Woodworking 101--Tools and Tips

[CRSINMICH]

EZ: Very nice #80. If it's not genuine NOS then it will certainly do until one comes along. Good score!

 

[jimreed2160]

Fixit bench upgrade

My two car workshop garage has a bump out at the rear that is about 20' x 4'. This space has two access doors that are 4" apart. The back wall also houses the breaker box. Two doors and a panel really divide the area and limit what can go on the back wall. When I moved in twelve years ago, the first thing I built was a workbench between the two doors and christened it the "Fix-It" bench. It has served me well, but seems to attract surface clutter. I knew I could do better with the space.

Bottom removed.

When the HF sale email came this weekend, I formulated a plan and visited them yesterday. Had to return this morning for the 44" workbench. They used a forklift to load it in the truck. But little ole me has no such toy. I had to use what I had on hand, so 2x4s to the rescue.

This thing weighs 240+ lbs. I wonder how much weight a $2 2x4 will hold?

All the good people of the city are at work, leaving me by myself. All I have is a few sticks of lumber along with my friends called, Ingenuity, Leverage, and Gravity.

Riding the rails OK so far. When I got close to the bottom, my plan was to flip it over onto the casters. It flipped OK but immediately flipped back. I had to remove the near side 2x4 and really put some muscle into it. There was cracking but everything got upright.

Turns out the cracking was Styrofoam and perhaps the 2x4. Here is a picture of the casualty.

Unpacking was uneventful. No damage noted. No paint scratches. Drawers work well. All I had to do was roll it into place.

I plan to build a top for it like I did for the Husky bench. Until then, the Husky top cut offs fit perfectly.

Now it is time to get back to work and fill up those drawers. This should make a big stab in my clutter problems.

My recent shop organization projects have gone well. I expect this one to bear generous fruit.

 

[ez-duzit]

That's a great buy at their sale price. And, unlike virtually all their other stuff, I'm really impressed with their tool boxes.

 

[cheechi]

if you have room (hard to tell in the photo) get yourself their magnetic paper towel holder & glove holder. I have multiple on the side of my boxes, and even if it's tight it looks like you might have the perfect place to store those.

Seeing all that you have on the walls there I'd be curious what goes inside the box vs what stays out.

 

[jimreed2160]

"Seeing all that you have on the walls there I'd be curious what goes inside the box vs what stays out."

I have added several toolboxes during the past few months. That means lots of new drawers. Most of the stuff that is going in them is stuff from flat surfaces and stuff from cardboard boxes. I am sure it will change over time as I use and move. Once a drawer gets stable it will get a label. There is no way I will be able to remember where everything is.

 

[ez-duzit]

Here is a seat I built, years ago, for a 42' sportfisher. Made of teak and teak plywood, it was assembled with biscuits, epoxy and screws. Not shown is the plywood seat bottom, which simply lifts out to provide access to storage beneath. The white strips are Velcro for securing the back cushion.

Had it back in the shop to add the thin "base boards". In the owner's absence, leaks from storms soaked the carpeting and stained the bottom edges of the veneer, which had not been adequately sealed. (I don't do any finish work. My clients either apply finish themselves or, more typically, hire professional finishers.) So I re-sawed some teak and installed the trim, using WEST epoxy and air nails, just to hide the stains. His finisher will putty the nail holes before varnishing to match the existing finish.

I show this as an example of using solid wood and veneered plywood, in combination, and to demonstrate that, after years of service in a marine environment, using this type of joinery shows absolutely tight joints with no movement whatsoever.

 

[cheechi]

jim. I had the same issue with 3 of those HF boxes and a 7 drawer side box. I started trying to organize it using Excel before moving everything to its final home. While that project is on hold for the time being, this might help you out.

toolbox invnetory

 

[drivesitfar]

Jim: when you rebuilt that spokeshave it looked like one of the prongs was in missing or cracked wood. did you put some sort of epoxy/wood mix in that area to help hold the blade in place after you sharpened it up?

also i think this is a tool you, me and other should have on their shopping lists as we get older. these hydraulic lift tables work great and are awesome for taking heavy stuff out of cars or off trailers. i did like the 2x4 method and i'll have to remember that cause i have 2 9 foot aluminum ramps that i can use and it would have helped a lot when i moved this old range into my shop to be my new shop oven.

ALL: i picked up what i think is an old Madrona piece that might make a good stand for anvil or vise. any tips on how to keep it from cracking more and maybe giving it even a more vintage look?

also anybody have a price on old or 2nd growth clear cedar 2x8's 12 footers or any 2 by size? and where to get some?

 

[jimreed2160]

EZ--That is outstanding work. Surprising that it held up so well to weather and elements.

Drives--Those old spokeshaves just seem to go forever. Although the blade posts were corroded in the wood, the blade set well after cleaning. This one had enough meat at the tip for tapping, which is essential for use.

Love those hydraulic tables. Looks like just the thing for vises.

The madrone stump looks great but I'll bet a flock of short 2x4s would work better and be more stable.

 

[turbowoodworker]

EZ, that is a nice fix for damage to the seat where redoing the whole thing is costly and unnecessary, if you are innovative. Good trick.

I had to do this once for a nice cedar chest a family member had stored in a shed and had water damage. I made a baseboard molding of walnut and also had to reveneer and edge the top in walnut. But it was a nice fix to a family piece with more sentimental value than real value.

 

[jimreed2160]

Cheechi--That Excel spreadsheet is a great idea. I need to use something like that while I am loading and moving stuff around. Thanks.

 

[jimreed2160]

Another spokeshave is saved

Between doctors and errands, I did manage to squeeze in some shoptime today and decided to refurbish the second spokeshave. It was not as pretty as its companion but it seemed to be a nice user.

There was some dirt and a little brown rusting but there was a nice brass wear plate and the blade was straight.

Curiously, there was a tack and a piece of leather on one end. Perhaps this is all that remains from a hanging strap.

I took the scotchbrite pad to the body and started working on the blade.

The proper way to sharpen is to sharpen the entire bevel so you can maintain the proper cutting angle. BUT in their haste, ww often take the short way out and put a back bevel on the blade. That is what happened here and it took a while to restore the proper bevel.

It did not photo very well, but here is the mirror edge.

And here is the top side.

It did GREAT on the test drive. I was able to pull some really nice shavings.

I left some of the patina on the wood and waxed the body.

This one cuts well and adjusts well. One more tool rescue under my belt.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jim: surprisingly enough the madrona piece i posted was cut very well by a woodworker that is now building anything he wants to since he passed a few months ago. in honor of the time he spent on it even though i only know his kids i'll try to do something to give it some life instead of just burning it.

ALL: so i know nice woodworking tables with an Emmert vise on it are valuable, but is $4500 a reasonable price for this 4x8? i've seen some new ones sort of similar selling for about this much, but have any of you paid up for one of these or is building one part of the fun and maybe lot cheaper? of course if you can find an Emmert Patternmaker's vise laying around somewhere would help.

 

[ez-duzit]

That certainly looks like a dandy. And wide!

I'd make him an offer he couldn't refuse.

 

[jimreed2160]

Wow! What a bench. It is large with nice dog tracks on each side. The Emmert is just icing on the cake. I am thinking that the price is high but not far off. A top of the line LN bench is $3500 and it is not near as nice. The market for such a large bench is probably limited. I bet it would sell fast for $1999 but full price might mean a long wait. But it is nice and would be fun to work on.

 

[turbowoodworker]

There is a very interesting bench. It certainly is well-built.
Is interesting in that there are 2 tail vises which means it cannot be placed against a wall, or is at least not meant to be against a wall and meant more to sit in the middle of a room. This makes me question if it was originally designed for a school.

I hope that is a reasonable price because that means my bench is worth half that!

 

[My Old Tools]

Well, I have a dozen or so Emmerts tucked away, but I only paid $800 for my large Ulmia cabinetmakers bench.

 

[jimreed2160]

Well, I have a dozen or so Emmerts tucked away, but I only paid $800 for my large Ulmia cabinetmakers bench.

Now I know why my compass points west. There appears to be a huge iron deposit in Texas.

 

[drivesitfar]

MOT: well you've mentioned a pile of Emmerts and i read every post on the big vise thread and not a mention of any there so how about a few pictures of your little (big) collection of Emmerts here so we all can learn more about the best (I here they are) woodworker's pattern vise ever made. OK?

Turbo: if it makes you feel even better i like your woodworker's bench better than the one i posted.

 

[jimreed2160]

Benchtop project

It's time for some woodworking in my shop before the heat of north Florida summers drives me to my napping chair. Earlier this week, I dismantled my plywood and 2x4 Fixit bench and replaced it with a nice rolling toolbox workbench from HF. The temporary top is driving me crazy and needs to be replaced with something substantial.

When I was working for The Man, I fought my way through the box stores on the weekend. The crowds frustrated me so much I often went after dinner during the week (but only when I got home at a reasonable time). One of the many joys of retirement is visiting the box store during the week. If you wait long enough, you will miss the early morning flurry of contractors. So I went to HD this morning at 10:30 and had a pleasant visit as I zipped right through. The original workbench top was 24x48 but the new bench is only 19 inches deep. Turns out that 4-2x6s is a perfect 22 inches. HD was limited in lengths today but 10 footers are great. I picked up a pair.

It was a nice day, so I decided to break them down outside.

And before you dog me about the cars, I did wash them just five days ago. Yellow dust pollen season is here.

There is a science to the breakdown. Construction lumber is like most lumber--it has good faces and good ends. I like to select my cuts with that in mind. Here are the bad ends on the two cut offs.

I also cut the boards at 50 inches. It's no big deal to leave a little meat on the ends and it is nice to have a little extra when squaring up the finished top. Here are the boards with their pretty faces up.

Next step is to joint the boards and glue them up. I will let them sit in the shop for a few days to rest while the moisture adjusts to its new home.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Thanks Drives!

 

[My Old Tools]

MOT: well you've mentioned a pile of Emmerts and i read every post on the big vise thread and not a mention of any there so how about a few pictures of your little (big) collection of Emmerts here so we all can learn more about the best (I here they are) woodworker's pattern vise ever made. OK?

Turbo: if it makes you feel even better i like your woodworker's bench better than the one i posted.

Yes, I admit going overboard on buying them 15-20 years ago. I was fascinated by the design. Mine are split between turtlebacks and K1's with one or two of the small size thrown in. Several have issues of broken or missing parts, hence the need for others with different broken or missing parts. My favorites are the turtlebacks with their nicely curved cast levers as opposed to the more industrial looking K1 vises. The K1's are probably stronger, but not enough difference to matter to me. Pictures will have to wait until I can uncover a few in my old shop. Here's one from my website.

 

[jimreed2160]

The Price of Organization

As I was strolling through HD this morning I found a pair of nice organizers. They seemed to be just right for one of my projects. So, in my case, the price of organization was just $9.88.

Organizers are on the left. Chaos is on the right.

I was assisted by a HF hardware sorter. If you do not have one of these handy things, go get one now.

I had a collection of wood screws spread all around. I don't use many screws, but I do seem to spend too much time finding the right size when I need them. Here is what I organized. I might sort the bins later but they are OK for now.

And here is the motley crew of original packaging.

Listening to shop tunes and sorting the screws was enjoyable. I was reminded of my first screw sorting job. My dad had a few boxes of assorted woodscrews that he purchased by the pound. When I was seven, he hired me to sort them by size and load up some glass jar shop organizers he found at Sears. I poured out a few pounds on a large piece of metal and started sorting. I was pumped at the promise of .15 per hour. My enthusiasm waned quickly and one Saturday I recruited my friend Dennis (who was ten) to help me. We were fast friends in spite of the age difference. Our neighborhood was rural and the male population was sparse. After an hour or so, Dennis rebelled and said we were worth more than 15 cents and that we should go on strike for higher wages. I agreed and we went out to play in the woods.

Of course, management turned down our demands, I quickly lost interest and never did make much on my first screw adventure. And here I am, sixty years later, sorting screws for fun. I guess attitude makes all the difference. Even so, the fun is limited and I am happy to get this organizing task behind me.

 

[mefast]

I hadn't heard of an Emmert vise prior to this page, but now that I do know about it, it seems like the logical vise to outfit on my workbench that is missing one.

First planes, now vises. Anything else that I should start devoting paycheques to?

 

[drivesitfar]

MeFast: Garage Journal is quite the slippery slope if you want to try to keep a few benjamins in your pocket, but your tool inventory and skills should improve.

speaking of EMMERT vises that were maybe the best pattern vises of their day and are in so much demand now that prices are pretty high here's another alternative for you and others.

this is an Emmert copy and i've got one from maybe the early 70's that was made in Taiwan. not sure where these are made, but this website has a great video on how to install one and use it and also where to buy one for $300 and no i don't own the website.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/patternmakerswoodworkingvise.aspx

i know you'll have $300 less in your wallet soon after watching this cause i've only seen the one i have ever in the wild so not many of these get sold unless the person goes to the BIG SHOP IN THE SKY where all the best tools are free.

cheers and hope you all have a great FRIDAY and WEEKEND

JIM: I've only went into the big Harbor Freight store once and it felt dirty to me with all the cheap shiny tools, but i might have to buy one of those ORGANIZERS cause it might be the perfect tool for me to fill up a few drawers. i just set up these in my garage and storage so maybe i'll GET ORGANIZED!

 

[jimreed2160]

Drives--Now that I have the time I am able to organize a bit. And I can really see the difference. My projects are quicker and much less frustrating. To me, the first step was to acquire drawers and storage containers. You are way ahead on that project so it should not take you too long to get a handle on things. I suggest you start with the biggest mess. In my case that was nails and screws. It really felt good to get a big one out of the way. Good luck.

 

[ez-duzit]

Regarding the Emmert, this is a huge and highly specialized vice made for pattern makers. It is much larger and heavier, and more complicated and expensive than necessary for the average woodworker. It would make a good addition to an already well vise-equipped shop if you have lots of space and $. But an ordinary woodworking vise will be much handier for the average woodworker.

 

[My Old Tools]

Actually an ordinary woodworking vise would adequate for an average woodworker, but in no way will it be handier. Being able to tilt or rotate your work in a patternmakers vise is about as handy as it gets.

 

[jimreed2160]

Fixit bench top

OK. I said I was going to let the boards sit for awhile but those promised days turned into just hours. I (power) jointed the edges last night and glued them up.

I test fit the boards until I found the best pattern and then made some witness marks so they would go back together.

Unfortunately, the glue up left a few dots behind.

This is a job for a big honking chisel. I treat the benchtop with BLO every few months so the glue dots just pop off.

Then I needed to flatten the bottom. The first job was to take the high spots off the top side so it will lay flat.

It was pretty flat so the job was quick.

Now I can flatten the bottom. It looks pretty rough.

But it was flat. Getting it really flat did not take long. Then I got after the top. The second pass was pretty quick.

Here is the pattern laid out on the new benchtop.

I need to cut to width and then cut out two notches on each end. The notch job is perfect for a handsaw. I am using a Disston D-8 that belonged to my ex-father in law. He was an interesting character who passed over 30 years ago. I liked him and fondly remember him whenever I come across his old tools.

Sawing a straight line can be a challenge. Here is how I do it on a short notch. I start a kerf with a few drags backwards. Then I saw the line at a shallow angle and cut all the way to the end of the mark.

Now I can use the shallow kerf as a guide. I increase the angle and continue to saw while keeping the saw in its reference kerf.

Using this technique results in a straight line cross cut.

Here is a close up of the finished cut. As you can see, I need to clean the saw plate because it rubbed oxide on the initial cut.

The other end needed to be trimmed. I used the circular saw after I made a batten to guide it.

Believe it or not but the crosscut saw choked on the earlier rip cuts. This time I got out a rip saw.

I like this saw because it is one of my first attempts at repairing a horn.

So now the benchtop is glued up and sized. Next I want to put a chamfer on the front edge. Stay tuned for more fun.

 

[ez-duzit]

When was the last time you found it necessary to tilt or rotate your work in such a way that it couldn't possibly be made in a woodworking vise?

 

[jimreed2160]

When was the last time you found it necessary to tilt or rotate your work in such a way that it couldn't possibly be made in a woodworking vise?

Well, I have set up a dozen vises in my workshop and most of them get used frequently. I rotate things a lot, especially when I am rehabilitating tools. But it seems that 90% of my straight woodworking vise work is done by the bench and dogs.

 

[jimreed2160]

Workbench top continued

Time to put a chamfer on the front edge to soften it up. This is a job for the Stanley #72.

It has a special sole that conforms to the edge.

Edge is done is less than a minute.

And the front edge is finished.

So then I dragged out the sander and went over the top surface.

Now it is time for BLO. I will use boiled linseed oil and turpentine to seal the wood. There was only a little in the jar so I added more BLO.

And then topped it off with turpentine. It looks like a 30/70 mixture. Too much linseed oil will sit and get sticky.

I coated the underside and then flipped it for the top and ends. Mostly I just poured a little on the wood and spread it out with a paintbrush. It is about 75 degrees in the shop and the oil penetrated quickly. After about 20 minutes I wiped off the residual with paper towels. Evaporating BLO rags get hot so I was careful to collect the brush and towels in a trash bag and put it in the trash for pickup. Otherwise I collect everything in a bag and put it outside to evaporate.

Here is the top drying. Maybe I can put it in place tomorrow.

Quick project. And fun.

 

[ADNICK]

Jim: surprisingly enough the madrona piece i posted was cut very well by a woodworker that is now building anything he wants to since he passed a few months ago. in honor of the time he spent on it even though i only know his kids i'll try to do something to give it some life instead of just burning it.

ALL: so i know nice woodworking tables with an Emmert vise on it are valuable, but is $4500 a reasonable price for this 4x8? i've seen some new ones sort of similar selling for about this much, but have any of you paid up for one of these or is building one part of the fun and maybe lot cheaper? of course if you can find an Emmert Patternmaker's vise laying around somewhere would help.

Is the top as thick as it looks? Having just installed a LN tail vise, I can say that's a lot of work and expense to do 2...

Is the joinery solid? It should not rack in any direction, and that's with you pushing as hard as you can.

Are the dog holes angled a deg or 2. Does it come with a bench dog for each dog hole? They cost around $25 each to purchase.

Also needs some holdfasts, Tools for Woorking Wood has some at a decent price.

It need another (added) vise in my opinion, and since the legs are inset, a leg vise is not an option without modification. Would recommend a LN twin screw, and that'll take some effort in and of itself. The lack of a leg or twin screw vise etc. hurts the value, at least for a general woodworker.

Would subtract between $500-1000, in order to purchase and install a twin screw...

Certainly would not sell mine for that price, it took me 8 months of hard labor, and the bench hardware, vises, holdfasts, bench dogs, etc were close 1k, and I already had most of the lumber.


That's really not a bad price if it's as good as it looks, and you can start using it immediately!

Andy

 

[cheechi]

so jim

you have a nice flat bench so that's one thing. I didn't see you using any dogs to keep things steady, is that glued up top heavy enough that it won't move while planing? you mentioned that it was pretty flat to begin with so I'm assuming you didn't have to put too much *** into it. but with the flattened side now sitting against the flattened bench, I'm assuming you had to do more work planing the other side and had some movement while doing so.

How do you get a surface that big planed with a handplane while only going with the grain? I flattened down a few pieces of pine scrap with that plane I flattened last week, and even with small knots some of parts it went better going diagonally. I have a power hand planer and it doesn't really care what direction I go. Granted I don't take much off at a time with it I've seen guys burn them up or at least go through blades real fast.

the reason I ask is my only real flat bench I could do planing on is mdf on top and has no place for dogs. I have been clamping 2x4's and 1x6's across it to wedge the workpiece which works ok but I want to do better, even while I can't make a real ww bench any time soon.

I have a bench that was built pretty rough, 2x6's on the top like an outdoor deck some are cupped pretty hard so it's not very even and not ideal for hand tool work. It was given to me so it's not something I should complain about it. I thought about taking the power planer to it without taking the top off as the screws are dug in pretty deep. it's either that or a pile of real coarse sandpaper.

Anyways, if I go down both sides 'cross cut' to follow the edges I have a starting point to go along the grain. Is this a terrible idea? I'm hoping I can get this bench flat and square enough to put an inexpensive ww vise on the side.

 

[jimreed2160]

Cheechi--Go back and check the pictures for dogs. I used four for the benchtop--one at each corner. They are sitting up about an inch but are visible I'm most photographs. One of the reasons I like my bench so much is that it is dead flat and I use that surface as a reference for my projects. Almost everything I make benefits from the flat surface.

I just got lucky on this particular top because it the boards were flat and the glue up went well. It took very little trimming to make everything flat.

If your workbench is not flat, then plane it into submission or put a surplus commercial door on top of it. Or do your glue ups on a flat floor. I think if you are able to find something to use that is a flat reference your projects will be much easier.

 

[cheechi]

definitely. thanks.

At first they looked like shadows i see them now.

 

[ez-duzit]

...It took very little trimming to make everything flat...

Translation--it's flat enough.

 

[jimreed2160]

Benchtop installed

I got excited and had to finish up the benchtop this evening. The BLO can dry in place. Here is the bench with the temporary top removed.

As it stands without modification, the top will sit on top of the three sided ledge. That is not as stable as I like but I decided to use the lip to my advantage by adding some furring strips inside. They are captured by the ledge and hold each other in place. The ledge is about 5/8" tall, so the top will be sitting on the furring strips and not the ledge.

I put a piece of newspaper under it as an Easter egg. Whoever removes the top will find this surprise.

Installing the top is be tricky because it fits inside the frame. It is kinda like moving up a shelf inside a cabinet. I used four screws to keep it suspended until I could roll the cabinet underneath.

Here it is in midair.

One side is down and I am removing the other two pesky screws.

All done.

I screwed two screws into the furring strips on the front and two screws into the furring strips in the rear. I used one screw each on the sides. They are small and I don't think they will interfere with anything.

So the furring strips provide a solid base for the top and are held in place by each other. The top is screwed into the furring strips so they will keep it from sliding around. Gravity holds it tightly to the cabinet.

I am pleased with the new Fixit bench. It all started with the Sears chair. Now I have a nice place to work and I have the bonus of storage. I hope I can keep the clutter off the benchtop.

 

[jimreed2160]

Translation--it's flat enough.

Thanks for the correction. I was very liberal in my interpretation. In reality, the bottom was flat enough to lay without rocking and the top was flat enough for a general purpose workbench. But certainly not within spec for a piece of fine furniture.

 

[cheechi]

those of you more familiar with ww vises

could I fake/copy this Veritas out of two individual matching vises connected with a board or would it not work in tandem the way this does?