Page 98 - Learn Woodworking

Woodturners know that dust collection is challenge when working with a lathe. The Dust Right® Lathe Dust Collection System includes several tools to help improve your lathe's dust collection.

Turning tools that feature negative rake cutters make it easier to turn these hard materials. The term negative rake refers to the shape of the cutting angle of the carbide.

Protect your work surface or projects with one of our silicone project mats. These project mats are made from heat-resistant, easy-to-clean silicone, meaning wet glue rinses off and dried glue peels off.

When you shop for woodturning blanks, many of them are coated in wax. Should you scrape off the wax before turning? Leave the wax on the blank?

Bench Cookie Plus work supports feature high-friction rubber pads to hold your project rock-steady while sawing, sanding, or routing without the use of clamps.

Everybody agrees that masterful woodcraft comes at a price, what that price should be is the subject of a lot of debate. Have you ever wondered what to charge for something you made? Virtually every handmade product has a “right price.” Charge more and it won’t sell; charge less and you’re losing money.

A gazebo is a nice finishing touch to any backyard, providing a new vantage point from which to enjoy your gardens and a focal point when looking at your landscaping. Gazebos also provide shade from the sun and shelter from rain, giving you more hours to enjoy the outdoors. The only drawback — especially for gazebos in the classic octagonal style — is that they are complicated to build and expensive to buy.

If you have a dust collection system in your shop, you may think you’re in complete control of your workshop dust situation. In reality, you’re only half way there. Unfortunately, dust collection systems don’t often do a very good job with the most pernicious aspect of the dust control problem: fine dust particles. And many actually make matters worse by letting minute particles of dust pass through their filter.

The Rockler catalog, in print since 1954, has circulated hundreds of editions, but none more fun than our collection of whimsical covers. The idea behind them was to create an alternate, fictitious origin of the products they depict. Based on hand-drawn illustrations by creative professionals, they bring an extra light-hearted energy to some of our signature products. We hope you stop and enjoy some of these hand-crafted pieces as much as we enjoyed creating them. And of course, we need to ask, “Which one is your favorite?”

Woodworkers Journal Senior art director Jeff Jacobson designed the jig that makes this Continuous Grain Taco Holder both safe and easy to rout, and he has been hoping to fit this project into the magazine for at least a year. His wish is now coming true — and for good reason: it’s a quick and fun novelty you can make for those upcoming holiday parties or south-of-the-border meals.

A kitchen island can make a very nice upgrade to your home, adding both utility and value. If you have the room for it, an island like the one I’ve built here can even improve the efficiency of your cooking workflow, not to mention adding a cozy place for two people to sit and enjoy a meal.