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1500 questions
13
votes
4 answers
How can you make a regular screw into a self tapping screw?
Assuming that it is even possible, how can you take a screw with a normal thread and point and make it into a pseudo self tapping screw?
Screw on the right (assuming its uniform all the way around) would be a normal screw while the one of the left…
Matt
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13
votes
5 answers
What alternatives are there for pocket screws?
So I borrowed a Kreg jig from a friend and was using some scrap 2x4's to work on the Community Project: Lets build a workbench!. Unfortunately I came to an impasse. I went to 3 local hardware stores on none of them carried "pocket screws" when I…
Matt
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13
votes
3 answers
What's the difference between a sheet sander and random orbit sander?
I'm looking for a sander and as I browse through the various offerings I can see that most manufactures offer both a sheet sander and a random orbit sander. Aside from the shape of the sanding surface, are there any functional differences between…
Steven
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13
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4 answers
What are some best practices and techniques for building cabinet boxes with plywood?
I often find myself wanting to build plywood boxes of various sizes for various uses. I realize that the size and use can dictate how to construct the box, but are there some general recommendations for how to construct a box from plywood?
I'm most…
Wilco
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13
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4 answers
What can I do if I lose the chuck key for my drill?
The string holding my key to the drill broke and I didn't notice at first. I have a couple of drills so I don't have to change the bits often. I am aware that I can buy a new key for my drill but that does not help me at this moment.
What can I do…
Matt
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13
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4 answers
How can I cut plywood in a straight line on a smaller table saw freehand?
I have, what I'm sure is, a job site table saw and am having difficulty cutting a straight line in plywood. Since my saw table is smaller than to wood I cannot use a fence to guide me. Currently I measure with a tape and try to follow the line.…
Matt
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13
votes
1 answer
Leveling a finish/finishing the finish
I'm using Emmet's Good Stuff (poly gel varnish that you wipe on) as a finish on a walnut slab. I've read a lot about finishing online, but am a little confused about "leveling the finish." As I understand it poly varnish requires some minor…
Doov
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13
votes
2 answers
What is a wedged through tenon and how is it used?
What is a wedged through tenon and how is it constructed? How is it different than a "standard" mortise and tenon? When should it be used?
Daniel B.
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13
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5 answers
Why does direction matter when using an electric router?
I was watching an episode of the Wood Whisperer on YouTube, and he was making a frame for a mirror. At one point in the video he was going to put a round-over on the frame and was using an electric router for it. He said that the rule is "on the…
user234
13
votes
2 answers
What common woods produce the safest/most harmful dust?
I inherited a bunch of my tools from an woodworker who had developed a severe lung condition due in part to sawdust. I've had lung problems my whole life so have been mindful of this via dust collection and masks.
However, after learning about…
Bryce
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12
votes
2 answers
Is dimensional lumber kiln-dried differently than a kiln-dried board meant for woodworking?
It may just be the species that are normally used for this purpose, but dimensional lumber such as studs, 2x6, 2x12, etc. works differently than any other wood I've used. It requires more effort to handplane and never develops a smooth surface. I…
saltface
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12
votes
6 answers
How can I repair a split in a board?
I am making a top for a small child's table. It is 30" square and I jointed 3 10" wide pine boards to make it.
While I had it in a vise and was planing the end grain to clean up the marks left by the saw, the vise "let go" and it fell to my garage…
user234
12
votes
2 answers
Respirator: do not use for hardwoods?
I've got 3M Power Tool Respirator (product page). It has a sander tool icon on the cover yet it reads "Do not use for hardwoods". From the wikipedia it seems as hardwood refers to all kinds of trees except conifers.
Did I understand this right?…
Alex Tereshenkov
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12
votes
3 answers
Does dropping boards really relieve internal tensions?
A Fine Woodworking article I read a while back has a picture of Steve Latta dropping boards onto concrete.
The caption reads:
Drop relieves stress. For larger doors, like those on armoires, Latta
actually drops rough parts on the floor! The…
rob
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12
votes
2 answers
Are there any alternatives to a SawStop?
SawStop sells table saws with a safety feature which causes the blade to descend and stop if it makes contact with someone's skin.
Are there other options, similar to a SawStop system, available on the market today? Specifically, I'm looking for a…
lars
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