Category: Articles

SawdustNewbie’s 100th Blog Post!

Published on by Mike  (2 Comments)

Today I have reached a avatar_notext_wmmilestone on my blog, the 100th post!

When I started this blog nearly 4 years ago, I felt like a total newbie when it came to my woodworking.  I have looked back on some of my projects, some turned out well, others….. well they were a great learning experience!  🙂  Awhile back I thought about changing the name of the blog to something not so “newbie”.  However, I took the time to reflect on what the purpose of this blog is for, what it means to me, and most importantly what it is for my readers.  This dt_boxblog is about trying new things, pushing ones skills, and making something out of nothing.  In a way, that is what a newbie is, someone who is trying something new to learn from it.  So regardless of my skill level, I feel that SawdustNewbie is still very relevant for what I am trying to accomplish.

So where do I go from here?  Most definitely I will continue trying new things, both in the shop and for the blog.  This includes more video!  I have a few ideas lined up for videos that will come in the near future, but if there is anything you want to see, post in the comments below.

english_layout_squareWhile I don’t want this, or any of my posts about making money, I do still think it is worthwhile, I have started looking into selling some projects I have made.  Any sales I make will go right back into my woodworking or this blog.   Currently I have a very small Etsy store, but I am exploring other avenues as well.

cradleFinally, but most importantly, thank you for taking the time to read my blog!  I enjoy my time in my shop and I find it encouraging that I am able to share my experiences so that you can enjoy time in your shop as well!  To all my readers a huge THANK YOU!  Looking forward to the next 100 posts!

Video 3 – Stock Prep

Published on by Mike  (Leave a comment)

I go through the basic process of prepping stock so that it can be used successfully for any project.

This is my first true how-to video, so it is a bit rough. I took the opportunity to practice creating and editing video. There are some issues with it, like my head being cut-off, audio not that great at times, and so on. My next video, I will work on improving some of these areas.

The video was shot with my Samsung Galaxy 4S, and edited with Microsoft Movie Maker.

Enjoy my video on stock prep!

Machine Setup

Published on by Mike  (Leave a comment)

setup_toolsI have had many conversations about machine setup and have found many strong opinions on this subject. Therefore this could prove to be my most controversial article to date! 🙂

There are a lot of tools on the market today used for setting up and aligning the various components of our woodworking machinery to achieve as true a cut as possible. Some of these can be quite expensive I have talked to to many who like to make sure that their machines are no more than thousandth or 2 off, if that.

check_squareFor me, the tools I use for aligning my machines are a machinist square, a good straight edge, and a combination square. I use the machinist square to make sure blades and fences are 90* to the tables. If I don’t see light between the square and surfaces, I consider it square. I use the combination square for lateral alignment, such as the table saw blade to the miter slots. Finally the straight edge is used to make sure the work surfaces are flat.

check_flatThe next step after aligning my machines is to send test pieces though. Whether you are setting up machines with just the tools I have mentioned, or you are using dial indicators to get everything within the nearest thousandth of an inch, this is the most critical step in setting up a machine. The proof is in the results. What you may think is a perfectly dialed in machine could be proven wrong with the test piece. The good news is, if it is off, the error in the test piece will help indicate what needs to be adjusted.

check_parallelThe next aspect is keeping a machine tuned. Most decent machines will hold their setups well over time, however that doesn’t mean that they will always stay perfectly aligned. There are many things that can cause a tool to come out of alignment. Things like adjusting settings, vibration, bumping into the machine, and changes in temperature can all take a machine out of alignment. It is good to set a schedule for each machine to double-check alignments. Also, if you start to see you are not getting the expected results from machine operations, it is good to start checking up on alignments as well.

While it is nice to say all my machines are dead on, I am not going to claim that they are within a certain degree of tolerance. However, I can say with confidence that they are operating close enough for me to successfully complete projects.

 

 

 

Woodshop Going-ons

Published on by Mike  (Leave a comment)

rt_progressIt seems like this time of year my postings tend to drop off, though it is always for a good reason.  Rather than spending time typing a post, I am out in the woodshop working!!  The last couple weekends, as I have got time, I have worked on the drawer boxes for the new router table.  While the boxes are all done and in place, I still have some work to do on them, mainly making the fronts for them.  Once those are done, I will do a follow-up post of what went into making the drawers.   The good news is the router table is useable, and it really is a joy to use.  It is hard to believe that the same router is in this one that was in the old one.  The bigger work area is definitely a bonus.  Also, because of the increased overall weight, there is virtually no vibration.  I am really looking forward to getting the drawers done so I can start to really utilize the storage features of the cabinet.

ln_sawTwo quick tool gloats.  Back in April, I went to the Lie-Nielsen tool event host at the Popular Woodworking Magazine headquarters near Cincinnati Ohio.  I had a great time there, but also picked up their new tapered cross-cut saw. I have used it a couple of times to help lay out some short dados, and it is a great saw.  While I was at the tool event I tried out their new tapered dovetail saw.  I did not buy it yet as I have the Veritas saw, but I can tell you , Lie-Nielsen has a winner there!  This may be a future purchase for me.  I have also been wanting to update my jack plane, as the one I have is not well made Stanley Handyman.  I tried out the #62 while I was there, and I am seriously considering that as the replacement for the jack plane.

squareLast weekend I also swung by Gerstner’s yearly warehouse sale.  While they had a real nice discount on most of the stuff there, one of their tool chests is unfortunately outside my budget.  I will say this though, they are beautifully made chests.  Maybe some day!  🙂  I didn’t leave empty-handed though.  They at want time sold rebranded PEC squares and they were closing them out for a very low-cost.    So I picked up a nice, and much-needed, 12″ combination square.

htc_reorgFinally, I did some shop maintenance as well.  First I rearranged a few things in the hand tool cabinet so it can better accommodate my now growing collection of hand saws.  I actually started using the second door, and moved my hand saws over to it.  I still need to make the drawers for cabinet though.  One of these days!

Proper Use of a Router Table – Part 1

Published on by Mike  (3 Comments)

router_table   As I go through the process of documenting my router table build, I thought it would be good to have a few posts on proper use of one.  When properly used, a router table can be a safe and powerful machine in your arsenal of tools.  Unfortunately, as with any tool, improper use can cause severe injury, shooting projectiles, and ruined work pieces.

rotation_directionThe first thing to understand about using a router table is the direction of spin of the router bit, as this dictates the usage.  When mounted in the router table, the router is inverted, so from the users perspective the bit is spinning in a counter clock-wise direction.

feed_directionWhen pushing a work piece through the router, it must go against the direction of the spin.  For most operations, this translate to moving the work piece from right to left.  Going against the spin of the bit will also provide a more accurate cuts as the spin of the bit will pull the work piece into the fence or bearing.  This also gives more control of the work piece.  Moving the piece with the direction of spin is known as a climb cut.  This is a potentially very dangerous operation that can result in the work piece become a projectile, possibly causing injury.

not_safeThere is one operation, that no matter which direction the work piece is sent through results in a dangerous condition.  This is trapping a workpiece between the router bit and fence.  When pushing right to left, the work piece will very likely fly  off of the router table, potentially pulling fingers into a spinning bit.  If pushing the work piece from left to right, the work piece will have a tendency to pull away from the fence causing loss of control of the work piece, again creating an unsafe situation.  It is best said, don’t ever attempt to run a work piece between the bit and fence.