Woodworking 101--Tools and Tips

[jimreed2160]

Gotta love those ammo boxes

I have been eyeing these at Costco for awhile and finally pulled the trigger on two sets today. They are perfect storage for my biscuits and just beat the heck out of those plastic suitcases that dad found. The brown and yellow 70s color scheme was driving me nuts. So I moved everything. Now that I have a large ammo box of #10s, the full box of #10s has been declared surplus.

I used my short session in a cold shop today to get everything moved over and marked. Final tally was large box full of #20, large box 90% full of #10, and small box full of #0 with deli meat box of #0 in the Ryobi box. Now they are all ready for storage in an out of the way spot.

 

[Bob Heine]

I broke down and bought a biscuit joiner and some biscuits. I have wanted one for a long time but couldn't justify it when they were over $100. In the 1960s and 70s my limit was $20 and in the 80s and 90s it was $50. Now anything under $100 is an OK impulse purchase. More correctly I don't feel horrible if a $100 purchase turns out to be a mistake.

I bought the Harbor Freight wannabe biscuit joiner from Amazon for less than $70. A couple of packages of biscuits in 0, 10 and 20 sizes and I was in business.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z804LAW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used it to re-purpose several off-cuts and scraps into a box for my laminate trimmer. The original cardboard box is disintegrating and I thought I'd use pocket screws to assemble the box.

After I cut the scraps to size I started marking biscuit locations and cutting slots. I had my first senior moment when I cut all the biscuit slots on the face of the end board, when two should have been cut on the sides. I'll save that scrap as a reminder and maybe as the first part of a smaller box (it's the piece on the lower right).

My second senior moment came when I went to glue up the box. My bottle of Elmer's Carpenters Wood Glue is older than my oldest grandson (he's 26). It seems the glue is OK until more than half the bottle is gone. This was the end of my Boxing day.

 

[jimreed2160]

Bob--I hear you. I know Norm says to "measure twice and cut once," but my motto is more like, "measure once, cut two or three times, then go buy more lumber." Just keep nipping away and you will finally get those slots in the right spot.

As for the glue, I have a good idea. I always put the purchase date on things like glue and lithium batteries. I also keep the glue inside to keep it away from heat extremes, esp. freezing. Then I treat myself to a brand new tube of glue after two years. As for the batteries, I lower my expectations around the five year mark.

 

[jimreed2160]

New project

One of my bucket list ww projects is an old English joint stool. It is a small project that looks like fun. I found these plans on line and they came in this week.

So maybe I can have some fun in my newly organized shop this spring.

 

[jimreed2160]

Forgot photos.

 

[Gasgt1]

My first real woodworking project 30 years later.

I built a rocking horse for my daughter for her first Christmas.
It is so cool now to see her son ride the same rocking horse.

Makes the old man feel pretty good inside

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=728178&stc=1&d=1516537728

 

[ScottsGT]

Pretty cool! Dad built my two oldest kids toy boxes when they were toddlers. His health went down hill and the other two didn't get one. But my oldest daughter is now 4 months pregnant. She just sent me plans for a toy box for our first grand.

 

[Alchymist]

My first real woodworking project 30 years later.

I built a rocking horse for my daughter for her first Christmas.
It is so cool now to see her son ride the same rocking horse.

Makes the old man feel pretty good inside

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=728178&stc=1&d=1516537728

Nice job on the horse. Mine weren't as fancy - but had to do 4. Two toy boxes and a rocking cradle round out the grandkid gift list. (So far, that is).

 

[jimreed2160]

Gas and Alchy--Great projects. My favorite photos are the pictures of the happy clients.

 

[jimreed2160]

Stanley #62 Low Angle Jack Plane

In 1911, Stanley first offered this overblown block plane. It was popular because it worked so well but WWII came and production ended in 1942. Due to the success of LN and Lee Valley versions, Stanley reintroduced their plane in 2010. I guess they have been a success. I know that my LN #62 is one of my go to planes for difficult grain situations.

But the users uncovered a weakness in the early brittle castings. Like their little brothers, these large #62s had an adjustable mouth that was worked by a cam. Over time, the movable sole would become reluctant to move and the easiest (but wrong) move was to insert a screwdriver in the mouth and lever the front base forward. Of course, that put undue strain on the fragile rear of the mouth and it would chip. About 90% of these vintage planes found in the wild have damaged mouths. Here are some from my boneyard. Can this issue be fixed? Stay tuned.

 

[jimreed2160]

Stanley #62

I have had success restoring these planes to use. It all depends on the state of the mouth. If the chips are not too extensive, the rear of the mouth can be filed square and the plane is 95% as good as new. Of the three bodies in the boneyard, one has slight damage, one has extensive damage, and one is in between. I think the extensively damaged mouth is too far gone but the other two have hope.

I selected the less damaged one and clamped it in the vise for filing. It took about ten minutes of filing to get it squared back to fresh metal. And not too much length was lost.

That was good for two reasons. First, I think this can be a great user plane. And second, that 50 degree shop called for brisk work. Temps here today are supposed to reach the 60s, so the shop should be warmer this afternoon. Maybe I can continue the rehab then.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Alchy: My father made many of that same horse. I think I still have the original 1950's mail order pattern. He made one for each of his four children and many nieces and nephews. I made one for my son and a nephew. Glad to see the tradition took hold elsewhere.

Gas: Yours is a classic of a different pattern. Well done!

 

[Lyndon]

Bump - Come on - we can't have this thread down on page 4.....

It's a slippery slope, and what else can I read in the quiet moments at work!!!!

Calling someone - anyone....

Lyndon
Thought I wasn't lookin' - didn't ya?

 

[jimreed2160]

Lyndon--I am with ya. I think the cool weather has most of us out of the shop. Maybe I should do some handplane show & tells.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Lyndon--I am with ya. I think the cool weather has most of us out of the shop. Maybe I should do some handplane show & tells.

Yeah, yesterday it actually got up to 70F and I went out in the garage, but the WIND was so strong it was just blowing up against my garage doors so loud banging & clanging I finally gave up and went inside...

 

[Gasgt1]

Wormy Quartersawn white oak in my latest project

 

[jimreed2160]

Gas--Nice wood.

 

[jimreed2160]

Odd Jobs

Stanley made the Odd Jobs tool from 1888 until 1930. Garrett Wade and others make modern copies in brass. It is a handy combination tool that fits well in an apron pocket or in an overall bib.

I keep one beside my workbench and use it to check inside square on drawers and boxes. I like the compact size.

 

[madison069]

As stated earlier the warmer weather got me out of the garage, so I took the opportunity to work on the playhouse. When I moved the playhouse to the new house I had to take the roof off so during the winter months it was only sheeted with OSB to keep the snow out. I got the front gable done, just needs attention to the corners with the soffit. Now that I got the rest of the little stuff that got damaged during disassembly I will get the back side done soon and finish the roof with shingle when the weather gets over 50*F.

I also been working on the garage trying to get it in decent shape and making it more useful. Once i get this corner sheeted and painted I'll put a sheet of pegboard over it so I can hang some of my odd tools that don't have a drawer. This "opening" between the two walls will get a 32" door since this leads to my wood room, this will help reduce the area that has to be heated while I do wood work.

 

[madison069]

So speaking of wood projects, I'm thinking of making my wife a wooden makeup box so She can keep her makeup organized in the bathroom. Anyone on here has made such a thing? I got til June to make it so wanted to get some ideas and then get on the project soon!

 

[Craptain]

So speaking of wood projects, I'm thinking of making my wife a wooden makeup box so She can keep her makeup organized in the bathroom. Anyone on here has made such a thing? I got til June to make it so wanted to get some ideas and then get on the project soon!

I found the easiest way is to make one for yourself and give her the rest of the bathroom.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Gasgt1]

Odd Jobs

Stanley made the Odd Jobs tool from 1888 until 1930. Garrett Wade and others make modern copies in brass. It is a handy combination tool that fits well in an apron pocket or in an overall bib.

I keep one beside my workbench and use it to check inside square on drawers and boxes. I like the compact size.

I have always thought the Odd Jobs tool was interesting.
Still planning to pick one up one of these days.

 

[Unruh]

As stated earlier the warmer weather got me out of the garage, so I took the opportunity to work on the playhouse. When I moved the playhouse to the new house I had to take the roof off so during the winter months it was only sheeted with OSB to keep the snow out. I got the front gable done, just needs attention to the corners with the soffit. Now that I got the rest of the little stuff that got damaged during disassembly I will get the back side done soon and finish the roof with shingle when the weather gets over 50*F.

That looks pretty sweet. Did you do much inside...like a kitchen, bench, etc?

 

[madison069]

That looks pretty sweet. Did you do much inside...like a kitchen, bench, etc?

It has a 8'x4' loft over the porch, Dutch front door with shelf on top of the bottom half. Other wise it is finished but no attached furniture so the kids can move everything around.

 

[Gasgt1]

Nice playhouse Madison

 

[jimreed2160]

So speaking of wood projects, I'm thinking of making my wife a wooden makeup box so She can keep her makeup organized in the bathroom. Anyone on here has made such a thing? I got til June to make it so wanted to get some ideas and then get on the project soon!

My experience in this matter is extensive but probably not comforting. After a few years of marriage, The Queen and I bought a large house with a master suite. The bath had two vanities--a small one and a huge one. Based on my earlier sharing experience, I knew which one to claim. After awhile, her six foot vanity top was cluttered beyond belief. I built several shelves which were quickly put to use. I added storage organizers which were quickly filled. After these defeats, I went into full retreat.

Our current house has two bathrooms and The Queen has her own domain. I wish you good luck with your well meaning project but fear it may be like trying to fill an active sinkhole.

 

[jimreed2160]

Madison--Great playhouse. Lucky kids.

 

[jimreed2160]

Stanley #62

I was able to snag some shop time this morning and start on the #62 cam lever. There was some nice flat stock just on the back of the bench so I measured and roughed it out. Now I need to make a nice template and start grinding.

 

[madison069]

My experience in this matter is extensive but probably not comforting. After a few years of marriage, The Queen and I bought a large house with a master suite. The bath had two vanities--a small one and a huge one. Based on my earlier sharing experience, I knew which one to claim. After awhile, her six foot vanity top was cluttered beyond belief. I built several shelves which were quickly put to use. I added storage organizers which were quickly filled. After these defeats, I went into full retreat.

Our current house has two bathrooms and The Queen has her own domain. I wish you good luck with your well meaning project but fear it may be like trying to fill an active sinkhole.

I hear ya'll about the vanity clutter, with 3 daughters and my wife I got 4 times the issues. Luckily the little one is almost 3 yrs old so she don't take much space.

Somedays I think I should just put a shower corner in my garage bathroom and just keep my bathroom stuff in the garage instead of trying to ignore the mess.

 

[Gasgt1]

I made this knife block for my son.
Cherry with quartersawn spalted sycamore inset.

Bamboo skewers hold the knives in place.

 

[Bob Heine]

I hear ya'll about the vanity clutter, with 3 daughters and my wife I got 4 times the issues. Luckily the little one is almost 3 yrs old so she don't take much space.

Somedays I think I should just put a shower corner in my garage bathroom and just keep my bathroom stuff in the garage instead of trying to ignore the mess.

Madison, you're not alone. With the exception of the shower, I have ceded the master bath to my wife. I use the toilet in the guest bath and keep my medications in there as well. I don't use the guest bath sink because it is too much trouble to clean it up after shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Those tasks are performed in the garage where there is a laundry sink in a 41" tall cabinet. One section of the cabinet above the sink has mouth wash, razors, shaving cream and hydrogen peroxide. The electric toothbrush and WaterPik, banned from the guest bath counter, are right at home behind the garage sink.

The appliance-free counters in the kitchen meant a coffee bar in the garage completes the morning routine -- nice to have coffee perking when you are starting the day in the peace and quiet of the garage (when it was 40*F outside last week, the garage stayed at 72*F or warmer). The microwave next to the sink is handy for re-heating a cup of coffee that has set too long.

 

[ez-duzit]

BH--tell us the truth--you wife kicked you out of the house, didn't she?

 

[Bob Heine]

BH--tell us the truth--you wife kicked you out of the house, didn't she?

EZ, the less time I spend in the house, the less mess I have to clean up -- you've seen my messes in the garage and shop.

If you remember the story of Brer Rabbit, I told my wife "please don't throw me and my stuff in that Garage Patch!"

 

[bubinga]

That's Nice Bob!

 

[jimreed2160]

Gas--Nice knifeholder with great wood.

Bob--U R my hero. Just a few more reasons of why a workshop is essential. A man's gotta survive and thrive.

 

[jimreed2160]

Stanley #62

Nice day for shop work--it was a balmy 55 in the shop but I felt great with a flannel shirt and a full length apron. I used the adjuster from another plane to make a paper pattern of the #62 adjuster last night. That is just another reason for why you need lots of planes. I traced out the pattern and drilled a hole for the swing pin so I would have a reference point. Then it was an easy task to grind off the excess.

Tips for woodworkers
There is a big difference between drilling in metal and drilling in wood. For instance, drilling metal requires a divot or the drill bit will drift. So use a sharp punch to create a dimple where you need a hole. Also, it is easier to sneak up on metal holes. I used two drill bit sizes to create this pivot hole and it is only about 1/16" in diameter.

 

[jimreed2160]

#62 plane adjuster

Next step was to form the offset channel in the adjuster. On this plane, the front knob is attached to a metal base that has a hollow protruding boss. This boss rides in the offset channel and causes the front part of the sole to move forward and backward and control the mouth opening. When the lever is left, the mouth is tight and when the lever is right, the mouth is open. My plan was to identify the hard right and left locations and then just open the metal between them in an arc.

I used an index card and an awl to create a pattern that I could transfer to the metal. Then I drilled a small hole at each end and two in the middle.

 

[jimreed2160]

OUCH!

Things were going great. I was rocking out to shop tunes and drilling away. I had four holes in the adjuster and was drilling the first one with a larger bit when BANG!

The bit suddenly grabbed the adjuster, tore it from the clamp, and started swinging it wildly around. That was a real wake up call. I respect the torque of my drill press and never hold a project directly. There are always clamps around for that. This clamp paid the price and lost a few splinters. Well, better the clamp than me.

I continued and got my holes drilled. I used the Dremel to open them up and finished with files. The rattail files were especially helpful.

 

[jimreed2160]

#62 adjuster

So now we are almost finished with the adjuster. I attached the pivot pin by tapping it into the hole. The adjuster hole was slightly smaller and the interference fit on the pin was perfect. But the adjuster was flush with the deck and I needed to bend the lever up a bit. I used my smooth jaw vise and hand pressure to make a gentle curve. It worked well and moved the sole plate with ease--SUCCESS!

With the adjuster out of the way, I could now focus on the rest of the plane. The sole has a little rust and the blade is really rusty so it was time for Mr Evaporust to take over. I used the small dunk cylinder and the deli meat container. The cool shop temps will make this an overnight adventure at least.

 

[jimreed2160]

New tools arrive

The thump on my doorstep yesterday afternoon was a largish box from HF that contained my Kreg jig knockoff. It is all aluminum and certainly looks better than the plastic stuff. Hope it holds up to incredibly light work in my shop.

The table top project has been stalled because of procurement delays. Well, a suitable and low cost used burn in knife presented itself and it was stuffed in the mailbox yesterday afternoon. I hope to test and train today. Stay tuned.