Ask the Editor February 2014

Readers like you submit questions to us every day. Here, our woodworking expert George Vondriska answers your questions and offer helpful solutions to your woodworking problems.

Woodworking Question:

“Wondering if you know of a way to break apart joints glued with Gorilla glue. Whoever tried to repair this antique dresser drawer let the glue squeeze out all over and didn’t clamp the joints so one has set up so far apart the drawer won’t fit in the case. I can use a sharp knife to cut out the squeeze out, but how do I get the joints apart? The Gorilla folks say there is no chemical that will break the bond.”

-Joe

Answer

I’m assuming you mean Gorilla’s polyurethane glue, not their wood glue.

It seems like Gorilla Glue would know their own product best, but a little cruising on the web indicates that denatured alcohol or acetone might loosen the hardened glue up. Home centers or paint stores should carry either product. I’d lean toward trying the denatured alcohol first as it’s not as potent as the acetone. If denatured alcohol doesn’t do it, go to the stronger solvent, acetone. In either case, work in a well-ventilated area and be sure to wear the right protective gear.

From what I read it looks like it’s important to allow the solvent to soak in for a while, 10 minutes or so, before trying to remove the glue.

Good luck.


(In reference to Building and Accessorizing a Workbench) Very interesting and informative. Woodworking Question:

“Why didn’t you drill the bench dog holes with a router and 3/4″ straight bit through the template?”

Answer:

Great question. I learned the answer the hard way. My first approach was using a plunge router, ¾” straight bit, template guide bushing and the pattern. Unfortunately, with such a deep plunge in hardwood, it’s A LOT of work for the bit, and just didn’t work. Even with drilling out to 5/8” the router bit didn’t like making the plunge. If the bit chatters even a tiny bit the holes lose their tolerance and the bench dogs won’t work.


Question:

“In Ontario, Canada I have free fallen trees cut down by the city to walk away with . How long is too long to consider fallen wood to be not green enough for re-sawing?. The trees have been down two winters. What tools & blades will do the job?”

Answer

It can take intact trees quite a while to get too dry, but there are lots of “it depends.” The larger the diameter of the tree, the longer it will take to dry. If the bark is still on, the trunk will have dried more slowly. I’ve left logs for a couple years, hoping to get to them later, and once I cut the dried out ends off, they were amazingly wet inside.

To determine if the log is ok, first have a look at the end. It’ll probably be cracked pretty badly. Using a chainsaw cut about 12” off the end. See if the cracks have penetrated to the point where your new cut is. Keep cutting chunks off the end until you get to a point where there aren’t any more cracks. Then use a moisture meter to check the intact wood. Hopefully it’s 25% or higher. You can then start processing the log.

You can rip the log with a chainsaw. It’s best to use a dedicated ripping chain, available from chainsaw suppliers. You can also make the cuts on a bandsaw using the widest blade the saw will handle, 3 TPI (teeth per inch).

Using the search window on WWGOA.com (upper right hand corner) search “logs” and you’ll find quite a bit of info on this topic.

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33 Responses to “Ask the Editor February 2014”

  1. James

    I am trying to do very simple joining of two boards. I just want to run a simple rabitt down the two edges of two boards that are 90 degrees to each other. I always leave about a 1/8th inch gap. I am using a handheld router. What am I doing wrong?

  2. curls

    what is best way to make replacement drawer slides for bottom of wood drawers ?

  3. Loyd Allen

    I used to use a scroll saw to make the ends for Easter baskets. At first, I was using a scroll saw(took too much time). Then I switched to using a router( not pleased with the finished product). A friend suggested using a band saw for faster cutting(using a small band for the intricate cutting). I've been researching band saws and I also studied up on using different scroll saw blades. The wood I'm cutting is scrap plywood from Home Depot 3/4 " thick. My daughters have asked me to increase the number of baskets I make. After all my research, I'm still at a loss on which to choose!! Can you help me?

  4. Charles

    Getting the right table saw blade angle. The drawing calls for 12 pieces cut to 1.5 wide and 3/4 thick, and the angle of the cut is 75 degrees. I have tried several test cuts and cannot find the correct blade angle for 12 pieces. It will end up being a nut canister if I can find the correct blade angle. Thank you, the weekend wood worker

  5. Ian

    I am looking for ideas to have some team turning competitions with 2 to 3 turners in a group. It needs to be a fun day. Can you help me please?

  6. Michael

    I want to build an x style table base for a glass kitchen table top. I am not sure how cut and join the angles or how to join the two pieces together so they form a solid base for the glass top.

  7. chuckperilloux

    Can deft brushing lacquer be thinned and sprayed in a HVLP Spray gun? The can says no thinning or spraying, but I want to know if there is any harm in doing it. Thanks

  8. jgetzler

    When edge joining boards I can't seem to to get the gap out i have a 4" joiner put new knives on set everything up with a mic I till can't get the gap out the boards I am try to joint are 46" long

  9. Marvin

    Early in the Feb. 17 live broadcast the audio was breaking up. The was a comment about a video that talked about making figured maple really pop out when finishing. I couldn't understand the name of the video George said to search for. can you please help. Thank You in advance, Marvin

  10. wing94nut

    George, I watched the video of gluing end boards in a cross joint glue up. Nothing was said about the what looked like a dove tail in the end of the board. Is there a video of how to construct a cutting board with end boards? Is it necessary to use dove tails in this type of glue up. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job I especially liked the work you did with your daughter. I love working with my children as well. Thanks again, Earl Smith wing94nut@gmail.com