#184–May/June 2006

Articles

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  Build a Pencil-Post Bed

  Figured wood, subtle details, and a rich finish bring charm and elegance to this traditional design
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  The Clearest of Finishes

  Several products will preserve the natural color of wood or paint.
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  Tool Test: 10-in. Cabinet Saws

  Most haven't changed much in a generation, but a few are breaking new ground in safety and convenience
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  Side-Hung Drawer Slides

  Hardwood guides install with relative ease and make for durable, smooth-gliding, sure-stopping drawers
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  An Exercise in Table Design

  Given a common inspiration, three furniture makers create a diversity of designs
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  Build a Fireplace Mantel

  An easy installation begins with a flat foundation
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  Hold Carvings Securely

  A plywood base and simple accessories lock down a variety of pieces in perfect position
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  The Perfect Dovetail

  Turns out that computer scientists have appropriated the term “dovetail” to describe complex calculations that run algorithms, the math that lets us search the Web for information. My analog brain…
• 
  Woodpecker Router Table is a Good Value

  Feature-rich fence and adjustable base make this a good shop addition
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  Setup Kit for Machines

  Three basic tools will keep your cuts straight, square, and smooth
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  A Joint that Exploits Wood Movement

  Traditional wet/dry joinery uses heat and moisture to strengthen a post-and-rung connection
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  Turn a lidded box

  A time-tested method for turning wooden boxes.
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  Tuning a Spokeshave

  How to set up this classic hand tool for success.
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  Is Low-Density MDF Strong Enough for Shop Cabinets?

  Q: I’m building a series of storage cabinets for my shop. Some (24 in. deep by 30 in. wide by 30 in. tall) will roll on casters and some (10…
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  The Effects of Ammonia Fuming on Ebony

  Q: I plan to fume a quartersawn white oak chair with ammonia to impart a brown color to the wood. I’m using ebony to pin the mortise-and-tenon joints. Will the…
• 
  Enhance Furniture With Crossbanding

  Veneered border enhances many kinds of furniture
• 
  12 Quick Finishing Tips

  This miscellany of shortcuts and inventive techniques will help you improve your finishes.
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  Perfectly Irregular

  A look at the portfolio of California woodworker Michael Cullen

Online Extras

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  Details of a Pencil-Post Bed

  Explore the design and construction details of this reproduction 18th-century classic with a tour by the maker
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  Excerpt: Make a Chair From a Tree

  A look at the process of making traditional greenwood chairs