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1500 questions
12
votes
1 answer
How do I identify the appropriate size fastener for my application?
I often find myself guessing based on what I have on hand. Are there some objective guidelines for how to select the proper size? I'm usually thinking about three attributes:
Length
Length is probably the easier dimension to eyeball, but I imagine…
Wilco
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5 answers
How do you make mortise and tenon joints using power tools?
There is already a question about making mortise and tenon joints using hand tools. It would be nice to also catalog the various ways of making mortise and tenon joints using power tools. Wherever a jig is required for safety or quality of fit,…
rob
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12
votes
4 answers
How to properly deburr a chisel
I'm struggling getting my chisels as sharp as I want them to. For example, they "catch" on almost all woods and by no means cut any hairs from my arm.
I've bought the plans and built John Heinz's sharpening jig which took my sharpening to the next…
Julian
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12
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7 answers
What is the best finish for wood in a bathroom
I have nearly finished making a small table which will be placed in a bathroom. I am concerned about protecting the wood in a humid/damp environment.
The bathroom can get quite humid while people are having showers etc, and in winter it can take…
MarkH
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3 answers
What are the advantages of end-grain cutting boards?
End-grain cutting boards are an example of end grain being used for better performance. What are the properties of the wood which makes end-grain boards desirable? What are the disadvantages or difficulties of building them as opposed to regular…
user148
12
votes
5 answers
What is the purpose of a saw nib?
Saw nibs have been present for hundreds of years. What is their purpose?
saltface
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12
votes
1 answer
How do I calculate the weight threshold for plywood boxes/cabinet carcasses?
How do I calculate the weight threshold for cabinet carcasses based on the dimensions, material (e.g., plywood, mdf), and material thickness?
Has someone already worked out a nice formula that I can use?
bryjohns
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12
votes
1 answer
What is a burl?
Many people seem to refer to any highly figured wood or interesting grain pattern as a burl (also referred to as a burr outside the US), but I'm told "true" burls are extremely rare. What is a burl, and what causes it?
rob
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12
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3 answers
What are the different uses for plain sawn (flat sawn), rift sawn, and quarter sawn boards?
When shopping for lumber, how do you identify each type of board, and what are some examples of when you would choose to use each one?
In other words, what are the visual and physical characteristics that may make a board desirable or undesirable in…
rob
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12
votes
1 answer
Quick corner joints in practice
I'm practicing building drawers, quickly and on the cheap. The drawers I'm making now have sides that are 3" high x 7/16" actual thickness, decent quality birch veneer plywood.
I know this is really basic, but I'm struggling with the corner joints…
Jason C
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12
votes
5 answers
How to extend a routed rabbet to the inside corners of a cabinet door or other frame?
I fixed up a cabinet in my bathroom, and made a bunch of cabinet doors for it. One of the cabinet doors, I made to have a frosted glass insert with some towels behind it. I used a router with a rabbeting bit with a bearing to create the rabbet to…
whatsisname
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12
votes
1 answer
What do I need to know when looking at pallets for wood?
I keep seeing projects being build from pallets and pallet wood. Can I just take any pallet or are there safety concerns?
What do I need to know about pallets in order to use them?
Matt
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12
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1 answer
What are these blemishes called and how do I avoid them?
I'm just beginning bowl turning and can't seem to avoid these deep blemishes in the exterior and interior of the bowl. Are these pockets naturally occurring in the wood or am I causing them through poor technique?
I have only used a Ellsworth…
nipponese
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12
votes
3 answers
How to store equipment no longer being used
I have a nice mortise press that rarely gets use. It's a full sized standing unit made by General.
It's located in a basement shop and I'm wondering how to best preserve the machine. I haven't turned it on in over a year, and I want to now protected…
Reactgular
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12
votes
7 answers
How to sharpen a circular saw or mitre saw blade
I got a mitre saw second hand and I am not sure how long it was in service for. I don't want to just buy a 12 inch blade as they can be expensive. Ultimately, I will have to purchase one at some point. The blade in question looks like it has…
Matt
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