Tool Tip #9: Securing an Old Favorite

Throughout college my only desk was a hollow core door slab placed over a pair of sawhorses, and I still haven't abandoned this convenient form of table.  Whenever I need an additional work surface open come a pair of Trojan ( http://www.trojantools.com) sawhorses and on goes a 3-0 door slab.  A good door slab typically provides a very flat surface which is useful in assembling face frames or checking the 3-dimensional squareness of a carcase, not to mention being very much lighter than any folding table.  However, having your slab seesaw a load onto the floor is not fun.  To provide greater security for this old favorite I've added a draw tight latch to the end of each 2x4 and bolted the Trojans on as well.  The draw tight latches make attachment quick and easy with no reaching underneath the table.

Home Library -- Room #3

Home Library -- Room #2

Home Library -- Room #1

See also our shop at:  www.flyingcircusstudios.etsy.com

Woodworking Tip # 12: "Presquare" Large Glue-ups

I've found that when it comes to large glue-ups such as wall systems, shelf systems, drawer web frames, even smaller cabinet carcases, it helps a great deal if two of the pieces are already set and firm at right angles.  Really, it doesn't matter which two pieces are "preglued" before the entire carcase is glued-up, for the fact is, having a built-in "framing square" makes the final assembly so much the easier.  Pictured here an actual framing square is clamped to the side of a shelf unit to the keep a shelf square in its dado joint, though the concept would work with biscuits, dowels, or most any other type of joinery.  The bench clamp holds a stiffening stick to prevent any inaccuracies due to measuring square off a concave or convex surface.  Once the glue is set, this pair of pieces will make the larger glue-up much less unwieldy.