#187–Nov/Dec 2006

Articles

• 
  Waterborne Finishes Come of Age

  The best are now as good as or better than solvent finishes; the worst should still be avoided
• 
  Fresh Take on Tabletops

  With a center gap for expansion, the design options multiply.
• 
  Tool Test: Dovetail Jigs

  All can make precise joints, but the best do it easily
• 
  9 Reasons to Own a Shoulder Plane

  Fine-tune your joinery with these tips and techniques.
• 
  A User's Guide to Featherboards

  Extra hands make machine cuts safer, cleaner, and more accurate
• 
  A New Look at Eye Protection

  Comfortable glasses, goggles, and face shields leave you no excuse
• 
  Stop Guessing at Wood Movement

  Figure out exactly how much of a gap to leave in doors and drawers, no matter the wood or season
• 
  The ABCs of Letter Carving

  Create elegant characters using two chisels
• 
  Head to Head: Fractional Dial Calipers

  With measurements displayed in 64ths of an inch, these precision tools are accurate and convenient
• 
  Develop a Game Plan

  Make a step-by-step plan for each project to maximize efficiency and minimize mistakes
• 
  In-Depth Test Results: Waterborne Finishes

  View the full test findings from our exhaustive research into waterborne finishes
• 
  Top Picks in Dovetail Jigs

  Find out the best features to look for when shopping for a router dovetail jig based on our review of 11 popular models
• 
  Cutting Mortises for Bed-Rail Hardware

  Q: In FWW #175, Jeff Miller made it look easy to install bed-rail brackets. I want to know how he gets such clean mortises in the end of 80-in.-long rails.…
• 
  Will Green Wood Soak My Shop?

  Q: How do I keep my expensive lathe and bandsaw from damage and rust caused by cutting and turning green wood? Will the wood raise the humidity level in the…
• 
  Can One Table Saw Blade Do it All?

  Q: I use a combination blade in my tablesaw for rips and crosscuts in boards as well as plywood and MDF. The results are good enough, but would I get…
• 
  Wrenches and Router Collets

  Q: Why do I have to use a wrench twice when I want to remove a router bit? The wrench seems to loosen the nut on the collet, but after…
• 
  Is MDF Hazardous?

  Q: What is the toxicity of MDF dust, and what hazards do we face by being exposed to this material? Peter Lundquist, Calumet City, IL A: Most MDF, or medium-density…
• 
  Finish Inside a Blanket Chest?

  Q: I finished the outside of a blanket chest with Tried & True Varnish Oil. Do I need to finish the inside to keep the wood from splitting and warping?…
• 
  Grinding a Thumbnail Gouge

  The 40 degree solution to sharpening gouges
• 
  A Faceted Ruhlmann Leg

  Step-by-step directions to recreate this signature style
• 
  The Impact of Light on Dyes and Stains

  Preserve intended hues by learning what light does to coloring agents
• 
  Exhibition in Ebony

  Desk showcases design talents of Englishman Richard Williams.

Online Extras

• 
  Tune Up a Shoulder Plane

  Sharpen the blade and clean up the tool to ensure top performance when trimming tenons and rabbets.
• 
  Details of a Huntboard

  Take a tour of this updated classic for an insider's look at its construction and design details
• 
  Tool Test: Half-Blind Dovetail Jigs

  These basic but dependable router jigs deliver half-blind dovetails with fixed spacing