Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2025 i Popular Woodworking

Sitting here in July of 2025, I think it’s safe to say that the world is in an interesting state. There are plenty of issues at hand that may or may not affect you. So, is it just a coincidence that this issue of the magazine has some (roundabout) reach outside North America? It wasn’t planned that way, but I don’t really believe in coincidences. As you thumb through this issue, one of the articles offers an inside look at tool manufacturing in China. The photo above is of myself and two of my travel companions on the trip to visit the manufacturer. It’s probably not what you expect—at least, it wasn’t what I anticipated. I have gained a newfound respect and appreciation for the manufacturing industry in Asia. Later…

Remove Spilled Candle Wax After our last family birthday party I spent an hour scraping big globs of candle wax from several tables and our wood mantel. The next day, in response to my complaining, a coworker told me to try mineral spirits next time I’m faced with wax on wood. He said it won’t hurt varnish, lacquer, or shellac finishes, but it does dissolve wax. I had missed one waxy mess so I poured some mineral spirits on a clean shop cloth and kept wiping until the hardened wax dissolved into the cloth. Mineral spirits removes all the wax, including any paste wax or polish that’s been applied purposefully and it can also cut into an oil finish. It’s not a big deal to re-polish or re-oil. Just don’t…

The Shakers were incredibly inventive, not just of the furniture they designed, but of their techniques with which it was assembled. As a craftsman, I’ve been interested in working my own inventiveness, but utilizing that which they’ve given me including seating woven from “Shaker tape.” It’s relatively easy and long lasting and is woven in uniform sizes and colors from cotton. This particular cotton tape can be purchased by the roll in a variety of colors from Amazon and other craft suppliers. Designing the Bench This bench is not inspired by one of their designs, though it might be better if it were. It was instead the result of a stroke and a visit to the local physical therapist’s office where a relatively tall bench was a much more comfortable…

Recently, I received an invite for a rare opportunity — a chance to travel from the US to China to visit a Chinese tool manufacturer. From a personal standpoint, a trip like this appealed to me. I’m fascinated by the manufacturing process of tools, so of course I wanted to see how some of these tools are made. However, from an editorial standpoint, I thought it was a great opportunity to share this rare insight look with our audience, to hopefully help educate the community on this process. Harvey Industries Traveling to China is not an easy thing to do. The visa application process is lengthy, expensive, and you must have an invite from a business to be granted a visa. The company that I was to visit was Harvey…

I've learned over the years that the world can be a lonely place. The digital platforms that were supposed to bring us closer together have only contributed to a life that feels increasingly isolated. What a paradox it was then, that traveling to the physically isolated North House Folk School helped me to find a community that is as strong and welcoming as ever. North House Folk School is located in Grand Marais, Minnesota, which is 260 miles north of the Twin Cities, and about 40 miles shy of the Canadian border. The school is located on the south end of town — a cluster of buildings nestled down by the harbor, with a view of Lake Superior. The most prominent one is the bright yellow welcome center, seen in the…

Fuji D6 6-Stage HVLP System When it comes to applying finish to your project, spraying is arguably the easiest method. Fuji has recently released their D6 HVLP sprayer, which simplifies the finishing process even further. The D6 stands out among other sprayers because it is a 6-stage unit, featuring a blower motor that provides variable pressure of up to 11.5 PSI. This feature allows you to spray a wide range of finishes, from thin lacquers and shellacs to latex paint, all without the need for thinning. Fuji is not new to the spraying industry; they have been producing high-quality sprayers for quite some time. However, the D6 introduces several new features that enhance its ease of use compared to previous models. First, the pressure is easily adjusted with the push…

A dull tool is a dangerous tool. A lot of people struggle with sharpening their tools, but it is important to keep your tools sharp. A sharp tool requires less effort to use, and offers more control. With that said, it’s helpful when you’re first learning to sharpen an edge to take a marker and highlight the bevel of your tool. This can help you better identify if you have hit your knife’s edge or if you have missed any spots. Sharpening Your Hook Knife Once the bevel of your hook knife has been colored with the marker, place the knife in a holding device. I am using my pattern maker’s vise for this step. When sharpening my hook knife, I like to use wet-dry sandpaper wrapped around a ⅝"…