This weekend project from Woodsmith No. 167, see photo, is actually more of a bookcase than a bookshelf. It has five wide shelves, perfect for large coffee table books, pottery and collectibles. Two of the shelves are adjustable, and the other three use quick-connect fasteners to hold the case together. The Minifix fasteners Phil Huber is using for this project eliminate the need for any complicated joinery.

In tonight’s seminar at the Woodsmith Store in Clive, IA., Phil will begin construction on the bookcase and hopefully, have it finished by the end of next week’s seminar. Tonight, he’ll deal with laying out and cutting the curves on the front of the case sides. Plus, he’ll drill the holes for the fasteners and shelf pins (He’s using a hardboard template to lay out the curves and the holes.)

Finally, he’ll show us how to use the table saw to cut grooves in the sides for the plywood back, as well as a series of grooves in the shelves that help hold everything together. By the way, the entire case is made with plywood. This way Phil won’t have to spend a lot of time gluing up solid-wood panels. The bonus download for tonight: “Our Best Plywood Secrets Revealed,” explains how we end up with better-looking projects by using plywood.

This week’s seminar will feature Carol Beronich, an assistant editor with Woodsmith Magazine. Carol has graciously agreed to substitute as the presenter tonight and will talk about a few projects that she added a hand-rubbed finish to. In fact, one of the first “woodworking” projects Carol took on was hand rubbing a finish on a candlestick she made for her mom. The results turned an interesting project into one that she was proud to show off to everyone.

To get that hand-rubbed look, start out with a little boiled linseed oil and follow up with 0000 steel wool and Briwax. The thin protective finish you create lets the natural beauty of the wood shine through.

There are two bonus articles this week: Hand Rubbing a Fabulous Finish.

There are a lot of ways to build a frame and panel door. One of the simplest methods is to use stub tenon and groove joinery. It’s quick, strong, and easy to do on a table saw, as you’ll see at tonight’s seminar, starting at 6:30pm at the Woodsmith Store.

Woodsmith Magazine assistant editor, Dennis Perkins will demonstrate how to cut the joints for his door, which has a plywood panel. He glues his plywood panel in place to add strength to the door, since he doesn’t have to worry about expansion and contraction of the panel inside the door frame.

But what if the doors you’re building call for a solid-wood panel? Well, then it’s best to use a “haunched” mortise and tenon joint. Solid-wood panels need to float inside the frame to prevent problems when the wood expands and contracts. The mortise and tenon provides the strength to hold the frame together and the haunch, which is just a short stepped shoulder on one edge of the tenon, hides the groove in the rails and stiles that holds the panel. Dennis will show you how to build a frame and panel door using haunched mortise and tenon joints.

Here’s a great plan that uses stub tenon and groove joinery: High-Back Hall Bench. It’s available online from PlansNow.com for only $9.95. After selecting your plan(s), just type the word SEMINAR in the coupon code box and 20% will be deducted from your total purchase.

At one time I’d cut rabbets, dadoes and grooves on the table saw using my dado blade. But the results just weren’t what I was looking for. That’s mostly because my dado blade was one of those wobble blades that didn’t cut a flat bottom. Then I started using a router with a straight bit and a simple T-square jig.

Now I rout most of my rabbets, dadoes and grooves, especially when I’m working on big case pieces, with an adjustable dado jig and a spiral downcut router bit. It’s faster and easier than trying to wrestle sheet goods on a table saw, plus I can cut them to any width I want thanks to the adjustable jig. It’s the same jig that Chris Fitch will use tonight during his seminar, starting at 6:30pm at the Woodsmith Store in Clive.

You can download the Adjustable Dado Jig used by Chris during this seminar (plus any other plans you may want to purchase) at PlansNow for 20% off. To obtain your 20% off price, go to www.PlansNow.com. After selecting your plan(s), just type the word SEMINAR in the coupon code box and 20% will be deducted from your total purchase.

Phil Huber, Senior Editor, Woodsmith and ShopNotes Magazines

This is the first seminar, that I can recall, where an entire project was built from start to finish. Phil wanted to break it down into two seminars, and this is the first. The first week he’ll cover cutting the curved fronts on the case and how to hide the exposed plies.

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

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

A hand-rubbed, high-gloss finish can make a project look like a million bucks. And best of all, it’s easy after Doug shows you know the right techniques.

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

Dennis Perkins, Assistant Editor, Woodsmith & ShopNotes Magazines

Sometimes a door needs to have a little stronger joinery than a simple tongue and groove can provide. That’s where a “haunched” mortise and tenon comes in. The mortise and tenon provide the strength, and the haunch conceals the groove cut in the door frame for the panel.

An alternative to haunched mortise and tenon joints is to use “open floating” tenon joinery. Dennis will demonstrate both techniques.

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

Chris Fitch, Senior Designer, Woodsmith, ShopNotes, and Workbench Magazines

Constructing a solid case can be something like putting together a puzzle, what with all the rabbets, dadoes and grooves used to hold one together. Chris takes all the mystery though out of this puzzle with another of his informative and entertaining seminars.

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