I’m stripping lead paint from a bunch of wood trim and doors, and I need some advice. I’ve tried different chemical strippers with no success, but have found that a heat gun works. It’s very slow, but most importantly I…
I’m making a small hall bench using maple and cherry wood, and I have a question about finishing. I intend to colour the whole thing with a cherry stain. Is it necessary to pre-condition the wood first? No, I wouldn’t…
How can I apply a smooth finish on indoor wood? I’m never satisfied with the quality of finish I manage to achieve on my indoor wood projects. Even when I use tack cloths to wipe down the surface, and take…
What’s the best way to use oil for finishing pieces of driftwood? Some pieces will be indoors and others outside. Oiling is an excellent way for woodworkers to finish driftwood since it’s so easy to work into nooks and crannies….
How can I minimize the cracking of a 4”-thick piece of elm wood I’m saving to make a table top. It comes from a 100-year old tree just cut down on our property. Wax log end sealer was applied to…
Refacing cabinets is an excellent way to get a completely new look with minimal cost and lowest possible environmental impact. It involves changing the doors, doorframes and all other visible sides and surfaces of the cabinets. The way you go…
Maintaining a wooden deck finish is more work than most people realize, and that’s why it’s important to consider the long-term consequences before you make a finishing choice. Although I do like teak oil as a finish for exterior wood,…
What are your thoughts about the new Bosch sliding compound mitre saw with the articulated arm that you and I talked about at the Home Workshop Show last fall? You said you’d be testing it and I’d like to get…
How has that linseed oil paint you used a few years ago held up? I ran across your article from 2008 and was wondering if you’ve done any follow-up on the paint condition. I’m a contractor doing research on wooden…
Where can I buy oxalic acid crystals? I want to bleach dark water stains from wood I’m restoring, and I can’t find oxalic acid on store shelves. I’ve purchased oxalic acid crystals from my local drug store. Sometimes it must…
It sounds like you’re envisioning a kind of moulding called plate rail. This is a narrow, wood shelf-like arrangement, often with grooves milled along the top surface to prevent plates and other items from sliding outwards. Although plate rail is…
Where can I find a reasonably priced replacement battery for my Skil 2487 cordless drill? A long time ago I read an article of yours about a battery supplier, but I can’t remember the name. A: All cordless tool batteries…