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Showing results for tags 'cross cut'.
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for many years i've had several (3) 1-2-3 blocks in my shop. very handy for checking the zero of the fence, the zero of the miter gauges (with stops for repeated lengths, and also for use as a +1" stop block when cross cutting against the fence. you can get these on eBay for about $18-20 for a pair. i see recently that woodpeckers (think red) has their own version of this common item, calling it a plus 1" block, it's red of course, and they want $30 for one. i think i'll stick with 1-2-3 blocks from eBay. i also have some fractional blocks, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" that are very useful for setting the fence with a stacked dado set, and also setting the blade height. don't recall where i got them.
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Yesterday son and I made some Pull Out Shelving for mama, see proceeding link. And while cutting down the panel for the shelves, we had to do some cross cutting of ply on my Shopsmith. I was pleasantly, actually, very very happy, to see the quality of cut that was produced on the smith with the blade I used. Also this cut was made without a zero clearance insert, I just had on the factory insert, and the quality was perfect, I was very impressed. I don't remember getting this good a cut even on my 12" 5hp Grizz cabinet saw using an 80 tooth Amana Blue melamine blade. I am not sure what happened here, but really, I was not expecting such a great cut, so there are several factors in play here. And I'll list them. Quality of ply, the ply we are using is excellent, prefinished maple ply Made in the USA. Just great stuff. So the finish is binding the maple veneer which may be preventing tear out. Shopsmith 60 tooth 10" blade The variable speed on my smith, I had it set at "R" or 3500 RPM, (not sure if that is arbor speed or tooth speed) Given that, I am sure the factors created a concert for a perfect cut, I'll have to test the cut on some less desirable ply, and see if that makes a difference. But boy was I happy. Again, no zero clearance insert here. Something really cool about the smith, is the variable speed, so I could have done some test cuts, and played with the speed a little to get the best cut, but in this case the first cut was perfect. I just used the Shopsmith speed chart, they did not list ply in the chart, so I chose the setting for softwood thinking ply is equivalent possibly to soft wood. My Shopsmith keeps giving me surprises like this frequently, just when I think I have pushed the limits of the smith, something like this happens, and it just makes me feel better about giving up my dedicated machinery as I had, and the smith in its place. I am not advocating the idea that the smith can take the place of dedicated machinery, I don't wholly agree with that, machinery made for a specific use is going to be much better and more efficient, typically, but for those who are considering a Shopsmith in order to save space, or you moved to more confined quarters, or just to add one to your arsenal of machinery, the cut quality on ply, may not have to be a concern during your deliberations. That being said, for my use, and my tight quarters (car in garage at night) I could not imagine another machine in my shop, or needing another machine, I have had this machine for two years now, while I needed to adjust my brain around it, and the sequence of work, yes there was an adjustment period, and a honeymoon period, and a disappointment period that was due mainly to my own ignorance on how the machine works, and its capabilities. But at this time after using it for two years, and learning its operations, I am happy. And it keeps surprising me, pleasantly. Image below is the top side of the cut Image below is the underside of the cut I used this Shopsmith 1 1/4" arbor 60 tooth cross cut blade. The blade below is from their website, but I used this exact same one.
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