192 Build an Fine Woodworking TAUN TON’S Adirondack chair, p. 54 ADIRONDACK CHAIR GLUE TEST FINISHING REPAIRS DRILL-PRESS TEST FIGURED WOOD CABINET BACKS How strong is your glue? 6 types tested with surprising results How to: Fix finishing mistakes Buy a benchtop drill press Choose and use figured woods Design a cabinet back Use chisels precisely Build a door frame July/August 2007 August 2007 No. 192 U.S. $7.99/Canada $8.99 W192FCf.indd 1 5/10/07 11:29:19 AM FW192ADp2.indd 5/11/07 11:11:09 AM pg 2 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) FLUSH SANDING VERTICAL SANDING SCRIBING EDGE SANDING FW192ADp3.indd 5/11/07 11:10:14 AM pg 3 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) THE BIG IDEA. SMALLER. (Actual Size) Now sanding in tight spaces or unusual orientations is easier than ever. Introducing the most compact belt sander you can buy, the PORTER-CABLE® 371K. It’s the only 21/2˝X14˝ belt sander available. Besides being compact, it has a fl ush side for sanding up to perpendicular surfaces. It also features a low center of gravity for balance, a rubber grip for comfort, and metal components for durability. Find out more about our small wonder at www.porter-cable.com/sanders. READER SERVICE NO. 135 contentsJULY/AUGUST2007 ISSUE192 features 36 How Strong Is COVER STORY Your Glue? We take six types to the breaking point, shattering some common wisdom in the process B Y MARK SCHOFIELD 41 10 Best Fixes for Finishing Mistakes Cures for common problems, and how to prevent them in the first place B Y TERI MASASCHI 48 A Back for Every Cabinet The right choices balance strength, appearance, and efficiency B Y S T E V E L A T T A CENTER-GUIDED 72 DRAWERS Cover photo: Mark Schofield w192CT.indd 4 5/10/07 11:52:09 AM UNDERSTANDING up front 92 WOOD FIGURE 6 On the Web 8 Contributors 10 Letters 14 Methods of Work N Shopmade stand holds carving gouges N Carry sheet goods with ease ADIRONDACK CHAIR 54 20 Tools & Materials N Bosch shop vacuum N Blue Spruce dovetail chisels N Pinnacle honing guide NEW 26 What’s the Difference? Natural vs. synthetic brushes 54 Adirondack Chair Build this comfortable, 28 Fundamentals lightweight version Get the most from your of an American classic bench chisels BY TOM BEGNAL 68 Benchtop TOOL TEST Drill Presses in the back 62 Mitered Molding The best do everything a furniture maker needs 84 Readers Gallery Simplifies BY CHARLIE REINA Traditional Doors 86 Q & A Power-tool technique N Sharpening a curved scraper works for any molding profile 72 Center Guides N Dovetailing a lipped drawer BY LONNIE BIRD for Drawers Shopmade guides 92 A Closer Look ensure smooth action Understanding figure in wood for wide drawers 104 Master Class BY MARK EDMUNDSON Maple-leaf marquetry 78 Elegant NEW 110 How They Did It Veneered Boxes The back cover explained Veneer creates striking Back Cover patterns, yet construction One unreal egg is straightforward BY SETH JANOFSKY BENCHTOP 68 DRILL PRESS TEST FineWoodworking.com w192CT.indd 5 5/10/07 11:52:27 AM onFREE THIS the MONTH ON FineWoodworking.com web Free online extras available June 5 W at www.finewoodworking.com/extras VIDEOS EDITOR Asa Christiana Assembling an Adirondack ART DIRECTOR Michael Pekovich Tom Begnal (“Adirondack Chair”) walks through the MANAGING EDITOR Mark Schofield assembly of this backyard classic and demonstrates beginner’s techniques for cutting the parts. MANAGING EDITOR, ONLINE Matt Berger ASSOCIATE EDITORS Glue Testing Thomas G. Begnal, Steve Scott, Go behind the scenes with Mark Schofield (“How Thomas McKenna, David Heim, Charlie Reina Strong is Your Glue?”) to see how we performed our ASSISTANT EDITOR Anissa Kapsales methodical joint-breaking test. ASSISTANT EDITOR, ONLINE Gina Eide Radial-Arm Drill Presses SENIOR COPY/PRODUCTION EDITOR Liz Healy Charlie Reina (“Benchtop Drill Presses”) reviews two COPY/PRODUCTION EDITOR Julie Risinit more drill presses that offer extra reach and a tilting head, and talks about why you might want one. ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Kelly J. Dunton ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR John Tetreault PROJECT PLAN SHOP MANAGER John White Dead-Flat Assembly Table ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Betsy Engel Build a torsion-box assembly table with plenty of storage below in the first of CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Christian Becksvoort, Gary Rogowski, our exclusive Web-only project series Garrett Hack, Roland Johnson, Steve Latta hosted by FineWoodworking.com’s METHODS OF WORK Jim Richey new contributing editor, Marc Spagnuolo. PUBLISHER Anatole Burkin MARKETING MANAGER Melissa Robinson ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Christina Glennon CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Dennis O’Brien plus: SENIOR SINGLE COPY SALES MANAGER Jay Annis O FURNITURE GALLERY ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Peter Badeau O READER TOOL REVIEWS SENIOR NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER O WOODWORKING BLOGS Linda Abbett Rob Brown Step Tansu NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER John Lagan Peterborough, Ont., Canada Rob Brown Peterborough, Ont., Canada CORPORATE ACCOUNTS MANAGER Judy Caruso SENIOR AD SALES SUPPORT ASSOCIATE members only: Marjorie Brown Become a member for electronic access to 30 years of Fine Woodworking articles, how-to videos, and exclusive Web content. WOODWORKING BOOKS & VIDEOS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Helen Albert VIDEOS Fine Woodworking: (ISSN: 0361-3453) is published Mixed Media bimonthly, with a special seventh issue in the winter, by The Taunton Press, Inc., Newtown, CT 06470-5506. JUNE 18: Avant-garde furniture maker Garry Knox Bennett details Telephone 203-426-8171. Periodicals postage paid at his favorite methods for incorporating steel, aluminum, glass, and Newtown, CT 06470 and at additional mailing offices. GST other non-wood materials in furniture. paid registration #123210981. Subscription Rates: U.S and Canada, $34.95 for one Turn a Windsor Chair Leg year, $59.95 for two years, $83.95 for three years (in JUNE 25: Learn spindle-turning techniques with chair maker U.S. dollars, please). Canadian GST included. Outside Jim Rendi as he demonstrates the step-by-step process U.S and Canada, $41.95 for one year, $73.95 for two years, $104.95 for three years (in U.S. dollars, please). of making a classic Windsor leg. Single copy, $7.99. Single copies outside the U.S. and possessions, $8.99. Postmaster: Send address changes to Fine Woodworking, plus: The Taunton Press, Inc., 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, O CURRENT ISSUE ONLINE Newtown, CT 06470-5506. O ARCHIVES OF 1,200+ ARTICLES, AND PROJECT PLANS Canada Post: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Fine Woodworking, c/o Worldwide Mailers, Inc., 2835 Kew O MORE THAN 250 SKILL-BUILDING VIDEOS Drive, Windsor, ON N8T 3B7, or email to [email protected]. O ASK THE EXPERTS: Peter Gedrys, Gary Rogowski, and more Printed in the USA 6 FINE WOODWORKING W192WC.indd 6 5/9/07 11:17:39 AM W192WC.indd 5/9/07 1:54:51 PM pg 7 - (Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) HOW TO CONTACT US: Fine Woodworking The Taunton Press, 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506 203-426-8171 www.finewoodworking.com Editorial: To contribute an article, give a tip, or ask a question, contact Fine Woodworking at the address above or: Call: 800-309-8955 Fax: 203-270-6753 Email: [email protected] Customer Service: For subscription inquiries, you can: •Visit our subscriber service section at: www.finewoodworking.com •Email us: [email protected] •Call our customer support center: To report an address change, inquire about an order, or solve a problem, call: 800-477-8727 4HE0LASMA#!-MACHINE To subscribe, purchase back issues, MAKESITEASYFORYOU books or videos, or give a gift, call: TOCUTINTRICATEMETAL 800-888-8286 SHAPESTHATREALLY Advertising: ENHANCEYOURWOOD To find out about advertising: PROJECTS Call: 800-309-8954 Email: [email protected] #ALLTODAYFORYOUR &2%%DEMOVIDEO Member Audit Bureau of Circulation TOSEEWHATYOU CANDOWITHTHIS Retail: AMAZINGMACHINE If you’d like to carry Fine Woodworking in your store, call the Taunton Trade Company at: 866-505-4674 (719) 676-2700 • fax (719) 676-2710 • www.plasmacam.com Mailing List: PO Box 19818 • Colorado City, CO 81019 Occasionally we make our subscribers’ names and addresses available to responsible companies whose products or services we READER SERVICE NO. 130 feel may be of some interest to you. Most of our subscribers find this to be a helpful way to learn about useful resources and services. Perfect Joints If you don’t want us to share your name with Smooth other companies, please contact our Customer Performer the easy way Service Department at: 800-477-8727 The Taunton Guarantee: If at any time you’re not completely satisfied with Fine Woodworking, you can cancel your Whatever your project, the WoodRat gives subscription and receive a full and immediate you strong, elegant, well fitting joints. refund of the entire subscription price. No It’s fast, accurate, fun and makes virtually questions asked. 406 Pearl Street, Walnut, IA 51577 1-800-521-5458 any kind of joint without compromise. Unique Planes, Sharpening Jigs & Portable Workbench Get the demo DVD today: $7.00 Copyright 2007 by The Taunton Press, Inc. No reproduction 1-877-WOODRAT www.woodrat.com without permission of The Taunton Press, Inc. www.blumtoolco.com READER SERVICE NO. 104 READER SERVICE NO. 94 JULY/AUGUST 2007 7 contributors Ss I NDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS SINCE 1 9 7 5 TAUNTON, INC. (“Elegant Seth Janofsky Founders, Paul and Jan Roman Veneered Boxes” and Master Class) learned photography at The THE TAUNTON PRESS Cooper Union in New York City. But President Suzanne Roman after a few years of photographing Executive Vice President & documents in the city’s archives, Chief Financial Officer Timothy Rahr he decided to study woodworking Executive Vice President & at the College of the Redwoods Publisher, Magazine Group Jon Miller in California.