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1500 questions
17
votes
2 answers
What is a planer sled and how do you use it?
In What are the jointer-specific steps for removing warp in lumber? a planer sled is suggested for milling twisted lumber rather than a jointer. What is a planer sled, and how is it used for removing twist?
Daniel B.
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17
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4 answers
What criteria would want me to bevel my chisel in a certain way
In my continuing attempts to learn all the things another question stemmed from watching a chisel sharpening video from Paul Sellers. When sharpening his new chisel (he explained that he does this to all his chisels) he removed the hard angled bevel…
Matt
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17
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4 answers
What is the simplest joint for a non-experienced woodworker to start with?
I would like to start designing some boxes based on an idea that I have. But I've never worked with wood before and I have no woodworking tools so I would need to purchase whatever tools are required.
I'm trying to get a direction to aim for that…
randomblink
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17
votes
2 answers
What are these brown spots on my sandpaper?
Disclaimer: I am not very experienced in woodworking.
I am currently sanding my desk, which has become dirty over time. If I look at the sandpaper, it's got brown spots on it, like this:
What are these and should I worry?
(I'm using one of these: )
vrwim
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17
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6 answers
Planing thin stock without the aid of bench dogs
At this point I do not have a bench that will support dogs. However even if I did I would have an issue planing the faces of my thin 3/8" wood. The bench dogs I have seen have a clearance of exactly 3/8".
I am very eager to use my hand-planes but I…
Matt
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17
votes
2 answers
What's a bench hook?
Comments in What is a shooting board? have taken me further down the rabbit hole.
What is a bench hook and how is it used?
Daniel B.
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17
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6 answers
Should I do many shallow quick cuts or a single deep slow one with my router?
Most cutting tools have a certain removal rate of material at which they should operate.
You don't want to go too slow because it takes forever.
And if you go to fast the tool heats up too much.
This question is concerned with the latter one on a…
null
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16
votes
3 answers
What is the proper place of nails in woodworking?
When is it appropriate to use nails to join wood?
Other than for rough framing, the only common accepted use I can think of is for tacking trim, but even there it doesn't quite feel right because invariably the nailguns aren't set properly so unless…
feetwet
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16
votes
3 answers
How can I create artificially spalted wood?
According to Wikipedia:
Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi.
I am most interested in spalted maple, as shown in this image:
Source: Bell Forest Products
How can I create spalting artificially? I would like to take either a raw…
lars
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16
votes
6 answers
Should I use sandpaper or Steel Wool between coats of polyurethane?
Polyurethane is typically my go-to finish, but I'd always just kind of done it how dad showed me rather than reading the instructions, sanding with fine grain between coats, or not at all if it's still "tacky." It always seems to turn out fine, but…
Daniel B.
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16
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2 answers
What are the common cut patterns used to mill a log into boards?
I have seen some question/answers here refer to using quarter-sawn wood. I didn't know what that was.
What are the other common ways to mill logs into lumber. This question is not about the cuts of lumber that result from this process but process…
Matt
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16
votes
6 answers
Joining wood at an angle
To give you an idea of scale, as it give context, I am referring to the roof of an open bird feeder.
Currently I make 3 holes that I drill perpendicular to where the two pieces meet. Getting a screw at that angle ends up removing a lot of wood and…
Matt
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16
votes
5 answers
Is vertical storage of sheet goods causing my boards to warp?
I have a consistent problem with warped sheet goods, particularly plywood and MDF. They always seem flat when I buy them, but by the time I use them they are always curved or twisted. It's a source of constant frustration. Even 3/4" stuff gets a…
Jason C
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16
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6 answers
How is it possible to let wood reach equilibrium moisture content?
I am trying to reconcile the following 3 points but cannot:
It is extremely important to let wood sit for a while in the environment it is intended to be used in before using it for a project so that it reaches equilibrium moisture content (EMC)…
Jason C
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16
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8 answers
Is there an average depth that works best for book shelves?
I am planning on building a bookcase and some previous attempts have resulted in shelves that are too deep for most books.
Is there an average depth that would work best? For example would a 9-inch deep shelf fit for most books and standard…
John M
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