Woodworking

This is a little quilt rack that I have built several of for wedding presents. Recently I have had a hard time coming across the balusters that I use. I would like to build them out of pine or

I’ve been researching stationary power tools for 6 months now. My needs are table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, dust collecting system, drill press, sanders ect., an entire shop. I have also spent the past 6 months selling off my old shop tools most of which were 15-20 year old delta, most were undersized for my new plans of building furniture as a side business. I have gone through the Grizzly catalog and selected models to meet all my needs to the tune of $14,000. Grizzly seems to be pretty good quality, they do seem to have quite a lot of shipping damage. Every time I read a review or post of someone bashing their tools it would seem the real problem is with the person and not the tool maker. I would think that every tool maker has problems from time to time, after all these tools are made by people, or robots that in turn are made by people. I personally have never owned or used Grizzly tools and I’m just a bit unsure about pulling the 14K trigger. Anything anyone can add that is of real value to my thought process would be greatly appreciated. If your experience with Grizzly has been poor please be honest with me and go into detail as to how Grizzly could have been better. Thank you in advance for any and all of your help.

This is the first completed shop project. I followed the plans pretty closely from the shopnotes no. 82 issue. This was my first time cutting dadoes and rabbets and I really like the results. I used birch for the cabinets, pine for the trim, and mdf for the tabletop. I modified the right side of the table to include some deep narrow cabinets for cutoffs and dowels. I haven’t started the fence yet, but I will upload pics when it is complete. Obviously the shop furniture is more important than the sheetrock.

The problem with writing every day for three years is that one improves. I wrote Time and Again in 2011. It was edited almost a seven months ago. I’ve gotten better at the craft since then. One of the biggest catalysts behind my continued growth as a writer/reader has been working with Erin Feldman. She leaves me comments when she thinks the writing could be better and explains why. Each time I read things like “not necessary” or “consider breaking in two” it changes how I view writing. There are dozens of such ideas she shares with me. Most of them I agree with. Today I decided to give Time and Again another read through. Overall, I’d say it’s a better story than the first book. I’m about 10% of the way through and there have been a few changes. A couple of outright mistakes and a few word choice changes make the writing a bit more polished. One of the comments by a reviewer was that there were patches of writing that were a little rough. At first I wasn’t sure what she meant, but now these patches are visible. I’d rather continue to work on the next project, but spending a couple of days putting one more coat of polish on Time and Again is worth the effort. At some point I’ll need to stop fussing, though. In a year, or two, when I look back, I’m sure there will be other stylistic changes I’d make. At least, I hope that I continue to grow as a wordsmith. Still, I think that the last pass will make it a better book. And that isn’t such a bad thing.

This has been my ongoing woodworking project.

Ok, im not posting this under reviews because as I recall it requires a pic or two and Im not gonna bother with taking a pic of a saw blade. About 7 months ago I was sent a 12 inch Irwin Marples 40 tooth to try out. I believe it to be about a 5/64 kerf or so with a 15 degree hook. It has been to the blade shop; only once in that time. It has been used for most domestic hardwoods from my regional suppliers, MDF, particle board, some melamine, plastic laminates and plywoods of varying grades. This is a general purpose blade mind you, or so is their claim. This is the best blade all around that I recall ever using which includes forest, a mana , premium deltas , freud a nd quite a few others as well. The edge sustaining characteristics is like nothing I have experienced. A couple days ago while at lowes I saw a rack with these same blades so I grabbed one ! I may go back and get some more. The best part is that they were just pennies shy of 38.oo bucks. Unreal. Keep in mind this is a 12 inch with a one inch arbor so the same version in a 10 may alter the geometry a bit.Im not a blade scientist. Oh and I get splinter free crosscuts too. They got this one right ! Enjoy ! JB

I’m trying to figure out which table saw is best in the $500 – $600 range. The only 3 that I’m really considering are: 1) Porter Cable (Link here) 2) Rigid R4512 (Link here) 3) Craftsman 21833 (Link here) These all seem to be good saws, but I’m thinking the PC table is better. Plus, I called Lowes and they’ll give me a 10% discount so that $599 is really $540. HD would give me a 10% discount on the Rigid 4512 as well so that puts it around $480. But I like the PC being 120/240 V and 15 amp. The Rigid is 13A motor and the Craftsman says 1-3/4 hp motor (which I’d rather know amps). Any advice / feedback on these saws is greatly appreciated. I’m a mere mortal so it’s not like I need a professional-grade Powermatic, Jet, or similar. jarod

i need help with working with pine wood, l made a few shelves a few years ago pine and oak 2 different shelves.When l filled screw heads and a few nicks in the wood then stained it filler blotch showed threw.This table just made want to cover screw heads up is there a common wood filler to use that when l put on either clear indoor/outdoor varathane or a semi dark stain won’t show as a blotch, but will blend in sas not there same question for oak those are the 2 main woods l presently use?Thanks in advancejim

Today I had a million projects on my mind. But what I ended up doing was going out and cleaning and organizing the shop. Here is the horrid BEFORE picture. It’s probably about as bad as it’s been so far. But I’m sure it’s not the last time it will be like this. Notice on the right hand side of this picture… there are totes stacked up. There are quite a few behind the plywood and other stuff. Somewhere back there… there is an AC window unit. And a Christmas tree :) And this picture doesn’t really do justice to how bad it actually was. And now… here is what it looks like… after me moving everything all by myself to a storage unit… in my minivan. And my reorganized wood pile… This is ALL lumber that I’ve received free. Most from pallets. But ALL free. After this was all done we left for an awards ceremony for my kids, followed by dinner out. When I returned I went to the garage to put something away. It’s still such an AMAZING feeling walking into my shop.. I love it! A year ago I never would have thought I’d have all this. I know I’m repeating myself but it is absolutely amazing. What a feeling it is to walk in that door and see all those tools and that stack of wood. I feel truly blessed. Very grateful for the things that I have. PS…. for anyone that’s followed my other posts…. did you notice a new tool (used, new to me) in the pic? :) Slowly but surely I’m acquiring all the tools I have been wanting. Well… actually… it’s kinda been moving fast these last few months. Just been in the right place at the right time. Oh… and look to the right of that jointer… I have a stack of poplar. Those boards are 2×8’s and 3×6’s. Guy was going to burn them. And he has quite a bit more. :) Have a wonderful week out there. Hope you get to make some sawdust. I know that I need to go dirty up mine now that it’s clean so I’m sure I will be getting busy out there.

I’m making a knife block out of maple burl and finished with Danish oil but not fully satisfied with the dull appearance. Would clear Briwax give the Danish oil more of a sheen? The hand rubbed look.