Archive for October, 2008
ObjectStorage Chest Plan
This chest was designed to have a dual purpose: firstly (and most obviously) as a storage unit and secondly as a coffee table in a small living room. The shape is very basic, but is the most functional for storing toys and games in.
In order to improve the aesthetic appeal of the chest dovetail joints [...]
Magazine Rack Plan
Building a magazine rack is a relatively easy project that you can complete in a weekend. It doesn’t require much wood so you may even be able to make it out of the odds and ends lying around in your workshop.
Prefinished Plywood – Where To Buy Cabinet Grade Prefinished Plywood
Jack asks, “I am building some cabinets for my kitchen and I am looking for a place to purchase some pre-finished plywood. Thank you.”
I have seen Norm Abrams use prefinished plywood on some of the projects that he built. I think specifically in the dream kitchen series that aired in the spring of 2008. [...]
How To Preserve Family Pictures In A Table Top
Eddie asks, “I want to put pictures i.e. stickers, photos, and other graphics on tables and would like to have a really gloss finish on them without damaging them. What finishing products can be used without damaging the pictures. Also any ideas on where to get graphics. Thank you.”
I have seen some really [...]
What is the difference between pre-stain wood conditioner and a sanding sealer?
Jim writes, “How can you make a pre-stain wood conditioner? How do you make sanding sealer? I know that both are different.”
A pre-stain wood conditioner is used on soft woods like pine, fir, poplar to even out the absorption of the stain. Since softwoods are so porous they will stain unevenly and produce [...]
How To Remove A Whitewash Finish
Regina asks, “I have an oak entertainment center. Its original finish was white wash. I would like to refinish it to match the golden oak color of my kitchen cabinets (as closely as possible). I’m using MinWax golden oak stain, but even after 2 applications, it still looks almost whitewash. Is there a pretreatment [...]
How To Mark / Draw Lines On Dark Wood?
Rose asks, “Where can I purchase a pencil that writes white for marking wood projects?”
Making pencil marks that you can see on dark wood is difficult at best. The problem is that graphite, a.k.a pencil lead, does not show up very well when written on a dark wood. What to do?
Well, I have a [...]
How To Lower The Gloss Of Polyurethane Varnish?
Angele writes, “I just had some wooden shutters installed and the finish is too shiny is there something that can be done to take away some of the shine?”
Polyurethane varnish comes in three different standard luster’s high gloss, semi gloss and satin same as paint does. Unlike paint, the more coats of the varnish that [...]