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Good, low cost toggle clamps at Harbor Freight
Just sharing this. When something raises my eyebrows and gets me thinking then maybe it’s worth passing on. I’m going to talk bang for buck. I hope you don’t mind. Yup, I’ve got a few harbor freight tools but not much. I’ve had mixed luck with them. But a friend let me see one of these toggle clamps. I have some from a wood store and I must say, they are very similar but not identical and but both seem to be of the same quality. They’re probably both fr...
I needed a new one.
I rarely use a scroll saw. If I have to do some scroll work I either do it by hand or use a bandsaw for outside work. Recently I had to do lots of inside scrolling. I’ve got an old craftsman scroll saw that I less than affectionally call ‘Thumper’ for obvious reasons. But, it cut and was good for work that wasn’t too intricate.I’m making a desk for my niece and the side panels between the styles are the medical symbol for an RN as she’s soon to be graduatin...
Another quick review: Bosch RO20VSK
Third Update: Ignore the update below. Today, way after the fact I receive the roter plate Bosch, My faith in the company is restored. Good thing too because I own three of their tools, the sander, a 12” compound sliding miter saw, and their fantastic plunge router. I’m glad to see they keep their word even if belated. Thanks Bosch. Another Update (The above updates this older paragraph) 9/25: Read below regarding velcro problems. Bosch never followed through sending me the new...
A Woodworkers Encyclopedia for a penny?
Author: Nick Engler. I’ll bet a lot of seasoned LJ’s already know about this book but many others won’t so here goes. So, you’re relatively new to woodworking and you want to know which of the seven types of chisels and firmer gouges you have. In this book you can see a picture of each, and explanation of what each is and how it’s used and sure enough a picture of yours. You’ve got paring chisels, the type to be pushed with your hands not a mallet.Or, yo...
Heating the shop
Summer is arriving. But, winter will be back. If you live in a cool climate I’d like to share my experiences with shop heat with you. I see a lot of people in blogs who say that they’d like to work but it’s too cold or they just have to wait for warmer weather. I found my cold weather answer. Not a tool but an important shop item just the same. I’ve been in my shop 2-4 days a week this winter. The winter has been cold in maine. Last year when I was renovating I deci...
Incra T-rule very nice indeed
A short while back I purchased the Incra 6” T-rule. it is a small piece of t-track with a precision rule attached to it. Two knobs allow you to slide the rule along the t-track to make a square out of it. The thing has scales and numbers galore and if you don’t have new eyes, then like me you may need your magnifiers. Even though, the numbers and lines are extremely crisp and clear. It has scales for 1/16”, 1/32”, and 1/64”’s The thing that makes this rule ...
New worksharp for old chisels
In reviving my shop after many years I got a workshart 3000. I used to sharpen my chisels by hand on sandpaper and stones and got marginal results because you really have to work at it to get them the way you want. This worksharp really makes it easy. I mean really easy. Old dull chipped chisels took maybe 15 minutes each and I’ll be able to touch them up in a few seconds anytime I want to now.The unit is not cheap but not as expensive as some units. I got mine from Sears for $189 but y...
