Woodworking Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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2 answers

How do I know it's time to replace my circular saw blade?

I only use my table saw and circular saw, both with ripping blades, a few times a year. How can I tell when it's time to replace them? I imagine I'm not going to lose them to wear, but then again, maybe I've hit an occasional nail. I don't know…
feetwet
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What does "stickering wood" mean?

I have seen the term "stickering wood" mentioned on a few other sites, but no one seems inclined to define what it means. Is this where you pile wood in stacks with sticks between the boards to allow airflow? Is this a labeling method where you…
Adam Zuckerman
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How can I achieve a raw, unfinished look to my project while protecting it from water and physical abuse?

I am creating an oak table top that will undoubtedly be exposed to a certain level of physical abuse (e.g., plates sliding across the surface) and water (e.g., glasses placed without a coaster, spills). Is it possible to finish this wood in a way…
drs
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Which solvents can be stored in which plastics? -- is there an organic chemist in the house?

Now that coffee cans, and even larger glass bottles, are becoming hard to find, my workshop's pile of containers is mostly plastic. This has me wondering/worrying about which plastics might be dissolved by (or contaminate) which common woodworking…
keshlam
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Can I apply water-based polyurethane over an oil based stain?

I recently finished a dresser top in a very light gray oil based stain. Afterwards I applied a water based matte poly, because I didn't want any yellow tint to show on the light gray color (see this question). Should I have used a different…
Doresoom
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5 answers

What is the normal end-of-life for a bandsaw blade?

I suppose there are two alternatives for the death of a bandsaw blade: The blade breaks. The teeth get noticeably dull and the blade is discarded. I have never experienced scenario #2 but I've broken a few blades on my bandsaw. Is this the normal…
saltface
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4 answers

Is PVC pipe safe to use for a dust collection system?

I'm in the early stages of designing a dust collection system for my home shop. My existing system, a dustpan and broom, is vastly inefficient for my setup, which includes a tablesaw, router table, planer, and various small power tools. Long-term,…
AHiggins
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5 answers

How can I determine the load capacity of a simple bench?

I'm new to woodworking and I'm in the planning phase of making a bench like the one pictured below. I'm planning on storing very heavy boxes on this and would also like to use it as a stool to reach high shelves. Is there a standard practice in…
CRABOLO
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3 answers

Is this table saw lathe jig safe?

I recently saw a video on how to build a jig for turning stock on a table saw. It seemed unsafe to me, as the motorized jig was advancing stock sideways into the rotating saw blade. This seems like a very useful technique, but I'm primarily…
Doresoom
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How do I make a mortise and tenon joints by hand

I am starting a new project and intend to use more joinery techniques. I am going to make a chair, and I was hoping to create some mortise and tenon joints for the chair that I am making. I do not have access to a router at this time. How do I…
rStyskel
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17
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7 answers

Making wood filler from sawdust

The piece I am currently working on does not need to be perfect in any way, I am actually going for a slightly rough look (due to many mistakes along the way) but I would like to hide some of the larger imperfections. I got lazy with some of my cuts…
Gareth Shepherd
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3 answers

What sort of dust collection system would be adequate for a two-car garage?

I have only recently moved into a new house with an attached two-car garage. I am also starting to make a fair bit of dust working on projects in the garage. Tools I am using include handsaws, a circular saw, drills, a 13" planer and a radial arm…
rgmrtn
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4 answers

What kind of wood dust is toxic/dangerous and requires usage of dust mask?

I have a dust mask but I wonder if it is worth wearing when working on pine wood. I do wear it when working a piece of oak or beech. Would you consider cutting some wood species without a mask safe? Do you use a mask with every wood species? How…
Nelstaar
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Is there any such thing as sanding something *too* fine for finishing?

I know you can get sandpaper in super-high grits, like 2000 grit and higher. I guess there's a point of diminishing returns for sanding wood projects, but is it possible to use too high a grit prior to applying the first coat of finish? If so, what…
rob
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Caliper Showdown: Dial vs. Digital vs. Vernier

I recently purchased a digital caliper to make more precise measurements than a basic variety vernier and it works great. I wanted them to measure the width of my table saw for making my sled runners. After watching a video on making an accurate…
Matt
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