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On The Cover: Display Case

By: Michael Kampen (Oct/Nov 2006)
Everybody has something that means a great deal to them, something they would like to display, yet keep safe from harm. In this instance it is the military medals and cherished items of Cecil Fulcher, the father of our publisher, Paul Fulcher. The design of this case is a bit different from the display cases that Michael found when researching display cases over the internet. Most of the ones he found were little more than a shallow plywood box, capped with a picture frame. Once the items were mounted, they were forever beyond reach. This display case takes a slightly different approach. It is still a shallow plywood box with a frame on it, but the frame takes the form of a door that can be opened. This allows a more intimate contact with the items that are inside. Michael leads you through the project with step-by-step instructions, three full colour photos, a 3D exploded view of the complete case, an expanded illustration showing the through dovetail detail and the door and glass assembly. Michael also gives you a complete materials list, and special details on installing knife hinges. To make sure you get it right, he even includes 2 close-up photos showing proper installation.

Home Project: Easy Shelf

By: Michael Kampen
This shelf, once installed, shows no visible signs of support, which gives it a clean, modern look. However, don't be fooled by this shelf’s delicate appearance. When slipped over the two hidden arms, which are fastened to studs, this shelf is capable of supporting up to 50lbs. Michael makes this shelf even easier with his detailed illustration and lovely photo of the completed shelf hung on the wall.

Creative Project: Chalkboard

By: Michael
Kids love chalkboards, and the bigger the better. Whether it's to play a quick game of tic-tac-toe, or to draw a picture, your children will be drawn to, and drawing on this chalk board. It is also a great place to tape paper for painting, or leave a little reminder: "Your lunch is in the fridge!" The construction of this project is fairly straightforward; the writing surface is 1?4" plywood set into an oak frame. The sides of the frame extend below the writing surface to form the legs. Two such frames are then joined back-to-back with hinges, making this a portable, yet stable writing surface. A chalk ledge with routed recess is attached to both sides adding a nice finishing touch. If you prefer to hang your chalk board on a wall, simply use this plan as a basic guide. Make only one side, and do not extend the sides below what is needed to frame the writing surface. Michael leads you through the construction of this project with step-by-step instructions, three full colour photos, a 3D exploded view of the complete chalkboard, and illustrated details showing the mortise and tenon assembly. He also provides a detailed materials list, and a special section that leads you through the process of cutting mortises and tenons, both with a table saw and by hand.

Turning Project: Miniature Clock

By: Wolf Moehrll
Wolf loves to give gifts that are hand made, and because he is a notoriously cheap person (his words, not mine), it’s a good thing he has a wood shop! Seriously, Wolf thinks that there is nothing nicer than things made from beautifully figured wood. And that’s why he made this gorgeous miniature clock. You’ll be inspired when you see how nice it is. With Wolf’s help, this project is surprisingly easy to make. Wolf gives you 16 full colour photos, along with step-by-step instructions, and a 3D exploded illustration. Wolf also gives you detailed instructions, and a 3D exploded view of an harbor, a handy jig that makes this project even easier.

Wood Carving: Hanging Hanky

By: David Bruce Johnson
To practice carving folds, there is no better exercise than copying the real thing. For this wall hanging (of a hanky hanging on a wall), David pinned a square handkerchief by one corner onto a board. Then, he arranged the folds in a fashion that appealed to him. Next, he made a pattern and transferred it to a piece of basswood 11?2" x 8" x 14". Follow along as David leads you through the step-by-step process, with 20 full colour.

Shop Tools: Random Orbit Sanders

By: Hendrik Varju
If you've never tried a random orbit sander (ROS) before, you'll be amazed. It is the one sander that Hendrik uses most in his workshop for finish sanding. In fact, with the proper technique, a random orbit sander gives you finish-quality results without any hand sanding at all. If you prefer, finish up with some 220 grit hand sanding after taking your random orbit sander through its paces, one grit level at a time. In this detailed article, Hendrik tells you all about random orbit sanders. If you are in the market for one, or if you just want to know more about them, this is a great overview of the tool. This is the kind of stuff you want to know before you buy the tool.

Tool Comparison: Random Orbit Sanders

By: Staff Writer
Models Compared: RYOBI, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, and Hitachi. See specs of 14 different models of random orbit sanders.

Shop Essentials: Hammers

By: Staff Writer
Hammers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, each with their own design and purpose. A hammer suitable for construction framing shouldn't be your first choice when tapping in finishing nails. On the other hand, when some serious persuasion is required, you'll be looking for something a little more robust than the little number you set your wooden plane blades with.

Skill Builder: Basics of Spraying

By: Staff Writer
After the many hours spent carefully building a project, it's only natural to want to give it the best finish possible. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of woodworkers find the finishing phase of a project to be messy, difficult, unsatisfying and tedious. This need not be so, as there are many excellent finishing options available, from the traditional, centuries-old finishes like milk paint, to modern high-tech film finishes. Today's woodworker has access to some pretty advanced water-based finishes, and equally advanced tools to apply them. In this article we cover the basics of HVLP spraying, including Application Choices, Bleed or Non-Bleed, Safety and Ventilation, The Spraying Space, Setting Up the System, Spray Technique, and Maintenance. The article also includes illustrations showing the proper use of the spray gun, and spraying techniques. HVLP is surprising affordable and easy. With this article, you will be well on your way.

Home Improvement: Refacing Doors and Drawers

By: Dale Winhold
Many people would like to replace their entire kitchen with a new updated one. Of course this is a very expensive endeavour, as it involves not only the cost of new replacement cabinets, but removing the old cabinets, and the invariable changes to plumbing and electrical fixtures. There is also the inconvenience of not having use of the kitchen for several days, if not longer. An easy way around all of this is to replace the doors and drawer fronts of the old cabinets. This process is quite easy and is a good project for even the beginner woodworker. Following the process laid out here, you shouldn't have much of a problem completing a project you can be proud of, while adding value to your home. Dale leads you through the process with details on Measuring for New Doors, Face Frame Cabinets, Inset Face Frame Cabinets, Case Mount Cabinets, Choosing Door and Drawer Styles, Installing the Doors and Drawer Fronts, and What You Will Need. Refacing your kitchen doors and drawers couldn’t be simpler, with all of the help that Dale gives you.

Woods to Know: Wood Cuts and Shrinkage

By: Clive Smith
The location of a specific cut in a log determines its grain pattern or figure. It also effects how that cut will shrink as it dries. This article looks at how you can determine, before you start a project, how any piece of wood will change it’s shape as it dries. Clive covers Moisture Content, Wood Shrinkage, Wood Cuts and Shrinkage, and Plan for Shrinkage. Knowing the moisture content of the wood that you are using, allows you to deal with potential problems before they are built into your projects.

Scroll Saw: Quebec City

There are really two Quebec cities - the all encompassing Ville de Québec, and the much smaller Vieux-Québec (Old Québec), which is undoubtedly one of the most romantic spots in Canada. It's winding streets, stone buildings, outdoor cafés and boutiques, give it a distinct European flavour. There is so much to experience: Upper Town, Lower Town, Winter Carnival, Château Frontenac, Plains of Abraham, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica, Gilles Vigneault, and Bonhomme Carnaval to name a few. The beauty of Québec City's urban forests, the 24 hectare Bois de Coulonge, and the nearby Laurentians make Québec City a tree and wood lovers delight. By the way, in 2008 the Villede Québec will celebrate its 400th anniversary. This scroll saw pattern makes a wonderful gift for anyone who shares your love of Quebec.

Wood Wisdom: Affective Woodworking

By: Clive Smith
Woodworking projects aren’t made, or used in a vacuum. Rather they are experienced on an emotional level. Clive explores this fact, and discusses how our projects shape the feeling of the space in which we live.

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