Issue 211, May 2012

Get the Most from Your Mortiser
If you plan to do a lot of mortising, these 4 tips will increase accuracy and decrease working time.

Restore a Failing Finish
When your furniture goes from having a patina to being pathetic, bring its finish back to life with these quick fixes.

How to Contain Dust in a Basement Shop
While basement woodworkers enjoy steady shop temperatures year-round and all the household amenities just a few steps away, they can put an end to dust migration from the shop to the house by following these simple strategies.

Flatten WIDE Boards on a Narrow Jointer
We all wish we had a bigger shop. Same goes for jointers: If you have a 6-inch model, it seems you always need an 8 inch-or-wider machine. Here's a technique to solve this problem.

What Size Orbital Sander Is Best for You?
Can't decide between a 5 inch and 6 inch model? To get to the bottom of the issue, we put nearly a dozen tools through extensive head-to-head testing in the WOOD magazine shop.

Overlooked Woods You Should Try
Walk down the lumber aisle of a nearby hardwood retailer, and you'll be rewarded with distinctive and affordable project stock of red alder, hickory, and sycamore.

Wise Buys: 6-inch Random-orbit Sanders
We tested three random-orbit sanders.

Shop-Proven Products
Heavy-duty, lightweight tablesaw; high-pressure air compressors; and more.