Manor built this reproduction 17th-century Ming Dynasty recessed-leg side table and accompanying chair to keep his woodworking skills sharp. Patterned after a piece that he had seen at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the table is made of jatoba and finished with a sprayed semi-gloss lacquer. The chair is constructed of jatoba, bird’s-eye maple, and curly maple and has a hand-rubbed tung-oil finish.
Photo: Dale Manor
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
DeWalt 735X Planer
The DeWalt 735X produced two faces perfectly parallel to one another, with surfaces far superior to what the other machines produced, thanks to its two feed speeds. At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy, with spacious access to the cutterhead from the top and a gib screw wrench that doubles as a magnetic lift to remove the knives. The 735X also has great dust collection, thanks to an internal blower that helps evacuate chips. The port has a 2-1/2-in.-dia. opening, but has a built-in adapter for 4-in.-dia. hoses. My only complaint is the location of the dust port. It’s on the outfeed side of the machine, and exits straight back. If you don’t pull the hose to the side, it interferes with material as it leaves the machine. The top is large and flat, so it’s a great place to set material in between passes through the machine.
- Detects dust levels to adjust fan speed - Filter life is monitored and displayed on tilted LED display panel - Bright LED display shows filter life, speed, and timer settings - LED Display is angled for easier viewing when ceiling mounted - Timer can be set up to 16 hours - Automatic air quality sensor adjusts the six speeds based on air quality - Two-Filter system with air diffuser that disperses air into a broader pattern - Captures particles down to 1 micron - LED notification of filter life updated by sensor
Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X, but it created less tearout than all but one of the other machines (the DeWalt 734 was its equal). Knife changes were quick and easy with the provided T-handle wrench. Dust collection was good, assisted by an internal fan. The 2-1/2-in.-dia. port on the outfeed side of the machine is directed to the side, so the hose is out of the way. The planer’s top is flat and provides a good surface for holding stock between passes.
"If I had to choose one of these hard-wax oils to keep on hand, it would be Osmo Polyx-Oil. It’s relatively affordable and very easy to apply." -Adam Godet
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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