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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.

Whatever poisonous garbage the Chinese are putting on Harbor frieght chisels is dangerous stuff. I smoked just a little of it off welding the bases of their 4" brick chisels. The stuff made my shop all smoky and like when one burns rubber there were weird floaties of black goo floating in the air. Then the sickness set in. My throat became terribly raw and I have sinus issues. I've never had a paint do this. I can't even guess what they used.

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2017/01/18/far-better-abrasives

Hi all, I ask this question, because i am having a real hard time finding a drill bit or drill bit set with any quality other than bad. I have purchased 2 7mm drill bits over the last few years, and both were pretty much dull out of the package. can someone point me to a place that makes quality drill bits? I prefer Brad point, but it isn't absolutely required. Thanks

I've been thinking of how to write this post for a few days. I am a member, and now (unbelievably) president of the Northeast Indiana Turners and Chiselers, a wood turning club near Ft. Wayne IN. Anyway, we had a visitor at our last meeting, a retired guy(are all turners retired?). He said he was trying to turn some table legs and they were "all fuzzy". He wanted to know if there was anyone who could visit his shop and show him what he's doing wrong. It happens he lives about ten mile from me and I did visit his shop the other day. Where to start? He's trying to turn pine, about 36" long and 1 1/2" diameter and he doesn't have a steady rest. It would've been nearly impossible to do what what he was trying to do. It didn't help that his tools are very dull. The really bad thing though, is his lathe, it's a Grizzly. I don't know the model number but it swings 14", with a very small variable speed motor. Worse, the ways looked to be 1/8" or less C-channel. Very, very light duty. If I had to guess I would say the lathe weighed less than 100lbs. I'll admit I'm not a Grizzly fan but neither am I a basher. This lathe though, to me it's little more than stealing to sell such a piece of equipment. I'm not sure a person could even turn a pen on it, let alone a 12 or 14" bowl. The guy told me he bought the lathe to see if he would like wood turning. I told him I could guarantee he wouldn't like it if he had to use that lathe. It made me wonder, how many people have bought that lathe, or a similar product to see if they would like turning only to give it up and never know what turning is really like Steve