I was commissioned by a synagogue to build a portable cabinet (“ark”) in which to store and transport a Torah scroll. Cabinet is made of 5/8″ quarter sawn white oak, with an inclined front (5 degrees).
Two inch casters are installed in the rear which only engage when the cabinet is tipped about 12 degrees. Finish is danish oil, spar urethane and wax.
The interesting feature of this piece are the doors, which employ Scott Lewis’ inlay technique from FWW 233. Lewis used it for a cutting board but said he could “also imagine using it on chair backs, box lids, or cabinet doors.” I took up the challenge. My client loves the result, hope you do, too.
Since buidling this, I have been commissioned to build a table top employing the same technique. The glue-up should be quite challenging on a piece of that size, but this smaller project gave me lots of hands-on training.
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Preppin' Weapon
The Preppin' Weapon allows you to use a 1/4 of a sheet of sandpaper, incredibly comfortable to use, and you can switch out sandpaper easily.
This saw performs as well as the others, but its price and inconveniences make it hard to recommend. As far as the positives go, the handle is comfortable to grip. In use, its power switch works for both righties and lefties. However, other ergonomics are OK at best. It’s also another saw with the bevel lock at the back, meaning it’s a reach to get to. The tool has good bevel and miter range. It’s the only worm-drive saw, but I did not notice any difference in cut. The saw cannot sit flush to a wall.
Knife changes on this planer were easy enough, except that you need an Allen wrench to open the dust cover and gain access to the knives, and it’s not the same size as the wrench used to loosen the screws that secure the knives. The 2-1/2-in.-dia. dust port can be reversed for use on either side of the machine. Two material rollers on top of the machine aid with transferring stock from the outfeed side back to the infeed side. Finally, there is no gauge that indicates how much material you’re about to remove, a convenience that three other planers also lack.
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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