Now, in retrospect, there isn’t woodworker alive who didn’t by a tool he didn’t need or before he was ready for it. In the rush of declaring yourself as a hobbyist or professional, we all get into that buy cheap and buy now mentality that is very understandable at first. Honestly, we all remember the rationality of it when it happened even if we shake our heads about it now and poke fun. Still, this is one of those lessons that comes with the territory. Something you have to learn by mistake since none of us listen to the advice of our peers and mentors on this one.

This brings me to my actual thought for this post. Last weekend while cruising the area garage sales, I came across a descent deal on a Craftsman 12in Band Saw-Sander. A crazy weekend and week day schedule kept me from doing hardly anything with it except for two nights ago. At about 8:30, I had the saw in the shop and was systematically unscrewing and unbolting everything I could from the old frame to brush out and wide down with WD-40. At ten, I had just enough time to put the new blade I bought on the way home from work on and fire it up.

Let me say this: I’m astonished at what this (a relatively low end band saw) has the potential of doing. My scrap box has already been ground down into a fine coating for the floor. Most of it was pine of various shapes and thicknesses, but there were a few pieces of rock maple in amongst other things. Easiest cuts I ever made.

So, now I’m wondering why it is that I didn’t spend the money for the table saw on a band saw? For the last couple days I have pondered this a bit and I starting to wonder more about other parts of this. Is the band saw not usually seen as an easy to use cutting machine? Are there really that many cuts that a new woodworker can’t do on a band saw but could on a table saw? Is there a hidden danger in a band saw that isn’t present in the table saw (likely the opposite there)? Do non-woodworkers not really know enough about woodworking to see the advantages of the band saw over a table saw?

More likely, I’m guessing it is the last piece. I know that I knew what a band saw was when I first started, but its possible that I assumed it was only for curved or scrolled cuts. Sort of a granddaddy of a scroll saw. Had I paid more attention to some of books I have read and internet articles and blogs too, maybe I would have made a different decision.

Well, for now, I have one of both and the versatility that comes with that. I’ve already planned out how to make a few cuts on the band saw that I would have used the table for. On top of that, I’m probably going to go broke on extra materials over the next little while building attachments and jigs to make those cuts. Christmas season will definately be a learning experience.

So I searched around a bit and found a couple of examples of home made jobs. What really interested me where the manual powered ones. Most, like this example, had a large fly wheel attached to a foot powered board at the bottom. The idea is that they would get the momentum built up in the wheel so that the craftsman could work without exerting much force. Freakin’ great, right?

So, now that begs the question for me: What about other tools? (My wife, the environmentalist, will love this part.) When it comes to large bench or floor type power tools, what do they all have in common (other than a motor)? Answer: They hall use some sort of spinning action to create the motion need to make the cut(s) or mill work.

Therefore, can’t we apply this same technique from the manual lathe to almost any power tool? I can imagine the table saw or even a planer/sander being fairly easy to rig for this sort of thing considering the spinning action goes perpendicular to the ground. Just build a frame to support the wheel and you could belt drive to your tool. What I want to figure out, though, would be doing a drill press.

With a drill press, the spinning action is parallel to the ground rather than perpendicular. Because of that, either we would need a fly wheel situated in the same manner or some gearing system (easily enough done with modern techniques) to angle the motion. Another issue that would present itself with this would be the reversing the motion of the chuck. Without really doing a lot of studying of the design for the lathe I’m assuming that it is set up to be best used working in one particular direction. So, a gear box would work for that as well, but one could also attempt to simply reverse the belt drive (flip the belt on one pulley) to solve that problem.

At this point I feel like I’m rambling on about this. However, I would love to give this a try with a few tool examples. Heck, I bet if I look around hard enough I will find where someone else thought of it first. Still, if my wife’s predictions of peak oil come true, then having a man powered way of completing wood projects is available it might keep a few woodworkers in a job.

~DB

This weekend, my wife, Jenny, wanted me to work on some garden stuff for her. She gets real excited about playing in dirt and some part of me just doesn’t want to discourage that. So, I spent Sunday afternoon during the NASCAR race building what she calls a cold box.

The basic design of a cold box is an old window framed by some 2×6s such that it rests at an acute angel to the ground where it can collect the most light. Underneath the window, Jenny (or any one else I guess) can start seedlings in cups, egg crates, boxes, or even in the natural soil. We found a 49” x 27” window at our local Habitat Restore shop and purchased some pine 2×6s at Home Depot. The box went together quickly and as soon as the weather dries up again, we are going to have it out on our sunny side getting those seeds started.

I’ll have some photos to post of it soon and be posting them on my projects page at Lumberjocks.com along with an actual break down of the costs and better instructions on building.

Next wood project I have (and I already have materials for) is a pantry shelf. That should get done fairly quickly as I have built one before and I’m not modifying the design too much from the original. Stay tuned for more on that.

Danny Boy

I just finished last week my Christmas projects. It sounds really late, but we had my half of the family’s Christmas this last weekend so I was just on time. Now that I am past that, I can focus on the laundry list I have created for myself this year already. First in the line: January contest entry.

I’m doing a combo entry here. Since there are two contests this month and I’m short on time, I have decided to do one project and enter it into both contests (as far as I know this is within the rules, if not someone please tell me.) My project is to take a 2×4 and turn it into a box that will hold a wine bottle and two stem glasses. I’ve been drawing up designs and doing dimensions in my spare time and the last couple of nights I have put my skills to the test.

So far, I have cut the strips to create the side panels and glued up one side. The strips are 3/16 in and the panels are framed up using the same size strips around the edges. If I had some photos I’d post them up since I’m bad with explaining how it looks.

The next step is to finish building the side panels which I should have glued up by the end of the weekend and then move on to making the box and then on to the insides (surprise ending).

~Danny

Last year I came a long way in my life. I got married, had a stellar year at work, and re-interested myself in what is now my favorite hobby: wood working. Not a bad year. However, as I look back, I see that there is so much more that I could have accomplished. So this year, I am going to actually make a few resolutions that hopefully I can keep.

First: I plan on making more regular additions to my online blog and my projects list here on Lumberjocks.com. To date there is, sadly, only one project. I’m counting at least eight more that I could have added but for various reasons (mostly shabby work) I have not. This year, if I build it, it will post! In addition, I intend on writing out many of my design ideas as I go. I’m even thinking of putting up ones that I have gotten from books (doing my best not to violate any copyright laws) as I go through the maze that is my thought process to convince me that I can build something. Not to mention, put up the obligatory “Trial and Error” posts that show I’m probably am dumber than I seem sometimes.

Second: I’m going to be keeping myself busy as monetarily possible this year building projects. There are tons of things that we need around the house to make. My wife has been wanting a wardrobe style pantry downstairs since we moved into the house and I’m long over do for that one. Not to mention the various shelves and such that I need to do. I’m even considering attempting another musical instrument or two. (I should really post the bass I made. It is something else…) With every project, I will be posting some photos and project posts. This I swear!!!

Third: I’m going to take a few classes from some of the local artisans in Kansas City. Woodcraft is always having classes and I figure that is the best place to start. Occasionally, there are also classes taught at local high schools and colleges that I may try to get in on. I figure that I am at the point where I could get better just doing it myself and reading but I’m going to be much better off having some professional guidance.

Fourth: My real job. Last year was a huge year for my company and we are nearly 400% of what we were in 2006. However, I didn’t really feel like I was driven that much this year so I know that I can get passionate about it and really make ’08 something grand. Not to mention, I will probably feel much better if my professional life and my hobby life are both doing well. So, I intend on working that extra bit harder this year and following through on things that I didn’t last year.

So what is immediately next for my woodshop? Well, January seems to bring on a urgency to finish a few things like gifts for those family members I haven’t seen yet. I’m almost done with that. Most of it got glued up yesterday. When that is finished I’m going to be entering at least one project in the upcoming Lumberjocks.com contest. I could really use a bandsaw. Actually, I just want to get in the habit of adding to the site in any way I can. Lastly, I will be adding to my woodworking library a bit this month. There are at least two books I want to grab and I’ll be reading through and reviewing them for you all as well. Man, busy month…

So, anyway… Thanks for all the help so far and I’m looking forward to another learning and woodworking year.

My wife and I talked through several different alternatives before I finally just came up with one a few days ago. First there was the name it after me approach, but it seemed like Danny’s Woodshop would be a bit cliche for my tastes and I really didn’t just love that name. Then, Jenny suggested we name it after our german shepherd that sits and watches me work. His name is Fibber and something about Fibber’s Woodshop seemed to suggest to me a hint of untruthfulness.

Suddenly it hit me and there is a bit of an explanation to go along with my decision. If you know anything about swing dancing then you’re already at the head of the class. In college, I was heavy into dancing and music (jazz and blues) and at a certain point I was an authority on swing dancing in Oklahoma. Now, the actual name of the original style of swing dancing that almost everything after the 1940s is based off of is Lindy Hop. I’ve always had an affection for the name Lindy and in my mind it is more than just a description of a dance style. So, I’m deciding to officially name my shop: Lindy’s Woodshop.

Really all this is some formality for me; taxes and all. I’m not turning pro any time soon, especially considering the hand cut dovetails I did this last weekend. Yeesh! But, since I want to have some recognition, I do think it is important to have a shop name. I have already had a few people who know me ask for business cards (scary) and I’ve been doing my best to write down a phone number on a slip of paper that I’m sure will get lost…

It seems that I have a problem. And I am positive that I am not alone. In fact, I hear-by declare that we need to setup a twelve step anonymous program to help deal with folks out there that are in the same predicament as me. It seems that every solution I come across for a particular woodworking problem or skill seems to be answered in what I can summarize as a two word instruction: “Spend money.”

Now, I realize that gone are the days of the average man in the United States being tool-wise enough to warrant companies spending their efforts on producing quality inexpensive tools. Our craft and hobby has become a niche market that even the best of tool makers are shying away from. If not completely, then at least in terms of quality.

Anyway, it is a perplexing problem. To make it even worse, in every suburb in America there is inevitably a discount tool store hidden in the back of a strip mall that has a decent selection of tools at what seem like bargain prices. Only problem is, many are made in poor quality. If you are lucky, the store may carry a variety of entry level tools that have been reconditioned after their first user broke them out of the box. This helps a budget minded tool man but even then one can find themselves lusting after that $200 item that we still can’t seem to afford.

Now I have discovered a hidden secret in the world of tool shopping and using. You don’t always have to pay for quality. Calm down, I’m not saying you wasted $800 on your Powermatic Jointer. What I am saying, is if you know what to look for or are just stupid lucky like me, you can get good quality at bargain prices. I kind of stumbled on this one by intentional accident. After buying a Crapsman dovetail router jig that I was completely dissatisfied with, I spent part of my store credit buying a Shark 12” pullsaw. What had I been missing!

Here I thought that if I was going to get a handsaw that was worth a damn I would have to spend upwards of $100 and this damn thing that had been setting on the rack for years as I glazed over it was only $19.97!!! Now, I haven’t every used a $100 handsaw, but I can’t imagine it being that much better than this. For $20 I got a saw that if I loose it I won’t cry and in the mean time it bites through the wood better, faster, and straighter than I ever got out of my old circular saw.

So, I’m coming back to my original rant. What they hell is with the answer “spend money”?

I do realize the difference between Craftsman and Delta in terms of quality. But do I have to go out and buy F-Style bar clamps at $19.99 when Harbor Frieghts got ‘em on sale? If it don’t break, a clamps a clamp. Right?

Maybe one of these days I’ll be able to put together than dream shop with all the luxuries and prestigious name brands. Until then, I’m going with a few lower brand or even generic tools that I realize do the same thing with the same quality results for less than half the cost. Remember, the tool just does the work. You’re the one responsible for the skill.

~DB

I’ll post more details and before, during, after shots when I have it completed. Just to tease you a bit, I am using the pine framing lumber do to money and availability issues but so far it is working out nicely. I’m currently to the point where I need to start cutting out the large mortise joints for the legs and the top is almost completely laminated.

As I am doing this, I am working on doing a bit of restoration on an old wood jointer plane I picked up last weekend. If you read my forum post, I got a hell of a deal on a bunch of hand tools which included that plane as well as various others. The crown jewel of that find was the Stanley #45 combi that I picked up, with blades, for $40. God, I love antique stores!

The reconditioning I’m doing on the jointer plane is mostly de-rusting with WD-40 and steel wool and then a bit of sharpening. I also really need to rework the original handle, but that may have to wait. I’m working on this one first because I need a good, long plane to smooth out the top on my workbench. I’ll hit in on the Stanley this coming January.

As soon as I finish the workbench, I got a good laundry list to do before Christmas. I’ve got four barbeque trays (see my previous posts), one puzzle, one stacking toy, and a bean bag toss game to build before I leave for my in laws on the 22nd of December. How many building days is that until Christmas??? Ugh.

The good news is, I’m getting out of a couple of chores and appointments because of this. Jenny is understanding enough to know that I need the time to get this stuff done. The only problem is I still think I’m going to be stress from the crunch at a certain point. I guess I should just keep it slow and keep it neat and it will all work out in the end.

~DB

Quick back-step: My wife and I are of the belief that there are far too many gifts that are given out impersonally that fall apart because they where made of plastic and lead painted in China. As a result, we decided it was better to use our passions and talents to create presents (she sews pretty well). This tray (and a couple copies) is to be a Christmas present to various family members. it won’t be the last gift project you see from me either. I still have some nieces and nephews to worry about. But that will be later…

The basic design is a cutting board on top made of teak (I’m using iroko; cheaper) that fits on top of a maple box large enough for grilling utensils. The plans call for finger/box joints but I’m opting for the hand-cut dovetail approach because I think it looks nicer. So far this is a problem because of my lack of work surface.

Currently, the project is on hold until I come up with a better way to work. I’m actually thinking of starting to build a workbench to solve a few problems this weekend. Hopefully, I can get it done with enough time left to work on all the projects coming up before December 25th hits.

~ DB

Now, with some space to call a workshop and an understanding wife, I feel like I can finally push myself out there and live up to what I have been telling friends and family all my life: I can build anything. Obviously I’m in over my head already, but I love a challenge.

My Brief Background:

Not to give you a full autobiography, but here is where I’m coming from. I was born and raised in Northeast Oklahoma near the Osage Hills. My father was about as handy of a guy as anyone knew which surprised most everyone seeing as his day job was one of three pharmacists in a small town. My mother was crafty with fabrics and decorating and seemed to know just what to do for any situation which served her well as a nurse in that same town. (No, I didn’t go into medicine, but I did take a first aid class once.)

During my childhood, my father decided that we were not going to be the rednecks living in a trailer forever and decided to build an entire house piece by piece over the course of about twenty years. Early on I was the hammer holder or the re-measure boy and eventually was promoted to fellow designer and “hey, build me a wall while I’m at work,” guy to my dad. I learned a little about everything you can imagine in carpentry and house building. Framing, roofing, plumbing, wiring, tile laying, installing cabinets… You name it. On top of that, my father made sure that his son knew enough about a car to be able to fix it on the side of the road if the case may be, so I learned quite a bit on automotive repair as well.

My mother drug my father, my sister, and I around the country side during the colder months to go to craft fares and antique malls. I’ve seen more history than I can recall rusting on a shelf with a half price sticker and seen some of the most beautiful items created out of wood or other scrap items laying around the house. I grew up appreciating what a craftsman was and knowing that all people had the ability to create given the right tools.

With this background I found myself in college being the only guy in the dorms with a complete kit of do-it-yourself hand tools. As cool as that sounded I was mostly leaned upon to fix random furniture and do the occasional car diagnosis but never really seemed to get much respect for my abilities. College itself wasn’t the best environment for me anyway and I was horrible at booking it on things that didn’t really spark my interests. Five years and a low GPA degree later I finally made myself in the adult world and got what amounts to a real job.

As an insurance agent, my experience with cars and carpentry helps a bit. Mostly, though, I find myself using handyman skills to fix the copy machine and answer the random question about someone’s heating system. Now you’re reading this and thinking I’m unhappy. Actually, I like my job. It’s challenging and I get to help people on a daily basis. But, its not where my mind is.

So, over the last few years that I have been living here in Kansas City, I have slowly been building up a tool kit the I feel I could actually do some work with that I could consider worth while. The good news is I finally found the time and space just recently to put a serious shot at it. Now, this decision was based off of the assumption that I needed certain things (tablesaw for instance) in order to actually get started. The more I look into I’m realizing I could have been doing this in the little apartment that I had before I was married. Oh, well.

So that is basically where I’m coming from. I’ll post more about myself later (probably today since I’m new hear and I have a lot on my mind now). Stay tuned and make sure you give me some advice along the way. It takes a village to raise an idiot like me… (Wow, that was a lot funnier in my head.)

~Danny Boy