Marc Spagnuolo's Blog, page 47
October 11, 2017
Crooked Garden Gate
We have a gate on the side of my house that allows access to the backyard. While not a conspicuous gate, I wanted to replace it with something more interesting to look at. The opening for the gate just happens to be out of square, thanks to a rock-faced wall that leans in. In order to make the new gate look right, I’ll have to intentionally build a crooked gate. And if I do my job correctly, no one will ever know it isn’t square.
My local lumber yard didn’t have a great selection of outdoor-friendly species so I decided on white oak. White oak is rot-resistant and dense and should work well enough for this application. There are no plans available for this build because it’s completely customized for my unique space.
I’d like to thank my buddies Matt Cremona and Andy Klein for helping me out with this project. If you want to see Matt’s stool build, click here.
Outdoor Finish
To finish the gate, I decided to use one of the most durable outdoor finishes regimens I know: CPES followed by Epifanes. I’m new to the Colorado climate so I’m anxious to see how this finish holds up.
Products Used
Epifanes Gloss
Epifanes Matte
CPES
Wood Whisperer Thread Taps
Gate Hinges
Titebond III
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October 7, 2017
Must-Have Layout Tools – Friday Live PM!
Tonight we have a bunch of great questions, including someone who wants to know what I consider to be must-have layout tools.
0:30 – Beverages of choice
2:01 – New Patreon Supporters
3:20 – Woodworkers Fighting Cancer 2017 – http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/wfc/
4:57 – Tilt Top Table on sale this week – https://thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/tilt-top-table/
7:20 – WWFC Auctions – https://www.32auctions.com/wfc2017
9:14 – Popular Woodworking Giveaway – https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/book-giveaway-hybrid-woodworking
10:00 – Are there any other projects for the house you haven’t completed yet?
12:05 – Is there a recommended method to sharpen jointer knives?
14:40 – How did you improve your video production quality over the years?
19:30 – What layout tools do you consider essential for furniture making?
25:25 – Whats the difference between push and pull handsaws?
27:33 – What’s your favorite Quentin Tarantino movie?
29:26 – Any issues with planing painted surfaces?
30:46 – Any advice for using a room in your house for finishing?
32:49 – Have the new electric heaters been more or less expensive than you expected?
34:32 – Would you have set your light color temperature different if you were to do it again?
36:36 – Can you recommend a good video for handplane setup? –
38:10 – What is the thickness you can cut veneer when you need to start worrying about wood movement?
39:39 – Jet, Grizzly, or Powermatic?
41:54 – Can you provide feedback on the strap clamps you use to glue up a picture frame? –
44:25 – How many Lowes would Rob Lowe rob, if Rob Lowe would rob Lowes?
44:59 – How do you know when the change the filters on your respirators?
46:52 – What do you consider the hardest part about setting up a new shop?
48:05 – What would your opinion be of a public workshop like a gym?
51:20 – Guild project winner
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October 3, 2017
Resin Cast Memory Frames – WFC2017
For this year’s Woodworker’s Fighting Cancer project, we’re building memory frames. Inside the frame, we’ll use epoxy to create a casting. This space can be used for memorabilia, fun stuff for the kids, or whatever kind of decoration you want. If you need some inspiration, try our new Picture Frames project in the new Free Tier of the Wood Whisperer Guild.
If you build and submit a frame before October 21st 2017, we’ll donate money to the Jimmy Fund on your behalf (one frame per person).
$1 for submitting a photo
$5 for submitting a YouTube Video
$2 for submitting a video or picture to the Giddy App
Giddy is a new social sharing app that allows you to show off your work and participate in challenges with the rest of the community. Download the app and get started!
If you don’t want to build the project, you can always donate directly, participate in our auctions (bid on the Han Solo Frame here!), or buy some sweet WFC gear, all of which benefit the charity.
Products Used:
Envirotex Lite
Ecopoxy – Save 15% using coupon code woodwhisperer
Merle Miter Clamp
Picture Frame Bits
Heat Gun
Rustoleum White Lacquer
Deft Satin Lacquer
Special thanks to Peter Brown for his advice on epoxy castings.
To learn more about the history of this charity event, check out the Woodworkers Fighting Cancer page. And special thanks to our sponsors:
Powermatic
Eagle America/MLCS
Fuji Spray
Very Super Cool Tools
Bell Forest Products
Oneida Air Systems
Giddy
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September 29, 2017
National Coffee Day – Friday Live!
Today we drink coffee and lots of it. We’ll also discuss some woodworking!
1:10 – Free Guild Tier is Live
2:37 – Thread Taps back in stock
3:57 – Cabin property up for sale
5:08 – Gift packages!
7:40 – Can I use the table saw to resaw veneer?
10:25 – Do my planer knives need a micro bevel or a back bevel?
11:54 – Is there a significant difference between loose and integral tenons?
14:57 – What is the best project for a beginner?
17:42 – Is there a difference in quality between the LV and LN low angle jack planes?
19:55 – Roubo guild project sale – 30% off
20:35 – If I’ve never done something before, am I stupid to think I can do something right away?
22:16 – Have you ever ebonized light colored wood? – Deep Red Mahogany Finish
24:36 – Do you have any suggestions or techniques to retain symmetry while power carving?
26:53 – What game have you logged the most hours on?
28:48 – Is a parallelogram jointer worth the extra money?
30:13 – How do you go about deciding on a sheen for a project?
32:02 – Any advice on trimming iron-on edge banding? Check out this video.
32:30 – What’s your thoughts on using non-traditional wood species on a period-inspired piece?
35:08 – What happens when you apply poly over glue that wasn’t fully removed?
36:17 – Any tips on putting hinges on a veneer MDF door?
37:10 – Any suggestions for euro hinges on a big pantry door? Check out this video.
38:25 – Have you ever worked with torrefied wood?
39:54 – Can I use fine wood dust instead of 405 filler with West Systems epoxy?
43:29 – New Patreon supporters
44:12 – WWFC project preview
46:29 – Guild project winner!
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September 27, 2017
Small Woodworking Projects at Local Senior Center
For the last year I’ve been going to the local assisted living facility, pretty much once a week, to guide those interested in small woodworking projects. Sometimes we’ll watch a video on woodworking themes like furniture or violin making.
I try to come up with projects that the seniors can have some hands on participation. To date we’ve made a birdhouse, flag stand for the vets, cribbage board, and trivet. Presently we’re working on a keepsake box/hamster crypt. That was the first time I’ve made dovetails on my Incra.
If anyone has any suggestions for small projects we could make, I’m all ears.
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September 22, 2017
The Only Plane You Need – Friday Live!
Today we’re talking about how useful the Low Angle Jack Plane can be and of course we have plenty of Q&A.
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September 16, 2017
4 Must-Have Router Bits
Today we’re discussing router bits: a good beginner set as well as the difference between up and down-spiral. Of course, we have lots of Q&A topics too.
1:16 – Wood Whisperer Guild Sale – Chest of Drawers – https://thewoodwhispererguild.com/pro...
4:32 – New Patreon Supporters
6:39 – What would you recommend for the best combination of tools to have in the place of a tablesaw?
9:35 – How do I minimize tearout when cutting a rabbet for a glass panel?
11:35 – What joint would you recommend in the place of a lock miter joint?
13:50 – Do you watch any BBQ YouTube videos?
16:02 – Mark’s top 4 must have router bits.
20:37 – Can you explain the differences between up and downcut router bits?
26:10 – If I’m filling a crack on a slab, do I need to use epoxy filler?
30:20 – Will epoxy adhere to finished material or only on bare endgrain (Foot sealer)
31:33 – Anything I can do to minimize dust when making crosscuts on my table saw?
32:49 – What color ankle socks?
35:15 – Any tricks for distinguishing 70’s walnut from teak?
36:47 – What is your worst stupid lesson learned in the shop?
38:38 – What is the project for WWFC?
47:50 – 10 years of free plans – http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/free-...
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September 11, 2017
Nate’s King Sized Bed
After 18 years of sleeping on a basic bed frame with no headboard or footboard, I finally realized that I had a great excuse to dive into a big woodworking project and score some points at the same time. I started the frame during Christmas time when things were slow, expecting to finish for Valentines Day. I barely managed to get done before our anniversary in July!
Cherry and walnut, just like Marc’s original version. I used the new Domino Connectors for the side rails instead of traditional bed frame hardware. The connectors worked out well and really draw the legs and rails together tight. The frame is solid as a rock. I also made the panels a little thicker, with a rabbet around the edge to ride in the grooves. I used Marc’s dimensions for a king size with no adjustments and it fits perfectly around a Sleep Science adjustable base.
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September 9, 2017
Hand-Held Spindle Sander
On this PM edition of Friday Live, I show off my new toy from MLCS and we’ll discuss things like jumpy sanders, letting kids into the shop, and even Nicole’s work history. Here’s the rundown:
2:00 – New Patreon Supporters
2:45 – Wood Whisperer Guild Sale
4:07 – MLCS Hand-Held Spindle Sander Unboxing
7:23 – Marc is quite busy
10:45 – Is there a trick to drilling holdfast holes so they work correctly?
12:58 – What was Nicole’s former occupation?
17:54 – Have you ever bought a new sander and thought it had a mind of it’s own?
20:40 – What material would you use for a Cornhole board?
23:43 – Does having so many eyes on you become a pain to deal with?
25:57 – What are your thoughts on kids in the shop?
27:50 – What could cause a bandsaw to not cut straight even after the Snodgrass method of setup?
31:30 – What makes oscillating sanders so great?
33:50 – If you left Woodtalk would it cease to exist?
34:46 – Any tips for cutting mortises, grooves, and roundovers with a router?
35:53 – Traditional vs. Carbide lathe tools?
38:10 – How do small boxes with solid wood tops get away without a gap for expansion?
39:46 – How would you approach cutting wedges of the kitchen trestle table without a bandsaw?
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September 6, 2017
Protect Your Outdoor Furniture with Epoxy Feet!
Mother Nature always wins. So when you make outdoor furniture you have two choices: commit to a regular maintenance schedule or come to terms with the weathered gray look. Personally, I don’t like the weathered look so I generally try to make my furniture look “new” for as long as possible. An easy thing you can do to help the cause is to prevent moisture from entering into the legs. Usually, those legs result in end grain being in direct contact with the ground which is a recipe for rot, decay, and eventual failure.
This simple trick requires nothing more than epoxy and masking tape. West System Epoxy is expensive, but the 1 gallon size with pumps will last you for many years! The masking tape I use is standard blue painter’s tape.
Of course, this isn’t a cure-all for all outdoor furniture but it’s at least one more layer of defense against Mother Nature’s wrath!
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