Woodworking 101--Tools and Tips

[rrich1]

Drive: ya I would buy the k5. I own the k4 kit but don't use the clamp it came with. I bought the 6" extended reach kreg clamps and like them a lot. I got them off of eBay for basically 2 for 1 deal.

Not sure if we k5 you posted comes with the portable piece or not. It allows you to take the drill insert and use it on a workpiece instead of taking the workpiece to the kit. This kit also come with the screw kit and a set of the normal sized automax pliers. Kreg K5MS K5 Master System With Screw Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192AQKPC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

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[drivesitfar]

RR: thanks for the heads up. since you like the clamps so much would it be worth it to spend $80 more for the kit with the 3 extra clamps or just buy those clamps later if needed?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTR3VP7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

By the way I probably own 2 dozen vise grip clamps like you mentioned, but i know having a nice tool that you don't have to adjust while you are working on getting something to stay put is nice.

 

[jimreed2160]

I went to Lowes and bought the small kit version. I think it was around $50. I have only used the drill bit, stop collar and driver bit. Then I bought the single hole version because it had an extra drill bit and was only $16. My jig is from HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/portable-pocket-hole-jig-kit-96264.html

I also bought a bunch of different sized screws from Lowes. Everything fits into a tote I got at HD. So it is a motley collection of stuff. But it all works together. I have plenty of clamps and don't see anything special about their vise grip clamp.

If I had to do it all over, I would pick up the drill bit kit and pair it with the HF aluminum jig. I have tons of square driver bits.

 

[jimreed2160]

rrich--Love the maple. Your son will love this set. Keep us updated.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have the K4... I read a lot of mixed reviews on the K5 so I figured I would stick to the tried and true version.

You might want to hold off purchasing, the big box stores are getting ramped up for their big Spring Sales Event, they will probably have some good Kreg kit combo with screws for ~$99 (I know they always do around Black Friday, my HD still has a few of those kits in store).

As for clamps... Just kind of depends on what you are doing. I use regular clamps just fine as I have all shapes & sizes. The one that has a pin on one side is meant to go in a pocket hole you just drilled, I've been wanting one of those just never searched to see if I could find one cheap. Probably a little more convenient when clamping long material.

 

[rrich1]

Ijim: it's actually cherry.

I got a lot of work done on the hamper this morning. I put a dado in the bottom rails to accept the bottom that I made this morning as well. I also made the hand opening. I first drew it out on the piece and I made a template out of scrap pieces. I got the angle that I needed and cut the it on the scrap pieces on the miter saw. I then super glued them to another piece. This allowed me to come in with a flush trim bit on the router table and made quick work of it. I chewed away at it so it wasn't taking big bites at first. The oy thing I messed up on was I forgot to come in at the end and I got a little big of tear out. Not a huge deal but was disappointing that I forgot to do it.

Pro tip: when using double sided tape first put a layer of blue painters tape down on each piece. This will make for easier release of the pieces and no residue as well.

Right now it's mocked up and ready for sanding. Can't wait to get it finished. I need to go buy some torsion hinges now.

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[jimreed2160]

rrich--Cherry is even better. Figured cherry finishes well and just looks better as it ages. Good job on the hamper.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Very Nice!

 

[jimreed2160]

Stanley #67

So the glue dried on the plugged handle and I was able to finish patching the user hang hole. I carefully cut the ends off proud using a coping saw. Then I wrapped it in a shoprag and clamped it into my fixit bench Parker vise. I used the same saw to make kerfs which matched the grooves on the handle. And I used the small Japanese chisels to carefully pare away the part that did not match. A little sandpaper finished the job and I was able to brush it with shellac after lunch.

This shave has a flat bottom only but originally came with a curved bottom also. I sharpened the blade and made some nice shavings. If you need a spokeshave, the #67 is the way to go.

 

[cheechi]

I don't dress well enough to be able to use a hamper that fancy.

 

[CRSINMICH]

jim reed: Nice repair on that rosewood handle. Pegboards are useful but they can too easily lead to wanton, indiscriminant hole drilling. I seem to have been on a spokeshave jag lately. Now I have to add a #67.
rrich: I agree with cheechi. That hamper is much too nice to dump dirty clothes into. Good job!

 

[rrich1]

Haha. Thanks guys.

I took it all apart and sanded it with 180 grit. Not sure if I'll go any higher. I also cut a chamfer on the inside of the posts to help from hands being scraped or stabbed by the corners when clothes are being out in or taken out. I planed the edges to get rid of any saw blade marks. I still need to plane the chamfers. One burned really badly.

Since I decided to cut the chamfers I'm going to have to redo the bottom which *****. I already redid it once. I hate wasting that much plywood.

Might get to clue a few of the pieces up tonight after shift.

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[jimreed2160]

Looking even better. I am glad to see that new bench at work.

 

[rrich1]

I got the front and rear sides glued today. Before glue up I took my LN LAJ #5 to the chamfers and smoothed them all put. Look much better. The rear panel is painted a chocolate color. I didn't have enough walnut ply to make all of the sides. I think it will blend in well.

Edit:

After work I got the rest of it glued together. I recut the bottom to better match the chamfer I made. I forgot to check for square during the glue up so it is off slightly. So that is irritating. It will be fine though. Not sure if I'll have time to work on it tomorrow or not.

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[jimreed2160]

Clever solution to the back panel. No one will ever know but you. And some people cannot even tell the difference between veneer grade walnut and brown paint, anyway.

 

[jimreed2160]

New project--chisel rack

Since my prototype chisel rack has been in service for three or four years, I guess it is OK to fire for effect. The wood stash had a nice walnut short from some former project and some 1/2" spalted maple that I found at the box store years ago. Sometimes the craft wood there is exceptional.

I measured carefully and spent some time on the holes. After I made the prototype I discovered that the chisel ends have a variety of diameters so I took that into account. I did not have fractional sized Forstners but I did have on of those Mr Fancypants step drills. It worked great as it just opened up the top of the hole.

The second tier is slotted for the extra wide blades. I need to let the glue dry before proceeding. Since I was generating lots of dust, I used my redneck air cleaner for its first extended trial. Works great. It kept dust out of the air and managed to get itself dirty during the two hour session.

 

[chrislehr]

Finished the ledge and corner trim today. Added more support in the middle. Ready for thompsons and the dirt!

 

[EOC_Jason]

Finished the ledge and corner trim today. Added more support in the middle. Ready for thompsons and the dirt!

You should have built like 3 more... Once you start planting and seeing things grow you will be like... "Man, I wish I planted X also"...

 

[jimreed2160]

Chris--Great project. What variety of tomato are you going with?

 

[jimreed2160]

Non woodworking note:

I woke up from my afternoon nap, startled one of the kitties on my lap and she ran up my face. It was a one-two punch. One trip to the ER and two stitches to my upper lip. Napping can be hazardous. I will be spending more time in the shop where I never get hurt.

 

[chrislehr]

Chris--Great project. What variety of tomato are you going with?

No, idea - mostly at the wife's discretion!

You should have built like 3 more... Once you start planting and seeing things grow you will be like... "Man, I wish I planted X also"...

Our last house we uprooted the lawn for a front yard garden. We are excited for the smaller footprint!

 

[jimreed2160]

Chisel rack

I managed to squeeze in some shop time today and was able to assemble the new chisel rack. The Kreg seemed like too much work so I applied glue and shot some brads.

One of my other projects today was fixing an aluminum knife handle and repairing an ATV lift. All of the projects benefited greatly from having an organized shop and different work tables. I especially like having duplicate tools at some of the work centers. It saves time because I don't have to remember where keep the whatsit. There are whatsits everywhere. It has really cut down on running around the shop on a tool hunt.

 

[popsjohn]

I have reading this thread over the last several weeks starting from the beginning. Not up to date but a little more than half way. I am finding it very interesting. It sparked an interest in wood planes. I watched Paul Sellers utube on restoring a plane and since I like to go to auctions figured I could pick up some to restore. Have gotten several No 5 and No 4 in various conditions. Still deciding which to try and restore.

Last Saturday I purchased a No 7 Bailey at an Amish Mud Sale. It has all the metal parts but lacks the wooden tote and knob. Figured for the $1 I spent on the plane I could find the wooden pieces. I think it is a type 9 and doesn't appear to be cracked. I have taken it apart and it now soaking in evaporust.

Are the wooden pieces from other size plane compatible with the No 7?

 

[isuhunter]

Fellow woodworkers - many of your are much more experienced than I am. I am hoping you can help shed some light on my baseboard installations. I have replaced all the casing & baseboard in my house and I have a few corners that just DRIVE ME CRAZY. The what are your tips for the not so perfect drywall corners (maybe rounded a bit, doesn't sit 90* vertical to the floor.)

 

[rlitman]

Inside or outside corners? Inside corners should be coped.
Are you trying to use one piece baseboard molding? This is a recipe for pain.

 

[isuhunter]

Inside or outside corners? Inside corners should be coped.
Are you trying to use one piece baseboard molding? This is a recipe for pain.

Inside corners are where I struggle with. I need to do some googling on "coping". OH MY THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THINGS A LOT EASIER. Too late now...

One piece baseboard molding?

 

[rlitman]

​

Inside corners are where I struggle with. I need to do some googling on "coping". OH MY THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THINGS A LOT EASIER. Too late now...

One piece baseboard molding?

I've been known to miter inside corners out of laziness (though I don't have any stain grade molding in my house, where it is harder to get away with stuff). As you've seen, it can work, when things line up, but can get frustrating in other cases.

As for one piece. I see a lot of builders buy quantities of base molding cut to a profile and put it up. That works when everything is square.

The traditional method uses three pieces (at the base of walls). The base molding is rectangular (though a cove cut on the back side can help) in cross section. Above it sits the much smaller piece of molding that is cut to the profile, which covers any gaps between the base and the wall (smaller pieces of molding are more flexible). And in front of it sits the shoe molding that corrects for any irregularities in the floor.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Jim,
I am trying to picture what kind of "kitty" causes the damage you described. Ouch! Is it a jaguar or what?
Hope you heal quickly.
Rick

 

[drivesitfar]

JIM: Those Naps can be dangerous I guess and i'll never joke with you again about them so you can take them more seriously.

I still haven't learned to ALWAYS wear thick leather gloves when ruffing up the little 4 legged Queen in our house. not sure why she was at a shelter at 4.5 years old cause she purrs louder than every cat we've ever owned and the neighbors love her, but she's a cold blooded killer. pictures shows her resting in our daughter's dog's bed and she controls him when he comes to visit.

ALL: i've got a lot of nice plywood to make some sort of shelving and or cabinets for these old boxes or bins and wondered if any of you have made anything that you like that you can maybe share a few pictures and how to make them before I go googling?

thanks in advance!!

 

[jimreed2160]

Pops--Welcome to the land of shavings. That looks like a really nice #7 that you picked up. The same replacement wood was used on 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 7, and 8. The larger sizes are not very common EXCEPT for the #5, which is as plentiful as stray cats at a fish fry. Your best bet is to find a nice #5 tote donor. I like the #7 size because it has enough mass to keep moving.

isu--Inside corner baseboard can be a challenge because the framers and rockers don't have to do that job. Maybe that is why all trim carpenters have grey hair. Anyway, you need a good base to start with. If there are protruding defects, you can trim the backside of the baseboard to make it lay flat. If there are voids, you can shim them. And yes, the coping saw is your friend. Painted trim is easy because you can use spackle to fill in the gaps.

turbo & Drives--The kitty in question is a ten pound Birman who is very docile. I tried to hold her and her sister while I got up from the chair so I could put them back into the warm seat. Although I have done this many times, she had a kitty freak out and clipped upper and lower lips and left some very painful belly tracks. I have learned my lesson and will send them fleeing to freedom from now on.

 

[jimreed2160]

Poly time

It is a beautiful day here in north Florida--70's and dry, so I decided to get some work done in my spray booth. I shot two coats of rattle can poly on the chisel rack and the two totes that I refinished last week.

The marriage of spalted figured maple and walnut was a winner. They make a nice looking couple.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jim: thanks for the selfie and sounds like good weather and woodworking are part of your healing process. nice work on the new chisel racks and send some of that 70 degree weather up my way pleeeeeeeease.

ALL: I was moving a bit of my wood supplies/scraps last night as I GET ORGANIZED and anybody that thinks a Honda Pilot can't hold much this is the light stuff compared to some things i haul with it.

i've got a bit of everything in this pile and even a piece of zebra wood in there too.

 

[Autonomous]

Jim: thanks for the selfie and sounds like good weather and woodworking are part of your healing process. nice work on the new chisel racks and send some of that 70 degree weather up my way pleeeeeeeease.

ALL: I was moving a bit of my wood supplies/scraps last night as I GET ORGANIZED and anybody that thinks a Honda Pilot can't hold much this is the light stuff compared to some things i haul with it.

i've got a bit of everything in this pile and even a piece of zebra wood in there too.

@drives: Jeebus! That's a serious haul of some quality wood. How are your wheel bearings after all that? I bet it smelled amazing.

@Jim: hope you heal quickly. I had a kitten run up my face in bed when scared, scratched my freaking eye.

Thanks for the chisel holder inspiration.

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[rrich1]

First coats of finish are on. 1 coat of shellac and 1 coat of arm r seal so far. Will do at least 2 more coats of arm r seal before I'm done. Will also buff it out with wax on the final coat.

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[jimreed2160]

rrich--WOW. Grain really pops. Good job. That's pretty uptown for storing dirty skivvies.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Very nice!

 

[CRSINMICH]

rrich: Okay, you can let us in on the joke now. That's really a pedestal for a Ming Vase isn't it? No one would think about putting laundry into that beautiful piece. Very nicely done!

 

[jimreed2160]

Since Bob (aka, Mr Fancypants) started a new space race by using exotic wood for his shop fixtures, I have been rushing to catch up. My latest project was a mashup of two of his ideas. His step drill idea really helped with my chisel rack project but it caused a storage issue. Then I found some actual tapered drill bits at HF. My solution was to use walnut scrap and create what I call a "Boca Christmas Tree" fixture for my pegboard.

 

[Bob Heine]

Jim, are you thinking of moving south to the Yankee part of Florida? That's a very nice looking Bitmas Tree. I may make one of those and leave the holiday tree in the attic next December.

 

[jimreed2160]

Jim, are you thinking of moving south to the Yankee part of Florida? That's a very nice looking Bitmas Tree. I may make one of those and leave the holiday tree in the attic next December.