Woodworker's Journal eZine - From America's Leading Woodworking Authority

Keep it Moving!

Rob-Portrait As you click through the pages of the eZine this time out, you may notice a theme of sorts. Wooden bicycles and carved motorcycles -- transportation hits the woodshop. For me, transportation in the shop has a more plebeian orientation: I put everything I can in my shop on wheels. Casters are the gift that keeps on giving, in my opinion. My benchtop planer? On casters. My chop saw? On a cart — with casters. Table saw, band saw, lathe, bigger band saw, planer/jointer combo tool — all on casters.

That's just how I roll.

I admit, my addiction to all things casters may be a bit of overkill. I do tend to run an idea right into the ground. (My rolling lumber rack … turned out to be just a bit too big to actually roll.) So what about you? Are you going mobile in your shop or are you firmly planted to the ground? As always, your feedback will be shared with the gang.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker's Journal

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This reader-submitted coffee table features hand-made joinery and a clever use of tile for the tabletop. I wanted to share this project that I'm so proud of: a custom built coffee table with marble stone tiles on top. To use stone tiles for the top of a table is a great way to give furniture [...]

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Downloadable Plans

ONLY $1.00!

Folding Deck Table

The design of this deck table is based on an idea that's been used for everything from stools to small tables. As a side table for your barbecue grill, an extra serving table in the dining room, or in some other capacity, this little fold-away table will find many uses.

Gumball Machine

As woodworking plans go, this is one that invites creativity. To keep the plan simple, the designer included just a simple wedge and chute along the gumball path, but there is plenty of room to innovate.

Santa Fe Bench

Well-designed, well-constructed furniture in the Santa Fe style can be a pleasant break from both traditional and modern furniture styles. Our Santa Fe style bench, made entirely of pine, utilizes the classic pegged, through mortise-and-tenon joint. Its brightly painted finish makes this a piece that one decorates a room around.

Shop-Built Spindle Sander

The availability of inexpensive sanding drums has made possible the construction of low-cost shop-built spindle sanders. Our design takes the simple motor-in-a-box spindle sander one step further. Its adjustable table and replaceable insert enable the owner to use any number of different size and design sanding drums, from shaft type to threaded.