Woodworking Plans Basics

Woodworking Plans Basics

	10 Best Table Saw Accessories A table saw is hard to beat for handling a variety of jobs on the same tool. But what really makes a table saw so versatile are the accessories woodworkers create to improve the saw's overall performance. In this Tools & Techniques woodworking series article, we'll show you how to build ten of the most useful accessories you'll find for a table saw.
	Guide to Problem-Solving Clamps At some point in every woodworking project, there’s at least one assembly that just can’t be done with a common clamp. You've seen specialty clamps advertised, but what kinds of projects are they made for and how are they used? This guide examines 12 different types of clamps—all designed for special applications in woodworking. We'll show you which clamps to use for which project, how they work, and where to find them.
	Trim Carpentry Secrets Do it right the first time! If you’ve ever hung a door, installed a window, or simply replaced existing molding – you know how troublesome finishing the trim can be. In this Tools & Technique article from Workbench magazine, you’ll get our favorite tips and tricks for cutting precise miters, fixing sagging doors, hiding nails, cutting base boards, and more! .
	Dado Blade Basics It's easy to understand why woodworkers use dado blades to cut joints. It's a quick way to get perfect fits with just about any type of joinery. But deciding which type of dado blade to buy can be confusing. Wobble dado, V-blade dado, stack dado—how do they work and which type should you buy? In this Tools & Techniques article, we'll clear up the confusion about dado blades, explaining the different types available, what type of joinery each blade is suited for, and how to set up your table saw for five popular dado cuts (see below). We've also included a step-by-step troubleshooting guide for correcting some of the most common problems you might encounter using dado blades. Don't start another project until you've read this important article!
	Secrets to Working with Plywood Plywood can be a great substitute for solid wood stock, especially if your project calls for large panels. It's less prone to warp, easier to finish, and more economical. However, plywood does have its challenges. The large panels can be difficult to cut accurately, and the thin face veneers have a tendency to chip out. Plus, you'll need to find a way to cover the exposed edges. In this Tools & Technique article from ShopNotes magazine, we'll share what we've learned about working with plywood, from planning the first cut to clamping and assembling the pieces. We'll show you how to make a handy edge-cutting guide that takes the guess work out of lining up the blade of your saw with your cut line. We'll also show you how to apply solid wood edging in 8 easy steps.
	Gluing up Solid Wood Panels It takes more than luck to end up with great-looking solid wood panels. With so many places to go wrong in the glue-up process, it's important to have a proven plan in place before you squeeze out that first bead of glue. In this exclusive technique article from ShopNotes magazine, we'll take you step by step through the entire process. You'll learn how to avoid most glue-up problems simply by selecting the right boards before you begin the project. Then it's on to squaring the edges, adding splines and biscuits, and positioning the clamps.
	Frame & Raised Panels Changes in humidity naturally cause wood to expand and contract, eventually breaking the bond in most types joinery. That's why professionals use frame and panel construction to allow for wood that moves. In this technique article from Woodsmith magazine, we'll show you the secrets to making frame and panel joinery that rivals the pros!
	Clamping & Assembly Just before the glue goes on, I always stop and take a deep breath. Did I miss anything? Am I using the right clamps for this project? How can I be certain everything will go together as planned? In this Tools & Techniques article, we'll share the secrets we've learned in getting a project ready for a perfect glue up—preparing the surface, applying clamps, and squaring up the pieces.

	Making Great Crosscuts Nothing is more critical to a woodworking project than getting a square, accurate crosscut on the table saw. And nothing suffers more from a poor crosscut than joinery. If you're getting joints and edges that just don't seem to mesh they way they should, look to your table saw blade and miter gauge for the trouble. In our Secrets to Making Great Crosscuts article, we'll first help you adjust your table saw components so everything is aligned, square and accurate. Then we'll share the techniques we use in our shop to get perfect cuts every time. Plus, we've included some ideas (and plans) for building the crosscut accessories we use in our shop, like an auxiliary fence for added support and a crosscut sled for large panels.
	Smooth and Clean Rip Cuts Ripping is such a common task in the shop that most of us assume there's not much to know about cutting the width of a board. But if you've ever ended up with a burned edge or had a workpiece suddenly kick back, you know that clean and safe ripping isn't something you can always take for granted. In our Smooth and Clean Rip Cuts article, we'll share some of our favorite shop tips for making accurate and safe rip cuts every time. You'll learn how to check the blade and rip fence for square alignment, how to work with cupped or warped stock, and how to cut those troublesome thin strips. Plus, we'll show you the four ripping accessories that no woodworker should be without.
	Table Saw Insert / Ripping Thin Strips Ripping small strips on a table saw can be both troublesome and dangerous. The opening between the blade and the insert is just wide enough to allow narrow strips to jam the blade. What's the solution? Replace your saw's metal insert with a custom-made zero-clearance insert. In this Tools & Techniques article, we'll show you step-by-step how to make the insert using UHMW plastic and a scrap piece of hardboard. We'll also include our shop secrets for ripping strips to the exact same thickness every time!
	Water-Based Finishes It's hard to believe that many of today's water-based finishes rival the best oil and varnish products on the market. But as new technology evolved, so did the quality of this incredibly easy-to-use product. In our Water-Based Finishes techniqe article, you'll explore the pros (and cons) of using water-based finishes, how they differ from oils and varnishes, and what special considerations you'll need to prepare the surface.
	Spraying a Flawless Finish If you've always wanted the brilliant, smooth finish you see on professionally-made furniture, then it's probably time to invest in a spray system. There's really no other way to get the same results at home using a brush. The good news is that home spray systems are now both affordable and easy to use. And with a little practice, you'll see results that rival the best of the pros. In our Spraying a Flawless Finish article, you'll explore the different types of home spray systems available, the anatomy of spray guns and how they work, and how to keep a spray gun clog-free for years of trouble-free use. Plus, we'll show you step-by-step how to apply a smooth, professional spray finish on a variety of different projects.