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Here are a few tried-and-true tips for getting top-notch results from your router bits.
Metal drawer slides can handle a lot of weight and are easy to install. Here's what you need to know before choosing and using them.
To make the drawers on your project open smoothly and quietly, you'll need to start with drawer slides like those in the article on page 10 of ShopNotes No. 91. The Blum epoxy-coated, low-profile (34843), Accuride 3/4-extension (39348), Accuride full-extension (32482), and Accuride over-travel (35627) slides, as well as the face frame brackets for each slide, all came from Rockler. These drawer slides are also available from the Woodsmith Store.
These inexpensive accessories will make working with your table saw, band saw, and router table safer and more accurate.
A featherboard can help you make safe, accurate cuts at the band saw, table saw, or router table. Some of the featherboards on page 14 of ShopNotes No. 91 can be found at your local home center or woodworking store. But a couple of them may be harder to find.
The adjustable, wood featherboard with aluminum hold-down (03K0402) came from Lee Valley. I ordered the Grip-Tite magnetic featherboard (33072) from Rockler. You'll also find them at Highland Woodworking, Woodcraft, and the Woodsmith Store.
Shop-tested tips and techniques to solve your woodworking problems.
This mobile stand provides plenty of extra storage space and its outfeed support makes working with long stock a breeze. Best of all, it stores in a compact space.
You can get most of the materials needed to build the planer stand on page 18 of ShopNotes No. 91 at your local home center. But a few items may be a little harder for you to find.
I ordered the 1/4"-20 star knobs (23804) and threaded inserts (28803) from Rockler. These items are also available from McFeely's.
The 3" locking swivel casters (31870) make it easy to move the stand around the shop. The casters I used came from Rockler.
Follow our simple, foolproof steps for great results with your random-orbit sander. You'll get a super-smooth surface in less time.
You'll be amazed at just how much this lightweight tote can hold. What's even more impressive is how easy it is to build.
Aluminum can really dress up a project. And you won't need any special tools to work with it.
Build your own precision layout tool. All it takes are a few pieces of aluminum and a little time at the table saw and drill press.
The aluminum squares from page 36 of ShopNotes No. 91 are easy to build and make a great addition to your shop. But you'll need a few items you may not have around the shop.
You can find the bar stock, springloaded center punch, taps, drill bits, and files you'll need at your local hardware store or home improvement center. If you have difficulty finding the bar stock, it can be ordered from McMaster-Carr.
You will need a couple of supplies when it comes time to drill and tap the aluminum. To help reduce heat during drilling, I used Tap-Ease (1009K22) lubricant. And to make it easier to tap the threads in the aluminum, I used cutting fluid (1413K42). Both of these can be ordered from McMaster-Carr.
This step-by-step approach will have your planer creating perfect boards in a short time.
The article on page 40 in ShopNotes No. 91 shows you how to tune up your planer to make it run like new. And everything you need for the job is easy to find.
Most woodworking stores will carry the bit and blade cleaners you'll need for removing pitch and resin. I was able to get a spray can of lithium grease, the synthetic abrasive pads, and the motor brushes I needed to complete my tune-up at a local hardware store.
Take a look at a few low-cost ways to turn down the volume on your power tools.
Reducing the noise in your shop is often as simple as adding a few of the items featured on page 44 of ShopNotes No. 91. Rubber isolation mounts and antivibration pads are available from both Reid Tool and McMaster-Carr. I was able to find the link belt, machined steel pulleys, and blade stabilizer at the Woodsmith Store.
We'll show you the secrets to cutting clean, crisp dadoes in any material.
These "old fashioned" tools can make driving screws nearly effortless.
A spiral ratcheting screwdriver, like those featured in the article on page 48 in ShopNotes No. 91, is a handy tool to have around the shop. If you want one of the original Yankee drivers, you'll need to order it from Garrett Wade. But you can order other Yankee-style drivers and accessories to go with them from Lee Valley, McFeely's, and Highland Woodworking. Contact information for these sources can be found below.
