to sag under the weight. Plywood offers more weight-bearing capacity than particleboard, but for the ultimate in non-sagging bookshelves, solid wood is the way to go. As well as providing plenty of storage for your books, this design also contains three hidden compartments, which allow you to keep valuable items handy, yet of out sight. Michael gives great step-by-step instructions on building the bookshelf, and provides excellent photos that zoom in on the hidden compartments. If not for this special emphasis on the compartments, you wouldn’t even know they were there. He also gives you a detailed 3D illustration showing all of the parts and a material list that shows all of the measurements.

Home Project: Hobbit Bed

By: Wolf Moehrle
This beautiful single bed was inspired by “The Lord of the Rings” and built for Wolf’s daughter. Wolf is a true craftsman, and seeing what he does with this bed’s design is sure to inspire you. He gives helpful step-by-step instructions, along with photos, a 3D illustration showing all of the bed’s parts, and a detailed materials list. If you have a little one, that dreams of hobbits and such, this bed would be the perfect choice. If you are not a ‘Ring’s fan’, you can simply omit the hobbit reference, and still have a stunning single bed.

Turning Project: Candle Holders

By: Bob Hamilton
Part of the beauty of these turned candle holders, is the combination of soft smooth curves, with sharp, well defined corners and edges. With his concise and detailed instruction, Bob makes this project a clear example of something that looks much harder to do than it actually is. Bob knows that once you find out how easy these beauties are to make, that you’re going to want to make a ton of them. That’s why he included a special sidebar (and photo), showing three different variations of this project. These candle holders have proven to make wonderful gifts, so be sure to try out all of the variations.

Carving Project: The Bluenose

By: David Bruce Johnson
Canada’s Bluenose was a positively magnificent ship and an important part of Canada’s history. It’s splendid set of sails makes it a perfect subject for the ‘negative’ carving process known as ‘intaglio’ (which was introduced in last issue). David gives 15 detailed step-by-step photos, along with easy instructions, to help make this ‘negative’ carving a positive experience.

Scroll Saw Project: Winnipeg

By: Marcus Cutler
Winnipeg (Gateway to the West) is just about at the geographic center of North America. With it’s very cold winters and its rather warm summers, it is a city of climatic extremes. If you, or someone you know, has a connection to Winnipeg, this scroll saw project makes a great gift. This particular pattern is just one of the many cities that are featured in this ‘Canadian Capitals’ series.

Wood Joinery: Wedged Mortise and Tenon

By: Michel Theriault
The mortise and tenon (M&T) is a classic joint with lots of strength , albeit it is usually hidden. The wedged M&T joint on the other hand, is designed not only to be visible, but to be a design element. You can use it for knock-down furniture or glue it for a permanent joint. Michel covers what you will need, and how to make the joint. He also provides step-by-step photos, to make it even easier. This is a beautiful joint that you will truly enjoy designing into your next project.

Skill Builder: Easy Steps to Gluing

By: Hendrik Varju
Successful gluing depends on many factors. Good surface preparation is key, as is correct glue application. You also need to choose and apply the right number of clamps for the correct length of time. You have to master these basic skills before you can rely on the glue to do its work. Remember that many furniture projects are held together solely by glue. When done correctly, screws, nails and other mechanical fasteners can be dispensed with altogether. Hendrik is a fine furniture maker who knows what he’s doing. You will too after reading this informative discussion on gluing.

Shop Tool: Mid-Sized Routers

By: Hendrik Varju
If you’re going to buy just one router for your workshop, I recommend a mid-sized router in the 2 - 2 1/2 hp range. Smaller routers are handy for fine details, but they don’t normally run slow enough to handle larger router bits. On the other end of the scale, 3 1/4 hp routers can be too heavy and awkward for every day hand-held use, so they’re best suited for use in a router table. A mid-sized router is the perfect choice for a one-router shop and might be all you need for many years. Hedrik covers everything you’ll need to know before you make your router buying decision: Plunge or Fixed Base; Power and Circuitry; Variable Speed; Collet Sizes; Stop System; Fine Adjustment Control; Bit Changes; Switch Location; Handle Style; Cord Length; and Vacuum Hook-up. Not only does this article cover all the things you’ll need to know before you buy a router, it also includes: 10 Tips For Safe Routing; a list of Canadian Woodworking’s Favourite Router Accessories; and a mini-review on the new Bosch Colt palm router. Article also displays relevant specs for a variety of routers, including: Freud FT1700VE; Milwaukee 5616-20; Triton MOF00; Bosch 1617EVSPK; Skil 1825 and the Hitachi KM12VC.

DIY Project: Installing Crown Moulding and Baseboards

By: Dale Winhold
Crown moulding, with matching baseboard, can add a distinctive look and charm to any room in your house. They make the transition from wall to ceiling and floor much softer, and it is a popular way to give the room a warmer feeling, as well as enhancing its overall character. Installing crown moulding and baseboard isn’t as hard as it may sound. In this article, Dale shows you how to make this upgrade to your home. It makes for a rewarding job that you will not only be very proud of, but will increase the resale value of your home. The article covers: Choosing the Material; Inside and Outside Corners; Measuring and Cutting; The Baseboards; Crown Moulding; Tips for Cutting Inside Corners; Tips for Cutting Outside Corners; and Detailed Installation Instructions. Dale even includes a handy chart of ‘Bevel and Miter Angles’ to make the job go super smooth.

Canadian Tool: Mitermate Pro - Portable Workstation

By: Staff Report
In the comfort of a workshop, a work bench can provide a solid surface on which to work. However, when working outdoors, a solid, stable working surface is not so readily available. Find out why Carl states, after having used many different styles of portable stands over the last ten years, that the Mitermate Pro has set itself apart in terms of quality, versatility and user friendliness.

Tool Test: Miter Trimmer

By: Staff Report
When cutting miters with a table, miter, or band saw it’s not uncommon to end up with miters that don’t mate perfectly together, or that tear out. You could use a hand plane and a shooting board to clean up the cuts, but if you’re not careful, you might still round over the edges of the miters. The Miter Trimmer is an archaic looking tool that resembles a paper trimmer (or guillotine). But don’t let the look fool you – this tool enables you to cut glass-smooth, perfectly fitting miters quickly and efficiently.

Wood Finishing: High Quality HVLP

By: Staff Report
HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) systems are being used more and more by the home hobbyist. Find out why in this article. Topic covered include: Improved Finishing Products; Improved Application Tools; and How HVLP Works. The article includes a large 3D illustration of the HVLP system, showing all of the system’s parts. There’s also a full colour photo of the Turbinaire 1235GT, and a cross-section photo showing the inner workings of the system. If you don’t know how the HVLP system works, be sure to see this article.

Shop Essentials: Files and Rasps

By: Staff Report
Today’s woodworker has many options for shaping and smoothing, and invariably the first tools that come to mind are usually powered. Routers and sanders are undoubtedly the most popular choice, but they don’t always provide the fine control required for shaping contoured parts. Files and rasps have been around for hundreds of years and can be among the most useful tools in the wood shop. They excel at fine control and precise removal of material with little or no tear-out, and are especially useful for highly figured woods. This article shows the variety of files and rasps available, and details the ones that will suit your woodworking. The article covers: microplane blades; file configurations; rifflers; shaping rasps; Shinto rasps; and four-in-hand. Eleven full colour photos show important file details.

Woods to Know: Yellow Birch

By: Clive Smith
Yellow birch, also called American birch, can be easily distinguished from its cousin, white or paper birch, by its bark, which is bronze or reddish and doesn’t peel easily, though the bark naturally flakes in fine horizontal strips. It grows throughout Southern Ontario and Quebec, and most of Atlantic Canada. Find out all about Yellow birch’s uses, physical properties and working characteristics in this article. Article also includes a beautiful illustration of Yellow birch, showing its leaves and seeds, for easy field identification.

Wood Wisdom: Why We Woodwork

By: Clive Smith
‘Why we woodwork’ can be a practical, or a philosophical question. Clive takes a philosophical look at his own experience, and asks himself this insightful question. I think that you will find his conclusions thought provoking.

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