@John Morris, since you occasionally post items from the old Workbench magazine, I thought you might be interested in this offer from Woodsmith magazine.  Just a disclaimer, of course I have no financial interest in either Workbench or Woodsmith.  I tried this a few minutes ago and somehow lost the page, so this might show up as a double post.

 

Someone recently gave me a box of old ShopNotes (?)    Rather disappointed that most of the articles were how to make your own power tools or adapt portable to stationary.   Just don't need that as I already have most of what they showed.

 

 

This afternoon, I volunteered to bring one of my miter saws to the theater group until we get set up.   I realized one of is the sign of a true tool guy.

Edited August 7, 20196 yr by kmealy

1 hour ago, kmealy said:

I realized one of is the sign of a true tool guy.

Yeah someone mentioned awhile back about not having just one router.  Got me to thinking about it, yeah I have five.  Part with one?  That would be a tough one.  

Lol. Having only recently upgraded to having 2 routers, I can agree with having multiple tools. More than 1 miter saw though, I'm not so sure of. My wife might take offence at that.

 

I've seen the ad for the Woodsmith stuff before in my email, but it seems the number of copies keeps going up - unless of course they're different publications, in which case that makes more sense.

Has anyone ever bought these, and were they worthwhile?

I have 2 routers and both are 1/4" collette.  I would like to have 1/2" collette so I can use some bits that are available only in 1/2".  I suppose I need to purchase a plunge router with a 1/2" collette. Any suggestions?  One is a Black and Decker, the other one is an old Craftsman.   

5 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

I have 2 routers and both are 1/4" collette.  I would like to have 1/2" collette so I can use some bits that are available only in 1/2".  I suppose I need to purchase a plunge router with a 1/2" collette. Any suggestions?  One is a Black and Decker, the other one is an old Craftsman.   

I have the PC 690 with plunge and fixed bases. Had a Dewalt in table till it froze up. The PC is smaller but really I like it the best. Yes 1/2 inch bits are the best for table or heavy use and don't want to wander as bad as the 1/4 plus don't burn as bad. Oh had a Craftsman before those and the fan on it disintegrated .

7 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Any suggestions?

I have a Bosch that is about 20 years old my Father gave me couple years ago.  Mounted it into a cabinet build. Other one mounted in TS is a Makita, again 20 year old but works great.  And finally a Hitachi, about 14 years old, bought it new and it works good for what little I use it. I do have a cheap HF trim router.  Had that a long time, surprised it has lasted for all the abuse it has been through.

Thank you, gents.  Will look into Bosch and PC.  And, will look for 1/2" plunge router.  Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction.  

Just now, FlGatorwood said:

And, will look for 1/2" plunge router.

@Bearpaw got me started on changing over to all 1/2 collet for the router tables years ago.  Performance is much better.  But for the trim router and for smaller bits I still have an adapter to use the 1/4 bits.

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Thank you, gents.  Will look into Bosch and PC.  And, will look for 1/2" plunge router.  Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction.  

If you purchase a new router, I would suggest purchasing both collets. 1/4" and 1/2".  That way you can use your existing bits with the new router.  Don't over look DeWalt.  I have been using a 2 hp (DW621) for years.   Danl

Absolutely buy both collets.  As for having multiple tools, apparently I have exceeded my limit on routers.  I now have seven.  According to my wife I have a router fetish.

Seven routers isn't a fetish. It's just a good start. Norm had it right. A router for each bit.

I have four routers and doubles on the drill press, band saw, table saw, thickness planer and seven lathes.

 

35 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

I have four routers and doubles on the drill press, band saw, table saw, thickness planer and seven lathes.

 

I can understand doubles on the DP one for metal, one for wood. Same with BS. One TS for regular cuts the other for dados etc.. Maybe a small and large thickness planer, But seven lathes? 

7 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

But seven lathes?

 

Some of them are metal lathes.

6 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

 

Some of them are metal lathes.

Ok I give....Hopefully someday.

How do you get around in that space?  

7 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

How do you get around in that space?  

Maybe he's got them set up as a maze. 

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Maybe he's got them set up as a maze. 

No it is a production line for all those gifts he makes.

Wood shop is in the basement.  Metal shop is behind the house.