November 2016
Issue Number: 243
Replace a Worn Rip-fence Scale
Precise Layout for Plywood Projects
Knowing where and how to vary form your plans keeps tiny fractions from leading to big project problems. As face veneers have become thinner (manufacturers get more mileage out of each log), plywood thicknesses have shrunk. So if you rely on the stated thickness when planning or building your projects, you wind up with loose-fitting joints, part dimension errors, and assembly problems. Use these four strategies to prevent those discrepancies from becoming dimensional disasters on your plywood-based projects.
Big-Time Wall Clock
Build this 30"-tall contemporary timepiece using basic tools and a nifty jig.
Plan is available in the WOOD Store
3 Essential Hand Planes for any Woodworker
Whether you're a beginning woodworker crafting a few pieces for your home or a seasoned professional making furniture for a living, you'll experience tasks that a plane—with sharp blade, mind you—can do better than any other power or hand tool. And you don't need a fleet of planes of every size to tackle those jobs. For most situations, this trio will do nicely.
Idea Shop 6: Build your own Cabinets
With two of the next four paychecks, you'll buy the materials to build a set of base and upper cabinets. In doing so, you'll learn pocket-hole joinery, a fast way to assemble face frames and other components of cabinets and furniture. But first, use your set-aside money to purchase a thickness planer to sit alongside your jointer, completing the on-two punch for dressing lumber.
Rout Perfect Circles
You can cut large circles with a arouter, bandsaw, or jigsaw. Of those three, only a router with a straight or spiral bit ensures a true circle requiring very little edge cleanup. It only takes about 10 minutes to make and install a trammel onto your plunge router. Here's how to do it.
Zigzag Box
For visual impact, it's hard to beat this box. A perpetual pattern tracing around all sides fascinates the eye. Alternating shades of cherry and walnut create the illusion of corners extending toward and away from you. Quilted maple–if you can obtain some–enhances the effect. Lift the lid, and you'll find the pattern inside the box, too. Even with all these angles, you'll enjoy straightforward construction.
Plan is available in the WOOD Store
Finish your finish
I've always believed that if a project's finish doesn't pass the "touch test"—when running your hands over the project, you feel a flawless, satin-smooth surface—that finish diminishes the impact of quality design or construction. So here are a few simple tricks that will make your finish a point of pride.
Mil-spec Iowa-class Battleship
Whether patrolling the waves of your living room floor or anchored atop the fireplace mantle, this stately warship will make an impressive flagship for your wooden fleet.
Plan is available in the WOOD Store
Dazzle with Double Dovetails
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Tip of the Day
Paint-roller cover makes a great contour sander

The graceful curves of some projects aren't well-suited to sanding with a power contour sander. To... read more