On the cover of the February issue is Jim Tolpin's Standing Desk - 18th-cenutry style that appeals to 21st-century doctors' directives to not sit around all day. And if you build it using only hand tools as the author does, you'll burn a few more calories on the front end, too.
In "Why Portable Planers are Better," Christopher Schwarz argues that bigger - as in a 20? helix-head monster planer - is not always better. The flexibility and size of a "lunchbox planer" is likely perfect for your shop (unless you build a lot of really large tables, or have a lot of extra floor space).
Mario Rodriguez (with a technique assist from Freddy Roman and a jig assist from Frank Vucolo) teaches you how to make three classic Federal-style bandings in your shop, with techniques you can adapt to many designs so you'll never again be limited by what's available commercially.
You have to look closely to see the work of toolmaker Marco Terenzi - that's because it's really small. Prepare for amazement as you take a look at this young maker's fully-functional scale-model tools.
In "Bow Shelves," you'll discover from Bruce Winterbon how mathematical equations can be translated into graceful curves that hand delicately on the wall. But if math isn't your forte, turn to Raney Nelson's "Nice Curves, No Math" for three ways to lay out similar curves for the same shelves.
In "Tool Test," you'll read about a shockingly affordable (and good) 10? miter saw from Craftsman, EZ Pinch Sticks and a barrel-grip battery-powered jigsaw from Bosch.
In "Arts & Mysteries," Peter Follansbee argues that no matter how fancy your furniture, it's meant to be used; Bob Flexner teaches you how to make the perfect sanding block in "Flexner on Finishing;" George Walker disucsses the underlying language of craft in "Design Matters;" in "End Grain," Brad Rubin writes about respect for tools as taught by Toshio Odate; and more.
In "Why Portable Planers are Better," Christopher Schwarz argues that bigger - as in a 20? helix-head monster planer - is not always better. The flexibility and size of a "lunchbox planer" is likely perfect for your shop (unless you build a lot of really large tables, or have a lot of extra floor space).
Mario Rodriguez (with a technique assist from Freddy Roman and a jig assist from Frank Vucolo) teaches you how to make three classic Federal-style bandings in your shop, with techniques you can adapt to many designs so you'll never again be limited by what's available commercially.
You have to look closely to see the work of toolmaker Marco Terenzi - that's because it's really small. Prepare for amazement as you take a look at this young maker's fully-functional scale-model tools.
In "Bow Shelves," you'll discover from Bruce Winterbon how mathematical equations can be translated into graceful curves that hand delicately on the wall. But if math isn't your forte, turn to Raney Nelson's "Nice Curves, No Math" for three ways to lay out similar curves for the same shelves.
In "Tool Test," you'll read about a shockingly affordable (and good) 10? miter saw from Craftsman, EZ Pinch Sticks and a barrel-grip battery-powered jigsaw from Bosch.
In "Arts & Mysteries," Peter Follansbee argues that no matter how fancy your furniture, it's meant to be used; Bob Flexner teaches you how to make the perfect sanding block in "Flexner on Finishing;" George Walker disucsses the underlying language of craft in "Design Matters;" in "End Grain," Brad Rubin writes about respect for tools as taught by Toshio Odate; and more.