Latest Articles
Rubbing Out
Every woodworker enjoys completing projects, but few enjoy finishing them—often because the initial results fall short of spectacular. In an ideal world, you might think that properly applying a finish—whether by wiping, brushing, or spraying—would produce a perfect result.
Laminate in the Shop
At some point in your woodworking or do-it-yourself activities, the need to install plastic laminate will come your way, and why not? While it’s a great material for use throughout the home, it excels as a super-smooth shop surface material for projects like the router table on page 20, outfeed tables, cabinet counters, project design desks, and more. Beyond that, it’s cost-effective, installs and cleans easily, and withstands a world of abuse. If you shied away from the material having never worked with it, relax. We’ll run through what you need to succeed, from buying laminate, to choosing glue, to the tools, to laying and trimming for a finished fit.
Add Crackle to Your Finish
Years before shabby chic or the green movement, people enjoyed displaying furniture that showed its age. It’s easy to see why. Scratches, dents, and crackled paint testify to a full life, meaning new pieces can learn a trick or two from antiques. I think crackling—produced when a later coat of paint fails to fully bond with the undercoat—creates the most dramatic distressing technique. It highlights veins of color, initially masked by the new monochromatic topcoat, that tell of times past.
