| Woodworking FAQs: Table-Saw Jig; Wood-Floor Fixes |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-610 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Q:Is there a trick to cutting wide boards on a table saw? What's the safest technique? A: (Bruce Johnson, DIY Woodworking expert) Cutting wide boards on a table saw can be dangerous if you don't take proper precautions. Here are some suggestions.
- A standard miter gauge on a table saw (figure A) work fine in most situations. However, if the board is large enough that it extends over the edge of the edge of the table saw, cutting can become dangerous since the board is likely to move around.
- Consider creating a special jig for cutting larger boards. This jig -- known as a sled -- makes it possible to cut larger pieces since it helps guide the larger boards through the table saw. Start with a large rectangular piece of plywood or particle board. Fasten a piece of hardwood along one edge at a right angle (figure B). This piece serves as the gauge when cutting.
- On the underside, attach a strip of wood that will act as a runner. The runner (figure C) should be the same width and depth as the groove on the table portion of the table-saw.
- With the runner placed in the groove, the sled slides very easily on the saw (figure D) making it possible to cut wide boards that overhang the back of the table.
Q: I moved my refrigerator and made deep gouges in my wood floor. Can I cut out the boards and replace them? A:You could replace the boards, but there's a much simpler solution that's probably more appropriate. One of the nice things about wood is that it's often easy to repair. All you probably need in this instance is wood filler.
- Wood fillers now come in convenient tubes, so to repair a gouge, simply squeeze out the appropriate amount directly onto the wood, into the groove (figure E).
- Once the filler has dried, sand it flush with the wood surface using 80-grit or 100-grit sandpaper (figure F). Once dry, wood filler can be sanded very easily.
- Finally, apply a polyurethane finish to the repair area to blend with the surrounding wood (figure G).
- For additional touch-up, consider using a stain marker to hide the wood filler or the scratch (figure H).
Q: Do I need to use a sanding sealer after sanding my floors? A:Sanding sealers are actually just a thin-bodied finish. Think of it as a thin coat of polyurethane. The advantage to using sanding sealer is that it dries very quickly. If you're in a hurry, you can apply sanding sealer first, then a coat of polyurethane after just a few hours. If you're not in a hurry, apply two or three coats of polyurethane, skipping the sanding sealer. Regular polyurethane takes longer to dry (usually a full day per coat), but provides better protection.
RESOURCES :
The Weekend Refinisher:
How to Make the Most of Your Furniture-A Step-by-Step Guide
Author: Bruce E. Johnson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 034535866X
The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
Author: Bruce Johnson
ISBN: 0345372972
Ballantine Books
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
