Innehållsförteckning för December/January 2023 från Woodsmith

GREAT Gear Two handtools that have been around for time out of mind are screwdrivers and measuring devices. We’re going to look at both — starting with screwdrivers. Many woodworkers (myself included) often turn to a cordless drill/driver or impact driver for installing screws. But there are still plenty of occasions when there’s just no substitute for a regular, old screwdriver. Many of these screwdrivers are available in sets containing the most common Phillips and straight slot sizes for very reasonable prices. So it won’t break the bank to splurge on several. BRAWNY SCREWDRIVERS If you need a screwdriver with a little more toughness, you might consider a set of Wera (left photo) or Narex brand screwdrivers (photo, top of next page). They both have features that’ll appeal to most…

The handsome cabinets you see here ring the bell in several categories, but mostly storage needs — which is always a plus in any setting. But what if your “setting” is smaller, or configured differently? Not to worry, these cabinets sport a modular design that allows you to mix and match the parts according to the dictates of your space. PAINT THAT POPS. Being made mostly of painted plywood allows the natural-look accent of the maple top and shelves to add visual vibrancy. The added plus of painting is that you can make the cabinets blend into any room environment by altering the color scheme. From the woodworking side of the story there’s plenty to chew on — granted, there’s a lot of time at the table saw cutting sheet…

FINISHING Room When it comes time to finish a project, there’s certainly no lack of options. In fact, it can be easy to fall into a paralysis of indecision with all the possible choices. Lacquer? Polyurethane? Varnish? The next time you’re stumped on a finish, allow me to suggest one of my favorites: oil and wax. OIL & WAX A combination of oil and wax is one of the easiest finishes to apply, but, like any method, it’s not for every project. The thin nature of an oil and wax finish makes it less ideal for a tabletop or a dresser that’s going to see a lot of use — in that case you’d be better off with something tougher. But for pieces that see less wear and tear, an…

ALL About One minor thing that was left out of the custom cabinets that are built on page 42 is how to install them. There’s a method to the madness of cabinet installation, and we’ll show you the way. It starts with an examination of the space where the cabinets will be living. FOOTPRINT FIRST. To get started, draw the footprint of the four base cabinets on the floor. This is just a general reference for the following steps. SITE SURVEY. Built-in cabinetry demands an environment that is plumb, level, and square. Creating that environment starts with finding the high spot in the floor. To find the high spot in the floor draw a level line approximately 2' up across the area you just marked out. Now measure the distance…

DESIGNER Project Few experiences are as enthralling as being truly immersed by a good sound system. Whether it’s a gripping film or your favorite album, audio quality makes a world of difference. While the mechanics of a speaker cabinet may seem confusing at first, there are simple principles behind them. Once you get started you’ll find that the process isn’t terribly different from most cabinetry. To keep it simple, our designer, Chris Fitch, decided to work with full-range drivers. (For readers who may not be audiophiles, a full-range driver produces a wide range of frequencies through one driver alone, where other speaker systems often have dedicated drivers for the bass and treble.) Functionally, this makes our work on the cabinet easier — we only have to channel the sound from…

DESIGNER Project Building a piece of furniture around a specific purpose elevates the occasion. It’s also the perfect opportunity for a woodworker to create a one-of-a-kind piece. Design editor Dillon Baker’s motif for this table is the perfect landing spot for a martini. Its small scale allows it to tuck in anywhere, and hopefully avoid becoming a clutter collector. PLAYING WITH VENEER. Tabletops are usually a stage for the items placed on it. This one demands some time in the spotlight. The artistry here is marquetry: creating complex designs with veneer. A field of three veneer pieces sets the stage for the intricate pattern in the center. Avoid jumping to the conclusion that this design involves precisely cutting dozens of tiny pieces. Instead, the multi-step process incorporates some creative shaping,…

IN THE Shop Hand saws are some of the most iconic tools of a woodworker, and back saws foremost among them. My first experience in cutting joinery was with a hand saw, trying to learn how to get a straight cheek on a tenon. While I appreciate the efficiency of power tools, I still find myself returning to a back saw for cuts that might otherwise be awkward or even dangerous. Before power tools, back saws were the main tools for joinery. The numerous, fine teeth made clean cuts, and the metal back (often brass or folded steel) provided extra support for a thinner blade, meaning a thinner kerf. While the back does limit the depth of cut, this isn’t a problem for most of the work a back saw…

DESIGNER Project Sideboards are a ubiquitous piece of furniture that can serve multiple needs depending on its location. Dish and silverware storage in the dining room, books and blankets in the living room — you name it and a sideboard answers the call of duty. This sideboard does all that with style to boot. Any time you throw symmetry into the design mix of a project you can find yourself in a hall of mirrors that can bounce around from boring to tedious. If you look at the main photo you’ll see that the sideboard from the center out is a mirror image. What then keeps this project from being just another run of the mill sideboard? The legs. LEGS. To dial in on the legs for a moment, it’s…