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This proposal is now in the Beta phase — example questions are locked!

88 Example Questions

active newest votes
up vote 17 down vote
When using a hand saw, why does my cut keep wandering off the line?
added by glw Feb 20 '14 at 15:00
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up vote 14 down vote
If I want to built something from branches and leave the bark (partially) on, how do I keep it from coming off?
added by SQB Jun 16 '14 at 12:18
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up vote 13 down vote
What is the best way to sharpen an edged tool like a chisel? There are a confusing variety of methods and tools out there for this.
added by glw Feb 20 '14 at 15:13
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up vote 12 down vote
How can I make new pine look like oxidized 19th century wood?
added by bib Dec 25 '13 at 2:38
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up vote 12 down vote
How do I sharpen a cabinet scraper?
added by ratchet freak Mar 6 '14 at 12:10
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Specific question, expands the conversation beyond power tools. – Pat Filoteo Jul 8 '14 at 23:32
@pat hand tools are woodworking tools as well, and we might as well pull in some of the hand tool fans – ratchet freak Jul 8 '14 at 23:43
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@ratchetfreak, I think @patfiloteo is pointing out why this is a good question, not why it's bad. – drs Jul 16 '14 at 1:48
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This is a good question, hand tools can have specific approaches to sharpening. It also allows for tips handed down from older generations. – treeNinja Sep 11 '14 at 13:57
Good point @treeNinja. Hopefully we can get older generations to join the community. BTW, don't forget to upvote questions you think are good. That's all we're lacking to move on to the next stage. Also, how 'bout them Bills! 2-0! – drs Sep 16 '14 at 16:38
up vote 11 down vote
How do you cut a 4x8 sheet of plywood down on a table saw if neither your miter gauge nor your fence extends far enough to make the cuts you want?
added by rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:25
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If your table saw has one straight edge, you can clamp a piece of wood to the underside of the 4x8 sheet of plywood and ride it along the edge of your saw. – TX Turner Oct 17 '14 at 20:42
up vote 10 down vote
When making a door, how can I ensure the hinges and pins are all aligned?
added by drs Nov 13 '13 at 15:36
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I could see this applying to any kind of hinge, not just doors. – rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:34
up vote 10 down vote
What is the proper sander for cured tung oil, steel wool or 600-grit sand paper?
added by drs Nov 13 '13 at 15:38
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up vote 10 down vote
Since most routers have above-the-table height adjustment, what's the purpose of a router lift?
added by drs Nov 13 '13 at 15:41
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up vote 10 down vote
How can I best prep green dimensional lumber for furniture projects?
added by Joseph Alcorn, edited by starsplusplus Aug 27 '14 at 13:30
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up vote 10 down vote
What are the best techniques for keeping walnut from lightening?
added by drs Nov 17 '13 at 20:17
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up vote 10 down vote
How do I properly run an 8' piece of twisted lumber over a jointer to ensure I'm making even, consistent cuts?
added by drs Dec 28 '13 at 1:02
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up vote 10 down vote
what are signs of good quality on a router bit?
added by Jessica Brown Jan 7 '14 at 0:02
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up vote 10 down vote
How often should I clean my router bits and saw blades?
added by rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:22
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up vote 10 down vote
When building something, how do I know what thickness of wood I need in order for it not to sag or deform?
added by rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:35
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up vote 10 down vote
What is the best way to enlarge a hole? Whenever I try to make a hole slightly larger, the drill bit catches and wanders, and doesn't stay centered.
added by rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:38
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up vote 10 down vote
When buying lumber, is it normal to dig through an entire stack and only find 1 or 2 straight boards?
added by rob Jan 10 '14 at 7:42
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Something about this question doesn't feel right. I am not sure if I want it to be more specific or remain broad. If I ask this based on a big box store looking for pine? I get one opinion. If I ask this concerning cherry or walnut from a lumber yard I get another opinion. – treeNinja Sep 16 '14 at 21:57
up vote 10 down vote
What are the pros and cons of using dowels as hinges (for example, in a wooden animal with moving limbs)?
added by starsplusplus Jan 31 '14 at 16:50
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up vote 10 down vote
What are some examples of a "food safe" finish?
added by glw Feb 20 '14 at 16:20
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3  
I'm out of votes, but this is a good topic. That said, the question may be better suited to the Stack Exchange format if you ask for a comprehensive answer rather than just some examples. It would be even better to also ask about finishes that are NOT food-safe. For example: What finishes are food-safe and which ones are not-food safe? – rob Feb 28 '14 at 18:40
up vote 10 down vote
How difficult is it to use urban tree limbs from storm damage to make lumber - or is it even worth it?
added by glw Feb 21 '14 at 15:13
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up vote 10 down vote
How do I tune my table saw for a cleaner cut?
added by ratchet freak Mar 12 '14 at 9:35
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This is a good question with a variety of subtle answers - likely to drive a number of comments. – Pat Filoteo Jul 8 '14 at 23:29
This sounds like a question with too many answers. It may lead to a gallery of correct answers, which may or may not fit the SE format. – Alex Feinman Sep 8 '14 at 15:21
@alex I foresee an answer about making sure the blade doesn't wobble and is parallel to the T-slots and the fence is parallel as well – ratchet freak Sep 8 '14 at 15:22
This question is good but I agree, it may be better to split it up into specific questions on fine tuning blade, table etc. – treeNinja Sep 16 '14 at 18:57
up vote 10 down vote
How can I stop wood from splitting when using screws?
added by Raystafarian May 7 '14 at 16:14
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up vote 10 down vote
How do I know whether a saw blade is a ripping blade or a crosscut blade?
added by Raystafarian May 7 '14 at 16:19
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up vote 10 down vote
What is the importance of using wood glue if I'm using a different type of fastener?
added by Raystafarian May 7 '14 at 16:20
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up vote 10 down vote
What is the purpose of a table saw sled, and why wouldn't I just use the fence?
added by Joe May 9 '14 at 15:31
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up vote 10 down vote
In shaping a guitar/bass guitar neck being made from scratch, how can I cut flat faces to make a geometric profile instead of a normal rounded profile
added by chadbag Jul 31 '14 at 16:24
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up vote 10 down vote
What are ways to split an entire log in half, such as for a log cabin floor?
added by Hand of Don Jul 31 '14 at 20:25
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up vote 10 down vote
Is it worthwhile to buy "Wood Finishing Cloths" instead of using old rags and t-shirts?
added by acs Aug 8 '14 at 16:26
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up vote 10 down vote
How can I treat or finish wood to achieve a natural look that is also waterproof?
added by acs Aug 9 '14 at 17:06
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up vote 10 down vote
How can I evenly sand near the inside corners of a wooden box?
added by acs Aug 15 '14 at 0:09
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up vote 10 down vote
Should I raise the grain before finishing my wooden table?
added by Maxime Morin Sep 6 '14 at 1:22
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up vote 10 down vote
Can I effectively use a table saw to replace an edge jointer?
added by whatsisname Sep 15 '14 at 19:49
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up vote 10 down vote
What types of jig (if any) are commonly made to help chamfer an edge with a block plane?
added by RedGrittyBrick Sep 23 '14 at 10:01
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up vote 9 down vote
What are the factors I should consider when choosing whether to stain or oil my finished wooden item?
added by starsplusplus Jan 31 '14 at 16:59
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up vote 9 down vote
What are the differences in the types of auger bits?
added by Deycart Feb 17 '14 at 21:39
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up vote 9 down vote
What's the difference in applications for hardwoods vs softwoods?
added by Raystafarian May 7 '14 at 16:18
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up vote 9 down vote
How can I tell which direction the grain lies in a piece of wood?
added by starsplusplus May 8 '14 at 9:18
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up vote 9 down vote
How do I sharpen a gouge by hand?
added by SQB Sep 4 '14 at 13:27
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up vote 8 down vote
How can I keep custom made cabinet doors from swelling in humid conditions?
added by bib Dec 25 '13 at 2:42
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up vote 8 down vote
Is a band saw the best tool for a home lumber mill?
added by J. Musser, edited by drs Oct 17 '14 at 23:52
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What does "home lumber operation" mean? Is the band saw best at what for home lumber operation? – drs Sep 29 '14 at 20:21
@drs ahh, milling your own lumber. I know a lot of folks who do it. And best means 'with the most pros' I guess, as compared with other saws one could buy to saw lumber. – J. Musser Sep 30 '14 at 1:22
Ah, ok. I made a close vote because the old title was missing some words and confusing. Now I can't seem to rescind the vote. Sorry. By the way, are all your home lumber operation folks following the proposal :) – drs Oct 1 '14 at 15:12
@drs close votes expire on Area51 after a week or so. Don't worry about it. – James Jenkins Oct 2 '14 at 0:32
@drs I think a good edit here would be Is a band saw the best tool for a home mill operation? – Jon Oct 17 '14 at 23:18
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