Woodworker's Journal 2002-26-3, страница 30

Great care must be used when routing around the ends of a template. The end grain is susceptible to fracturing (as shown in the illustration at right) and rushing a cut can ruin your piece.

A flush-trimming, bearing-guided router bit follows the shape of the template exactly.

Deadly Combo: Router Bits and End Grain

Using a flush-trimming, bearing-guided router bit to cut across end grain can lead to big trouble. Limiting the depth of the cut (thus reducing the penetration of the cutter's blade) will greatly reduce your chance of splitting the wood.

ider hey ing, hair iible rew ;rto the the ) be the a ...

Putting it All Together

If you have two drill/drivers, get them ready. First make a 7/8" x 7/8" x 20" spacer. Start attaching the seat and back slats as shown in the Elevation Drawings at left, and use the spacer to locate each successive slat. Drill a pilot hole with the first drill and then drive it home with the second. When you place the final seat slat, use the spacer again to locate the seat cleat. Make sure you square up the assembly before you drive these screws home. Simple as pie. When you've placed the last back slat, you need to go to the Elevation Drawings once more to locate the backrest cleats.

Plug the screw holes (use a water resistant glue), and after the glue has cured, give the chair assemblies a complete sanding. You are almost ready to sit back and make yourself comfortable.

Finish and Upkeep

I thought through a few finishing options for my chairs, but settled on an easily applied outdoor oil finish. I think an exterior grade polyurethane or spar varnish would look great on these white oak beauties ... but it would scratch and chip with the use I had in mind for them. I like the oil for many reasons: it is easy to get into nooks and crannies formed by the slats and cleats, it looks great and, most important to me, it is simple to touch up and renew. You will need to reapply the finish on any piece of outdoor furniture, and oil is the easiest way to go, in my opinion. A good cleaning and then

a quick rubdown with a coat of oil, and your chairs will be ready for another season of outdoor adventures. Whether that would include a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area or setting them up in your outdoor Brew Area, is entirely up to you. J&

Sturdy and comfortable, these chairs nest together and are easy to store and tote. You can be sure Rick White will be testing his latest project after a long day of walleye fishing.