Headerboard and footboard for a three-quarter bed built for couple who hired my services after failing to find something suitable in stores because of the unusual size (48″ wide). The most interesting aspect of this built was the design phase. The customers provided a picture of a bed similar to what ended up being built but more rectilinear, and painted white. They wanted the same design in solid wood, stained to match an existing dresser in their little girl’s room. I explained that such massive pieces would feel much less feminine and suggested going with more curves and adding flower appliqués. They obviously took me up on the suggestion. The exact shape of the top of the legs was not determined until I got to the dry fit. At that point I realized that repeating the pattern of the top rail would look nice.
The headboard and footboard are made from solid birch using mortise and tenon joinery. The appliqués are store bought. Finish is a waterborne acrylic lacquer over a couple seal coats of shellac (Zinsser’s SealCoat) over a custom mix of water-based stains.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Festool Model KS 120 REB Miter Saw
Sliding compound miter saws have become a woodshop staple. Their ability to squarely crosscut wide boards and to cut difficult miter and bevel angles is huge. Festool’s Kapex KS 120 REB fulfills these duties with aplomb. The design keeps the saw close to the wall, allowing for a small footprint. The cut is rigid and precise provided you use good technique. It accepts 20mm blades, about 10 1⁄4 in. Its maximum width of cut is 12 in..
- Fair stock removal and dust collection - Thanks to a scoop in the dust port, there’s plenty of room to grip around the waist, even when attached to a shop vacuum - Handles smoothly
The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.
New Generation LED digital tube display. 3 vacuum run modes. Adjustable vacuum startup and shutdown time in vacuum auto mode. Controller, tool and vacuum run LED indicator. All controller designs make your work more intelligent, convenient and safe.
Bosch has produced another quality miter saw. It not only fits tight to the wall; it also has the shortest distance to the miter lock. The saw’s generous miter range is complemented by its large selection of miter detents. However, it falls short in a few areas. The handle is nicely ambidextrous, but its large size may make it cumbersome for all but large hands. I also found the miter and bevel controls, including their locks, stiff. The saw is the only model in the field with no light, either an LED or laser.
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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