Machinery, Tools, Research, Reviews and Safety

For those of you interested, Lee Valley is offering free shipping on orders over $40, 2/7 to 2/21.

I have converted my drill press to variable speed using a 3-phace motor and a VFD. I have a digital speed readout using a Hall Effect sensor and a magnet on the quill shaft pulley. Right now, I have a speed range of ~60 to 2650 RPMs. Will this be adequate for most woodworking tasks? I still have a couple of changes using the step-pulleys but I haven't measured the speeds available.

Interesting article published in today's Woodworker's Journal eZine regarding the connection between Chervon and Skil as well as Chervon's association with other tool manufacturers including Bosch. Worth the time to read IMO. Woodworker's Journal eZine Article

Video is way too long, but it looks like we can put down all the tools, eliminate the craftsmanship of risk and introduce the craftsmanship of certainty. Sell all your tools, become a programmer, start it up, go have a coffee and donut, come back and do some sanding. http://www.diysmartsaw.com/?tid=main_med_adw_diysmart&gclid=COn4wcf57tECFdcUgQodJgYKCg

Is there a link or can someone give me information on a good Wood Router. I'm looking into building a router table and mounting it so I can make kitchen raised door panels and more. Or your own personal experience with a good router. How big a router I would need.

Recently I've been looking at 6 grinders to replace the old household duty Black and Decker that I've had for quite a few years. It still works, I just want a nicer one. So far I've come down to two grinders. A JET 1/2 hp single speed and a Palmgren 1/3 hp, variable speed Any thoughts or experiences with these machines ?

I inherited from my dad a Black and Decker 7614 Router, Type 1, 1-1/2 HP, 25,000 RPM, 9.0 amps, that runs exceptionally well. I would like to find a Straight and Circular Guide that fits this router. Any suggestions on a Black and Decker or any other brand that might be a fit?

Dad is coming down this morning to pick up some saw blades for his Radial Arm Saw. I have some 10" blades sitting around that I have not used in a while, and he needs them. As I was sorting through my blades, and picking out some that would work well on his RAS, I was thinking what a neat subject this would make here in our community. I am not going to get into the differences between the blades and submit my knowledge of the differences, I wanted you all to contribute your own knowledge on the subject, meanwhile also staying away from linking to outside articles on the subject if you will. I would love to see the opinions and knowledge of our contributor…

SPECIAL SCAVENGER HUNT ALERT! This is a special hunt that Laguna Tools promised to give out due to server issues. They have hidden ONE NEW LINK. Although this one will be a RANDOM DRAWING contest. Find the Link and be entered into the drawing to win a $500 Laguna Tools Certificate. Find the link, and follow the prompts! CLUE: "5 Revolutions Per Minute" Winner will be Chosen on Friday!

With Sears recent announcement they had sold off the "Craftsman" tool line/brand, I wonder how that impacts the rest of the Craftsman brand such as L&G Equipment, garage door openers, benches & storage? These products currently are not part of B&D/Stanley core business. At one time Sears-Craftsman was the #1 retailer for consumer products, L&G power equipment in the nation followed by John Deere. Much of Sears power equipment was manufactured for them by MTD so this could potentially be a big loss for MTD Power as well. I have a snow-blower, mini-tiller, front tine tiller, string trimmer, chain saw and (2) garage door openers in the…

I see Sears sold the Craftsman brand to Stanley, a division of B&D. While many of the Craftsman power tools have been nothing but crud lately, their mechanics tools were still very good....guess that will all change now. I'm wondering how in the world will they make the power tools worse than they are currently?

Today I finished the dust "management" on my contractor saw. I do not have a dust collector system so I needed some sort of management. I built a simple box drawer to catch the dust from under the saw and used hardboard to block off the back of the saw. The hardboard was cut to overlap by 2" and screwed into the back of the saw. Cutouts were made for the belt and the motor hanger. To test things out I made about 30 cuts on 3/4" MDF. The only noticeable discharge was on the table itself. Please see the pictures below for an idea how I did it.

I have a DJ-20 that has damage due to my brainless action. I need to replace the table lid or machine it flat again but is is out of stock every place I check. It got bent up when a hard object got ejected. If the lid is bent up I hope I can just machine it flat. But how is the best way to go about this? Remove it from the Jointer or try to file then sand in place? Does anyone have a DJ20 with the Table lid that is now a parts pile. Any and all help wold be appreciated. 1330102 Table Lid Substituted - 20004998 - B&D Macao-KINGCRAFT MACH $31.92 Out of Stock

I'm considering my next shop project, a cart for my cut off saw. I like the plan shown here http://fixthisbuildthat.com/mobile-miter-saw-station/ This shows 93" overall length and that seems a bit long. I would have to make the cart shorter than the one linked here but I want to make sure that I have wings of appropriate length. Your thoughts please.

Looking for user reviews of an intelligent sort. I want to set up my Jet 14 inch band saw with the carter blade support and acquire another band saw to keep a 14 inch to 1/2 inch blade in for curve cuts of various sorts and chair/table legs, and the occasional re saw. Thought about a Laguna 14 SUV, but $1700 is more than I want to spend. Thinking $300-$1000, which would include an older (preferably American made ) Delta, a few various Rikon saws, a used Powermatic 141, The various Grizzly saws in range, and the Laguna 14/12. I have no idea what I am going to do. There seem to be few decent used machines on the market, and the used Amer…

Got mine in the mail last Thursday. Now, all the pages are stuck together. I think I drool too much.

Good morning all. Was working on some fluted columns for my daughters house yesterday with a Bosch 1617EVS router. I turned the router over (plate up) and swapped out the bit. Now when I plug in the router and go to switch it on, it does nothing. I know there is power getting to the tool and can state with 100% certainty there is no way this machine should be worn out. So two things; I'm now in the market for a new router so any thoughts on a good replacement? I've been happy with Bosch in the past, but based on this router not sure I would buy another one of their products. Second, anyone have experience sending in one of these to be fixed? Is it expensive? I…

In case you have one : https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/Harbor-Freight-Tools-Recalls-Cordless-Drills/

Latest edition of Woodsmth has a review on the "new" Powermatic PM-TJ Tenoning Jig. Lot of interesting features. Good article. Price is way too steep for my budget, but I guess if you are cutting a lot of tenons, might be worth the cost??? Powermatic PM-TJ Tenoning Jig

Here are the two things you need to check weekly on your air compressor: Inspect Filters. If filters are clogged with dirt, your compressor won’t run efficiently. Clean or replace filters as needed for optimal performance. Inspect Belts. Look over belts for signs of wear like cracking or stretching. Replace as necessary