Woodworking 101--Tools and Tips

[jimreed2160]

R--I have also considered one but never pulled the trigger. This Old H reviewed a few lately. They liked the DeWalt and the Ridgid. I think I will wait for the battery powered version. I hate cords.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Einan,
I have the Bosch and yes I use it for small roundovers and 45* chamfers where I want it to be so small as to be like it was done by hand (but more regular and even). It is great for that task and not much else. In fact I leave it set up for a small chamfer, but it is not hard to adjust. (I have a number of other routers for the bigger stuff.)

 

[DieselNut88]

I have a colt. I love it. I rarely use my bigger router. The fine adjustment does not work too well. I just hold the router upside down and release the lock clamp while holding the router and make small adjustments. This little router has a lot of power.

 

[ztorres]

Two questions:
1) How can I safely cut these raised panels?
I used the table saw set at a 30° angle and brought the fence in about 1/2” away. I used one of my Micro Jig resaw tools and pushed it through. This was not very safe and didn’t balance the best
2) Should i glue the barrel hinges in? The instructions say to tighten these screws that push out.


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[jimreed2160]

Zach--Of course I would use a handplane to do a little raised panel like that one. BUT if I did use the tablesaw, I would first hotglue the reverse side of the walnut to a 2x6 or 2x8 to bulk it up. Then I would square the side faces and push the fat block through the ts. At the end of the process you can liberate your top by prying it off the 2x6.

*be sure to check out my website*
https://splintermaking.com/

 

[onething]

I built an air cleaner last year. It works ok. I sized it to use the same filter as my house and use filters that spent some time in the house. I use a timer as the switch so I can set it to clean after I'm done in the shop. My only complaint with it is that's its loud

Can't see the exhaust port. Does it go up, down or where, please?

 

[raskal]

Can't see the exhaust port. Does it go up, down or where, please?

Points down which is not great, it should be pointing horizontal so it doesn't stir up the dust

 

[turbowoodworker]

ZTorres,
If you have a left tilt saw, just use a tall fence and run the panel through. If you have a right tilt saw, move the fence to the left side of the blade and reverse the fence face. This keeps the small cutoff piece from becoming trapped and thrown back at you.

 

[jimreed2160]

Mirror frame

The repair of my mom's mirror is winding down. It was nailed together but I decided to use biscuits to put it back together.

I like the tiny biscuits from my ancient Ryobi. I used painter's tape to mark the joints and then cut it apart.

It was pretty uneventful.

And now the frame is back together.

I need to touch up the finish, attach the hanging straps from the back and then take it to the glass shop. It will be nice to get this thing out of the shop because it takes up a lot of room.

 

[cheechi]

I have the colt, used it last week to do a roundover. I had used it to chamfer pvc pipes and apparently didn't clean it all the way out. I blew out the base, wiped it down, regreased the depth adjustment, and now it's just like new.

It's not the best mechanism, but it does work. I got a good deal on mine but I had looked at the Ridgid also. Never messed with the small Dewalt but I like the standard sized one.

 

[R_einan]

Thanks for the opinions guys, I liked the Dewalt when I held it yesterday, until I handled the ridgid today, which fit much nicer in my hand and I liked the height adjustment and the balance. I also handled the Makita, but for some reason it felt tippy for work done using the edge of the board as reference, one of the reasons I want one is cutting slots for table top buttons. My old porter cable 100 does work, just not very handy and ackward.

I did finish the machine work on the coffee table I’ve been working on, did a 1/8 round over on the top edges and outside leg corner. Then sanded to 400 and applied a coat of BLO, which will dry for 48 hrs or so before I start coats of 1# garnet shellac. After I’m happy with the color and chatoyance I am having a buddy spray it with nitro lacquer in his spray booth to give it the most natural looking protection possible. Hoping to deliver it before Christmas!

 

[jimreed2160]

R--Great job on the table.

 

[ez-duzit]

Considering the purchase of a small palm/trim router...What are you guys using and what do you think of them?

My small routers are Rockwell and Porter-Cable. These are reliable tools that I can recommend. Somehow I prefer the Rockwell.

 

[rrich1]

R- The table came out fantastic. very well done.

I have the makita trim router and like it a lot.

 

[R_einan]

R- The table came out fantastic. very well done.

I have the makita trim router and like it a lot.

After some reading and looking at available accessories, the Makita looks like a good buy. While I preferred the feel of the ridgid, the lack of a plunge base and other accessories limits the versatility. I like the feel of the makita well enough, and the angle base and plunge base additions would make it very versatile.

Do you have anything you don’t like about it? Other thoughts?

 

[rrich1]

After some reading and looking at available accessories, the Makita looks like a good buy. While I preferred the feel of the ridgid, the lack of a plunge base and other accessories limits the versatility. I like the feel of the makita well enough, and the angle base and plunge base additions would make it very versatile.

Do you have anything you don’t like about it? Other thoughts?

I only have the plunge and fixed bases for mine. Its been a great router so far. Had it not quite 2 years. I just purchased the DC port for it and it works alright. The tabs need to be longer to keep it hooked in.



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[drivesitfar]

R: how do you like the table? it looks AMAZING? WELL DONE SIR!!

Jim: i know you are probably busy working on your new website, but i hope you still stick around GJ to comment on other threads and post your tutorials here as you have time to.

cheers

 

[Slednut]

R, you have got to me proud of that table, I also like the use of the door and saw horses.

 

[R_einan]

Thank you everyone for the kind words!

R: how do you like the table? it looks AMAZING? WELL DONE SIR!!

Jim: i know you are probably busy working on your new website, but i hope you still stick around GJ to comment on other threads and post your tutorials here as you have time to.

cheers

I’m happy with 99% of it, there is a small chip out of the tenon of one corners that annoys me, and there are some variations in the surface that I wasn’t able to remove. But I feel very lucky with how smoothly things went on this build. I’m super excited to get it completely finished so I can deliver it. I’m both excited and nervous to see their reactions. They know I am building them a coffee table but that’s all, they have no idea what to expect.

R, you have got to me proud of that table, I also like the use of the door and saw horses.

It’s actually a 8’ chunk of countertop from a doctors office that was being remodeled, found it posted in the free section of CL. 1.5” particle board covered with laminate. Makes for a nice assembly/finish surface because it’s easy to clean off anything that ends up on the surface; glue scrapes off with a chisel. Until I expand my shop, it’s nice to have a large table I can take down for storage.

BTW, that looks like a window seat you are building, should post some details sled; give the rest of us ideas for future projects!

 

[jimreed2160]

Jim: i know you are probably busy working on your new website, but i hope you still stick around GJ to comment on other threads and post your tutorials here as you have time to.

cheers

I plan to stick around but it looks like my picture days are quickly coming to an end.

 

[jimreed2160]

Sled--Nice project. Hope you have some sturdy sons around to help you move it when the time comes. It looks pretty heavy.

 

[ez-duzit]

I plan to stick around but it looks like my picture days are quickly coming to an end.

Why? Postimage is free.

 

[Slednut]

BTW, that looks like a window seat you are building, should post some details sled; give the rest of us ideas for future projects!

Sled--Nice project. Hope you have some sturdy sons around to help you move it when the time comes. It looks pretty heavy.

Actually it's a TV stand, made up of three pieces so it wasn't too hard to move.

We have a beach theme upstairs so I wanted it to look a bit rustic. I need to take a picture of it at night, the window always fakes out my camera.

 

[R_einan]

That’s a nice looking piece sled! Good idea building it modular, much easier to move.

 

[Slednut]

That’s a nice looking piece sled! Good idea building it modular, much easier to move.

I just noticed you're in Eastern Washington, I live in Ellensburg. My woodworking has almost came to a stop, been busy working on a car.

 

[R_einan]

Hey, you’re only about 1-1.5 hrs away, I’m down in the tri-cities. Understand the struggle to find enough time to get all the projects done. What kind of car?

 

[drivesitfar]

Sled: great looking cabinet!!

Jim: i used to use PB for all my picture posting on Craigslist until just before i joined GJ about 4 years ago. i've posted all my pictures here clicking on the paperclip and downloading up to 7 thumbnails per post and if i have more than 7 pictures i make another post. if the member wants to see any of my pictures full size all they need to do is click on any of my pictures 2 clicks and it's full size on your laptop or computer screen.

ALL: i got the supports dug and poured for my new cedar address stand i'm going to make and looks like i'll have to plane, stain and cut it inside my garage now that it's raining almost every day. i made the plan out of my head so i hope it turns out ok and so far my bride approves so i'm looking good. my first two holes to place my sonotube in were too close to the cement block wall so i dug two more a bit farther back. i cut a 4 foot sonotube in half with a skill saw and used some 6x6 Simpson post holders that i added a foot long galvanized bolt to stick in farther cause i'm usually overbuilding if i have a choice to.

 

[ztorres]

I pulled the trigger today and ordered a CNC. I got an X-Carve by Inventables; 500mm x 500mm and was $760 for everything.


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[Slednut]

Hey, you’re only about 1-1.5 hrs away, I’m down in the tri-cities. Understand the struggle to find enough time to get all the projects done. What kind of car?

It's an old 1970 Mercury Cyclone.

Most people in Washington know about Ellensburg's wind and my garage has doors at each end. When I'm done with a wood project I usually just blow all the sawdust out the back door and the next time I mow it gets sucked up. I did the same with metal dust and killed a pretty big patch of lawn, lesson learned.

 

[jimreed2160]

Trial for pictures

Here is a neat shoe brush I found during a late night prowl of that famous auction site. The title is "Timbers of Australia."

Edit: The paperclip works pretty good. Thanks, Drives.

 

[R_einan]

It's an old 1970 Mercury Cyclone.

Most people in Washington know about Ellensburg's wind and my garage has doors at each end. When I'm done with a wood project I usually just blow all the sawdust out the back door and the next time I mow it gets sucked up. I did the same with metal dust and killed a pretty big patch of lawn, lesson learned.

Nice looking ride, body work isn’t my thing, but good for you. Ever make it down this way look me up, I think I can scrounge up a rainier for a fellow eastern wa shop monkey!

 

[Slednut]

Sounds good.

 

[jimreed2160]

Zach--You got a real deal on the x-carve. Those things are neat. We need to see you show it off. I would love to use one to make some old fashioned tombstone raised panels.

 

[BMR24]

Anybody have any thoughts on plow (plough) planes? I'm looking into getting one but I'm not sure weather to find a vintage one or just get the veritas. The veritas is a little more than I want to spend but I know they make good products. I'm not aware of any other company that makes them new. I know that I could buy a router for about the same price but I really like hand tool woodworking as opposed to using power tools. Thanks in advance for your input

 

[ScottsGT]

Google it. Paul Sellers has some good info on them as well. I enjoy using my hand tools, but sometimes life does not allow me the time and I have to use the quickest methods I can. Out comes my router!

 

[ez-duzit]

Anybody have any thoughts on plow (plough) planes?...

A shoulder/rabbet plane is more useful.

 

[BMR24]

Thank you both for your quick reply, I have a rabbet plane, I like it a lot, I just need a way to make grooves for some of my projects, the plow seemed like the best solution. If there is another method I'm all ears. From what I've read online, Paul sellers included, which plane I get doesn't matter so much, just the availability of irons and such that may become an issue, and parts if I end up with an incomplete vintage plane

 

[jimreed2160]

BMR--Welcome to the thread. PB is going to kill my pictures soon but there are many plow plane pictures posted earlier in the thread. I say you should go for a Stanley #45. I use mine all the time. In fact, I have two bodies and one of them is dedicated to the 1/8" cutter. Rare is the project that does not need a small groove somewhere. With the cutter already loaded and adjusted, the plane can make a groove before I could plug in the router.

 

[jimreed2160]

Rust pile arrives

The mailman made an early run this morning to drop off a wad of rust on my front porch. It COULD be a nice plane when cleaned up. Just depends on how deep the rust is.

I am writing a post on the rehabilitation over on

https://splintermaking.com/

Tune in for the saga of the little #140 skew rabbet plane.

 

[rlitman]

A shoulder/rabbet plane is more useful.

+1 You can always clamp on something to act as a fence.

A dedicated plow plane may have the option of a spur blade that nicks the fibers in the cross cut direction to prevent tearout. But a saw cut can fix this issue too.

I'm partial to my skew rabbet plane. I've got a few really old wood bodied ones that serve me just fine.