Machinery, Tools, Research, Reviews and Safety

My grandson, who is 8 and lives 750 miles away, loves my CNC machine and spends most of his time with me and it whenever he visits. So I figured maybe get him started with a scroll saw. I have his dad's (my son) Delta from 30 years ago here, but it needs basically the whole blade thing that extends off the arm. Now, am I better off trying to get that one fixed (and who do i call) or just buy a new cheap, I mean budget friendly, one to see if he takes to it. And if so, what would be a good beginner one? Also, is it advisable to try and find a used one?

I have a Dewalt 733 surface planer that needs two rollers. I don't see any available. Wondering if there are any options for substitute or possibly a rebuild

My Ridgid oscillating spindle/belt sander just went TU. It still sands, but won't oscillate, so I believe it won't be long before it stops sanding also. I see two contenders for a replacement: a Grizzly, or a Triton offered by Rockler. After several frustrating phone calls, I have concluded that the lifetime service agreement (lsa), is only useful as a piece of toilet paper. Apparently, no one is doing warranty work on Ridgid power tools. Maybe they are replacing batteries, but I would guess that is about it. Anyway, looking for opinions on which brand I should go with. The Grizzly is $179.95, and the Triton is $259.99. I understand you get what you pay for, but …

Our PC compressor at the furniture bank blew up yesterday and we had a build session this morning. So one of the guys picked up one of these. Man, is it quiet. Several times, one of the guys went over to make sure it was still turned on. Something like 57 dB. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-5-Gal-Portable-Electric-Powered-Silent-Air-Compressor-3320445/305026725

A volunteer dropped the one this morning at the furniture bank and we would like to get a new base for it. It is the base, not the plastic sub-base. Home Depot lists them but they are out of stock. Ebay was also a bust. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-1001-Fixed-Base-Replacement-for-100-and-690-Series-Routers-1001/203162749#overlay

Got my Wood Magazine yesterday and was reading a letter to the editor about why the P-C router was not listed in a recent review. For those not aware, Stanley Black & Decker, a large tool conglomerate, bought Porter-Cable a few years ago. Trying to figure out where to position their line with respect to DeWalt, Stanley, Black & Decker, and more recently Craftsman lines of tools, they apparently cheapened P-C to make it more of a DIY line of tools. My local tool dealer, who used to carry them, once told me, "They ain't what they used to be." Anyway, Wood Magazine said that P-C was discontinuing their routers and was just selling what was left in inventory. …

I inherited my father's Grizzly 10" table saw. I could use a ballpark idea of what it's worth. Thanks!

My equipment is in a need of having all cast iron surface cleaned and have all the raised spots of finish or sap or whatever removed. Some surface rust also. How would you go about this? 1. get some 400 1200 1600 sand paper and with a block plain sand the surface smooth? Mineral spirits is not working to remove anything as it has dried and I am not looking for a show room finish nor perfectly sheen finish. The existing goughes will remain. 2. How about a buffing wheel with rubbing compound? Does rubbing compound has silicone in it? 3. other options?

A guy near me has a jet jwbs-14cs available on fb. Looks very clean, price dropped to $550. What do you think? What should I look for? Not seeing how to attach a link! Myrtle Beach area marketplace. TIA.

We moved shops at the furniture bank and some of the crew decided it was time to put in permanent dust collection ducting. In the old shop area, a corrugated pipe ran across the floor and it was easy for someone to bump it out and the table saw filled up with dust. (IMO) they went overboard and put in a 4" corrugated to a 6" vertical up about 10' then across about 15 feet, a turn to a 8" for about another 8' to the industrial dust collector. We are having problems with the saw still filling up. One thought was thin slivers are getting in there and stopping it up. So this morning one of the guys looked and found some. He removed them, but an hour later, th…

This is one of those things that grew out of a need to straighten really long (10-12’) boards for a house we were doing back in the early 90’s. The plans called for all the interior doors to be 8’ high and the entry doors were both 10’. It was a big undertaking and we didn’t have the money in the budget to buy a long bed jointer. There were 28 doors in all. The other reason the jointer wasn’t practical is that in those days we did not have a permanent shop. The first structure on a house would be the garage which became the shop. That meant that when the project was over all the machinery had to be moved to storage until the next project. It is made primarily from on…

Been meaning to post this for a bit now. On my sister's recommendation I purchased this Hart studfinder at Walmart. I think it was about $35. I gave it a whirl this summer while working in the garage and I have to say it performs great. Without a doubt this is the best (of 3 or 4) studfinders that I have used. The three center lights come on when you are centered over the stud. And a yellow light comes on if there is an electrical run in the wall. I found it easy to use and accurate. I used it on both the wall and ceiling in the garage. The directions say it will work with lath & …

Looking to buy a electric pole saw so I don't have to climb. Not interested in another battery to keep up.. Saw the Sun Joe on Amazon . As would not use it that often looking at the under $100 range . I did notice the much cheaper ones have shorter poles and some have detachable saws. Any recommendations or suggestions appreciated.

As you know, I've had to end my woodworking days because of age issues. I've been offered $800,00 for the Laguna 14/12 bandsaw- I feel it is a low offer. Just wondering what everyone thinks. Selling it is difficult, but I know I won't be using it again myself.

Just an FYI in case you need a part or two for something you just broke https://www.repairclinic.com https://www.partswarehouse.com calabrese55

A local guy has a Domino machine for sale, includes extra bit and 300 Dominos. In a Systainer. "Never used" I'm wondering who dumps that kind of money into a tool and then never uses it. $1000

Bought a set of these from Amazon. They are solidly built and cut soft & hard wood surprisingly clean. I don't plan on using them for metal but for the jigs / fixtures i make and segmented pen blanks. I have no connection with this source other than I am a recent customer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0865X881X calabrese55

I got one of these last year and the newer models come with a hex drive that you can adust the depth thru a router table. Well, I've been doing a number of things and on the next cut needed to change the depth a bit. There must have been a lot of sawdust in the drive because when I tried changing it, it was not working right. Took it out and found out the little retaining clip (External-E E-Clip) must have been stressed and popped off, so word to the wise, keep that thing clean and don't go beyond the stop.

I stumbled across this fellow and love what he does for DIY shop implements. I thought I'd post it here to give some folks inspiration, this fellow is brilliant in his planing. Have fun! Also, you can go to his YouTube channel and see how he builds this masterpiece, and many of his other jigs and holders and home made this and that. Here is his channel: Paoson Woodworking, he is a luthier like our own @Woodman. One thing I noticed about Woodman and other luthier's is they are very meticulous and clean with their work, and it makes sense, to build intricate pieces like violins and such, requires a meticulous mindset and surroundings. Also, here is Paoson's w…

The time had come to do some pretty serious maintenance on the big bandsaw and I upgraded a few things. The Carter guide bearings and Kreg fence completely changed the old Jet for the better. That is a 1/8” test cut after the upgrade. Within .008”, I will take that as a win.