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: Hand Tool Cabinet

By: Michael Kampen (Feb/Mar 2007)
This tool cabinet is a practical, attractive way to store and protect a collection of hand tools. Those who are new to woodworking may not yet own many hand tools. Often, when woodworkers first set up their shop, and start purchasing the requisite tools, the emphasis tends to be solely on power tools. The perception is that power tools are faster, give better results, and are easier to use. Those same woodworkers, when they have been at it long enough, come to realize how integral hand tools are for a complete shop. As each woodworker progresses in their craft, they see that there are things that hand tools can do that power tools just can’t do. Consider, too. That hand tools offer a more quiet, peaceful way to work with wood, and you begin to understand why most seasoned woodworkers have a variety of hand tools at their disposal. Whether you are one of those seasoned woodworkers that needs a place fror your hand tools, or you are new to woodworking and looking to build up your hand tool collection, this hand tool cabinet is sure to serve your purpose. Michael gives you all the step-by-step details that you need, along with four full colour photos of the cabinet details, and a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and joinery. He also includes a complete materials including hardware. There are also two sidebars that teach some important techniques: How to veneer with a thin air press; and how to install hinges.

Tool Project: Krenov Style Hand Plane

By: Michael Kampen
Even with the wide range of planes on the market today, many woodworkers still enjoy making their own wooden planes. And why not? It’s a near perfect project: building the very tool with which you do your future woodworking. What could be more enjoyable and fulfilling? This Krenov stlye plane, named after James Krenov, is quite easy to make. And, when fitted with a Hock iron, it is sure to cut every bit as nicely as a high-end bronze low-angle plane. Michael covers: Selecting Your Stock; Preparing the Stock; Preparing the Centre Block; Bringing the Pieces Together; The Cross Pin; Shaping the Plane; and The Wedge. He gives great, easy-to-follow instructions along with 4 full colour photos, an exploded 3D view of the hand plane showing all of its parts, and a detailed materials list. For those who are not yet familiar with James Krenov, there’s even a side bar (with photo) telling you all about him and his place in woodworking history.

Home Project: Arts and Crafts Style Hat and Coat Shelf

By: Michael Kampen
This hat and coat shelf has clean lines and ample storage. It is equally at home in a formal entry, or a back door. The three coat hooks provide plenty of hanging space for your jackets, and the shelf is a great place to set your hats and gloves. Michael provides easy-to-follow instructions, 2 full colour photos, a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and joinery, and a detailed materials list.

Wood Turning: Mallet

By: Paul Ross
Traditionally, carvers mallets were turned using lignum vitae, which is one of the hardest and heaviest of all woods. Lignum vitae is also used for bearings and bushings, often in an underwater application, because of its durability and natural lubricants. The source of lignum vitae is the West Indies, Central America and northern South Africa. Its name is Latin for ‘long life’, from which comes one of its common names, Tree of Life. Paul gives detailed instruction on how to: Begin with the Head; Cut the Tenon; Drill the Hole for the Handle; Turn the Head; and Turn the Handle. He also gives 10 full colour photos, leading you through the entire process. Making your own tools is a wonderful thing.

Storage Project: Fishing Rod Stand

By: Chester Wos
If the thought of going fishing brings to mind rooting around your basement or garage, untangling your hooks and lines, then this fishing rod stand might be just the lure that you need to get your fishing equipment organized. When this project is completed, you will have a rod stand that stores up to eight rods with reels attached, all in a vertical position, occupying a minimal amount of floor space. The plans can be modified to accept more rods if necessary. You can even use this stand to store your billiard cures. Chester gives a full colour photo of the completed project, along with detailed instructions, a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and joinery, and a materials list. He also gives an informative side bar on getting that ‘art deco’ look.

Carving Techniques: Tricks of the Trade

By: David Bruce Johnson
David shows his work all over the country and answers lots of carver’s questions while doing so. Here, he lets you in on some of the answers to his most highly asked questions. Where to get inexpensive (and free) wood How to save time when sanding How to carve deep crevices How to carve a hole David also provides 17 full colour photos showing details of these tricks.

Shop Project: Tool Tote

By: Michael Kampen
This classic wooden tool tote is a great way to keep your tools organized and protected, whether you are working at your bench, or away from your shop. Michael gives easy to follow instructions and a 3D exploded view showing all of the parts and joinery. He also gives a detailed materials list, and a handy side bar on ‘How to achieve foolproof alignment of parts’.

Shop Tools: Workbench Accessories

By: Michael Kampen
We have seen a lot of woodworking shops, and we have found that each shop is as unique as the person who works in them. Whether the person builds large scale furniture, or small intricate jewellery boxes, they have at least two things in common; a love for making handcrafted items out of wood, and the fact that at least some of the work will be done at a workbench. In this informative article, Michael brings you up to speed on all of the accessories that will make working at your bench both more efficient and enjoyable.

Skill Builder: Gluing Techniques

By: Hendrik Varju
Gluing is critical to a projects success. Sloppy gluing can lead to open joints, out-of-square corners, and lots more. At the very least, it will lead to poor staining and finishing results – so learning proper gluing techniques is sure to pay off. In this article, Hendrik covers the three most common types of glue-ups: Edge-Gluing a Solid Wood Panel; Gluing Dowel Joinery; and Gluing Mortise and Tenon Joinery. Hendrik is a highly regarded professional woodworker with years of woodworking under his apron. Read this article and you will not only avoid a whole bunch of trial-and-error methods, you will be gluing up like a pro in no time.

Tool Purchasing: Shop Vacuums

By: Hendrik Varju
Whether you use an official dust collection system in your workshop or not, you are bound to need a shop vacuum. While these units won’t keep up with large volumes of wood shavings from machines like jointers and planers, they might provide adequate dust collection for smaller machines like routers, sanders or even bandsaws. More importantly, a shop vacuum is an indispensable clean-up tool. In this article, Hendrik outlines those things that you should be looking for and watching out for, including: Hose Diameter and Assessories; Power and Air Flow; Filters; Noise; Wet and Dry Capacity; Automatic Tool Switch/Outlet; Amperage Control; and Other Handy Features. Eight different models are shown along with their specs. Models include: Ridgid; Craftsman; General; Shop-Vac; Milwaukee; Porter-Cable; Fein and Bosch.

Scroll Saw: Halifax

By: Marcus Cutler
The Bluenose, the Citadel, Holly Cole, Alexander Keith’s beer, the Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the Halifax Explosion, Sidney Crosby, Point Pleasant Park… names synonymous with Atlantic Canada’s most populous city. This issues feature scroll saw pattern shows the Citadel Tower Clock along with Nova Scotia’s flag.

Router News: Router Bits for Home Improvement

By: Via Media Release
Have you ever thought of making a door, but were intimidated by the prospect of cutting all the mortises and tenons by hand? Then check out Freud’s Entry and Interior Door Router Bit System. Tired of ho-hum paneling and wainscoting? Then the Reversible Wainscoting Bit is a quick way to spruce up your next project. Find out more about these router bits, and how they will make your next home improvement project a breeze.

Easy Project: Skateboard Deck

By: Michael Kampen
Here’s a chance to try something a little different. No square stock, no crisply executed joinery, and although there is a lot of gluing up of material, you don’t need a rack of expensive clamps. This is a great project to involve younger members of the family and share some quality time in the shop.

Woodworkers Gallery: Featured Photos

By: Brent Smith
In this issue we introduce a new column that will showcase the work of our readers. Be a part of the selection process, as we review dozens of entries from woodworkers from across Canada. To view (and vote on) some of the entries for next month, go to Canadian Woodworking’s WOODWORKING FORUM, and click on ‘Woodworkers Gallery’.

Finishing News: Nu-Lustre-55

By: Via Media Release
Circa 1850’s Nu-Lustre-55 finish is, without a doubt, one of the most resilient finishes you can achieve. It’s a two part epoxy that dries to a clear, glossy finish. A single coat is about 1/16” thick – the equivalent of 55 coats of brushed on varnish. Learn all about this great finish and how you can incorporate it into your future projects.

You can subscribe to our magazine by clicking here.

Your Privacy - Disclaimer - Subscribe to Canadian Woodworking Magazine