Читать книгу Practical Weekend Projects for Woodworkers - Phillip Gardner - Страница 29

As a catchall heading, hardware is a bit of a misnomer, since many fittings are often made of plastic or brass. However, this category does include all the traditional items associated with connecting lumber, i.e., screws, nails, and nuts and bolts.

The large DIY stores tend to have the widest range of fasteners and fittings, and most stock the products you will require for simple furniture making: magnetic catches, mirror plates, small dowel rods, and door supplies. Just about everything is sold in small packs, and you might have to buy in multiples when you only need one or two items. These packs can also work out to be quite expensive when compared to buying one or two of the same piece from a small hardware store.

There are some items that you will only find in a hardware store. Usually, however, these stores are not open on the weekend and the waiting time during the week can be lengthy. A good solution is to inquire if they provide online ordering or a mail-order service—most do.

A good source for many items is a marine supply store, aka boat chandler’s. These will supply most fittings, such as hinges, in good-quality brass or stainless steel. The stainless steel rod used in the Waney Shelves here can be bought from a supplier and cut to length with a hacksaw.

Hardware: Corner blocks, dowels, stretcher plates, mirror plates, magnetic catches, and other such fixings can be purchased inexpensively at DIY stores.

It’s a good idea to buy a box of 100 or 200 screws for a job and put the surplus in a large plastic compartmentalized box. This means always having some on hand.

Don’t be tempted to make do with fasteners and fixings that obviously weren’t designed for the purpose—match the materials to the job.

The more specialized fittings, such as drawer runners and Blum hinges, can be purchased online.

Modern glues for woodworking: follow the manufacturer’s directions for use at all times.