July/August 2005

Feature Articles		Page
WIPE-ON FINISH TEST by Chris A. Minick Many perform well, but the winner is the least expensive		32
COFFEE TABLE PUTS JOINERY ON DISPLAY by Kevin Rodel Harmonious details will work in tables of many sizes		38
A BETTER TAPERING JIG by Richard W. Beebe II Adjustability, safety, and ease of use are key elements of this shopmade sled		46
THE VIRTUES OF BLACK WALNUT by Boyd A. Hutchison Long favored by furniture makers, it's beautiful, plentiful, and easy to work		50
CHOOSING SANDPAPER by Scott Gibson For power-sanding, new abrasives are worth the extra cost		54
A LITTLE MASTERPIECE by Randall O'Donnell Block-front document cabinet will challenge your skills		62
BENCHTOP MORTISERS by Roland Johnson Make mortises quickly and easily with these compact, square-hole-drilling machines		68
CONQUERING CROWN MOLDING by Gary M. Katz Accurate measurements, careful cuts, and the right tools make this method fast and flawless		73
HONE YOUR HAND-TOOL SKILLS by Michael Pekovich A handful of exercises develops competence and confidence with chisels, planes, and saws		78
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS		8
METHODS OF WORK Tablesaw fence extension supports plywood sheets; Preventing glue squeeze-out; Improved sanding block		14
NOTES & COMMENT		22
TOOLS & MATERIALS Veritas panel clamps; New router from Festool; Low-cost vacuum press		26
READERS GALLERY A gallery of our readers' woodworking		86
FUNDAMENTALS This humble coping saw comes in handy for many tasks		90
Q & A Improve oak's figure; Keep bandsaw tires clean; Thin stickers lead to mold		96
A CLOSER LOOK Inside sharpening stones		102
MASTER CLASS Tapered sliding dovetails		108
ADVERTISER INDEX		120
FINISH LINE Protect inlay with selective staining		121

Wipe-On Finish Test, Coffee Table Puts Joinery on Display, A Better Tapering Jig, The Virtues of Black Walnut, Choosing Sandpaper, A Little Masterpiece, Benchtop Mortisers, Conquering Crown Molding, Hone Your Hand-Tool Skills