How do you mill a cove in a long workpiece without a shaper?

How about jointing a square edge without a jointer?

Both of these questions will be answered by Doug Hicks in this week’s seminar starting at 6:30pm in the Seminar Room at the Woodsmith Store in Clive, IA.

Doug will also show you how to add tapers using a jointer; rout dovetails for dovetail keys on a router table; and even turn a spindle with a router, portable hand drill and a special jig.

The Bonus Download for this week includes a nice four-page article for building a Chisel Case using dovetail keys and a unique sanding block for coves: Bonus Download

This seminar isn’t about what you need — it’s more about what you don’t want to be without when you get started on a finishing project. All of them are items that you’ll find yourself reaching for regularly. And having them all on hand at the start of a project is the secret to a top-notch finish.

Dennis Perkins has put together a list of 12 items that are staples in a well-stocked workshop, easy-to-find, and best of all — pretty inexpensive. He’ll talk about all twelve, as well as give you some extra pointers on sanding and pre-finishing, at 6:30pm this Thursday in the Seminar Room at the Woodsmith Store. Don’t be caught without them next time you head to the finishing room.

Once you have all the supplies on Dennis’ list, you’ll need a place to keep them. That’s why this week’s Bonus Download is a nice-little four-page article from ShopNotes and a two-page article from Woodsmith.

When I came up with the concept for this seminar, I wanted to call it something like “The Evolution of Dowel Joinery.” That’s because each of the methods that I’ll demonstrate require operations that are very similar to drilling a hole for a dowel. But in fact, two of the methods, BeadLock and the Domino from Festool are modifications on mortise and tenon joinery. The third, the Miller Dowel system, uses a hybrid version of a dowel that is tapered from top to bottom. Regardless, all three are truly innovative and each can be used by beginners and professionals alike. I’ll be demonstrating all three at the Woodsmith Store in Clive this Thursday, Feb. 14th, at 6:30pm

Note: The BeadLock Loose Tenon Joinery system is now owned by Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. The jig that you see being used in the photo above is still available as a “Basic” version from Rockler (although the look has been changed slightly) and that’s the one I’ll be using in my seminar. The “Pro” version is brand new, and although it’s available for sale, I decided that I needed more time to get comfortable with using it before demonstrating it.

An important part of the BeadLock system is the pre-milled tenon stock. It’s very affordable (around $6 for a package of three foot-long pieces), but if you find you’re using your BeadLock jig a lot, you can mill your own tenon stock. Rockler sells a specialized BeadLock router bit for either 3/8″- or 1/2″-wide stock sizes. I’m providing a two-page article from Workbench as a bonus download on how to use the bit. Click here for some basic instructions on using the BeadLock joinery system.

During the seminar this week, Vince Ancona used a shop-made jig with a dial indicator during a couple of his table saw set up operations. The jig could be used to check for runout of the arbor and flange, or to make sure the blade and miter slot are aligned. It’s a nifty little jig that costs a lot less than the manufactured jigs that are available. Unfortunately, there weren’t any plans in the seminar guide for the jig, so I promised that I would post the plans today as a bonus download.

The problem is, there are no plans! The jig was made specifically for an article in ShopNotes issue No. 77 called “9-Step Table Saw Tune-Up.” The good news is, it’s a simple jig to build, as you can see in the photo above. The holder is nothing more than a couple of pieces of hardwood held together with a carriage bolt and knob. A hole and bolt at the end of the assembly allow you to position the dial indicator exactly where you need it.

Sources for dial indicators include: McMaster-Carr and Enco. If you want to buy an after-market jig like this, rather than build your own, check out the A-Line-It Kit from In-Line Industries. They also have a few other products for sale that were mentioned in the seminar that will make your table saw perform better — including a set of pulleys and a link belt, or the Precision Alignment and Locking System (PALS).

It’s hard to underestimate the importance of the table saw in the modern home workshop. It’s great for ripping, crosscutting, cutting sheet goods down to size, and it handles dadoes, rabbets, and grooves with ease. But what if it hasn’t been set up correctly? Then it’s just a big anchor in the middle of an unused shop.

Vince Ancona takes us step-by-step through his routine for accurate set up and maintenance of a table saw. By the end of the seminar, you’ll have learned how to vastly improve the quality of the cuts you make with your table saw.

The woodworking seminars at the Woodsmith Store start every Thursday at 6:30pm. You’ll find this week’s bonus download here: Bonus Download

Doug Hicks, Executive Editor, Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Workbench Magazines

Doug had a hard time paring his list to just five techniques (he originally came up with 13), but in the interests of time, he’ll use a table saw, jointer and a router (both in a table and hand-held) to demonstrate his surprising discoveries.

If you’re interested in seeing a podcast presentation of past Woodsmith Woodworking Seminars, visit WoodworkingONLINE.com.

Dennis Perkins, Assistant Editor, Woodsmith & ShopNotes Magazines

If you’ve ever started a finishing project and ran out of lint-free rags before you’re finished, you’ll understand the importance of being prepared. Dennis has compiled a list of the most important supplies that you want to have on hand next time you start a finishing project.

If you’re interested in seeing a podcast presentation of past Woodsmith Woodworking Seminars, visit WoodworkingONLINE.com.

Joel Hess, Associate Editor, Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Workbench Magazines

As the title indicates, there are 3 new types of joinery that have become quite popular with home woodworkers around the world. A couple have been around for a while, but one is relatively new. Joel will spend the hour discussing the merits of the Miller Dowel System, BeadLock Loose-Tenon Joinery, and the Domino Joiner from Festool.

If you’re interested in seeing a podcast presentation of past Woodsmith Woodworking Seminars, visit WoodworkingONLINE.com.

Vince Ancona, Managing Editor, Woodsmith Magazine

One of our most popular past seminars, Vince Ancona will bring us up-to-date and all his tricks for setting up and maintaining a table saw.

If you’re interested in seeing a podcast presentation of past Woodsmith Woodworking Seminars, visit WoodworkingONLINE.com.