Machinery, Tools, Research, Reviews and Safety

A local woodworker was asking $200.00 for his Delta 40-640 scroll saw. I went to look at it, test it and came home with the saw. After a bit of chat, he told me I could have it for $150.00. It came with the wrenches,extra inserts, blades and the manual. What are your thoughts? I think I'm a winner here.

So I recently purchased some sanding discs from amazon. I'm a little odd about things like this buying something site unseen. How ever I recieved them this afternoon along with a couple of other tools I'll possibly do a review on after the fact. So this comes with 40 grit 80 grit 120 grit 240 grit 320 grit 600 grit and 800 grit disc sanding circles. I did use them and they honestly held up quite well. The higher up in grit I went I noticed the more material seemed to remove with ease. The 40 grit did quite well so on. They are listed at $10.99 on amazon market place. Aside from the delay that amazon has g…

I am just like 99% of woodworkers and don't use a saw guard on my table saw. The biggest reason is that mine is a real pain to remove and remount. It can take 5 minutes to get it right. I had never had a serious kickback until last week. I was crosscutting a short piece of pine without the guard and was pushing with my head and body away from the line of the saw blade. The small cut off piece became wedged against the saw in a split second and flew across my garage like fast ball. I almost always have my zero clearance throat plate on, but this time I didn't and the opening next to the blade was at least a half inch. That was the cause and being used to zero clearance, I …

I had an old friend pass away yesterday. He and I have known each other since 1986. It seems like yesterday and not 31 years. We used to work together quite and bit and he was always there when I needed him. Anyway, he'll be sorely missed. You would have never known that he was sick, but he is gone, nevertheless. There were no outward indications of anything wrong. As a matter of fact he was, in all appearances, in excellent shape and not all banged up or worn out like most his age. That alone makes me sad because there was no indications of anything being wrong. Perhaps if there had been I would have recognized it and at least been there to help. I may have b…

Today we found out that Uncle Sugar is handing out more money. I don’t agree with it but since they send it I’ll spend it. I’m going to upgrade my fence system on my 1947 Delta Unisaw. It’s a great saw but the OEM fence needs replaced. Here’s my question. Which fence do you have? Love it? Hate it? What would you buy?

So I was picking up some moldy sweet gum tree stumps and the lady I’m getting them from says she’s selling for lathe cause she’s never used it and they are moving. The price is insane at 50 dollars. It’s a bench pro 4 speed wood lathe. I’ve been looking it up online and I get nothing. It’s a off/sub brand and just trying to get some info on before I pull the trigger on it. I’m going back tomorrow with my tools to see if it runs and turns nice. Anyone heard of it or has one maybe.

Here are my new tools that people kindly got me for Xmas I also have a veritas dual marking gauge just haven't taken a pic yet!!

Have had this jigsaw for many years but needs a spring replaced on the blade holder. Also don't have a operating manual. Anybody..thx

So I picked this particular electric saw up earlier this week. Ordered it from Amazon on the 2nd of this month. Just got the bar oil today and was able to give it a go. Its honestly pretty powerful for an "ELECTRIC" chain saw. I would far prefer the cutting power of gas but how ever I didn't feel like messing around with gas saws and the maitnence. Seeing that I was just going to be using this for cutting down blanks to a more workable size. I used it this afternoon and I was quite impressed with it anyway it felt pretty decent was a bit nerve racking because it felt like it just wanted to jump and kick on me how ever it didn't. It cut quite smoothly and I would pr…

If this thread needs to be relocated by the powers that be, no problemo. I seem to remember Gene having a post on replacing the stock knives, on a DeWalt 735 planer, with the Byrd Shelix/Helix head. I have a 735, it’s never been plugged in. My meager WWing talents are improving to the point where I am considering trying some projects that involve using a planer. My shop is in the basement of our townhouse. The noise from the SS DC, Jet air filter, and router/table saw/whatever tool I’m using has driven the Missus to have to retreat to the upstairs on occasion. From what I’ve read the only negative to the Byrd upgrade is paying for it, a small adjustment to the depth of …

Guys, I need a doweling jig. Seems to be many to choose from. Any recommendations? Rick Sexton

Well, I found myself at our local Aldi's today. That's where I buy the salt for our softener. Came around the end of an aisle and there was the drill I'd heard about. Kind of surprised me as our town is not real big. $29.99. I picked up the box and of course it's made in China but it also touted a 3 year warranty. 12V and though I didn't really need a drill I decided just to see how it is. They also had a jig saw and circular saw but I didn't pay much attention to them, didn't even notice the price on them. So, here's a first impression of what they're offering for 30 bucks. It comes with a decent case with metal latches, kind …

Has anyone gotten their Grizzly Catalog for 2021? I still get it even though I have not purchased anything from them in years, but I do love just perusing the pages, it's fun to look at!

Which Frued blade would be comparable to the Forest WoodworkerII?

I have had some time with my new DeWalt contractors saw now and I must say that it is super at about every thing so far. However there is a problem............me. The start switch is on the left and I am right handed and so was my old Sears saw. I keep going to the old switch that is no longer there Then there is that very innovative fence. I love the idea of how it works, but it takes me time to figure it out because I seldom need to make it expand. There is that old "me" factor again. I installed a new remote switch for my vacuum. It has two controls, one on my DeWalt saw and one on my Jet band saw. Now when I start either saw, I still reach for the old s…

I picked this up a couple weeks ago locally for a song, and after a little cleaning, not much, and some adjustments to the blade guides, this is what I ended up with. So far I'm very happy with the features and how it's put together, plus it doesn't appear to have much wear on it. On the left side of the table is a material length stop, it can be switched over to the right side if needed. I think that it's going to work very well, there is very little to no side play in the blade. The Owners Manual I was able to find on the net and print.

OK, so today I listened to my wife and stopped at the new in my area Habitat for Humanity store. Well, I ended out getting a Rockwell 15 inch bench mount drill press (15 090) and a Dewalt 12 inch sliding miter saw. Here is where I am questioning my actions. The drill press runs fine with the exception of the quill return spring. The spring is missing. I did a quick check for one on the net and they want about $65. I'll check again and look for a used one. Other then that it works fine. Keep in mind that I already have 4 others and really don't need one. I only gave a quick look at the Dewalt and decided to buy it. When I got it home I noticed that the cord was not…

Dear folks, I want to put my Shopsmith on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. I so happen to have a dedicated circuit that I had an old 3hp 220v shaper on years ago. You can see the images below. My question is, is there any easy way to convert this to 110v. Can I simply open up the wall outlet, and reconfigure a couple wires for a regular 3 prong outlet? Or do I have to switch the breaker out along with pulling new wires through? Thanks for any help. Number "4" where the 20/20 is, was my shaper. Here is the outlet I used for the shaper that I want to now use for my Shopsmith.

Can somebody explain this to me? https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-100-ft-10-3-Gauge-58-Extreme-Weather-Extension-Cord-758-103100RCL46/301210975 This cord, supposedly, is a 10 gauge. But is only rated for 15 Amps!!! Yet, other 10 gauge extension cords are rated for 20 Amps. In my limited knowledge/experience a 10 gauge should easily hold 20 Amps. Did I miss something? Somebody please enlighten me.

I missed out, though I didn''t need one. Apparently Grizzly had some 15" planers they were clearancing at $169 plus shipping ($328 total). the link was active when I post this, though they may pull it off.