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On The Cover: Haida Inspired Whale Mirror

By: Garnet Hall (Dec/Jan 2007)
Garnet’s favourite art form is that of the Northwest Coast First Nations. Their highly stylized form of art tells the stories of their culture, with each unique aspect representing something important in their lives. This is a fairly challenging intarsia project, comprised of a ‘natural whale and a ‘stylized’ whale, set on a mirror background. The natural whale is easy to do, but the Haida whale presents some interesting fitting challenges. Not to worry though, as Garnet leads you through the entire process. He provides six full colour photos, showing you his special techniques for fitting and sanding. He also gives you a detailed pattern to follow and all the step-by-step instructions that you need.

Home Project: Kitchen Island Table

By: Michael Kampen
Large spacious kitchens, with multiple work surfaces, are lovely and convenient, but not always possible. In smaller, more compact kitchens, work areas are few and need to be used for multiple purposes. This kitchen island has been designed for smaller kitchens. Depending on your requirements, it can function as a preparation surface, an eating table, or both. Michael gives you detailed step-by-step instructions that cover: Design; Lumber Selection; Building the Drawers; and Finishing. He also provides 6 full colour photos, a complete materials list and an illustrated 3D exploded view, showing all of the parts and joinery.

Toy Project: Airplane

By: Marvin Bloski
Kids love airplanes, so imagine how much they would love to have an airplane of their very own. This toy airplane is huge. In fact, your child will be able to sit right inside and ‘take control’. This project is sure to be one of the most remembered toys a child will ever have. Marvin makes this toy airplane project surprising easy, with his easy to follow step-by-step instructions, detailed illustration (showing all of the plane parts and joinery), and a complete materials list. Make a kid’s dream come true with this very popular project.

Turning Project: Rustic Log Candle Stand

By: Paul Ross
This candle stand is quite unique, with the base appearing rather natural and rugged, seemingly untouched, while the top is a smooth, turned surface. The contrast between the tree’s rugged shape and its cleanly cut design is heightened with the three off-set candle holders. One could hardly look at this piece without wondering how on earth it was done. And that’s exactly what people will be asking you when they see it, as it’s appearance almost defies logic. But don’t worry, Paul explains its construction so well you will be surprised at how easy it is to do. Complete with nine full colour how-to photos.

Home Project: Medicine Cabinet

By: Dale Winhold
The original medicine cabinet was made of wood, or metal, and was a place where Grandma stored here health remedies. The reason medicine cabinets are put in the bathroom instead of the kitchen is not known. Today we find the bathroom location very convenient for storing all manner of toiletries, cosmetics, and of course, medicine. While they are often mounted on the wall, medicine cabinets can also be recessed into the wall between the studding. This medicine cabinet is surprisingly easy to make. Dale gives great step-by-step directions, a complete materials list, and a detailed 3D illustration showing all of the parts and joinery.

Shop Project: Carving Bench

By: David Bruce-Johnson
Carving any sizeable project with hand tools can be physically demanding, especially if you are like David and move around and use your body for power. The only way that David found to effectively carve while standing is to use a bench. But to do that, you need a comfortable, sturdy, and proportioned bench. And, that’s exactly what David shows you how to build David gives you easy to follow step-by-step instructions, seventeen full colour photos, a complete materials list, and a detailed 3D illustration showing all of the bench parts and joinery.

Shop Machinery: Benchtop Mortisers

By: Hendrik Varju
As your woodworking interests evolve, it isn’t long before you want to make mortise-and-tenon joinery. But how to cut those mortises? Perhaps you’ve ready about the hand chiseling method, and considered trying it. Or, you may have considered making mortises with your router, although doing so would limit you to mortises with rounded corners. A mortising attachment for your drill press would work, but you may not want to set it up for each session. There are a variety of ways to make a mortise, each with their advantages and disadvantages. However, if you want to make great mortises that fit and look like it was done by a professional, you will want to consider a dedicated mortising machine. In this most helpful article, Hendrik tells you everything you need to know to make the right decision when shopping for a benchtop mortiser. Topics include: Motor amps and rpm’s; Head travel; Table size; Chisel capacity and bit changes; Depth stop; Fence and hold down; Feed lever; and other features. He also stresses the importance of sharpening your bits and includes several different sidebars covering: using your router to make mortises; mortising tips; and info on stationary mortisers. Reviews mortisers include: Delta; General; and Steel City.

Marquetry Project: Decorative Leaf

By: Jan Walker
Marquetry is in no way a new art form. Furniture placed in Egyptian tombs thousands of years ago contain inlays of wood, stone, metal and precious jewels. However, it might be an new artform to you, so Jan has put together this easy piece to serve as an introduction to marquetry. Follow along as Jan gives you easy step-by-step instructions, and shows you (in seven full colour photos) some helpful techniques. It may have taken you a while to try marquetry for the first time, but when you find out how easy it is, you are sure to be doing it for a long time.

Scroll Saw: Fredericton

By: Staff Writer
Fredericton is located in the middle of the lovely St. John River valley – the river actually bisects the city. The area has an interesting history, having been originally occupied by the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet peoples, and thereafter intermittently settled by the French Acadians, British and United Empire Loyalists. This pattern shows the golden lion and the oared masted ship of New Brunswick’s provincial flag and features the Christ Church Cathedral, which opened in 1853.

Wood Wisdom: Custom Woodworking

By: Clive Smith
Most woodworkers have, at one time or another, imagined making a living from woodworking. After all, if you find a craft that you enjoy doing why not do it full time and make money doing it? The leap from being a hobbyist or beginner to a self-employed woodworker is a large one, but not an impossible one. To help you take that leap, Clive discusses what needs to be considered before you make your move.

Project Design: The Golden Rectangle

By: Michael
The golden rectangle, or its three-dimensional counterpart, the golden solid, can make the difference between a design that is pleasing to the eye, and one that seems awkward and clumsy. Even the most innovative design can seem unbalanced, if its parts are out of proportion. In this article, Michael introduces you to a simple yet profound tool. By understanding and using it when you design your woodworking projecs, your results are sure to show a most pleasing proportion. Try it yourself and share in a design technique that has been used by masters for thousands of years.

New Tool: Cordless Impact Wrench

By: Carl Duguay
Back when Carl was a kid he remembers his dad working on the truck with a ratcheting socket wrench to tighten or remove nuts and bolts. He now uses a pneumatic wrench – a wrench powered by an air compressor. The modern version of the power wrench is now the cordless impact wrench. For removing nuts and bolts, particularly when they’re frozen in place, or sinking deck screws or lag screws, nothing beats a cordless impact wrench – and you don’t need a compressor to operate it. (For a review of impact drivers, a close cousin of the impact wrench, see Canadian Woodworking Magazine, Feb/Mar ’06 Issue # 34). In this article, Carl gives more details on Hitachi’s new cordless impact wrench, the WR18DL.

Skill Builder: Installing Drawer Slides

By: Staff Writer
Before you get to the stage where you are fitting the drawer slides to the project, you will have had to build the drawer and the cavity that will house it. Always purchase your functional hardware before beginning the construction of your project, as different slide designs and different manufacturers do not always require the same operational clearances, even though they may look very similar. If you’ve ever installed drawer slides, you’ll know right away how helpful this article is. If you read this article before installing your first drawer slides, you may never know about those problems.

Woods to Know: Hardwood and Softwood

By: Clive Smith
Most woodworkers are familiar with the terms ‘hardwood’ and ‘softwood’. But are you sure that you understand what those terms mean? The answer might surprise you. Be sure to read this article, even if you think that you know. There is something in it for everyone.

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