WOOD Magazine – October 2020

Build, Learn, and Sharpen Your Skills

The October 2020 issue of WOOD Magazine (Issue 270) brings together a practical collection of furniture plans and tool techniques that appeal to woodworkers who enjoy making well-crafted pieces for the home and shop. Whether you are looking for a weekend project or a new method to improve accuracy, this issue offers clear guidance and thoughtful design.

Featured Projects

Several standout plans anchor the issue. The Limbert-style bookcase blends Arts & Crafts character with a glazed paneled door and gallery top, making it an elegant storage piece. A mini/midi lathe stand provides a rock-solid base that keeps your lathe stable during turning. The farmhouse table and benches set builds on last issue’s sideboard, creating a durable dining ensemble. For smaller builds, the entryway valet offers a compact catchall for grab-and-go items, and the shop project saw bench is sized perfectly for both hand- and power-sawing stock.

Tool & Technique Essentials

This issue emphasizes shop skills that improve everyday woodworking. You’ll find straight-shooting jointer tips to get boards flat, square, and true; a simple tablesaw setup for strong, repeatable drawer joints; a shop test of big-swing drill presses that reach workpiece centers up to 18 inches wide; a handsaw guide for making perfect cuts without a guide; and an introduction to sharpening stones for honing edges with confidence.

Regular Departments and Reader Voices

Beyond the main features, the issue includes Ask WOOD, Shop Tips, and the Sounding Board readers’ letters section. These departments add practical answers, clever jigs, and real-world shop insights that round out the magazine’s trusted, reader-focused approach.