Ask a Woodworker

1. I recently edge joined oak boards so I can make an entertainment center. This is the first time for me in regards to gluing up boards for a project. Until now, I have used laminated plywood.
   
   I used a jointer and the boards glued nicely, however, there was a very, very, small lip in places were the boards were not quite level. I bought a small 3 inch block plane to remove the high spots. When I tried the plane, it gouged my wood and left deep scratches in the face of the boards. I adjusted the blade numerous time but could not get it to work well.
   
   Am I using the wrong plane for this type of application? Should I just sand the high spots next time?
   
   
2. Is there any advantage in adjusting the blade height based on the thickness of the wood being cut or just keeping the blades height to it's max?
   
   
3. I recently got at auction a Skil 7 1/2 worm drive circular saw. The gear case seems to need oil. Any info on what type of oil is generally used would be appreciated.
   
   
4. When filling holes in wood using stainable glue and saw dust should you use a tooth pick to apply glue sprinkle on saw dust press saw dust in with finger, let dry, sand, then repeat again and again until level?
   
   
5. I have purchased a kitchen cabinet made of unfinished pine and I would like to know what polyurethane to use so the cabinet will match the yellow of the other cabinets that were done appox: 20 years ago?
   
   
6. Hello, I'm a first time scroll saw user. What causes the hanging up or slapping in the middle of a cut? Blade, machine or something I'm doing wrong?
   
   
7. Hi, I've read several of your answers on line, and have a question. I have a modest shop, space isnt an issue, I have a tablesaw, but can only rip up to 2". I would like to be able to rip up to 4 inches (or even slightly more if possible). Whats the best tool for ripping? I was thinking about a large radial arm, setting the blade sideways to the normal direction. Or would a huge tablesaw be better? I am making furniture out of small logs, and some of these 4" logs need to be ripped in half.
   
   
8. I am exploring the possibility of building my own kitchen and have been looking at carcase designs for both face frame and frameless cabinets. Regardless of the approach, cabinet sides are always built of solid plywood/MDF. Is this a requirement for structural support or is it possible to build the sides with a rail and stile panel? In particular, will a rail and stile panel provide the strength needed to support upper cabinets or do I apply a rail and stile panel after construction for aesthetic reasons only?
   
   
9. I am a beginning wood carver and have a stockpile of pine to practice on. My problem is that the wood is cracking ecspecially on my projects. Is there something I can do to pretreat the wood to stop cracks and something to fix the current cracks?
   
   
10. We have a HUGE multi-trunked silver maple on our property that we need to cut down. There is so much wood in that tree -- we want to put to some good use if possible. So, far I've found little info that looks promising for this type of wood. We'd love to use it to make a big country kitchen table or for beams in a building, or something substantial if possible. Seems like silver maple has bad properties for things like this. Is there any hope of using it for something along these lines or should it end up in the woodpile?
    
    
11. I'm a wood carver and there were white worms in the cypress wood. Under the bark and boring holes in to it. Do you know their name and what to use to get rid of them?
    
    
12. I am building a block plane in my workshop, the plans were featured in Shopnotes No. 79. The plans call for me to cut the shape of the plane out of 1/8" flat brass stock with a bandsaw. It does not however tell me I need to use a metal blade or a special blade for this. Is it ok for me to use a 3/8 in bandsaw blade on metal?
    
    
13. Can I use a regular finish nailer (Dewalt 51275) to install tongue and groove flooring or do have to rent a flooring nailer? Isn't it all about getting the nail in at a 45 degree angle?
    
    
14. I recently glued oak boards together. One section was 25 3/4" wide by 42" long. This section was made of about 10 boards and held together with cheaper clamps. The problem is the end boards curled up and made and therefore I have a warped board. The second section was 22"wide by 32"long and held together by expensive clamps. This section is flat. Will cheap clamps result in warped boards or did I possibly glue them up wrong?
    
    
15. My new amateur shop is in my attic. Tonight it is 14 degrees farenheit up there. My table saw seems to have more trouble ripping a piece of oak. Is it a bad idea to try and cut wood at this temperature? Is it because of the function of the saw or the characteristic of the wood?
    
    
16. What is the correct/best way to drill holes for dowels on the same angle? I don't want to spend a lot of money on some elaborate jig. Is there a method of accomplishing this?
    
    
17. I have a 1952 Powermatic 24" planer. I need to know how the blade height is determined after the blades have been sharpened. Is there a jig available or a measuring technique that needs to be employed?
    
    
18. I recently edge joined oak boards so I can make an entertainment center. I used a jointer and the boards glued nicely, however, there was a very, very, small lip in places were the boards were not quite level. I bought a small 3 inch block plane to remove the high spots. When I tried the plane, it gouged my wood and left deep scratches in the face of the boards. I adjusted the blade numerous time but could not get it to work well. Am I using the wrong plane for this type of application? Should I just sand the high spots next time?
    
    
19. Two years ago during construction of a new garage/loft I installed a 33 foot glue-lam beam (approx. 20 2x6's sandwiched together). Before I could get a roof on the structure we had a couple of early rain storms which stained the beam with dirty streaks. I quickly got the building weather tight and haven't thought much about it until now. I'm finally getting around to the interior of the building and have started trying to clean up the beam as it will be a show piece of the room. Getting out the dirty rain streaks is proving very difficult. So far I've tried cleaning with TSP and using a palm sander with 60 grit paper and I can get it out but it's taking me roughly an hour and several sheets of paper to get one foot and I have to do both sides of the beam-almost 70 feet. Is just the inherent hardness of a glue-lam that's causing me trouble? Any suggestions on how to clean up the beam more easily? And once it is clean, what to you suggest as a finish?
    
    
20. I am looking for information on the process for cutting kerfs in order to bend wood trim on a radius?
    
    
21. I am making a 6 ft diameter 1 inch thick round table out of cypress and would like your advise on the size of pedestals I should have. Is it better to have two pedestals, or will one large one be sufficient?
    
    
22. I was just wondering out of all the wood in the world, which type would you suggest as the most expensive to buy?
    
    
23. I'm making a project from timber that I got from a neighbor (storm damage). The wood looks good but has some bugs in it. Is there any way of getting the bugs out of the wood without using harsh chemicals?
    
    
24. I recently bought my first router, and after carefully reading the instructions I began making a few practice cuts. I was using a straight 1/2" bit, cutting 1/8" deep grooves that are about 8" long into some birch plywood. The cuts were coming out fairly smooth. Near the end of the fourth cut, one of the cutting edges broke off of the router bit. Did I do something wrong, or was this a defective (Craftsman) bit?
    
    
25. I have a project that involves cutting oval shapes (and some more smaller radius curves) in hardwood. The larger ovals are 4" x 7" and the smallest radial cuts are about 1/2". I am considering a scroll saw, but I'm concerned that the blades are too fine - it looks like the scroll saw's specialty is cutting extremely thin wood in very intricate ways. A band saw, on the other hand doesn't seem like it will work with the tighter curves in my design. I'm looking at an expensive scroll saw (Dewalt) and I don't want to get it and find out that the blades aren't up to the job or that it's extremely slow. I've been using a handheld jigsaw, but I find that the blade often bends to the outside of the curve - instead of staying perfectly upright. I need the 90 degree angle for my design.
    
    
26. Do you know where a person could find plans for an upholstered kitchen booth with storage under the seats?
    
    
27. I have built some bedside tables and a pair of book shelves with cypress. I applied a stain and a wash and am pleased with the finish but I have applied the first coat of polyurethane and it seems to be taking a while to dry. Is there something about cypress that would be delaying the drying time?
    
    
28. I am trying to find out the correct procedure to make a dutchman. I have a project that needs to be patched and would like to try this technique. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
    
    
29. I am planning on making some outdoor planters using Cypress Wood. Do I have to use any special glue for the Cypress Wood or is any good outdoor glue OK to use?
    
    
30. I applied stain to a piece of furniture and it came out too dark. I think that the stain is the correct color. It may just be too much. What is the best way to remove some of the stain?
    
    
31. I am looking at purchasing a small benchtop drill press. I am uncertain what is meant by the 10" or 12" distinguishments of various drills. What does this number mean?
    
    
32. I'm in the process of looking to purchase an entertainment center. However, I have seen a unit made of maple wood and one made of oak, and I am hoping you can tell me which wood is a better quality wood. Which is a more expensive wood the maple or pine?
    
    
33. I finished a cherry magazine rack I made with a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine. The first two applications dried normally. The third application is soft and sticky although it has been drying for four months. What can I do to correct the problem?
    
    
34. What is the best way to store walnut boards for a while until I'm ready to use it?
    
    
35. I've got an almost new circular saw and the blade guard keeps sticking open. I've already cut through the power cord, I'd hate to cut any body parts off. I read the manual again and I don't see any special procedures or lubrication that has to be done – 'am I doing something wrong?
    
    
36. I am in the market for a pneumatic fastening device but I am not sure which would be best for my woodworking projects. Can you advise me about the functional differences between a brad nailer, a finish nailer, and a stapler? Is one of these more beneficial or desireable than the others for woodworking applications?
    
    
37. I was shopping for wood stain and saw something called jaco bean. Stain colors always seemed to be logical (i.e. red oak, honey pine, golden oak, etc.). I grew up on a farm and I never heard of a jaco bean--what is it? What color is it?I really could not tell from the label.
    
    
38. What causes snipe when using the jointer, and how do you correct it?
    
    
39. I recently came by some 50 year old cherry rough sawn into 10-11 inch boards. Even though the wood appears quite solid, once it's planed to a finished surface many tiny worm holes have appeared. For furniture making how much of this can shown and how much is just considered "distressed"? Do I have options in how I can use the wood?
    
    
40. I'm refinishing the exterior front door on an old farm house – I'm confused on my options – any suggestions?
    
    
41. What size drill bit do I use for a wood screw?
    
    
42. I'm making some toy cars for the grand kids, what type of finish do I use that its non-toxic?
    
    
43. How do I get started in woodworking?
    
    
44. Should I buy a table saw or a radial arm saw?