Popular Woodworking 2006-02 № 153, страница 20
A Tool is Only as Good as it's Edge Norton Waterstones The latest abrasive technology has been combined with Norton craftsmanship to produce a truly superior sharpening system. Norton waterstones are a cleaner, easier way to sharpen your woodworking tools because they cut fast and resurface quickly. Tight quality control means these stones have a consistent structure and cut rate, so you can achieve the same perfect results time after time. NORTON f D-I-Y/Contractor Market www.nortonabrasives.com CIRCLE NO. 125 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD. Q & A continued from page 16 trations of my projects. I remember reading in one of the articles about a program called QuickCAD that cost around $50 (now probably $75) that a home-shop woodworker can purchase to use to design their projects ("CAD for Woodworkers," June 2003, issue #134). It was a neat software program with which you could actually draw your project with dimensions, change the view, etc. Where can I purchase this program ? Hank Jacob Lewisburg, Pennsylvania QuickCAD was produced by Autodesk, the parent company of AutoCAD. I say "was" because it no longer exists. But don't worry, there are other inexpensive software packages out there that are probably better and more user-friendly. Lately, I've been suggesting that folks look at TurboCAD (800-833-8082 or turbocad.com). The company has a line of products from entry-level to advanced and it seems to have a good tutorial system. The bad news might be that there is no "free lunch" in the world of CAD. All of the software packages are just as dumb as a pencil until you're comfortable with them. There is no "now-make-it-a-great-design" button. My best advice is to take a CAD class, perhaps at a local community college. That's how I got started. —John Hutchinson, project illustrator Can You Resharpen Forstners? Over the years, my Forstner bits have gotten dull. These bits are expensive, so I would like to get them resharpened. Do you know where I can send them for resharpening? Also, what is the recommended speed for using a Forstner bit on the drill press? Trevor Anderson Bronx, New York Your Forstner bits can be sharpened by any reputable sharpening service, but you're just as well off to do it yourself. A set of diamond honing stones will help you touch-up the cutting edges, but you can also use a fine mill file. Different-shaped stones, such as a gouge slip, will let you touch up the interior, curved edges. Don't sharpen the outside diameter of the bit or you'll change the diameter of the Forstner. As to your speed question, it's tied to the diameter of the Forstner bit. Smaller bits (1//4" or 3/8" in diameter) will operate best at higher speeds around 2,000 rpm for soft woods and 1,400 to 1,600 rpm for hard woods. Larger bits (2" in diameter) prefer slower speeds ranging from 500 rpm in hard woods and 400 rpm for soft woods. — David Thiel, senior editor I Need Clues to Working Wenge I am going to build a jewelry box out of some wenge that came my way. I have never used this exotic before and would appreciate any hints you could clue me into. It seems to be a mild wood other than the fact that it's very hard. It seems to machine well also. I guess my concern would be with glue. Chuck Fatula Ellwood City, Pennsylvania Wenge (millettia laurentii, and pronounced "wen-gee") is a hard, strong and beautiful dark wood that planes very well. It also has a coarse texture that makes it prone to tear-out when shaping it with a router. The wood has a higher resin content that, as you suspect, will interfere with gluing (and finishing). Water-based glues can be less effective with resinous woods. A polyvinyl acetate glue (PVA) such as Titebond II will work for your joinery, but a little preparation beforehand will improve the joint. First it's best to machine the joint just before gluing, then wipe the surface to be glued with a thinner, such as alcohol or acetone, and let it dry for 10 minutes or so. You could also use one of the polyurethane glues, which are excellent with resinous exotics (as longas the wood isn't too dry; poly glues need moisture to cure). PW — David Thiel, senior editor WRITE TO US Every day we get questions from readers on all subjects about their woodworking. Some are letters; many are e-mail messages. We are more than happy to share our woodworking experience with you by answering your questions or adding some clarity to whatever aspect of the craft you are unsure about. In addition to the hundreds we answer privately every month, we want to share the best questions here with readers. Send your questions via e-mail to popwood@fwpubs.com, or by mail to: Q&A • Popular Woodworking 4700 E. Galbraith Road Cincinnati, OH 45236 18 Popular Woodworking February 2006 |
