Popular Woodworking 2001-06 № 122, страница 6
sears Letters Build the $175 workbench without a planer or jointer Tricks and Tips to Building the Bench With Just a Few Tools I just finished reading your article on the $175 Workbench in the February 2001 issue, and I really like what you have done. My first thought is: I don't have a planer or jointer, so how do I get the stock flat and square? I am just getting into the hobby, and I need a good first bench. I was thinking I might try a hand power planer. Do you think this would work until I can afford the jointer? Tom Holbrook Arroyo Grande, California Editor's note: You don't have to have a jointer or planer to build this bench. In fact, you can build this bench with just a few tools. One good option for the top is to buy two or three sheets of birch plywood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard), cut them to size and glue them into a thick lh" or sandwich. That will make a good first top, and you'll be done in a day. Use bricks (or anything that's heavy) for clamping the center. Use a lot of bricks and a lot of glue. If you want to make the top using 2 x 4s, I recommend you first rip off the rounded edges of the 2 x 4s using your table saw and then glue up several sections as described in the ar-tide. If you have a biscuit joiner, you can use that to help align the 2 x 4s during glue-up. Another way to align the boards would be to cut a spline in each one. Then glue the sections together. Throw the top up on some sawhorses and see how flat it is using winding sticks. You can then flatten any high spots with a jointer plane or a belt sander. — Christopher Schwarz Block Planes Aren't the Only Planes With Adjustable Mouths You mention that block planes have adjustable throats and you should tighten them down until you get a good shaving (February 2001, issue #120). You failed to mention that many bench planes also have an adjustment for the mouth. It's the "frog," which is the cast piece that sits above the sole body and holds the iron in place. Adjustments vary by brand and model, but look either under the iron for screws or around the back next to the depth-adjusting wheel (or both). Sliding the frog forward will adjust down the mouth opening. It's not as easy or convenient as the adjustable mouth block plane, but it's there, nonetheless. Keith Mealy Cincinnati, Ohio Is Wax a Good Enough Finish for a Maple Coffee Table? My question is: I have stained a maple coffee table that I just made and would like to know if I can apply a wax finish over the oil stain and leave it as a finished table? Charles Weech Ancaster, Ontario Editor's Note: As a finish, wax is a poor substitute for almost any other type. It offers virtually no protection from scratches, heat, moisture, alcohol or other stains. Because your table will have to stand up to all these, you should apply a finish that builds a protective film over the wood. Your choices are water-based finishes, varnish, polyurethane, shellac or lacquer. You have invested time and money WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Popular Woodworking welcomes letters from readers with questions or comments about the magazine or woodworking in general.We try to respond to all correspondence. Published letters may be edited for length or style. All letters become the property of Popular Woodworking. How to Send Your Letter: • E-mail: Popwood@FWPubs.com • Fax:513-531-0919 • Mail carrier: Letters • Popular Woodworking • 1507 Dana Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45207 Circle #107 on Resource Directory Coupon 8 Popular Woodworking June 2001 |
