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From Rob's Bench:

My love/hate relationship with Baltic birch

While Baltic birch has a few advantages when it comes to cabinet construction – it does have some distinct deficiencies.

Free Project Plan:

Make a cat post

Cats enjoy looking out a window while going about their not-so-busy day. Build your fur friend this stylish post and you’ll both be thankful.

Tips/Techniques:

3 easy steps to grain filling

For an ultra smooth, glass-like surface on open-pored woods (such as oak, ash, walnut or mahogany), fill the grain before applying your topcoat.

Home Improvement:

HomeInOn – vanities and sinks

Installing a new vanity, sink and faucet can transform your dated bathroom without breaking the bank.

Techniques/Tips:

Drawer lock joinery

In addition to using the router to help make traditional joints, you can use the router and a single bit to make unique joints that solve specific joinery issues.

Tool Review:

Ryobi P322 HP Airstrike 18 ga brad nailer

Rob Brown reviews the Ryobi P322 and finds that having the ability to quickly fire brads of almost any size is incredibly handy, and this is especially true when your nailer isn’t tethered to a compressor.

Woods to Know:

Merbau

Merbau is an attractive wood, strong as hickory and almost as stable as teak. These characteristics attracted the attention of the flooring industry looking for new species.