#210–Jan/Feb 2010

Articles

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  Foolproof Recipes for 3 Favorite Finishes

  Dyes and gel stains work better together.
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  Tenon Shootout

  Tablesawn or hand-cut? Two experts go mano-a-mano to champion their favorite techniques
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  How to Cut Tenons by Hand

  Matt Kenney shares a few tricks for cutting crisp, clean tenon shoulders and cheeks that need only minimal trimming for a good fit.
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  How to Cut Tenons on the Tablesaw with a Dado Set

  Mike Pekovich explains why using a dado blade on the tablesaw is the quickest and most accurate way to cut tenons.
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  2 Fast Ways to Build a Decorative Mitered Box

  Think out of the box to simplify a rabbeted lid.
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  Make Your Own Bandsaw Fence

  Smooth-sliding fence lets you rip and resaw with precision.
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  A Better Way to Build Wall Cabinets

  Sliding dovetails and an unorthodox face frame make the case stronger, better looking, and easier to build
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  Everyone Needs a Moisture Meter

  New meters are precise and cheaper than ever, leaving you no excuse
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  Pin-type Moisture Meters for Under $200

  A review of pin-type moisture meters
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  Curved Panels Made Easy

  With a vacuum press and 7 tricks, beautiful panels are in the bag
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  Review: Brusso- Stainless-Steel Hardware

  I've used solid-brass Brusso hardware on several boxes and furniture projects over the years and have found the quality to be top-notch. So I was pleased to hear that the…
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  How to Flatten and Smooth a Tabletop

  Learn to cut a tabletop to size and smooth its surfaces and edges with hand tools.
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  Strong Joints for Thin Legs

  Q: I’m planning to make a table with legs that are 1-1/4 in. square at the top, and aprons that are 4 in. tall. I’d like to use mortise-and-tenon joints…
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  Which Glues Work in Cold Temperatures?

  Q: I need to glue up panels in an unheated shop. Are there glues that work on hardwood—in this case, cherry—in the 40° to 45ºF range? Art Utay, South Windsor,…
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  Best Finish for Bathroom Furniture

  Q: I am making a cabinet for my bathroom. What’s the best finish to protect it against the rapid changes in heat and humidity that it will experience? Gill Mussleman,…
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  When is Veneer too Thick?

  Q: I used 3/16-in.-thick resawn walnut, glued to plywood, to make a tabletop, but did not veneer the underside. I finished it with an oil/varnish mixture. The seams have opened…
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  How to Sharpen a Molding Plane

  Hand tool expert's tips on putting a keen edge on these complex profiles.
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  Carve a Shell on a Cabriole Leg

  Though it seems intimidating, carving is easier than you might think
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  Bleach Mahogany for a Unique Look

  Rich red tones are the colors most associated with mahogany, but you can also achieve a light golden-amber color by bleaching and then dying the wood
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  Carvings Cap an Impressive Chest

  An outstanding piece of furniture should be as inspiring in its details as in its overall form. The details that elevate Doug Mooberry’s mahogany chest of drawers are the starfish,…

Online Extras

• James Krenov Influenced a Generation of Woodworkers

  Since James Krenov died Sept. 9, comments have been pouring in to FineWoodworking.com. It is impossible to miss Krenov’s impact. His contributions came not only as a craftsman but also…
• Interview with James Krenov

  At the time of this interview, renowned furniture maker James Krenov was still working in his shop every day. Although his failing eyesight prevented him from building furniture, the 88-year-old woodworking…
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  How to Turn a Shaker Leg on a Lathe

  Breeze through this elegant turning with guidance from a Shaker expert.
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  A Hinged Stop Block for the Table Saw

  For repetitive crosscuts on the table saw, nothing beats this simple solution made from shop scraps