Issue 213, September 2012

Shop Jig: Router Edge Guide
An edge guide helps you accurately rout dadoes, grooves, and rabbets. With the addition of a fence, this versatile jig also assists you in cleanly trimming edging flush to the face of a panel.

Quick-convert Tablesaw/Router Table
With a footprint of less than 7 square feet when folded, this tool stand expands into a massive 17-square-foot tablesaw work surface.

BONUS PLAN! Bagel Slicer
The next best thing since sliced bread, this kitchen helper holds a bagel while you cut with your hand safely away from the blade.

Tic-Tac-Toe to Go
No Xs, but you’ll hear an appreciative “Oh!” whenever you break out this timeless game.

Wall-hanging Quilt Rack
This weekend project saves floor space and puts prized quilts where they’re readily seen and easily retrieved.

Finishing: Skip the Stain; Give Dye a Try
Do you ever find yourself standing in the stain aisle of the home center wishing for options beyond the one or two brands available? Then it’s time to give dye a try.

Drill Dead-on Doweling Joints
We show three problems and their solutions to guarantee your success with any doweling jig.

Measure and Mark for Maximum Accuracy
There’s more to measuring and marking than stretching a tape across a board and drawing a pencil line. By using the right tools and accessories, you’ll greatly improve precision and even speed up your work.

Add Some "Glam" With Plastic Laminate
Give any surface a blast of personality using the skill you have now. Colorful, durable, and easy to apply, plastic laminate quickly transforms any project’s appearance. Make an MDF tabletop look like granite or quartz. Or brighten the interior of a cabinet, or add eye-catching color to children’s furniture.

How to True Lumber—Without a Jointer
No jointer? No problem! You can still mill flat boards with square edges. With a few common power tools, you can use any of the five easy methods shown for flat boards in no time.

Stretch Your Dollars with Secondary Woods
Poplar, soft maple, pine, and plywood: These oft-maligned also-rans of commercially available wood products bring stability, strength, and—most importantly—savings to your furniture projects. We share tips to squeeze even more out of secondary woods.

Shop Test: Mid-priced Tablesaws
In the market for a tablesaw capable of delivering the power and precision required to churn out quality woodworking cuts, but won’t break your wallet? We tested 7 models priced from $500 to $650 that’ll do just that.

Shop-Proven Products
Dual-drilling jig for shelves, easy-to-add tail vise, and more.