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ShopNotes
ShopNotes #87 2006-05-01

May 2006
Issue 87

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Table of Contents

Readers' Tips4

  • Page 7: Illustration
    The inner curve radius is printed as 1 5/8" but it should be 2 1/4". There is also a misprint on the outer curve. It should be 3 1/4" rad.
  • Page 7: Digital Set Up Gauge
    Additional Information: The digital set-up gauge used a plastic digital caliper. The item came from Harbor Freight (#93293) and should cost about $10. On this unit, the battery cover is located on the face so gluing the caliper into the body isn't a problem.

Router Table Edge Jointing8

Put a clean, square edge on any workpiece with this simple router table technique.

Choosing Plywood for the Shop10

Take a look at a few plywood choices you may not know about.

The Baltic and  Finnish birch plywoods shown on page 10 of ShopNotes No. 87 are available from many woodworking supply stores, as well as online sources (see below). If you're interested in the Arauco plywood, check your local home centers and lumberyards. Finally, phenolic-faced plywood is tough to find. Your best bet for that is Woodcraft.

Working with Metal Detectors12

Protect your bits and blades. Find out how to put metal detectors to work in your shop.

The Wizard Industries metal detectors like the ones featured on page 12 of ShopNotes No. 87 might seem like a shop luxury. But it'll easily pay for itself if it saves a saw blade or set of planer or jointer knives. Company contact information is listed below.

Shop Short Cuts14

Shop-tested tips and techniques to solve your woodworking problems.

Router Sled16

This sled makes it easy to cut precision joinery on the router table -- quickly and safely.

  • Page 16: Hardware
    The list indicates that you need a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 - 11 3/8" Aluminum angle, but it should be 2 x 2 - 11 3/8".
  • Page 18: Figure 5
    Drawing indicates that the aluminum angle is 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 - 11 3/8 but it should be 2 x 2 - 11 3/8.

Online Extras

Most of the hardware for the router sled on page 16 of ShopNotes No. 87 came from a local hardware store. But the large knob (STT-8T), two small knobs (STT-2T), and swivel pad (RP-3) came from Reid Tool. I used a Kreg miter bar to guide the sled, but any metal or wood runner will work. For the platform I used a heavy-duty, phenolic-faced plywood from Woodcraft. Sources are listed below.

Tenons on the Band Saw20

Get more from your band saw. We'll show you how to set up for cutting perfect tenons.

Custom Sanding Block22

This handy tool keeps a firm grip on your sandpaper and fits into tight corners.

Hobby Chest26

Combine a tool chest and small workbench into one compact package.

  • Page 29: Figure 2, Detail a
    All of the 1/4" measurements at the top of detail 'a' should be 3/16".

Online Extras

  • Hobby Chest
    There's no question that a workshop, no matter how small, can be a great place to unwind and spend a few hours. But sometimes -- especially if you're traveling -- it's not always practical to get into your shop. The idea behind this hobby chest is to provide you with a "workshop" that you can take anywhere, whether it's just into another room of the house or across the country.

Building the hobby chest shown on page 26 of ShopNotes No. 87 only requires a handful of hardware. The Shaker knobs (KP-B065) are available from Woodworks Ltd. (see below). And the rare-earth magnets (99K32.03), cups (99K32.52), and washers (99K32.62) came from Lee Valley, along with the Veritas Wonder Pup and Bench Pup.

Finally, the cutting mat we added to the pull-out tray came from a local hobby store. The small clamp-on vise (427-8602) we used is available from Enco.

Knock-Down Workstation32

No matter what the task, you can set up or take down this workstation in minutes.

  • Page 34: Instructions for Rail Cap
    The first sentence of the instructions for the Rail Cap contains an error. It says to cut a dado on the bottom side, but it should say to cut a groove.

Online Extras

  • Knock-Down Workstation Accessories
    I don't think a woodworker can ever have enough work space. But building a permanent bench or table just makes the shop more crowded. That's where this multipurpose workstation comes to the rescue. We've also come up with several attachments you can build for the workstation.

What to Look for in Router Lifts38

With these precision lifts, you'll never have to reach under your router table again.

We took a look at a number of router lifts you can use to make working at your router table easier and give it more capability. You'll find contact information for each manufacturer below:

Small Parts Storage42

A few of these drawer inserts can help you take control of your shop storage.

Perfect-Fitting Raised Panels44

Raised panels on the table saw? We'll show you just how straightforward it is.

What's New in Pipe Clamps46

New features and a few accessories will make this old shop standby more essential than ever.

Pipe clamps are a shop necessity. On page 46 of ShopNotes No. 87, we showed you what's new along with a few add-ons to get more out of your clamps. For sources, check out the information listed below.

Tile Floors48

A simple upgrade that will make working in your garage more comfortable.

Installing tile flooring is a great way to upgrade the look and feel of a concrete floor. To get more information about the tiles featured in the article on page 48 of ShopNotes No. 87, contact the sources listed below.

Q&A50

Scenes from the Shop52

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