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283 Whiteside's Brass Height Gauges
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastWhen it comes to finding a tool(s) that can speed up your set up of router bits or blades I've been very skeptical.
But I've been won over by the brass height gauges from Whiteside. These little pieces of brass allow me to accurately set up bits so quickly I'm still convinced I'm doing something wrong, but the fact is these accurate results are repeatable over and over...
If you're interested in learning more about these gauges click here Whiteside Brass Height GaugesIf you'd like to enter for free schwag or just have a comment, question or suggestion drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com or head over to my website at www.mattsbasementworkshop.com or call our Skype Voicemail at 231 354-2338.
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Cast Iron Router Table
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Woodworkers ResourceI love going to as many woodworking shows as I can throughout the year. You get to see the latest and greatest from the "big names" which is fun, but the booths I like the best are the small one product companies and the local retail stores.
One such retail store that I can almost always count on having a booth at shows, in and around the southeast, is Peachtree Woodworking Supply.
One of the things that I like best about Peachtree Woodworking, is that they carry all the tools and equipment that you would expect, but they carry many items that the "big guys" don't.
We recently did a video review of one of those products. A solid cast iron router table top.
The video goes through my experience of installing the router table top as a side extension to my table saw. The video covers most things, but there were a few things that I omitted to save time. To be able to better cover the review, I wrote an article to go with this video review. You can find the write-up here.
And as always, for more information on woodworking, go to our website:
Craig Stevens
Dowelling technique...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Refined Edge
In many of my cabinet assemblies I use dowels to attach the sides to the top and bottom. The use of dowels gives flexibility to the design of the corner joint. For example, I can offset the side panels away from the edge of the top or bottom and in the process work the protruding edge of the top and bottom into a shaped contour, chamfer, rabbet, etc. The alternative would be to use specific corner joints which need to have the side panel and top or bottom panel intersect right at the very edge. An example of this would be a dovetailed joint, a box joint, or a rabbet and lip edge. If you've ever read up on James Krenov and his work, you will find that he embraces the dowelled corner joint for these very same reasons. This is where I received the inspiration for this type of joint and its virtues.Ep 9 - Lingerie Finale
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Furnitology ProductionsWell we've come to the end of the Contemporary Lingerie Cabinet.
In this Episode we evaluate the entire finished case, we revisit some of the important design elements, discuss how important they are in the final appearance of the Quarter Sawn Ash Lingerie Cabinet, and answer some e-mail questions.
This is a Modern piece of furniture done with a minimalist approach so there is nowhere to hide poor craftsmanship. The cabinet is a very, very good build.
Enjoy and look forward to our next project as we investigate Italian designer Carlo Mollino.
Neil
ドリュー・ランズナー氏の椅子づくり講座/ chair class by Drew Langsner
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Masashi's woodworking diary
アメリカ人の木工家、ドリュー・ランズナー氏による椅子づくり講座が９月２７日から始まりました。８人の参加者たちが、クリの丸太を割るところから挑みました。
The greenwood chair making class by American woodworker Drew Langsner started from the 27th September. Eight participants rived chestnut logs to make post-and-rung chairs.
今回の講座には、いくつもの大きな意味があります。
参加者として、飛騨の学校で師範を務める木工のベテランから、工房を構えるプロの木工家、森林文化アカデミーの現役学生、生涯学習講座の常連さんなど、幅広い人たちが集まったこと。グリーンウッドワークによって、木のものづくりを楽しむ人たちの新しいネットワークが生まれつつあります。
そしてアメリカの第一人者を講師に迎え、レベルの高いものづくり講座を美濃で開催できたこと。レベルの高さは、木工のプロたちが参加者として遠方から集まったことでも分かります。ドリュー・ランズナー氏は３０年以上の経験を持ち、何冊もの著書があるグリーンウッドワークの専門家です。こうした木の文化の情報発信を美濃から続けていければと思います。
There are a lot of important meanings to have this class here at the Gifu Academy.
First, the class is organized and run by the Japan Green Woodwork Association, which was established by the graduates, students and short courses participants of the Gifu Academy. It is a good example of feedback to the college by the students.
The second thing is that a new network of people is being established by green woodwork as a catalyst. A master craftsman at the other woodworking college, professional woodworker who runs her own workshop, a regular participant of Gifu Academy short courses, are among the participants.
The third thing is to have had the best-quality woodworking programme here in Mino, Gifu prefecture. Drew Langsner is a famous woodworker who has more than 30 years of experience and published several books about green woodwork and chair making. We are hoping ourselves to be a centre of various woodworking information in Japan.
さて講座の前半の３日間は、ひたすら丸太を割り、四角に削り、それらをさらに八角形へ。
銑＝ドローナイフや、南京鉋＝スポークシェーブと呼ばれる道具を使って、椅子のパーツを作る作業が続きました。
During first three days of the class, the participants rived logs to pieces, and shaved them to square, then octagonal spindles using drawknives and spokeshaves.
Money for Nothin'....
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Skiving OffNevertheless, tonight's blog entry is not about the food....it's about the questions I am pondering based upon the music from the restaurant....
His mother told him "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big old band."
What if Johnny B. Goode didn't really want to lead a "Big Ol' Band?" What if his real ambition was to just have a little Boy Band where the focus was more on the choreography and no one even played his own instrument? Was this a case of too much parental pressure? Was this a case of Mrs. Goode trying to live out her own failed dreams of stardom through Johnny?
If Johnny's mother had put the same attention on his education, would he have been able to read and write better?
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin
Like Californi-a
In order for everyone in the United States to have an ocean, what would the geography of the country look like? I mean, Australia is surrounded by water, and it is still far from a place where "Everyone has an ocean." I believe the United States would have to be an extremely long, narrow island that wound around the planet a couple of times like an apple peeling for all of its hundreds of thousands of inhabitants to have the ocean access The Beach Boys are referring to.
Then, how might this alternate shape of the USA have impacted the history of the nation? Might the teams have been different in the American Civil War? Would our Manifest Destiny concept have applied to the 750,000 mile East/West dimension of the nation's helix length or to the 10 mile North/South dimension? (The answer of that question would have dramatically impacted our relationships with quite a few Indian tribes.) Why do you think the Beach Boys even brought up this idea without digging into the deeper questions it so obviously arouses?
Ya know, I also have to wonder if the Beach Boys know what the heck they are talking about with regard to Californi-a. Have they seen Death Valley? It's not exactly a surfer's paradise. Also, earlier this year it was reported that Mt. Shasta in Northern California is the one place on the planet where glaciers have been increasing in recent history. Again, I have to wonder how the growing glaciers of Mt. Shasta is a surf spot.
Help, Not just Anybody
Are the Fab Four really refusing to accept Help from just anyone? How can they do that? How does one randomly cry out for assistance, but then pass judgment upon the qualifications of strangers who go out of their way to provide aid?
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, hang on...Let's take a look at you. Ooooops. Sorry, Mate, I don't think you are going to be exactly what we are looking for.
You see, we want someone with a really nice smile, and your teeth are somewhat spotty, at best.
Also, look at your clothes, man. See that... you're certainly not a very smart dresser, now are you? No.....surely you can see where you just aren't up to snuff with regard to being good enough to help us, right?
I mean, we are the Beatles, ya know.
Granted, we do need help, but we can't be so low as to accept Help from just anybody, can we? Thanks for understanding, old man.
(I am Jeff Skiver, and I approved this message.)
New Website Design
00/00/0000, 00:00 | David's blogThis is very exciting as it coincides ...
Stitch Wood Ring (Dyed Maple Wood and Silver Ring)
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Wood Rings by Simply Wood RingsA humble ring which honors all of the women and men that have made they life's work of clothing and sheltering the human race.
See more like this ring at http://www.simplywoodrings.com.
Electronic Smart Glass for Conservatories
10/31/2008, 09:05 | Wood Shutters
It's often be written that "people who live in glass houses shouldn't...!" and the traditional solution has been to go indoors to do whatever you want to do, or invest in some window blinds.
But if you really want to impress the neighbors with your technique, perhaps you should invest in smart glass.
Smart glass allows you to control the amount of light and heat, passing through it. At the flick of a switch the glass can change from being transparent to opaque, giving you privacy when you want it, but without the necessity of installing blinds, shutters or curtains.
There are several technologies that enable this to happen, including:
Liquid Crystal Glass uses a liquid film in a sandwich of two plastic interlayers inside two laminated glass panes. In the panes "off" state the glazing is translucent milky white. However, when an electric current is applied to the liquid film it turns slightly hazy clear. The switch between the two states is nearly instantaneous.
Suspended Particle Device - SPD Glass has light absorbing microscopic particles dispersed within a specially formulated emulsion, which like liquid crystal glass, is then sandwiched between two plastic interlayers inside two laminated glass panes.
The particles are activated by applying a low voltage; this forces them to align at various angles and thus various transparencies. This controls not just the light passing through the pane, but the heat as well.
These glass panes can repel up to 95 per cent of solar heat in their opaque state, making the conservatory a much more comfortable place to be on really hot summer days, even though the view is impaired.
This glass isn't a cheap option, it can cost ten or twenty times the price of conventional conservatory glass, but as glass only represents a small percentage of a conservatories total cost you might consider it a worthwhile investment.
Smart glass does of course save you from having to spend money on window blinds or awnings, so is a saving to be taken into consideration, and it comes with a huge show-off factor to impress visitors with, and for many people that is priceless.
Although this type of glass wouldn't be suitable for a traditional conservatory, or one with many small panes of glass, I'd certainly recommend you consider installing smart glass if you are having a minimalist conservatory designed...or if you have nosey neighbors.
I'll be adding these details to our Tips and Advice On Choosing Conservatory Glazing at Conservatory Glass in due course.
Ian Dewar, Consultant to Richmond Oak Ltd http://www.oakconservatories.co.uk
Router Bit of the Month - April, 2008 - Whiteside's Cove & Bead Bit the Video
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastIt's the beginning of a new month and that means it's time for Router Bit of the Month!! For the entire month of April, 2008 Woodcraft is featuring Whiteside's 1/4" radius Cove and Bead Edge Profiling bit.
This little decorative edge profiling bit is like getting two bits in one. The combination of a 1/4" radius cove profile and a 1/4" radius bead give plain old square and chunky edges a beautiful decorative look that's very pleasing to the eye.
The great thing about Whiteside's cove and bead bit is that when you use it in your router table it's like getting four profiles for the price of one. By running your stock flat against the router table you get an edge with the bead leading the profile, but by standing the stock on edge and running it up against the router table fence you get an decorative edge with the cove leading the profile.
Or, if you're just looking to use the cove or the bead profiles by themselves it's once again a matter of adjusting the height of the bit and moving the fence back and forth. In a matter of minutes you're making separate profiles from this one combo bit.
If you're interested in ordering this month's Router Bit of the Month from Woodcraft.com just click on the picture:
Congrats to Frank Bylo, this month's winner of a Whiteside router bit!! If you haven't entered your name for free schwag or just have a comment, question or feedback, drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com.
For anyone interested, coming up on April 11 & 12, 2008 there's a great little tool demo and woodworking school openhouse going on at J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture in Chicago. The details can be found at Lie-Nielsen. There will be some great demos by a number of well known woodworkers and I'm planning on checking it out myself.
Don't forget to get your questions in for Hendrik's next visit in April, we're talking lumber defects and how to work around them.
USA #2
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Philsville
Howdy Folks
Day two is over - and what an amazing day it was! Everyone is walking around wearing huge grins, woodworkers in heaven. The day started extra early, 7-o-clock, as the attendees asked for extra time. I managed to get a good walk around and get a chat with pretty much everyone. The list of woodworking superstars was huge and the willingness of everyone to stop and share was quite amazing - there really was a huge buzz of excitement in the air.
I had a quick lunch (with Mike Dunbar, Adam Cherubini, Louis from Pop Wood and Ron Hock - see, told you the list was long) then helped out on the sharpening class with Deneb (from Lie-Nelsen) and Ron Hock.
Back to the show for more plane action and finally the day was over. There was a final dinner in the evening which everyone attended and we heard from Tom Lie-Nielsen, Robin Lee, the Pop Wood crew and finally, Roy Underhill. Roys empassioned speech was quite hilarious - I do hope someone videod it, as it was brilliant!
Today sees the marketplace closed, so I am helping out on the Hand Planing class this morning.
Then we have to head back to the airport for the long trip home.
Boy, it has been an amazing experience. Once my head stops spinning I'll post more photo's.
Cheers
Philly
Cabinet base design (1)...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Refined Edge
The other option of wood for the cabinet base is European beech from the same slabs I used to build the cabinet itself. This would provide a uniform color between the cabinet and base. I need to weigh this uniformity vs. the contrasting wood and color of a mahogany base. Since there is a client involved in this commission, the best thing for me to is defer the decision to the client. In the meantime, I have possibly found just the right slab of beech to be able to accomplish the build of the cabinet base. The cabinet base will be composed of four aprons and four legs. I have a slab of European beech with possibly enough wood to cover these eight components. Another option I have is to have the cabinet floating above the base, this would involve two more components.In the photo, the beech slab is marked at one end with the divisions of the different components along with a small percentage of waste and dressing for each component. If the decision is made for the beech, this will be somewhat of a challenge for me. There is little margin or error when slicing this slab, with almost no wood to make spare pieces. Forgot to mention, this is the last of the European beech I have in my studio, and would need to source some more if I need it. It is not readily available in my area. Since I love challenges, I'm looking forward to this if the client decides on a beech base.
To be continued...
Hexagonal Portable Tool Tote
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
I don’t know about you, but when I have to do some work around the house or somewhere away from the shop, I usually use a five-gallon bucket with a Bucket Boss to transport my tools. I’ve been using that for years and it has worked fairly well. It’s great for hauling my portable drill, screwdrivers, hammers, chisels, etc.
Over on WoodNet, Bob Strawn (aka “CedarSlayer”) is showing off his portable “roll-up” tool tote. He even went so far as to use a home-brew finish on it. 
Here’s what Bob said about the construction of the tote:
All the details are there, and it is a good first work. It gives you a place for tools and most of the materials are inexpensive. The leather strap can be a bit more expensive. I made mine out of pine, brass screws, brass tacks, epoxy, screw posts and horse butt. The horse butt was the most expensive, but then I can strop with the straps. I would advise going to a saddle shop and getting vegetable tan leather for the inner fittings, so that you don’t have too many salts in the leather eating your tools. Getting straps from them or using belts from a resale shop would do well.
As far as the one I made goes, The Hex end on mine has 4″ long sides. The boards are 24″ long and 1/2 thick. The end peices are a touch thicker. The inside straps are 1″ wide, the outside straps are 2″ To avoid near impossible clamping issues, I taped the whole thing together and marked boards and ends. I predrilled the three fixed boards, screw holes, to the end pieces. I used masking tape to avoid a mess with the epoxy, and used a slower set epoxy and brass screws to hold the sides together during gluing.
I wanted a rougher finish than the mirror smooth one that came out of my thickness planer, so I sanded at an angle across the grain with 80 grit, to give the look and feel I wanted. Sort of an old sawmill look. This way dings and scratches add character instead of ruining the appearance.
Click here to read more and see more photos of this handy tool tote.
A Labor Day Tribute to the Carpenter
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
‘Twas only a kit of carpenter’s tools
We were chancing off that night.
The man who owned the tools was there
A carpenter whose hair was white.
To draw the stubs until the winning share
Would place the tools within another’s care.
Aye! Only a kit of tools you say
Objects of metal hard and bright.
No! We chanced off something else that day
Something that didn’t seem just right.
All the labor of yesteryear.
Homes that they built for those in the past
Of service come to an end at last.
Leaving his heart, his head, his hand
In a chest of tools, this white-haired man.
To end his days in a home for them
Whose years of service were at an end.
The sad look on that aged face
As each number shortened the space.
Of time when he must bid farewell for good
To old friends of his, of metal and wood.
He had used them for years, they were always there.
‘Twas awfully sad, the whole affair.
Like playing pitch with an old man’s soul.
Pushing him on to the final goal.
Into the sidelines and out of the race
While a younger man takes up his place.
The tools of his trade, the hammer and saw
It struck me with wonder and something of awe.
As we laughingly shout and loudly cry
To see who the winning share did buy.
How stupid of us, we were such fools
To think we were chancing off
Only CARPENTER’S TOOLS
—Julius Frerich
_________________________________
Originally appeared in Carpenter Magazine many years ago. It’s a monthly publication published by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. It contains articles on labor issues, lessons on how to build things, and “human interest items” submitted by the local union secretaries.
Bob Smalser kindly posted this over on WoodNet and I thought it was good enough to share.
Importance of Windows
11/02/2008, 06:36 | Wood ShuttersStart taking care of your window. Before buying a vinyl window decide if you want to shop or trust someone else for shopping. Some people do their research on the internet and find their favorite window and then find a window installation company. Many people may find a window company that offers replacement windows and installation service.
Most of the replacement windows are sold through qualified window dealers. These windows do not need painting or sealing and are less expensive than wood. These windows have a quicker turnaround time than wood windows. Some of the tips before buying a window are picking up a window that last for over 40 years. Choose a window that has low e glass. Buy windows that are gas filled for energy efficiency purposes.
Replacement windows come in different styles like double hung windows, picture windows, awning picture windows, hopper windows, sliding windows, casement windows, awning windows, garden windows, bow and bay windows, storm windows, specialty windows. These windows have different colors like white, beige, cocoa brown, white interior and many other colors. Simonton vinyl windows are extremely durable, resists corrosion, maintenance free. These windows are available in a wide range of styles and shapes. It can be installed easily. Double hung windows are divided into two sections. One section can slide up and the other section can slide down. Do not confuse double hung windows with double glazed windows.
Many homemakers like double hung windows because they are good at inhibiting air intrusion into the house and have a classic appearance. These windows are so popular in style that the manufacturers and installation companies tend to price them competitively. In Double hung windows only one lower half or the upper half can open, both can never be opened at the same time. These types of windows can be cleaned easily. Casement windows have contemporary style windows and bring in more light than other window choices. In casement windows they do not have to push a window up, just turn the crank. Casement windows are tall, awning windows are wider. They work along the same line as casement window. Bay windows are usually three windows combined together. The middle window will not open but the two windows flanking it can be either double hung or casement windows depending on your taste. New windows will give your house a new look.
Mari milian is a expert author for Replacement windows and New Construction Windows. She has written many articles in various topics such as Vinyl windows, Custom vinyl windows, Vinyl Replacement windows. For more information visit: customorderonline.com Contact me at caterina.milian@gmail.com
Podcast #25: Using Hand Planes & Scrapers for a Smooth Finish
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comThis week, Dennis Perkins, assistant editor for Woodsmith and ShopNotes, is going to give us some pointers on using hand planes and scrapers for a smooth finish. He’ll also spend some time showing us how he likes to sharpen his scrapers during this week’s Woodsmith Woodworking Seminar Podcast.
As usual, all of the links to articles, seminar guides, and products that you’ll see being used during the seminar podcast can be found at the Woodsmith Podcast Store.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Skiving OffYears ago I was like a lot of American men, wasting away the pre-work morning watching SportsCenter. It didn’t matter if ESPN’s only highlights were from a Kiwana’s Donkey Basketball Game in Muscle Shoals, sports was the glue that held together the X and Y chromosomes that made me a man.
However, with the passage of time I just started caring less and less. Millionaires on strike…. one brawl after another… corrupt officiating… the firing and retirement of my true heroes…. somehow I eventually gave up on all spectator sports except the Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame Football. Believe it or not, I haven’t missed any of it.
My life went from one where Coach Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers were a significant priority to one where I haven’t watched a college basketball game in several years. Even the dogs have enjoyed the mellower atmosphere associated with the reprioritization of my life. (Abby did not always like dressing up for games.)
Still, all of the energy that in the past was divided among the Cubs, Pacers, Hoosiers, and Maple Leafs was added to the love I have had for the Colts for the last 20+ years.
And last night officially started another season of the only professional sport I care about. Still, I am a very snobbish fan. I won’t watch the NFL just for the sake of watching football. I am a Colts fan. I watched part of last night’s game only because it featured Eli Manning, and most of us Colts fans have adopted Peyton’s little brother and his Giants as our NFC team of choice.
It has been a long wait since February, but “next year” is finally here. Part of me hates the off season. I hate having to wait for September to watch the team that means so much to me. Yet, sometimes it helps to have a pause or separation. Seven months away from the Colts is enough to make me eager for the start of the season. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I felt this way about the America’s Cup or Olympic Bobsledding. It would be hell to wait years for the return of my favorite sport.
On a personal note, I am glad school breaks are only for the summer. If my scholastic breaks had been 4 years instead of 3 months I don’t think I would have ever gone back for my sophomore year…let alone graduate. Perhaps that summarizes the difference between how we humans sometimes incorrectly view sports versus education. FIFA World Cup can get by with a tournament every four years, and the passion will always be fever pitched. However, it is a very rare student who could take 4+ years off and return to complete what they had started. Also, students typically get paid a lot less (with very few product endorsement deals), but that is a different rant.
Skil Circular Saws Recalled
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2007
Release #07-275
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 761-5572
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Robert Bosch Tool Corp. Recalls Skil® Circular Saws Due to Laceration Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Skil® brand Circular Saws
Units: About 811,000
Manufacturer: Robert Bosch Tool Corp., of Mount Prospect, Ill.
Hazard: The trigger switch on the circular saw can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lock-out. This can cause unexpected operation of the saw, posing a risk of laceration.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received five reports of the saw staying on after the user released the trigger. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Skil(r) brand circular saws with model numbers 5650, 5700, 5750 and 5755. The model number and date code are printed on the nameplate located on the front of the saw. The recall includes the following date codes:
28101 - 29231
38101 - 39231
48101 - 49231
58101 - 59231
68101 - 69231
No other models or date codes are included in this recall.
Sold at: Home centers and independent hardware retailers nationwide from January 2002 through December 2006 for between $70 and $80.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled saws and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Robert Bosch Tool Corp. toll-free at (866) 761-5572 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.skiltools.com/en/CustomerService/SafetyInfoRecalls/
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07275.html
One Reason to Hate MDF
10/12/2008, 16:40 | A Woodworking Odyssey
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) isn't just for counters and insta-furniture any more. I've seen it used as a veneer base and structural component by woodworkers doing stunning work, and there are many things to recommend it, like stability, consistency, and affordability.But I just can't like MDF, and after using it for reference boards to test and adjust my Radial Arm Saw (RAS), I can't say that I like it any more than I did. I will continue to use this product for sacrifice tables on the RAS, for reference boards used to test its accuracy, and for some jigs, but I aim to avoid using it as much as possible. Here's why:
If you don't know what you're looking at, it's dust. Not regular saw dust, but the finest powder I can imagine that still looks like it might be a wood product. I sometimes forget a dust mask when working with real wood, but never with MDF. After one cut, I'm ready to put the ventilator over my face?even on the hottest most humid day.
Two new rules developed this week while I was adjusting the RAS. These are good rules for any power sawing, but essential when working with MDF:- Clear surfaces of all but the tools required for the current job. This makes it easy to vacuum up afterward, and prevents the dust getting in the working parts of your tools.
- If it can be closed, close all tool storage completely (Even if it is nowhere near the saw). Again: an ounce of prevention will keep most of this dust out of your tools.
One final sad fact about MDF: while you can plane it (and to make the reference boards I found it necessary) you cannot make shavings. Even with a sharp blade, MDF will only produce dust. Blade dulling, throat choking (the plane's, not mine), dust.Top Cat
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Philsville
HI Folks
There's a new recruit on the block. Welcome, please, my new "Shop Cat".
She's called "Cupcake" and she's 10 weeks old. Obviously she has a lot of Health and Safety stuff to learn but hopefully she will become a regular helper in the workshop.
If only to chase spiders ;)
Cheers
Philly
One file to rule them all - and in the Ebony dust bind them.
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Sauer & Steiner
Over the last 8 days, I have fit the front buns and rear infills of 7 coffin smoothers. Two XSNo.4ss's, three No.4ss's and two A5ss's. Six of these planes have Ebony infills. Needless to say - my hands are disturbingly filthy. The fitting process goes something like this;
1). Waste out the bulk of the infill using saws (thanks again Mike!).
The above shoulder cut that defines the overstuffing still feels “dangerous” - even after 100+ times.
2). With the bulk removed - I turn to files, rasps and chisels to further refine the shape.
3). Once the footprint is close - I add in my 1/2" wide, by 3-3/4" long shoulder rebate plane to get the fit of the shoulder to mate perfectly with the sidewall. There is still some refining of the footprint involved - but at this stage it is a bit of a dance between fitting the footprint and the height of the shoulders of the overstuffing.
The above photo is one of many tests of the fit between the overstuffing and the sidewalls. The thing that makes coffin shaped planes a bit tricky is there is very little wiggle room with regards to the fit. On a parallel sided plane, the infill can be slid in from either end. With a coffin plane on the other hand - it needs to drop down from the top.
Take an A5. The handle is already shaped, the bed angle is established, the slot for the adjuster is cut and the section of wood that connects the top of the handle to the bed is already defined. There is really not much of an allowance to move the infill forward or back before any of these aspects will be fatally compromised. Anyway - it requires all of my wits being present to do this task.
Back on topic. Until now - the rasp and file stage took the longest. I was typically using about 6 different files and rasps for this stage, but it was never quite perfect. One of the issues was finding a tool that would remove material quickly, but do so in a very clean manner. Generally - this is not done with rasps. I love rasps - but the cutting action leaves deep V shaped grooves as opposed to a file which leaves a more level surface. Rasps are great for stock removal - but it is sometimes difficult to accurately gauge the depth of the bottom of the V shaped cut. When fitting infills +/- .003" can be the difference between the perfect fit and disaster. So I turned to files because the surface was more level. The trouble with files - they are much slower and tend to clog up much more quickly - especially when used on exotic woods.
Enter this file made by Toshio Fukazawa.
This was unlike anything I had seen before. The teeth one side were completely unfamiliar. They were not like a rasp or a file... but rather a bit of a blend of the two. They had peaks on them that was rasp like - but they were still flat-ish like a file.
The other side was a little more familiar - like a fairly aggressive single cut file. Another nice feature was both edges were safe - and very well done.
I have had this file for several months now, and when I got it home (it was a gift from a very good friend), there was a rear infill and front bun for a No.4 to fit. I decided to quickly try the unhandled file - just to see what it would do. I was blown away. The toothed side removed wood so fast - I could hardly believe it - but what really got me, was how smooth the surface was. I tried another pass - just to make sure. Same thing - rapid stock removal with a super clean surface. I could hardly contain my excitement. I took of my jacket and kept going. What would have taken 6 rasps and files I was doing with a single tool at twice the speed. Once it was shaped, I flipped over the file and tried the other side. This side was very different. It too cut very quickly, but left an almost polished surface. There was absolutely no clean up after this side. I had both infills fit in record time.
Back to these 7 coffin smoothers. All 7 of them were fit using this single file in conjunction with my Wenzloff saw and small shoulder plane. This process has become much quicker, more accurate and consistent - thanks to this last missing tool being added. The only thing left is to find out where to get a few more of them.
The Trend RoutaSketch
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Wood Destruction by a Woodscrub
It was when they had the coupons 50% off any clearance item. They had two of these RoutaSketches, original price $99, clearance price $50, with my coupon $25.
I figured for $25 it was worth checking out. I was intrigued by the concept, that's for sure.
Inboxed, it's clear the thing was made as cheaply as possible. All plastic except for a pair of brass thread inserts in the base and the steel bars to hold up the template and the tracing stylus.
I assembled according to the directions. The steel bars were a REALLY tight fit in the plastic bases. Tight enough I feared I'd break the plastic before even getting to try it. But they survived. The plastic may be tougher than I initially thought!
After assembling the stands I looked at the instructions to determine which holes in the base to use for my Porter Cable router. But, alas, there were no PCs listed in the table!
No Porter Cable support? How can this be?!?!?!
I suspect that maybe PC isn't as big in Europe as it is here in the US. Trend seems to be based in the UK. That might explain it.
I tried to line up the holes in my PC with the myriad holes in the base of the Routa Sketch. No luck. None at all. Bleh.
I decided to grab the Harbor Freight plunge router that's been pretty much setting on the shelf. Sure enough, the template holder screws were a match. In fact, Trend was nice enough to include long screws that fit! A good thing since the ones that came with the router were far too short to mount the RoutaSketch base with.
After some dry runs making sure I had the motions down and was comfortable controlling the
router with this big thing attached (really it isn't that bad, things moved quite smoothly) I picked one of the designs that came with the RoutaSketch.The RoutaSketch comes with a good assortment of line art to use. Oddly enough (or maybe not), at least a few of those are public domain line art. My wife saw one of them at the local library for the kiddies to color!
With the paper on the tracing platform, my plunge router dialed in to make a very light cut, and my daughter and I wearing goggles, I started cutting.
The reason I wanted to use the PC router is I hate plunge routers. I understand the need for
them, which is why I own one, but I prefer a straightforward simple router without the plunge feature. During this trial, the biggest reason I hate plunge routers showed itself. If I concentrate on the work, I'll relax my arms, causing the router to "de-plunge". The router keeps making the right motions, but the bit is no longer cutting. Grr...Another thing that was irritating me was the stylus would grab the paper causing the paper to move. Well this screws up the pattern being cut into the wood. It turns out that the package came with a sheet of acetate to lay over the paper so the stylus moves more smoothly.
Whoops!
Even so, I thought it came out pretty decent!
I just carved into the mini-bench top. Don't worry, I'm not damaging my work surface. I had enough damage to it already that I need to resurface it with my jack plane.
I didn't carve any of the details. This was more a test of the tool. It's not a project. The outline looks good, but you can see where the aper shifted. it shoved the sea horse's forehead into it's ears. The acetate should prevent that from happening next time.
Yes. There is going to be a next time...
Perspective on design (1)...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Refined Edge
I sometimes ask myself, what constitutes good design. Is it the aesthetics of the piece, the pleasing proportions, the balance of form and function... or all these characteristics combined? Taking a step back, the aesthetics and pleasing proportions are definitely at the forefront. I'm usually drawn to a piece of furniture that stands out with respect to the "look" of the piece. This one characteristic causes me to stop and further examine the piece by trying to understand what has drawn me to this particular design over another design on the same page. This analysis helps me in my own design process as I better understand what characteristics of a piece of furniture I am drawn to. Of course, we all have different styles of furniture that we are drawn to, but the common theme is good design. I am convinced that even an admirer of period styles of furniture will stop at a well-designed modern piece of furniture to further analyze it. Roman Tools for Building Catapults
10/20/2008, 03:40 | A Woodworking OdysseyAccording to Roman Woodworking
, the book I mentioned in a prior post, a woodworker in those times would have had a full compliment of tools for building in wood. I was surprised to see how many of these tools looked essentially identical to those we use today. Here's a quick list I compiled from the book:- Workbench
- Adze
- Auger
- Chisel (both paring and mortising)
- Gouge
- Drill
- Knife
- Draw knife
- Spokeshave
- Lathe
- Plane
- Saw
- Wedge
- Hammer
- Mallet
- Calipers
- Dividers
- Compass
- Plumb Line
- Level
- Ruler
- Square
- Bench dog
- Clamp
Drawer fronts...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Refined Edge
I've been busy gathering the right wood for the drawer fronts, sides and bottoms. Drawer fronts will be Sapele, a fine-grained wood in the mahogany family. As part of the drawer front fitting, I cut the fronts oversize in thickness, width and length and then proceed to shoot the ends so they fit the drawer opening just right. I follow the same process with the width of the drawer front, handplaning and tuning it down to size. Prior to this, I had planed the thickness of the drawer fronts to fit the opening. The drawer front of the upper right hand set will overhang the divider providing a seamless look, I designed the divider to be shorter than the drawer opening by the thickness of a drawer front. Next, I begin dovetailing the drawer sides into the fronts and then create the grooves for the drawer bottom, in this order. Important to position the groove correctly over a tail so the groove doesn't exit through a pin in the drawer front. This would preclude using a stopped rabbet instead of a through rabbet.I'm glad to have completed the stand as the cabinet has been occupying a cool rolling cart I built a few months ago. I now have access to my rolling cart once again, which by the way I'm kicking myself for not having made earlier. These things are great in the shop, allowing me to wheel components around to different benches and assembly tables, etc. Also, I haven't decided on the drawer pulls just yet, preferring to wait a few more days and examine some options in the meantime.
I'm also going to install a short divider between the sets of drawers creating more of a delineation between the left and right sides of the cabinet interior. The area above each of the drawer compartments is to be used to display an art object , the divider perhaps will separate the styles of art objects? It just feels right.
I'm still not sure how to work the area below the left hand drawer compartment into the mix. The design of this has been up in the air for a while, and I'm thinking once the drawers are in along with the divider it will make more sense and a a spark of imagination will occur, an "aha" moment. I'm leaning towards a hidden compartment at the moment. Or I might leave it open, in the spirit of "dynamic design", a philosophy I coined a few months ago.
introduction
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Traditional Tools & NewsShopNotes Magazine Posts 3D Model of Workbench Online
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com ShopNotes magazine has finally given its readers a practical reason to download Google’s design and drawing software — 
SketchUp. In Issue No. 102, the magazine features a great plan for a Cabinetmaker’s Workbench. And for the first time, they’re providing an Online Extra feature that I think is really cool — a SketchUp model of the workbench in 3-D.
If you’re familiar with the program, you know how powerful a tool it is. And if you’re new to it, Google has provided dozens of video tutorials, an extensive Help Center and even live training classes that make it easy to start modeling your own projects right away.
ShopNotes associate editor Randy Maxey came up with the idea to add the model to the magazines’ website. He thought it would be fun to provide readers with a professionally-designed project that they can actually take apart to really get a feel for the way it goes together before deciding to build it. And best of all, if you want to modify the workbench — make it taller, longer, or even change it to feature an edge-grain top — you can take the model and make any changes you want to reflect your particular needs
Other free downloads at the website include plans for the drawers, a short video animation of the workbench’s best features, and a fraction-to-decimal conversion chart.
New feature - classified ads
00/00/0000, 00:00 | UnpluggedShop.com**Edited: This feature was never used and has been removed due to lack of interest.**
I am offering registered users the chance to post ads and notices for free. Registering is also easy and free.
Currently, the functionality is very simple and straightforward. Ads are good for 30 days and are renewable by going in to edit your ad and clicking the appropriate check box. Pictures are limited in size to 800x800 pixels.
There is no private message system. You must provide contact information. A good way to do this if you have a website is to include a link to the product listing page on your site.
Beware of publishing your regular email address. It will not automatically be obfuscated. I would suggest setting up an alias email address that you can later delete without interrupting your business or life. read more »