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1500 questions
9
votes
3 answers
Wood grain orientation vs. strength for screws + load
I'm cutting some shelf supports, and am curious which grain direction is optimal for holding a screw + load.
(Of course this is negligible in the given context, but I'd like to know for reference)
I'm a visual thinker so, here:
A:
B:
dpren
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9
votes
3 answers
Is there a better way to make a wand?
I recently decided to make a magic wand with my son as a small project. He's been showing it off a bit (despite being very simple/basic), and now we've been asked to make a bunch more for family/friends.
Before I do, I'd like to know if there's an…
Geobits
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9
votes
1 answer
Should I drain my air compressor after every use?
Someone once told me that I should drain the pressure out of my air compressor once I am done using the tools. Does one really need to do this? Someone once mentioned it had something to do with condensation in the tank, but I'd really like to…
Peter Grace
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9
votes
1 answer
When is it not possible or not practical to use a blade guard?
Many people don't use the blade guards on their saws. Sometimes the reasoning is not very good, such as, "it blocks my view." But there are many very legitimate reasons to remove the blade guard. What types of cuts are difficult, impossible, or…
rob
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9
votes
1 answer
Would a thick riving knife be useful with a dado stack?
As I understand it, a riving knife prevents kickback by keeping the workpiece from pinching or being pushed into the back of the blade.
Pinching the blade is unlikely to happen with non-through cuts, which all dado cuts are, but the workpiece could…
lars
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9
votes
5 answers
How do I secure wheels to a workbench?
As part of my building of a workbench as referenced in this meta post, I attached some wheels to the bottom of the bench by securing some 2x4x4 blocks to the corner of each foot. Over time, the wheels sagged and eventually one of the blocks ripped…
Peter Grace
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9
votes
5 answers
How to finish a branch to keep the bark (partially) on?
My son found a nice thick branch that I want to turn into a walking stick for him. Unfortunately, I can't tell what kind of wood it is exactly. The bark is still partially on and doesn't seem loose.
How do I treat and finish it, so that the bark…
SQB
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9
votes
2 answers
Best method to stain the "side" of a project
I wasn't sure how to stain the 1" side of my desktop (an 80x30x1" red oak panel), so I thought painter's tape would be a good idea to only stain half at a time. (Half while doing the "bottom" of the table, then tape other side and do the "top")
This…
Jason Cavanaugh
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9
votes
2 answers
Are there any extra considerations to gluing pressure treated lumber?
I am in the process of designing a floating raft, which will be built out of pressure treated lumber. There are various elements I would like create from gluing together some smaller boards rather than purchasing more expensive, larger stock.
Does…
whatsisname
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9
votes
1 answer
Is this ostrichwood?
The lady at the lumber dealer said this was ostrichwood. Is she pulling my leg?
gnicko
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9
votes
2 answers
Wood glue curing vs drying time
The glue I’m using says it dries in an hour but cures in 24 hours. What is the difference and is there benefit in leaving clamps on for the full 24 hours? Assume strength is important.
Richard Watson
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9
votes
2 answers
Which edge of the plane's mouth should I file if I want to open it up?
I have replaced the cutting iron on a Stanley #4 hand plane (edit:
because the old one was kaputt, not by vanity). The replacement blade I got from LV is thicker, at 3.8mm vs the 2.0mm of the old one. The mouth is now too small to allow the new…
ww_init_js
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8
votes
4 answers
Building A Table - Help With Wood Selection and Joints
I am wanting to build a table that will hold a Large Big Green Egg grill. I've created a mock up using SketchUp (Just learned how to use it today, so it is kind of rough)
My design is based on a youtube video I saw and it looked like the video used…
DrGorilla
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8
votes
2 answers
Why thread both ends of a pipe for a pipe clamp?
I recently purchased Pony Pipe Clamps (#50 - 3/4 pipe). In the instructions, they suggest to mount them on a pipe threaded at both ends. My pipes are threaded at one end only. I'm wondering what are the advantages to thread both ends. Is this…
Maxime Morin
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8
votes
2 answers
Tear out when plate making w/ a router
Material is hard maple, though this happens a little bit with cherry and not at all with walnut.
I've been making plates with my router, and with almost 100% consistency I end up having to spend time heavily sanding these inside edges. I thought…
Stephen
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