Machinery, Tools, Research, Reviews and Safety

As a wood turner, cutting up logs into bowl blanks, is just part of the fun. As I mentioned in my introduction, I was a logger for nearly a decade, so using a chainsaw is second nature at this point. Now obviously I don’t use the Stihl 066 or MS 660 for cutting bowl blanks, but my MS 210 always worked well. However, a noisy gas powered saw isn’t always appreciated in my neighborhood or inside the garage. So, I went searching for an electric solution. Now I have to say, I was very skeptical about battery powered saws, but after much research I pulled the trigger on a Stihl MSA 220 C. This thing as exceeded all of my expectations thus far. Plenty of power, descent run…

Definitely different.

I went to my 50th class reunion this weekend and on the way home the next day I figured I'd drive by the old stomping grounds, which included one of my favorite Flea Markets. I ask the guy how much he wanted for this Drill Press he mumbled something about he was tired lifting it in and out of his van, "How about $40." Sold! It will need some serious cleanup but should run again someday, either that or I'll make a lamp out of it. Looks like the chuck is not original. Any ideas about find a drive belt for it?

Here you go: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/12/2017-09098/safety-standard-addressing-blade-contact-injuries-on-table-saws#open-comment

A friend of mine is asking for help to rotate the cutters on his helical head Powermatic jointer. I knows that a 300 lb gorilla originally tightened the screws. He is asking if he can use his impact driver to help break the screws loose. What say you? Thanks in advance for you replies. Danl

Looking the Menards ad last night. Saw they have a sub-$200 track saw. It's their private label so I'm not sure how good it is, but seems to have cracked the $700+ glass ceiling of Festool, DeWalt and Makita. And a 110" track, great for full sheets of ply, MDF, OSB, etc. https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools-accessories/power-saws-accessories/masterforce-reg-6-1-2-plunge-cut-track-saw-kit-with-110-track/2410706/p-1489990860634-c-9082.htm?tid=4470200921871567213&ipos=1 Anyone seen or used it?

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

I have used one of these things. My friend, Paul Miller built three. It's an interesting tool. Here's a video of it in use.(not Paul's) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DCN2XHDx0g For a look at what Paul does, check this out.

I'm done with the Chicago Electric crap! First grinder I had for three years light duty, it took a dump 6 months ago, just stopped working. Second Chicago grinder I purchased right after, used it twice in the last 5 months. Went to fire it up today to cut back some stucco on our home, no worky. Dead as a door nail. I don't have time to take it back, write an email to CS, or write a letter, if time is money, I'd burn up the worth of that grinder in the first 10 minutes. Guess where I just filed it, on the round file. Looks brand new don't it? It's a piece of CRAP!!!!! A bright red shiney new piece of Harbor Freight CRAP!!!! No more!

I just got 3 new Chinese tools for my metal working area. All came from Shars. The 18x24x3" granite surface plate and stand seem OK, I have no way of measuring the accuracy. I went about turning the Spin Inexer into something better. The bore seems relatively decent in terms of clearances to the spindle and base but the faces are not perpendicular to the bore so not useful for setting up references. I turned a 31/32 steel bar to use as reference so I could mill the cast edges to the bore. That will allow me to mount the indexer in the mill vice for quick setup for short parts. For longer parts I'll be able to use a test indicator to true the indexer to the table travel a…

I have been sharpening my chisels & plane blades with a homemade guide, assorted papers spray glued to a piece plate glass for some time now and decided to move up to something less bulky. Found the FASTTRACK on Woodcrafts web site that linked me to https://www.m-powertools.com/. Signed up for the news letter & received 20% off my purchase. First thing I noticed was the weight, 2 pounds. As suggested I screwed it down to a board with a cleat on the end and clamped it in my wood vise. One screw and the rubber feet kept it in place. Road tested on a used chisel, and ran thru 100, 220,& 450 diamond stones.Working …

A c.1989 Delta Motorized Miter Saw made it's way into my basement. All 70 lbs of it. After a few cuts, I noticed the blade gave me a ragged edge. Thinking it was dull, I ordered a 60T blade while I thought about sharpening services. Oshlun SBW-100060N 10-Inch 60 Tooth Negative Hook Finishing ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor for Sliding Miter and Radial Arm Saws The one that came off is a Freud 50T. They both have the laid-back angle to the teeth. The Oshlun is billed as "radial arm / sliding miter saw blade". Despite not saying "chop saw", I believe it was @Gene Howe who recommended "negative rake". So I have the right blade? I did no…

https://quinnsaw.com/ I highly recommend this company for all your circular saw blade needs. Hard to beat their $ and quality service. I ordered a special grind 10” 40 tooth blade today. Quinn wanted $119 and 2 days. Forrest wanted $186 and 5 months. Take a look at their website or give them a call. Only $10 for a 40 tooth re-sharpen. This is a top shelf company. All the blades they sell or sharpen are serialized so they they can maintain records and know the history. They apologized to me for the two day turn-around. Danl

cartmMade this a few weeks ago at work to help the guys organize at work. As you can see it's become a maintenance issue.

I noticed at Wen.com they have significant markdowns on the prices of their larger benchtop drill presses. Other retail sources for the same drills don't yet reflect this markdown. I own the Wen 4214 which is normally $277.99 and is now marked down to $239.99. Their 4214T is normally $277.06 and is also marked down to $239.99. Their 4212T is normally $299.99 and is marked down to $220.16. I am VERY happy with my Wen 4214 press, Laser, light, easy variable speed control. etc.. If I didn't already own it I'd take advantage of this markdown. I do not work for Wen. This is just to share what I discovered. I can only imagine why they have …

I'm sure many of you all are already aware of this cell phone app. But, this old luddite wasn't. To me, this is an amazing piece of gadgetry. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plaincode.clinometer&hl=en_US&referrer=utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_term%3Dinclinometer+app&pcampaignid=APPU_1_1s1HW-G5OqmpjwS047fQAw&rdid=com.plaincode.clinometer What's really funny is that I downloaded it to my Kindle hoping to use it. But, when I hit install, nothing happened. I was sorely disappointed. Later, I picked up the cell phone to find that it had been installed on it. I never did nuttin to tell it to do that.…

FYI. Just got this in my email... https://taytools.com/collections/cmt-flash-15-off?afmc=s5&utm_campaign=s5&utm_source=leaddyno&utm_medium=affiliate

Anyone have or used one of these types of things? They don't seem very practical for the furniture builder, but maybe for the on-site carpenter, plumber, electrician or roofer. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/tools/dremel-ultra-saw-review/?utm_campaign=PWW - NL - Weekly Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=159428538&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--OLLXgHMGHZP7KL0zJakr6Uok6ZzyC7kY5YScMAOPHdC3Zk_6qDXCNYMzrAPvcKmCpHGgGAQDr0xNvU8EPNf-ymuLBPzoIdI_-9-hg5CyLCtt_02w&utm_content=159407684&utm_source=hs_email

I've used the Makita drill set and know it's a workhorse for around $240. Is there anything truly comparable on the less than $240 side? I prefer Dewalt but not familiar with the new stuff...

Stumbled across this on Facebook. I bought a little compressor to drive the Pneumatic nail gun I bought to build the shed I just poured a slab for. I think this is a fabulous idea and I'm going to build one but it needs much much much bigger wheels to be trundled across my redneck rural yard out to the back of my pool every day. A couple of scrap kid's bicycles should provide the needed wheels.