Innholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2025 i Popular Woodworking

Skunk Tool Works No. 444 am As a rule of thumb, if something doesn’t have multiple uses in my shop, I don’t generally keep it around. That even goes for hand tools. The new No. 444 dovetail marker from Skunk Tool Works is an adjustable dovetail marker that covers the gamut of commonly used dovetail angles and eliminates having and storing several different dovetail markers. The No. 444 is adjusted via a knurled knob on the front of the marker. When you loosen the knob, you can slide it up or down to adjust the angle. There are two stainless steel blades that move along the out-side edge of the marker (you can see them poking out on the right hand side of the dovetail marker). The thin blades allow…

There are several machines that come up as “shop necessities”. Table saws, jointers, planers, and band saws are the most common ones. In my opinion, there’s a new class of machine that needs to be talked about more than it is, and that is joinery machines. These are machines that are designed to help you cut joinery in your shop, generally powered by a router. In this article, I’m going to focus on two different machines—the PantoRouter (PantoRouter) and the Multi-Router (Woodpeckers). One could argue that the Shaper Origin is a similar tool, and I wouldn’t dis-agree. However, I believe that’s in a separate class, and am not going to look at that here. I also want to point out that I’m not directly comparing pros and cons of each…

The world of finishes is a complex one. When I find a finish I like, I tend to stick with it. For the last several years, I’ve relied pretty heavily on both acrylic enamel and General Finishes milk paint when a project needs a bit of color. Over the last several years however, a very old type of paint has made a resurgence—linseed oil paint. About a year ago, I ordered several flavors of Allbäck linseed oil paint from SageRestoration.com. This paint has very quickly become my favorite colored finish, but it requires a different approach than water-based paint. Now let’s pump the brakes before I start talking up linseed paint, and get a little background info on the painting landscape. Prior to the 1920’s or so, linseed oil paint…

Before you’re ready to lift a single hammer or cut a single board, you’re going to want to understand the impact of safety in the shop. Accidents can happen to anyone, even the most careful of us out there, so taking the appropriate precautions can mean the difference between losing a fingertip and a whole hand. Not to mention the long-term health complications that can arise from poor use of protective equipment. While this guide on PPE is far from comprehensive, it’s a good start to a long, healthy life of woodworking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) PPE is the first line of defense in the shop. You should always be protecting your eyes, ears, and lungs while woodworking. You may not see it all the time in photos in the…

No matter what type of paint you’re using, having a good foundation is key. The ability of paint to hide imperfections or flaws (such as knots or nail holes) is predicated on having a smooth surface. For little blemishes like these, I like to use a good water-soluble filler. For years, Durham’s has been a go-to for filling, and I like the fact that it’s simple to use. The powder is simply mixed with water—there’s no formula here. Just add water until it’s the consistency you want. I aim for peanut butter. With Durham’s, it actually swells a little bit, so I will smear it flat into the holes. As it cures, the filler will change colors. Durham’s is hard, so I use a flat sanding block to keep surfaces…

Sometimes, the universe has a way of connecting the dots, whether you’re looking for it to or not. Back before the last Handworks Tool Show in the Amana Colonies, I was browsing some of the Facebook groups, seeing who was attending. Someone, and I apologize—I can’t recall who, mentioned that there was a last minute addition to the show, a company called Ironbark Toolworks. I recall seeing it, but I didn’t pay much attention, as there’s a lot of small tool makers that pop up once or twice and disappear. Little did I know that I would cross paths with Devon Campbell from Ironbark Toolworks, and want to share his story. Tools From Down Under Devon Campbell, the founder and owner of Ironbark Toolworks, started manufacturing and selling tools in…