Blog | Page 17 | WoodWorkers Guild of America

Ask WWGOA: Laying Out Cuts on Sheet Stock for Optimal Yield

March 23, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: I am looking for a way to determine how to most efficiently cut work pieces from 4 x 8 plywood. Is there a service available on the Internet to help me optimize my sheet stock? Submitted by Maurie1 Answer: What you’re looking for is called optimization software. With this type of software you can…

Ask WWGOA: How to Plane Small Pieces of Wood

March 16, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: I’d like to plane some short pieces of 3/4″ x 1.515″ (approx) x 3.5″ long poplar. I am afraid the rollers won’t keep feeding the wood and I will get a large dwell mark, and I may possibly damage my new DV735 machine. Submitted by Jcoleman001 Answer: You’re right. The limiting factor in board…

Ask WWGOA: Do Built-Ins Add Value to Your Home?

March 12, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: I like built-ins; window seats, quality shelving and the like. Do these things add or take away from the sale value of a home? Is there a minimum standard: good, better, best for finish vs. paint? Submitted by lpage Answer: I like adding my own woodworking projects to our home, but I’m not the…

Ask WWGOA: SawStop Power Connections

February 26, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: On SawStop’s website, they say that the SawStop cabinet saw must be wired directly into the shop power according to NEC. As I: 1) like to (must) move my saw and 2) always unplug it when I’m working on it, that seems odd to me. On your video, “Essential Woodworking Techniques,” you unplug the…

How to Remove Rust from Table Saws

February 25, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Shop Tips, Skill Building, Woodworking Q & A.

“I am looking at a used 10″ table saw to replace my very old one. The top has a light coating of rust from just sitting in the garage. How is the best way to remove it, if possible?” Submitted by: brandenbergs WWGOA Editor Response: I’ve had great luck getting surface rust off tools using…

Cutting Across the Grain and Getting a Smooth Cut

February 24, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Shop Tips, Skill Building, Woodworking Q & A.

“How can I cut across grain on OAK plywood and get a smooth cut? I used a brand new Freud Diablo 40-tooth circular saw blade and it chipped out on the cut. Please help.” Submitted by: lpribyl WWGOA Editor Response: There are a handful of tricks you can try for cutting across the grain. First,…

Cleaning Your Table Saw Top

January 30, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Shop Tips, Skill Building, Woodworking Q & A.

“How do you keep your table saw so shiny? I use tool spray, but it leaves the cast iron top foggy looking. Do you recommend a wax instead?” Submitted by: John WWGOA Editor Response: There are a number of good products on the market that will protect your tools. Wax is fine, but I’m too…

Ask WWGOA: Framing Spikes

January 13, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Woodworking Q & A.

Question: What are framing spikes? The bench plans I have call for framing in of the bench base by assembling “them with the framing spikes as shown above.” I see no spikes in the picture. Thanks for your help. Submitted by T. Welsh Answer: Back when I was building houses, we called 16D nails, used…

Preventing Freezables from Freezing in a Cold Shop

January 6, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Shop Tips, Skill Building, Woodworking Q & A.

“Do you have any suggestions about how to keep the water bath for my water stones from freezing in my shop during cold nights? I heat the shop only when I am working, so it gets below freezing some nights. I have brought the stones indoors for now, but this is very inconvenient. I have…

How to Price Projects

January 2, 2009 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Shop Tips, Skill Building, Woodworking Q & A.

“What is a fair guideline when charging for projects to sell or building a small cabinet for someone? What is reasonable when considering cost of material and labor? Do you mark up the cost of material? What is a fair labor rate?” Submitted by: D. Bender Projects you might be interested in: How to Make…