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1500 questions
7
votes
6 answers
What finish should I use to make a bowl "microwave-safe"?
I want to give a turned bowl to someone as a gift, but I know they will inevitably use these bowls in the microwave.
From my own experience of force-drying wood in the microwave, I know it can get hot to the touch after about 30 seconds, depending…
nipponese
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7
votes
2 answers
When working with maple, do I need to seal the wood before assembling the furniture?
I am working on building the legs to an adjustable height desk for my home office. And I have purchased Maple wood for this part of the project.
Recently I was discussing this with a coworker and he suggested that the wood needed to be treated with…
Patrick
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7
votes
1 answer
What is the maximum width for a full cross grain glue up?
I realize that every wood species expands and contracts slightly differently, but in general at what width should I consider using a floating breadboard edge detail rather than a full glue-up for perpendicular grain conditions?
I have visited…
Ashlar
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7
votes
1 answer
What are advantages of hide glue and when should I use it?
The majority of all my work has used conventional wood glues with an occasional application of gorilla glue for certain exterior situations. I confess that I know little about hide glue and its application. Can anyone shed some light on how and…
Ashlar
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7
votes
2 answers
How do I know when it is too cold to work outside?
My woodworking has been at a standstill during the winter months. The main reasons for that are
I no longer have stable surfaces to work with since I work outside
I need to wear warm clothing which prevents me from safely using many power tools
As…
Matt
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7
votes
2 answers
Making safe cuts: Sliding miter saw vs Radial-arm saw
In multiple questions (this is one) having to do with sliding miter saws, we have been admonished how to correctly make cuts - to wit: with the motor off, pull the saw outward, push the saw down, turn on the motor, push the saw forward, turn off the…
Ast Pace
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7
votes
3 answers
Wood to use for case holding Lionel train set
I am planning to build a case to hold my old Lionel train set. I have the original cardboard and styrofoam box, which is beat up at this point and I'd like to give the train to my son in a keepsake box.
The total weight of the set is than 10 pounds…
Bren
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7
votes
1 answer
Why is there a progressive reduction in oil for finish/maintenance? Is it necessary?
For oil finishes, such as tung or linseed, it's common to see advice where you apply multiple coats early on, then fewer and fewer coats progressively. For example, a common adage is: "Once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month…
Novice Worker
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7
votes
4 answers
What is the recommended way to mortise melamine particleboard?
I need to cut square holes in some double sided melamine particleboard 3/4 inch thick. Can I use a hollow chisel mortise (drill press style) to make these holes? I could just experiment with this myself but I will be using someone else's equipment…
William Hird
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7
votes
1 answer
Can wood dust cause irritation to other people in the house?
My husband has a lathe and sander set up in our basement where our furnace is. We have a very small, old house and that's the only place it fits. There is no ventilation whatsoever down there so he has a shop vac to suck out all the dust. And he has…
Mtbikelover
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7
votes
2 answers
How to make a recess in a board
I want to make a wood board where I can place my phone in the middle, and the screen of the phone will be flush with the surface of the board. Basically the phone would be recessed inside the board.
For example, if my phone is 10mm thick and my…
Xerxes
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7
votes
2 answers
What part of a cabinet is the "carcass"?
What is a carcass (or carcase)?
Does the term have general usages in woodworking outside of cabinetry?
A cabinet, for example, consider the American style one on the right:
If I remove the doors, face frame, and shelf, am I left with the carcass?…
Jason C
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7
votes
3 answers
Supporting a workpiece during staining / finishing without damaging finish
If I am staining or applying any type of finish to a piece, and have to turn it upside down at some point or set it on something to dry, what can I set it on that won't mark the finish?
A limited selection of failed strategies so far:
Setting on…
Jason C
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7
votes
5 answers
What's the best way to neatly cut a wooden cube in half, removing little material?
I'm in the process of making some wooden block tubing clamps, a bit like these or the one at the bottom of this page.
The blocks are fine, the leather hinge is all sorted and I'm not worried about boring the holes. I am hesitant about the best way…
Chris
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7
votes
4 answers
Help needed to decide between a miter saw or sliding miter saw
I occasionally do some wood project for fun.
I already have a 10” table saw and I have a limited budget to buy a 10” miter saw.
My budget allows me to either buy a Dewalt DW713 or a lower brand sliding miter saw with a laser for the same price.
I…
Allan Xu
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