How Spring Joint Tension Releases

Have you ever considered how spring joints create tension in a glued up panel? And how that tension might be released if you cut into that panel?

In this video, my good friend Nick Pancheau explains how the tension in his conference table top reacts, as he cuts a long rectangle into it, to install an illuminated light panel. 

We did not figure that the top would move much, but the big concern was that the wood might pinch the blade since we were doing a plunge cut. The biggest issue here would be that the saw might kick up out of the cut and damage the top. 

I know there are other woodworkers that may have had this question in mind, and I thought that it would be a good time to share the information with you, using a live project. 

I hope you find the information in this video helpful in your woodworking journey. 

Thanks to Nick for sharing this project and experience with us!

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

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Lock Your Dovetails and Box Joints

Early on in my career, when I took an interest in building furniture, I took a good look at antiques to get an idea of how furniture was constructed. 

One of the biggest surprises to me, was to find that it was not uncommon to see dovetail joinery and box joints falling apart. This really surprised me until I came to understand the reasons why. 

Through my study and observation of antique furniture, I also came up with a simple, yet ingenious solution to lock the dovetails and box joints together. 

In this video I share my favorite woodworking tip and technique of all time, which is how I lock my dovetails and box joints together.

I hope you find the information in this video helpful and that you go out in the shop and give it a try. 

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

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Cutting Small Parts On The Miter Saw

In this video I share how I cut small parts on the miter saw. 

I am sure this one will be cause for active commentary from the safety police and maybe the hand tool junkies for not using a fancy hand saw to cut small pieces. 

Well, this is the way I do it in the American Craftsman Workshop. Because if the tool doesn't make any noise and throw a rooster tail of sawdust, how am I supposed to know that any work is getting done?

Hope you enjoy the video and find it helpful;)

Remember to let your work be your signature. 

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

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