Popular Woodworking 2008-10 № 171, страница 9

Popular Woodworking 2008-10 № 171, страница 9

I J land Tool & Techniques Confcrcivc I

•Letters •

So my question is: If I need to plane each face of each piece, how-can I do this without a bcnch as long as t he lumber (i.e.. 8')? I use handplanes. I do not have a power jointer or planer. My current t hinking is to build a long narrow torsion box out of plywood for t he sole purpose of planingthc pine. Any suggestions - besides buying a power jointer?

— Norbert Janiszeski. San Antonio, Texas

It's a good question: How do you build a bcnch without a bench?

Rather than buying a commercial bench or mak\n£ something afcin toa torsion hox. wu might consider nwkingsomething like a Japanese plun-inghetim.

Thiscanbeassimpleasacoupiecfyourflattest 2x 12sscrrwedface-to face. Tdscrewthem togther sotheyarecffsetattheendsbyaboutH'. Jhenyou can put the beam on some savthorses, brace one layerofyvur2x I2sagfdnst the null of your shop andhandplane yvurotherbenchtoppicces.

The principle is demonstrated in this post on \\'oadCcntnil:wodccntrd.com/cgi-bin/hand-lools.pt?read*1246158l246l5.

— Christopher Schnarx. editor

Half-lap joints on Tea Table Beading Are for Strength

The tea table in the June 2008issue istcmpting to build, but 111 change the slipper feet to pad feet. I'm also a big fan oftigcr maple!

I do have some questions:

1. According tothecuttingdiagram for the candlcslidcs. when the front is attached there should be 'A* of the front above the top face of the slide, and ,At>* of the front below the bottom face of the slide-right? The slide front is not attached like the front of a lipped drawer would be. which is flush to the bottom, correct?

2. Why is the beaded frame joined at the corners with half-lap joints? Why not miicr them? To me, ihc half-laps leave a bit of end-grain at each corner.and when finish is applied it bccomcsquitc visibk.a mitcrcd joint would show a clean corner.

— Fred L. Miller. Charlotte. North Carolina

I like to have theeandleslide sit just Mow the dot to hide the area when the slide is closed. So. you are correct in your assessment.

Thebeadedframewashcdf-lappedforstiengh. If the main top is a bit snug in the opening and begins to push theframe as it swells, a half-lapped

frame wontgfveas easily as it tsoufd t/the corners were simply mitered. Also, holding the corners together if mitcrcd would present a problem unless you attach the frame to the base a piece at a time. The endgrain is visible, but I think it enhances the look (at least that's my rationalization).

—Glen D. Huey, senior editor

Sometimes Simple is Best -And Most Useful to Readers

Thank you for writing the article *50-cent Band Saw Fence" (April 2008. issue «168).

I'm a beginning woodworker without a great deal of interest in powier tods, but I've come to realize that the band saw isa great tool (I'm tempted to say an essential tool).

I mainly appreciated the article because I perceived that it was the voice of experience on how to use a band saw and what to expect from one. Although your comments might be regarded by some as loo simple for print. I always find such advice to be useful. It gives me information that I need in order to use a tool with confidence. P\V

— Dave Racsidc. via e-mail

Question? Comment? We want to hear from you.

Popolf iVwttwwluix welcomes comments fiom reader* about the magaonc or woodworking in general. at wed at questions on all areas of woodworking. We are more than hippy to shire our woodworking experience with you by answering your questions or adding some clarity to wKitorr aspect of the crafl >ou are unsure aboul, and if you have a comprint, we want lo *kVo> it whenever possible.

Though we racers* a good deal of mail, we try-to respond to all correspondence in a prompt manner. Published correspondence may be edrtetl for length or st)V. All correspondence become* the properly of JtyxiUr ttbcxAsuHLing. Send your questions and comments via e-mail to popwood4rtwpubs.com, or by mail la U-tlen

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