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86K views 542 replies 69 participants last post by  LittleBlackDuck 
#1 ·
3D Printing in the Workshop

While this topic doesn't strictly fit into the guidelines of timber product, it does incorporate the processing of said prerequisite, however, to err on the side of veto wizards I decided to blog instead of projecting it.

Flooring Floor Plastic bottle Cylinder Material property


Plumbing valve Plumbing fixture Flooring Floor Valve


Gas Audio equipment Cable Composite material Electronic device


Automotive tire Fluid Bicycle part Bicycle fork Gas


Vehicle Automotive tire Steering wheel Bicycle tire Fender


Pneumatic tool Handheld power drill Drill Hammer drill Power tool


We need to set the mood!

Once upon a time there was this aging geriatric, living in Churchill Australia that was getting paranoid about dust inhalation into his alcohol infested body. He chose to purchase a Shop-Vac and attached a few tools to with the deft application of copious reels of duct tape… and all was good. As the tools began to breed like rabbits, the old man realised that he may need to invest in another Shop-Vac (or look alike). He purchased a 2.5" "shop-vac" rated the same hose dimension as his previous one and was hoping for integrated compliance. Glory be… why is 2.5" in "Shop-Vac" speak different in size to the 2.5" in "Hitachi" speak. More duct tape and frustration attempting to integrate… and all was NOT good.

I'm sure this is not a rare tale of Robinson Crusoe (mis-located in Churchill), as I am certain most of us can relate to this chagrin.

Whilst pursuing the gratification of attending one of our local wood shows, several years ago, there was this revolutionary stand selling 3D printers. While the interest was huge, the sales was little huge. Somehow I had the insight to contemplate the use of 3D printed items in a workshop and I bit the bullet, fired a few shots and proceeded to procure one. much to the missus's sacrifice of another pair of shoes… she has expensive shoes (I dare not say big feet). My immediate though was about shop-vac integration through customised couplings. Well I was not disappointed.

I now do not fear dust extraction compatibility with any tool I possess and at times scrap the proprietary supplied adapter for a shop made (3D printed) customised one.

While 3D printed paraphernalia can be used throughout the house I have tried to limit my contribution to items I have created for the workshop. Rather than clutter this blog with a myriad of photographic illustrations, I have created the following post-Christmas "STOCKING FILLER" to highlight what I have blundered across for use in the workshop (be warned… there are 90+ pickies in the PDF… guaranteed cure for insomnia).

Now for a touch of woodworking. You can (as I have) create many of these items on a lathe, however, repeatability is not a push button on that skew chisel. I can churn off as many 3D's as I like and all the same… I often disguise some with different colours just to confuse myself.

I hope I can get some people's creative juices flowing, as not all workshop creations are made of wood… especially regarding workshop aids.

Thanks for taking the time to get this far!
 

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#378 ·
Does your chalk get "Un-Plastered"?

Boys and Girls,

Do you have a collection similar to this,
Wood Flooring Font Road surface Gas

scattered about the workshop that can never be found when needed?

And if you happen to find it next to you,
Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Plank

already interacting with your project… DOH!...
or worse still, it gets under foot,
Wood Automotive tire Gas Flooring Human leg


If you answer No, then goodbye… otherwise, fret no more… salvation is at hand…
Wood Table Toy Hardwood Writing implement


just click on the picture above.

At least if you step on it, you'll know it…

Keep safe.
 

Attachments

#379 ·
Does your chalk get "Un-Plastered"?

Boys and Girls,

Do you have a collection similar to this,
Wood Flooring Font Road surface Gas

scattered about the workshop that can never be found when needed?

And if you happen to find it next to you,
Wood Rectangle Floor Flooring Plank

already interacting with your project… DOH!...
or worse still, it gets under foot,
Wood Automotive tire Gas Flooring Human leg


If you answer No, then goodbye… otherwise, fret no more… salvation is at hand…
Wood Table Toy Hardwood Writing implement


just click on the picture above.

At least if you step on it, you'll know it…

Keep safe.
duckie c'mon chalk is for kids to draw on sidewalks,were woodworkers,why do i need chalk,sell me!!!
 

Attachments

#383 ·
Bessey KRE-VO... Completed upgrade.

Boys and Girls,

If you are an egg connoisseur, you've just landed a double-yolker… you get a tip and a review completion in one.

Having just completed my review of the Bessey Vario Revo Clamp Jaw (and follow the bouncing ball for the real thing), where I addressed modification but not this full customisation.
Not happy with loose ends, I thought I'd go full hog and remove the original fixed jaw.

Closer inspection revealed the jaws were held in place by some sort of solid rivets,
Bicycle part Automotive tire Auto part Machine Automotive wheel system

... more on this later.

My first line of attack was to grind the heads of the rivets off… the plastic covering proved a bit resistant so I thought that a hacksaw was a better weapon,
Wood Tool Saw Gas Flooring

Hmm, maybe for the optimists, but for me it was bloody hard work. Fired up the compressor and loaded with a thin cutting blade and subsequently launched a frontal attack on the jaw with bravado,
Engineering Machine Air gun Machine gun Trigger

the mongrel fought back and refused to concede and while I managed to remove the jaw, the rivets refused to budge… I whacked it with a sledge but feared spreading the end making removal impossible so it was off to the drill press to drill it out. While I complained profusely… I should have kept my cool, held back on the cussing and admired the rugged Bessey construction.

Suddenly I discovered a new use for these new adjustable jaws….
Table Engineering Gas Workbench Machine


Automotive tire Audio equipment Electrical wiring Electricity Fence

as an adjustable outfeed rest for the long clamp's bar… pretend you didn't read that as I'm going to use this as another workshop tip blog (shhh!).

It was quite a pathetic attempt, however, I eventually extricated the rivet and had a new Vario clamp,
Wood Engineering Gas Hardwood Composite material

the two jaws not colour co-ordinated, but they worked.
Hell that was hard work and prompted me to go to the trouble of taking my cordless bandsaw out of its cradle, and tackle the jaw on the next clamp,
Wood Engineering Gas Screw Audio equipment

Took less than 10 seconds to cut through both ends of the rivets, however, I still had to drill down the centre of the rivets to weaken it for easier extraction,
Tread Tire Automotive tire Wood Rim


While the black jaws had an "observation" hole to guide cutting, the red were enclosed,
Gas Electronic device Machine Composite material Bumper

forcing me to cut blind,
Wood Engineering Plastic Electric blue Carmine

and making another dogs breakfast. Nevertheless the redheads made an equally impressive colour co-ordinated Vario clamps,
Wood Gas Engineering Hardwood Machine


Then I had a closer look… those bloody solid rivets weren't rivets but metal rods with domed ends,
Wood Bumper Gas Machine tool Automotive lighting

all I had to do was, select an appropriate sized bold and simply hammer it out, leaving the second red jaw in pristine condition.
Not that it mattered as they were still destined for the bin, however, if I discovered this with the first clamp, I would have saved a lot of stuffing around.

So for all you thrill-seekers choosing to upgrade, just pop the rods and enjoy the new Vario clamps.
 

Attachments

#384 ·
Bessey KRE-VO... Completed upgrade.

Boys and Girls,

If you are an egg connoisseur, you've just landed a double-yolker… you get a tip and a review completion in one.

Having just completed my review of the Bessey Vario Revo Clamp Jaw (and follow the bouncing ball for the real thing), where I addressed modification but not this full customisation.
Not happy with loose ends, I thought I'd go full hog and remove the original fixed jaw.

Closer inspection revealed the jaws were held in place by some sort of solid rivets,
Bicycle part Automotive tire Auto part Machine Automotive wheel system

... more on this later.

My first line of attack was to grind the heads of the rivets off… the plastic covering proved a bit resistant so I thought that a hacksaw was a better weapon,
Wood Tool Saw Gas Flooring

Hmm, maybe for the optimists, but for me it was bloody hard work. Fired up the compressor and loaded with a thin cutting blade and subsequently launched a frontal attack on the jaw with bravado,
Engineering Machine Air gun Machine gun Trigger

the mongrel fought back and refused to concede and while I managed to remove the jaw, the rivets refused to budge… I whacked it with a sledge but feared spreading the end making removal impossible so it was off to the drill press to drill it out. While I complained profusely… I should have kept my cool, held back on the cussing and admired the rugged Bessey construction.

Suddenly I discovered a new use for these new adjustable jaws….
Table Engineering Gas Workbench Machine


Automotive tire Audio equipment Electrical wiring Electricity Fence

as an adjustable outfeed rest for the long clamp's bar… pretend you didn't read that as I'm going to use this as another workshop tip blog (shhh!).

It was quite a pathetic attempt, however, I eventually extricated the rivet and had a new Vario clamp,
Wood Engineering Gas Hardwood Composite material

the two jaws not colour co-ordinated, but they worked.
Hell that was hard work and prompted me to go to the trouble of taking my cordless bandsaw out of its cradle, and tackle the jaw on the next clamp,
Wood Engineering Gas Screw Audio equipment

Took less than 10 seconds to cut through both ends of the rivets, however, I still had to drill down the centre of the rivets to weaken it for easier extraction,
Tread Tire Automotive tire Wood Rim


While the black jaws had an "observation" hole to guide cutting, the red were enclosed,
Gas Electronic device Machine Composite material Bumper

forcing me to cut blind,
Wood Engineering Plastic Electric blue Carmine

and making another dogs breakfast. Nevertheless the redheads made an equally impressive colour co-ordinated Vario clamps,
Wood Gas Engineering Hardwood Machine


Then I had a closer look… those bloody solid rivets weren't rivets but metal rods with domed ends,
Wood Bumper Gas Machine tool Automotive lighting

all I had to do was, select an appropriate sized bold and simply hammer it out, leaving the second red jaw in pristine condition.
Not that it mattered as they were still destined for the bin, however, if I discovered this with the first clamp, I would have saved a lot of stuffing around.

So for all you thrill-seekers choosing to upgrade, just pop the rods and enjoy the new Vario clamps.
Where did you have these hidden or did they these come from out of the Ark
and thats no yoke!

https://www.lumberjocks.com/reviews/4037
 

Attachments

#390 ·
Unconfuse the Leigh D4R configuration.

Boys and Girls,

While following a totally unrelated bouncing ball…, a search of "Leigh D4R" revealed quite a few reviews, blogs and projects centered around the jig. This indicates to me that there may be a wider range of members that relish in the benefit of their outlaid expense… (it wasn't cheap).

If you hand cut your dovetails… bye.
If you use a PC dovetailer… or not a D4R... bye.

I'm not going to parrot past members contributions and little miss echo can go and have a sabbatical, however, if you are anything like me, the D4R is only brought out on special occasions like birthdays, bar mitzvahs, christenings, Ramadan, Christmas, goat sacrificial days and the occasional C19 lockdowns… and the specialised list goes on.

Needless to say, most of us D4R users have not memorised the manual (albeit one of the better instructional publication), and we cock up our board orientation and find we have to re-cut and route 1 or two extra boards. How many times have you pulled out a drawer only to find that the front actually pulls out… separating from the drawer itself, due to incorrectly cutting the tails on the front piece.
On this project, the sides got the pins,
Musical instrument accessory Gas Audio equipment Machine Metal

For a cabinet, it was no biggie, but for a drawer it would've been an OOPSIE no-no.

Forget Mrs. Leigh's henpeck of the Mr. with her inside and outside triangles…
Rectangle Font Parallel Art Diagram

Orientation the "box" based on esthetics and mark the boards S for sides and F for front (and back)…
Then remember the mantra,

FOP when you SIT…
  • SIT - Side Inside Tail….
  • FOP - Front Outside Pin…
    Building Rectangle House Font Parallel

Font Wood Triangle Rectangle Art


Then when after you place the comb and mount the board, sing that mantra FOP when you SIT!!! And you won't screw up… as often!
 

Attachments

#391 ·
Unconfuse the Leigh D4R configuration.

Boys and Girls,

While following a totally unrelated bouncing ball…, a search of "Leigh D4R" revealed quite a few reviews, blogs and projects centered around the jig. This indicates to me that there may be a wider range of members that relish in the benefit of their outlaid expense… (it wasn't cheap).

If you hand cut your dovetails… bye.
If you use a PC dovetailer… or not a D4R... bye.

I'm not going to parrot past members contributions and little miss echo can go and have a sabbatical, however, if you are anything like me, the D4R is only brought out on special occasions like birthdays, bar mitzvahs, christenings, Ramadan, Christmas, goat sacrificial days and the occasional C19 lockdowns… and the specialised list goes on.

Needless to say, most of us D4R users have not memorised the manual (albeit one of the better instructional publication), and we cock up our board orientation and find we have to re-cut and route 1 or two extra boards. How many times have you pulled out a drawer only to find that the front actually pulls out… separating from the drawer itself, due to incorrectly cutting the tails on the front piece.
On this project, the sides got the pins,
Musical instrument accessory Gas Audio equipment Machine Metal

For a cabinet, it was no biggie, but for a drawer it would've been an OOPSIE no-no.

Forget Mrs. Leigh's henpeck of the Mr. with her inside and outside triangles…
Rectangle Font Parallel Art Diagram

Orientation the "box" based on esthetics and mark the boards S for sides and F for front (and back)…
Then remember the mantra,

FOP when you SIT…
  • SIT - Side Inside Tail….
  • FOP - Front Outside Pin…
    Building Rectangle House Font Parallel

Font Wood Triangle Rectangle Art


Then when after you place the comb and mount the board, sing that mantra FOP when you SIT!!! And you won't screw up… as often!
100% agree!

The manuals use of notation marks reminds me of the many crazy icon style signs that assault our eye

I still get hungry when I see this under the hand dryer in a restroom.

Rectangle Gesture Font Thumb Parallel
 

Attachments

#398 ·
Bessey Vario, picks me up

Boys and Girls,

While converting my Bessey clamp to the new Vario capabilities, I blundered upon this novel use of them.

The clamps can be used as a variable height adjuster for outfeed support (or other type of variable quick adjustable supports),
Table Desk Wood Tool Machine tool


Table Desk Wood Computer desk Gas


Wood Gas Engineering Electric blue Machine

This is just a demo as it wouldn't be practical to use on this circle cutter that has to be moved across the bandsaw tabletop.

Nevertheless it demonstrates how the moving top jaw can be positioned at any height with the push of a button. While clamps can be used in a spreading action, they need resistance to be able to be locked… this configuration doesn't.

Hey, even I wouldn't go out of my way to buy these clamps just for this purpose, however, if you have some, this is another use for it.
 

Attachments

#399 ·
Bessey Vario, picks me up

Boys and Girls,

While converting my Bessey clamp to the new Vario capabilities, I blundered upon this novel use of them.

The clamps can be used as a variable height adjuster for outfeed support (or other type of variable quick adjustable supports),
Table Desk Wood Tool Machine tool


Table Desk Wood Computer desk Gas


Wood Gas Engineering Electric blue Machine

This is just a demo as it wouldn't be practical to use on this circle cutter that has to be moved across the bandsaw tabletop.

Nevertheless it demonstrates how the moving top jaw can be positioned at any height with the push of a button. While clamps can be used in a spreading action, they need resistance to be able to be locked… this configuration doesn't.

Hey, even I wouldn't go out of my way to buy these clamps just for this purpose, however, if you have some, this is another use for it.
Hey whats this more exciting clamping info…wow

Maybe you had better read this for some clamp therapy

http://www.dawntools.com.au/pdf/Dawn_Catalogue_2017.pdf

Maybe the last of the aussies!!!

You are making me think seriously about doing a clamp blog myself
at least they wouldn't break a foot off if you dropped them.
 

Attachments

#413 ·
Bleed your bloody compressor

Boys and Girls,

With lockdown, isolation and limited movement outside due to C19, I'm sure we've all been too busy doing nothing to find time and drain our compressors.

When did you last drain yours?

While according to the puritans it should be performed after each use, I'm sure most repeat draining at the same regularity as I have days without vino… neva!

Just did mine and spent about 2 hours mopping up the rusty water discharge off the concrete floor, walls and most tools nearby… should have taken it outside and killed my lawn… don't do it in the driveway else everyone will think you shat your pants after a hot chilli meal.

So off your rrrs and drain the bloody thing and mark it in your calendar to do it more than once every few years.

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
 
#440 ·
You're gonna need bigga wheels... Wheely!

Boys and Girls,

If you remembered from the start that large wheels negotiate hazards in the workshop better than small wheels, you are already cruising in top gear.

Nevertheless there are two many woodworkers that have compromised on small wheels and find that those bloody annoying small slivers of timber seems like a log when you try to wheel your mobile around the workshop.

When I was still in Melbourne (Richmond), my shop floor was tongue and groove particle board sheets that was smooth as the missus's newly waxed legs and I had no issues wheeling around my mobiles on small wheels… yeah, I was cheap back in those days… no NASA funding (ey, pottzy)!

Initially I built my mini-lathe stand on small wheels and as I only used it to turn pens, stability was not a major issue and for that added stability, 2bsure 2bsure, I jacked it up on fold down braces when stationary,
Wood Shelving Shelf Flooring Hardwood


Cabinetry Drawer Wood Chest of drawers Flooring


Wood Table Flooring Rectangle Floor


Wood Workbench Engineering Toolroom Machine

(yeah, yeah… and extension table… I made bloody big pens)...
Nevertheless, engaging the braces was a pain in the arse and I was determined to fins a better way to get more stability (by lowering the COG).
However, when I moved to Churchill, with the cracks in the concrete, it was more like varicose veined legs and the mobile was quickly bogged down with the small wheels.

Sometime in the past 11 years, before I joined LJ, I opted for slightly larger wheels and redesigned the wheel mounts to permit lowering of the cabinet to accept larger wheels and still maintain stability with a relatively low centre of gravity.
This is how it stands (and rolls) now,
Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Tool Hardwood Hand tool

Before the eagle eyes (rc) out there start yapping about "they're small wheels too", I borrowed the larger wheels for my Workmate not too long ago and never replaced them, thoug the wheels on it now is a tad larger than the original… don't tell me you've never played musical wheels?

Also a while back, I "puttied" the cracks with some sort of gumbo (no idea what, where or when) but it seems to have lasted,
Road surface Asphalt Grey Automotive tire Tar


Road surface Asphalt Grey Automotive tire Floor


Since then, I learnt SketchUp and made a design that could be either used from the start or retro-fitted to replace small wheels… or the concept just used to lower the centre of gravity for the mobile.
Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle


I have exported an animation of the SketchUp model and provided some basic commentary before I started to mumble after opening up a cask of vino.

Hopefully it might give some readers a few ideas as I see far too many posting of great projects, however, I question the size of some of their wheels.
Personally, I have opted for heavy duty commercial mobile bases lately, so I'm only offering this as a suggestion for shekel constrained jocks.

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
 

Attachments

#441 ·
You're gonna need bigga wheels... Wheely!

Boys and Girls,

If you remembered from the start that large wheels negotiate hazards in the workshop better than small wheels, you are already cruising in top gear.

Nevertheless there are two many woodworkers that have compromised on small wheels and find that those bloody annoying small slivers of timber seems like a log when you try to wheel your mobile around the workshop.

When I was still in Melbourne (Richmond), my shop floor was tongue and groove particle board sheets that was smooth as the missus's newly waxed legs and I had no issues wheeling around my mobiles on small wheels… yeah, I was cheap back in those days… no NASA funding (ey, pottzy)!

Initially I built my mini-lathe stand on small wheels and as I only used it to turn pens, stability was not a major issue and for that added stability, 2bsure 2bsure, I jacked it up on fold down braces when stationary,
Wood Shelving Shelf Flooring Hardwood


Cabinetry Drawer Wood Chest of drawers Flooring


Wood Table Flooring Rectangle Floor


Wood Workbench Engineering Toolroom Machine

(yeah, yeah… and extension table… I made bloody big pens)...
Nevertheless, engaging the braces was a pain in the arse and I was determined to fins a better way to get more stability (by lowering the COG).
However, when I moved to Churchill, with the cracks in the concrete, it was more like varicose veined legs and the mobile was quickly bogged down with the small wheels.

Sometime in the past 11 years, before I joined LJ, I opted for slightly larger wheels and redesigned the wheel mounts to permit lowering of the cabinet to accept larger wheels and still maintain stability with a relatively low centre of gravity.
This is how it stands (and rolls) now,
Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor Hardwood


Wood Flooring Tool Hardwood Hand tool

Before the eagle eyes (rc) out there start yapping about "they're small wheels too", I borrowed the larger wheels for my Workmate not too long ago and never replaced them, thoug the wheels on it now is a tad larger than the original… don't tell me you've never played musical wheels?

Also a while back, I "puttied" the cracks with some sort of gumbo (no idea what, where or when) but it seems to have lasted,
Road surface Asphalt Grey Automotive tire Tar


Road surface Asphalt Grey Automotive tire Floor


Since then, I learnt SketchUp and made a design that could be either used from the start or retro-fitted to replace small wheels… or the concept just used to lower the centre of gravity for the mobile.
Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle


I have exported an animation of the SketchUp model and provided some basic commentary before I started to mumble after opening up a cask of vino.

Hopefully it might give some readers a few ideas as I see far too many posting of great projects, however, I question the size of some of their wheels.
Personally, I have opted for heavy duty commercial mobile bases lately, so I'm only offering this as a suggestion for shekel constrained jocks.

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!


 

Attachments

#455 ·
Crank Up your Tracks

Boys and Girls,

I often think I should keep my mouth shut, but then I start thinking (yeah… occasionally) that there may be a few woodworkers out there just starting off and have not read through all the past tips here at LJ.

While all the veterans yawn ho-hum, to others this may be so obvious it is overlooked.

If you like to use t-tracks and like me, choose to crank them up to white knuckle torture levels, you may often find a t-track in one hand and a work bench / jig in the other.

Far too often I have chosen sub-strata totally inferior to the t-track I am intending to mount or at least it's use.

Rather than compromise practicality with thickness, if you need extra beef to secure the track, mount an appropriate strip of timber (or discretely placed blocks) under the sub-strata to give sufficient meat to deeply secure the screw.
You may need to countersink to compensate for the beefier screw head into the t-track. Just don't go overboard and drill through it.

In this jig,
Wood Floor Hardwood Gas Flooring

I missed the 19mm x 42mm pine trips under the jig, and rather than re-position the t-track, I attached another strip next to the undercarriage to give support for the longer screws,
Wood Wood stain Floor Tool Flooring

Now I can crank my t-track clamps up so tight that the entire workbench becomes airborne!

While we (well I am) talking about thin bases… If you want to attach something to a thin base, screw from below into a timber strip mounted above, rather than opt for a quick short screw…
Wood Planer Art Engineering Hardwood

Just make sure to countersink the screws,
Wood Workbench Machine tool Hardwood Gas

otherwise you'll have scratch marks everywhere…

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
 

Attachments

#456 ·
Crank Up your Tracks

Boys and Girls,

I often think I should keep my mouth shut, but then I start thinking (yeah… occasionally) that there may be a few woodworkers out there just starting off and have not read through all the past tips here at LJ.

While all the veterans yawn ho-hum, to others this may be so obvious it is overlooked.

If you like to use t-tracks and like me, choose to crank them up to white knuckle torture levels, you may often find a t-track in one hand and a work bench / jig in the other.

Far too often I have chosen sub-strata totally inferior to the t-track I am intending to mount or at least it's use.

Rather than compromise practicality with thickness, if you need extra beef to secure the track, mount an appropriate strip of timber (or discretely placed blocks) under the sub-strata to give sufficient meat to deeply secure the screw.
You may need to countersink to compensate for the beefier screw head into the t-track. Just don't go overboard and drill through it.

In this jig,
Wood Floor Hardwood Gas Flooring

I missed the 19mm x 42mm pine trips under the jig, and rather than re-position the t-track, I attached another strip next to the undercarriage to give support for the longer screws,
Wood Wood stain Floor Tool Flooring

Now I can crank my t-track clamps up so tight that the entire workbench becomes airborne!

While we (well I am) talking about thin bases… If you want to attach something to a thin base, screw from below into a timber strip mounted above, rather than opt for a quick short screw…
Wood Planer Art Engineering Hardwood

Just make sure to countersink the screws,
Wood Workbench Machine tool Hardwood Gas

otherwise you'll have scratch marks everywhere…

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
I use T tracks all the time, but when I first started using them I did just that and ended up ripping it out of the table on my drill press. After that I learned my lesson. By the way, I'm not a beginner either.
 

Attachments

#460 ·
Quick Eze (for threads) without antacid.

Boys and Girls,
When I need a quick ease I don't mean antacid tablets...
Food Rectangle Font Electric blue Automotive exterior

or even a booty call (hmm, better forgo the picture)… I'm referring to quick unthreading of lengthy threaded bolts using a quick release mechanism.
Wheel Water Tire Engineering Rolling


I have two basic bits of equipment at my disposal,

Both can be viewed in this video.
I use these predominantly on jigs,
Wood Electric blue Machine Fashion accessory Carmine


Blue Automotive tire Font Gas Electric blue


Circuit component Engineering Gas Wood Office ruler


Wood Creative arts Machine tool Saw Engineering


Table Wood Gas Engineering Machine


Wood Creative arts Hardwood Composite material Plank


Wood Floor Flooring Gas Composite material


But can be used anywhere I need a quick one handed release from long threaded bolts… or that super quick release from short bolts… the only downside is that with short bolts there is a tendency for the knob to be totally separated from the bolt… the button nut will automatically lock in place.

Another bonus of the Rockler knob is that they are economical. Because of the quick release, its easy to quickly remove from one jig and use on another… just don't lose the bolts of the swapped out jig and make sure you can find the bolts of the swapped in jig... so you don't need that many… probably 4 should suffice.

Unfortunately the button nuts come at a premium cost while the Rocker are only a tad dearer than "standard" knobs.
I did make a jig using a button nut activated by a dowel in guides. Unfortunately the jig was sold to a desperado before I took pictures… and if you check out their price you'd understand why I sold it, rather than give it to a "friend of a friend of a friend"².

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
 

Attachments

#461 ·
Quick Eze (for threads) without antacid.

Boys and Girls,
When I need a quick ease I don't mean antacid tablets...
Food Rectangle Font Electric blue Automotive exterior

or even a booty call (hmm, better forgo the picture)… I'm referring to quick unthreading of lengthy threaded bolts using a quick release mechanism.
Wheel Water Tire Engineering Rolling


I have two basic bits of equipment at my disposal,

Both can be viewed in this video.
I use these predominantly on jigs,
Wood Electric blue Machine Fashion accessory Carmine


Blue Automotive tire Font Gas Electric blue


Circuit component Engineering Gas Wood Office ruler


Wood Creative arts Machine tool Saw Engineering


Table Wood Gas Engineering Machine


Wood Creative arts Hardwood Composite material Plank


Wood Floor Flooring Gas Composite material


But can be used anywhere I need a quick one handed release from long threaded bolts… or that super quick release from short bolts… the only downside is that with short bolts there is a tendency for the knob to be totally separated from the bolt… the button nut will automatically lock in place.

Another bonus of the Rockler knob is that they are economical. Because of the quick release, its easy to quickly remove from one jig and use on another… just don't lose the bolts of the swapped out jig and make sure you can find the bolts of the swapped in jig... so you don't need that many… probably 4 should suffice.

Unfortunately the button nuts come at a premium cost while the Rocker are only a tad dearer than "standard" knobs.
I did make a jig using a button nut activated by a dowel in guides. Unfortunately the jig was sold to a desperado before I took pictures… and if you check out their price you'd understand why I sold it, rather than give it to a "friend of a friend of a friend"².

Keep safe jocks... and your jocks safe!
your pushing my button on these nuts, cannot find a supplier anywhere

So where do you get em!!
 

Attachments

#465 ·
Fishnet stockings, not panty, for your hose…

Boys and Girls,

If you don't suck in your workshop then you need not read any further, however, if you occasionally get that sucker snagged on a sharp corner, this little snippet may be of use.

Unless you own a fancy Fe$tool vac with the expensive anti-static non-ribbed hose (top hose)
Gas Cable Tool Wood Wire

or duct your hose overhead, you may find you often snag the ribbing of the hose on sharp edges.

I feed the hoses I use on the end of dust generating tools through a 40mm flexible sleeve
Wood Electrical wiring Circuit component Bicycle handlebar Cable


Automotive design Automotive tire Motor vehicle Gas Hood

to create a smooth surface that will glide smoothly over sharp edges.

I have both 25mm and 40mm sleeves.
Dishware Table Wood Automotive tire Serveware

Unfortunately I bought my supply over 5 years ago and the WEB site no longer puts its hand up during a roll call, so I cannot recommend any honest/reliable suppliers.

Nevertheless you may find a supplier if you Google,
"40mm pet expandable sleeving" (you can leave the pet at home).

Just watch what is on offer as some only sell in 1 or 2 meter lengths… having said that, you may choose to only cover the working end of the hose in which case shorter lengths may suffice.

As all 2 ½" hoses are never the same diameter, here is a to a chart
Font Material property Pattern Parallel Number

(left click on the picture if you can't read it, right click if you can, but that'll do nothing other than bring up a useless drop-down) that you can use to determine what you may need for your workshop… take note of the "Expandable Range" column.

I chucked together a video that's more like a dogs breakfast and should be hosed down.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#466 ·
Fishnet stockings, not panty, for your hose…

Boys and Girls,

If you don't suck in your workshop then you need not read any further, however, if you occasionally get that sucker snagged on a sharp corner, this little snippet may be of use.

Unless you own a fancy Fe$tool vac with the expensive anti-static non-ribbed hose (top hose)
Gas Cable Tool Wood Wire

or duct your hose overhead, you may find you often snag the ribbing of the hose on sharp edges.

I feed the hoses I use on the end of dust generating tools through a 40mm flexible sleeve
Wood Electrical wiring Circuit component Bicycle handlebar Cable


Automotive design Automotive tire Motor vehicle Gas Hood

to create a smooth surface that will glide smoothly over sharp edges.

I have both 25mm and 40mm sleeves.
Dishware Table Wood Automotive tire Serveware

Unfortunately I bought my supply over 5 years ago and the WEB site no longer puts its hand up during a roll call, so I cannot recommend any honest/reliable suppliers.

Nevertheless you may find a supplier if you Google,
"40mm pet expandable sleeving" (you can leave the pet at home).

Just watch what is on offer as some only sell in 1 or 2 meter lengths… having said that, you may choose to only cover the working end of the hose in which case shorter lengths may suffice.

As all 2 ½" hoses are never the same diameter, here is a to a chart
Font Material property Pattern Parallel Number

(left click on the picture if you can't read it, right click if you can, but that'll do nothing other than bring up a useless drop-down) that you can use to determine what you may need for your workshop… take note of the "Expandable Range" column.

I chucked together a video that's more like a dogs breakfast and should be hosed down.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
video dont work :<((((((((((((
 

Attachments

#491 ·
No Monkeying Around With a Strap-on (Wrench)...

Boy and Girls,

While contemplating the publishing of my next puzzle project… a visitor to my workshop instigated a conversation that led me to document this "Workshop operational tip"... (though I was tempted to post it as a Review).

Being a vino drinker, I have been briefed about decanting… though there's a tad difference between being briefed and demonstrable actions... I don't decant Cask-o-vino.

Nevertheless my education has percolated down into the workshop and as I usually buy in "bulk", I adopted the art of decanting for some of my degradable liquified consumables.
If you decant too little, you can always decant some more, but if you decant too much, unlike vino which you can drink the excess, you can't "undecant" the surplus shop liquids in case of contamination.

Consequently I stockpile glass jars,
Automotive tire Paint Gas Portable stove Automotive wheel system

to store the surplus decantations in.

Unfortunately many "chems" like tung/Danish/linseed oils, shellac, varnish and wipe-ons that I religiously decant, have the tendency to gum up the lids of their respective underbelly jars, and if you are slack like me and wait days before the next coat (or months before the next project… unless it's a puzzle), finish up struggling to get that bloody lid off… and when/if you eventually succeed, you find your 2nd. decantation over the front of your shirt (or nightie).

Out of desperation, I initially resorted to using one of these "kitchen utensil" lid openers,
Tool Hand tool Pliers Kitchen utensil Electric blue

to remove gummed up lids, however, the jagged edges tended to perforate the lid, potentially degrading its air seal.
I looted the kitchen again and imported this gizmo into the workshop,
Font Rectangle Electric blue Fashion accessory Auto part

While it exerted a decent grip, it still had the tendency to indented/distorted any lid that wasn't a close fit to any of it's 4 profiles.

Somehow I legally got hold of one of these rubberised "strap wrenches" I saw on a discount table at my local hardware,
Hand tool Pliers Wire stripper Tool Snips

designed for oil filter removal… and often used by plumbers on PVC fittings. These proved to be the best alternative to maintain the integrity of the tight lids for removal and subsequent sealing.

I try to buy "snacks" packaged in square jars, so I can place them into my vice for a grip on the glass jar while I tackle the lid with the "wrench",
Liquid Fluid Plastic bottle Mason jar Food storage containers

You don't have to get too close to your screen to see the congealed liquid around the rim,
Liquid Fluid Bottle Drinkware Plastic bottle

that used to give me so much grief in the past.

I found a second "wrench" ideal for times when I ran out of square jars,
Automotive tire Automotive exterior Bumper Motor vehicle Electrical wiring

for that complimentary grip on the round jar… or just felt vindictive against the square ones.

While the larger ones would work on smaller jars, I found two smaller ones
Wood Bicycle part Gas Tool Hand tool

more practical with my dodgy left hand and recalcitrant right thumb.
Word of warning… You need to take care if lying the jar on it's side to just barely loosen the grip, otherwise you'll spill the contents… its preferable to keep the jar vertical.

Feeling self-complacent about sharing this knowledge, I decided to resurrect my acting career, donned the animal nightie and made this video for yazall too lazy to read the above prattle.

You've been warned about my forthcoming puzzle project and rest assured this post is just a deferment not a replacement, so feel free to pencil it into your calendar of "AME" (Anticipated Momentous Events).

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#492 ·
No Monkeying Around With a Strap-on (Wrench)...

Boy and Girls,

While contemplating the publishing of my next puzzle project… a visitor to my workshop instigated a conversation that led me to document this "Workshop operational tip"... (though I was tempted to post it as a Review).

Being a vino drinker, I have been briefed about decanting… though there's a tad difference between being briefed and demonstrable actions... I don't decant Cask-o-vino.

Nevertheless my education has percolated down into the workshop and as I usually buy in "bulk", I adopted the art of decanting for some of my degradable liquified consumables.
If you decant too little, you can always decant some more, but if you decant too much, unlike vino which you can drink the excess, you can't "undecant" the surplus shop liquids in case of contamination.

Consequently I stockpile glass jars,
Automotive tire Paint Gas Portable stove Automotive wheel system

to store the surplus decantations in.

Unfortunately many "chems" like tung/Danish/linseed oils, shellac, varnish and wipe-ons that I religiously decant, have the tendency to gum up the lids of their respective underbelly jars, and if you are slack like me and wait days before the next coat (or months before the next project… unless it's a puzzle), finish up struggling to get that bloody lid off… and when/if you eventually succeed, you find your 2nd. decantation over the front of your shirt (or nightie).

Out of desperation, I initially resorted to using one of these "kitchen utensil" lid openers,
Tool Hand tool Pliers Kitchen utensil Electric blue

to remove gummed up lids, however, the jagged edges tended to perforate the lid, potentially degrading its air seal.
I looted the kitchen again and imported this gizmo into the workshop,
Font Rectangle Electric blue Fashion accessory Auto part

While it exerted a decent grip, it still had the tendency to indented/distorted any lid that wasn't a close fit to any of it's 4 profiles.

Somehow I legally got hold of one of these rubberised "strap wrenches" I saw on a discount table at my local hardware,
Hand tool Pliers Wire stripper Tool Snips

designed for oil filter removal… and often used by plumbers on PVC fittings. These proved to be the best alternative to maintain the integrity of the tight lids for removal and subsequent sealing.

I try to buy "snacks" packaged in square jars, so I can place them into my vice for a grip on the glass jar while I tackle the lid with the "wrench",
Liquid Fluid Plastic bottle Mason jar Food storage containers

You don't have to get too close to your screen to see the congealed liquid around the rim,
Liquid Fluid Bottle Drinkware Plastic bottle

that used to give me so much grief in the past.

I found a second "wrench" ideal for times when I ran out of square jars,
Automotive tire Automotive exterior Bumper Motor vehicle Electrical wiring

for that complimentary grip on the round jar… or just felt vindictive against the square ones.

While the larger ones would work on smaller jars, I found two smaller ones
Wood Bicycle part Gas Tool Hand tool

more practical with my dodgy left hand and recalcitrant right thumb.
Word of warning… You need to take care if lying the jar on it's side to just barely loosen the grip, otherwise you'll spill the contents… its preferable to keep the jar vertical.

Feeling self-complacent about sharing this knowledge, I decided to resurrect my acting career, donned the animal nightie and made this video for yazall too lazy to read the above prattle.

You've been warned about my forthcoming puzzle project and rest assured this post is just a deferment not a replacement, so feel free to pencil it into your calendar of "AME" (Anticipated Momentous Events).

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
interesting tip.
 

Attachments

#501 ·
Parking your router without driving lessons.

Boy and Girls,

I'm sure this has been posted many times before and most crusty LJ'ers are aware of this, however, I'm hoping there may be a newbie or two that hasn't had this tip thrown in their face and are too slack to interrogate the "archives".

While using my Leigh D4R dovetailer making a cabinet for my over populated puzzles menagerie, I set up this router parking bay without thinking…
Wood Textile Floor Flooring Automotive tire


While taking other photos for an upcoming project post, I thought that there may be other people out there that may struggle with parking their routers with the bit protruding during the progress of a project.
Green Engineering Machine Scientific instrument Personal protective equipment


Adhesive Automotive tire Adhesive tape Automotive wheel system Rim


Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm advocating a cheap solution as I am a devout advocat of SKI (Spend Kid's Inheritance)… the one good thing about this, as opposed to a shop-made stand out of exotics or fancy purchased alternatives, you won't give a toss if you park it accidentally before the brake cuts in… all that gets tossed is the replaceable roll… at least you won't need to book an advanced parking course or revert to "P" plates if you bugger up the manoeuvre.

While I could attempt to park it in one of my 20mm dogholes,
Automotive tire Wood Rim Gas Plant

I just don't have the need for any 40mm oblong holes.

This may not be much chop if you hand cut your dovetails, but it may be handy for other free-hand router adventures. Furthermore, there's no such thing as a woodworker without a roll of duct tape… so you already have a bloody good foundation,
Engineering Machine tool Gas Wood Machine


Any roll will work, however, I do suggest you choose one appropriate for the outer and that protruding router bit. Obviously this red roll may be an unfavorable chioice,
Milling Automotive tire Machine tool Gas Power tool

and for once,
Automotive tire Wood Gas Machine Auto part

even the trusty "duck" tape let the team down.

You could always use some left over/recycled PVC pipes,
Electricity Engineering Gas Machine Electrical wiring

though I thoroughly recommend you trim to size.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#502 ·
Parking your router without driving lessons.

Boy and Girls,

I'm sure this has been posted many times before and most crusty LJ'ers are aware of this, however, I'm hoping there may be a newbie or two that hasn't had this tip thrown in their face and are too slack to interrogate the "archives".

While using my Leigh D4R dovetailer making a cabinet for my over populated puzzles menagerie, I set up this router parking bay without thinking…
Wood Textile Floor Flooring Automotive tire


While taking other photos for an upcoming project post, I thought that there may be other people out there that may struggle with parking their routers with the bit protruding during the progress of a project.
Green Engineering Machine Scientific instrument Personal protective equipment


Adhesive Automotive tire Adhesive tape Automotive wheel system Rim


Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm advocating a cheap solution as I am a devout advocat of SKI (Spend Kid's Inheritance)… the one good thing about this, as opposed to a shop-made stand out of exotics or fancy purchased alternatives, you won't give a toss if you park it accidentally before the brake cuts in… all that gets tossed is the replaceable roll… at least you won't need to book an advanced parking course or revert to "P" plates if you bugger up the manoeuvre.

While I could attempt to park it in one of my 20mm dogholes,
Automotive tire Wood Rim Gas Plant

I just don't have the need for any 40mm oblong holes.

This may not be much chop if you hand cut your dovetails, but it may be handy for other free-hand router adventures. Furthermore, there's no such thing as a woodworker without a roll of duct tape… so you already have a bloody good foundation,
Engineering Machine tool Gas Wood Machine


Any roll will work, however, I do suggest you choose one appropriate for the outer and that protruding router bit. Obviously this red roll may be an unfavorable chioice,
Milling Automotive tire Machine tool Gas Power tool

and for once,
Automotive tire Wood Gas Machine Auto part

even the trusty "duck" tape let the team down.

You could always use some left over/recycled PVC pipes,
Electricity Engineering Gas Machine Electrical wiring

though I thoroughly recommend you trim to size.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
You need a lot of these stands.
 

Attachments

#514 ·
Remember "Fe$tool VACSYS"...?

Boys and Girls,

I was tossing up where to post this and decided on it as a tip for all you jocks that have fantasised about the Fe$tool VACSYS but deferring it till the dodgy son-in-law and his biker mates manage to pull off that bank job so you could afford the full set.

I recently posted a video about my ,
Gas Engineering Milling Machine Tool

and heard rumblings that it may be discontinued in that there US of the A.

While this post is loosely related to the video, my only regret is that I hadn't bought it years ago… maybe should have in a past life centuries ago!
I do recommend the dual heads… more shekels, but exponential convenience.

I have mine so it's no skin off my nose, but without delving into great depths I have gleaned that it is not being decommissioned, but rather discontinued due to political red-tape issues with certification (or maybe re-certification).
I hope this is just a rumor or a Fe$tool announcement to bolster sales, however, if you still have that incling, I suggest you get off your rrrs quickly and do your own due diligence asap.

If the ******************** actually hits the fan, all I can suggest to all you Freckless, you may be able to acquire a 240V version internationally along with a transformer if you don't have a 240V socket… well you can have the socket but 240V feeding that socket.

Alternatively, do a Grabo adaptation,
Wood Gas Composite material Engineering Machine


Table Wood Folding chair Chair Gas


Table Wood Wood stain Tool Hardwood


So…. my tip is… you have been warned... and lets hope the rumor is just that.
 

Attachments

#515 ·
Remember "Fe$tool VACSYS"...?

Boys and Girls,

I was tossing up where to post this and decided on it as a tip for all you jocks that have fantasised about the Fe$tool VACSYS but deferring it till the dodgy son-in-law and his biker mates manage to pull off that bank job so you could afford the full set.

I recently posted a video about my ,
Gas Engineering Milling Machine Tool

and heard rumblings that it may be discontinued in that there US of the A.

While this post is loosely related to the video, my only regret is that I hadn't bought it years ago… maybe should have in a past life centuries ago!
I do recommend the dual heads… more shekels, but exponential convenience.

I have mine so it's no skin off my nose, but without delving into great depths I have gleaned that it is not being decommissioned, but rather discontinued due to political red-tape issues with certification (or maybe re-certification).
I hope this is just a rumor or a Fe$tool announcement to bolster sales, however, if you still have that incling, I suggest you get off your rrrs quickly and do your own due diligence asap.

If the ******************** actually hits the fan, all I can suggest to all you Freckless, you may be able to acquire a 240V version internationally along with a transformer if you don't have a 240V socket… well you can have the socket but 240V feeding that socket.

Alternatively, do a Grabo adaptation,
Wood Gas Composite material Engineering Machine


Table Wood Folding chair Chair Gas


Table Wood Wood stain Tool Hardwood


So…. my tip is… you have been warned... and lets hope the rumor is just that.
That's about as funny as Errol Flynn and his pork and string trick with ducks!

See attached Christmas present

Food Tin Food storage Ingredient Tin can


I think if you asked Dave P nicely he may loan you one of his spoon bits

Otherwise
I could do a Freddy Mercury impersonation for you

Nose Mouth Cap Cricket cap Jaw


Then failing all that arousing your feathers refer to picture No 1 !

tee hee!
 

Attachments

#520 ·
Give your Fe$tool VAC$Y$ a kick along.

Boy and Girls,

It's hard to make something perfect "perfecter"… but here is an example.

I have been overwhelmed by my Fe$tool VAC$Y$,
Gas Engineering Milling Machine Tool


Electrical wiring Computer hardware Gas Shelving Technology

and my only disappointment is that I didn't buy it many years ago.

OK, there was one other thing that could have been improved, and that was access to the on/off switch, which can be made easy or difficult depending on where the idiotic owner places the systainer… the latest version of the pump is enclosed in a systainer with the switch on the side.
Bicycle tire Automotive tire Wheel Bicycle part Rim


Whether it be lack of space or imagination in planning, I found that my button was in an awkward spot to reach over my work and making it more convenient would upset the current layout… and my Chi,
Computer Personal computer Peripheral Computer hardware Electrical wiring


Peripheral Computer Personal computer Computer hardware Gadget

Even though the vacuum clamping still operates after the pump is switched off, a more practical option is to switch the pump off when you release the vacuum to remove the work.
Being space constrained, even one wasted foot in the workshop is an unnecessary overhead (or more precisely, underfoot)… so why not toggle the pump using that spare foot. As the pump release is operated by a foot lever, I thought the ideal place for a toggle switch would be near the foot lever.

While surfing the NET for a foot operated powerboard, I found this particular PowerCube,
Automotive lighting Automotive tire Bicycle part Electrical wiring Audio equipment

that came with a battery-less remote that was so designed that it was ideal to double sided tape it to the VAC$Y$'s vacuum release foot mechanism.
Electrical wiring Audio equipment Gas Electronic instrument Computer hardware


Wood Flooring Gas Hardwood Wood stain

No longer is the solution at hand but only a foot away.

I plan to do a review on the PowerCube and will retro-link it here, if it ever "stays on the ground" and I don't forget…

I've yet to master separating my toes so I can switch both "buttons" off at once, however, two foot presses , as opposed to 2' presses, is not an obnoxious overhead.

If you own a VAC$Y$, you may find this tip useful and if you are thinking about it, read this blog that seems to be current at the moment.

FAIW, this concept can readily adapted to any machinery that doesn't have a built in mag-switch or if it does, (I didn't say this…) it can readily be replaced by a standard switch without jeopardising warranty and overall safety.
(LBD's Warning: Tampering with original switches may void warraties and under some circumstances negate safety features.)

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#521 ·
Give your Fe$tool VAC$Y$ a kick along.

Boy and Girls,

It's hard to make something perfect "perfecter"… but here is an example.

I have been overwhelmed by my Fe$tool VAC$Y$,
Gas Engineering Milling Machine Tool


Electrical wiring Computer hardware Gas Shelving Technology

and my only disappointment is that I didn't buy it many years ago.

OK, there was one other thing that could have been improved, and that was access to the on/off switch, which can be made easy or difficult depending on where the idiotic owner places the systainer… the latest version of the pump is enclosed in a systainer with the switch on the side.
Bicycle tire Automotive tire Wheel Bicycle part Rim


Whether it be lack of space or imagination in planning, I found that my button was in an awkward spot to reach over my work and making it more convenient would upset the current layout… and my Chi,
Computer Personal computer Peripheral Computer hardware Electrical wiring


Peripheral Computer Personal computer Computer hardware Gadget

Even though the vacuum clamping still operates after the pump is switched off, a more practical option is to switch the pump off when you release the vacuum to remove the work.
Being space constrained, even one wasted foot in the workshop is an unnecessary overhead (or more precisely, underfoot)… so why not toggle the pump using that spare foot. As the pump release is operated by a foot lever, I thought the ideal place for a toggle switch would be near the foot lever.

While surfing the NET for a foot operated powerboard, I found this particular PowerCube,
Automotive lighting Automotive tire Bicycle part Electrical wiring Audio equipment

that came with a battery-less remote that was so designed that it was ideal to double sided tape it to the VAC$Y$'s vacuum release foot mechanism.
Electrical wiring Audio equipment Gas Electronic instrument Computer hardware


Wood Flooring Gas Hardwood Wood stain

No longer is the solution at hand but only a foot away.

I plan to do a review on the PowerCube and will retro-link it here, if it ever "stays on the ground" and I don't forget…

I've yet to master separating my toes so I can switch both "buttons" off at once, however, two foot presses , as opposed to 2' presses, is not an obnoxious overhead.

If you own a VAC$Y$, you may find this tip useful and if you are thinking about it, read this blog that seems to be current at the moment.

FAIW, this concept can readily adapted to any machinery that doesn't have a built in mag-switch or if it does, (I didn't say this…) it can readily be replaced by a standard switch without jeopardising warranty and overall safety.
(LBD's Warning: Tampering with original switches may void warraties and under some circumstances negate safety features.)

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
So, I don't have much to say about this. But wanted to add something.
Publication World Poster Font Art
 

Attachments

#523 ·
TSO Power-Loc Dogs that Bark as well as Bite.

Boys and Girls,

Since I bought my TSO Power-Loc Dogs around 6 months ago, I have been spruiking them and may have portrayed misinformation of them.

Personally, I look upon them as a "profileless clamp" to hold jigs
Table Rectangle Wood Floor Wood stain

and other paraphernalia
Gas Engineering Wood Machine Creative arts

to MFT style benches/tabletops.
They are not the "traditional" type of a bench dog.
Wood Table Audio equipment Gas Wood stain

Nevertheless you can convert them into a bench dog by drilling a 20mm hole in a block of wood, chamfer it and use the TSO dogs,
Blue Wood Wood stain Gas Hardwood

to anchor them to your bench. They can simply be inserted into a dog hole, however, I recommend that they be tightened with an allen key… or using a cordless drill on the lowest torque setting,
Wood Camera accessory Bicycle part Drill Tool

(another tip and this one's a freebie).

They can then be used as a dog stop,
Wood Wood stain Rectangle Plank Hardwood

and for thicker benchtops recess the chamfer deeper,
Wood Gas Wood stain Hardwood Plank

to compensate.

Unfortunately if you want two dogs (no joke intended), unless you are meticulous with your measurements and subsequent execution, you could sacrifice the MFT style feature of your bench due to incorrect centering of the dog in the timber.

I have managed to find a workaround for this… the downside is that for 100% (+/- 0.05% mm) accuracy, you'll need access to a laser… a CNC may suffice, however, the potential tearout/cleanup may jeopardise accuracy.

I have designed and cut out these collars from 6mm MDF.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Font Gas

That can now now be substituted for "normal dogs"
Wood Gas Household hardware Auto part Electric blue

using the TSO Dogs and the drill,
Automotive tire Wood Bicycle part Tool Gas

You can stack the collars according to requirements and the thickness of the benchtop

Because of the accuracy of the laser, you can be guaranteed that on any spot of the collar perimeter, you'll be exactly 15mm from the centre of the dog hole.

With such precission, you can maintain the integrity of the MDF style concept of your table top. This perfect 90° corner fits precisely against the dogs,
Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Flooring


Now I appreciate that MDF can throw wobblies when subjected to humidity changes, however, all the collars being identical in size, should be equally affected creating a proportionate margin for error that will retain integrity.

For the faint hearted, I have created a set of collars out of acrylic
Automotive tire Camera accessory Rim Audio equipment Automotive wheel system

that will not be affected by even spilled vino… you may cuss at the loss of the savoury brew but not on its moisture affect on the dog collars.
To compensate for the laser kerf, the OD was 30.3mm and the ID was 19.8mm to yield a 30mm OD and 20mm ID respectively, collar… as can be identified by the engraving on the collars.

I have also made a set of 25mm collars
Wood Drinkware Bicycle part Gas Cylinder


Wood Nickel Gas Silver Rim

to fit the TSO dogs that can be used instead of the supplier's recommended Veritas dogs for use with the UJK Parf System Mk.I
Wood Table Gas Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Household hardware Gas Hardwood Wood stain

the one on the left is the recommended Veritas dog... or if you just want a 25mm dia. dog if you are kinky.

As I've mentioned in the past, don't be threatened by the mention of lasers… laser cutting per se, can be relatively cheap as the majority of the costs is in the design and setup. If you provide the specs and material, I am advised it'd probably be cheaper than the petrol used to drive to the service centre… and if you have access to a laser, then you've got no bloody excuse!

I have made another of my impromptu videos and all the files I used can be plagiarised using this link.

Don't let the original "collarless" limitation deprive you of extending the versatility of your clamping horizons using these dog clamps. You can now have a bench dog that bites (clamps)... and barks ("dogs").

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#524 ·
TSO Power-Loc Dogs that Bark as well as Bite.

Boys and Girls,

Since I bought my TSO Power-Loc Dogs around 6 months ago, I have been spruiking them and may have portrayed misinformation of them.

Personally, I look upon them as a "profileless clamp" to hold jigs
Table Rectangle Wood Floor Wood stain

and other paraphernalia
Gas Engineering Wood Machine Creative arts

to MFT style benches/tabletops.
They are not the "traditional" type of a bench dog.
Wood Table Audio equipment Gas Wood stain

Nevertheless you can convert them into a bench dog by drilling a 20mm hole in a block of wood, chamfer it and use the TSO dogs,
Blue Wood Wood stain Gas Hardwood

to anchor them to your bench. They can simply be inserted into a dog hole, however, I recommend that they be tightened with an allen key… or using a cordless drill on the lowest torque setting,
Wood Camera accessory Bicycle part Drill Tool

(another tip and this one's a freebie).

They can then be used as a dog stop,
Wood Wood stain Rectangle Plank Hardwood

and for thicker benchtops recess the chamfer deeper,
Wood Gas Wood stain Hardwood Plank

to compensate.

Unfortunately if you want two dogs (no joke intended), unless you are meticulous with your measurements and subsequent execution, you could sacrifice the MFT style feature of your bench due to incorrect centering of the dog in the timber.

I have managed to find a workaround for this… the downside is that for 100% (+/- 0.05% mm) accuracy, you'll need access to a laser… a CNC may suffice, however, the potential tearout/cleanup may jeopardise accuracy.

I have designed and cut out these collars from 6mm MDF.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Font Gas

That can now now be substituted for "normal dogs"
Wood Gas Household hardware Auto part Electric blue

using the TSO Dogs and the drill,
Automotive tire Wood Bicycle part Tool Gas

You can stack the collars according to requirements and the thickness of the benchtop

Because of the accuracy of the laser, you can be guaranteed that on any spot of the collar perimeter, you'll be exactly 15mm from the centre of the dog hole.

With such precission, you can maintain the integrity of the MDF style concept of your table top. This perfect 90° corner fits precisely against the dogs,
Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Flooring


Now I appreciate that MDF can throw wobblies when subjected to humidity changes, however, all the collars being identical in size, should be equally affected creating a proportionate margin for error that will retain integrity.

For the faint hearted, I have created a set of collars out of acrylic
Automotive tire Camera accessory Rim Audio equipment Automotive wheel system

that will not be affected by even spilled vino… you may cuss at the loss of the savoury brew but not on its moisture affect on the dog collars.
To compensate for the laser kerf, the OD was 30.3mm and the ID was 19.8mm to yield a 30mm OD and 20mm ID respectively, collar… as can be identified by the engraving on the collars.

I have also made a set of 25mm collars
Wood Drinkware Bicycle part Gas Cylinder


Wood Nickel Gas Silver Rim

to fit the TSO dogs that can be used instead of the supplier's recommended Veritas dogs for use with the UJK Parf System Mk.I
Wood Table Gas Hardwood Wood stain


Wood Household hardware Gas Hardwood Wood stain

the one on the left is the recommended Veritas dog... or if you just want a 25mm dia. dog if you are kinky.

As I've mentioned in the past, don't be threatened by the mention of lasers… laser cutting per se, can be relatively cheap as the majority of the costs is in the design and setup. If you provide the specs and material, I am advised it'd probably be cheaper than the petrol used to drive to the service centre… and if you have access to a laser, then you've got no bloody excuse!

I have made another of my impromptu videos and all the files I used can be plagiarised using this link.

Don't let the original "collarless" limitation deprive you of extending the versatility of your clamping horizons using these dog clamps. You can now have a bench dog that bites (clamps)... and barks ("dogs").

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
Interesting!
 

Attachments

#530 ·
Come to Grips with Keyless Chucks on your Drill Press.

Boy and Girls,

I believe that Drill Presses all come with keyed chucks as it is hard to tighten a keyless chuck similar to the little trick with cordless drill chucks… Google it if you don't know how to apply that lock using a "reverse twist".

If like me, you've gone thrill-seeker and replaced the original with a keyless chuck,
Machine tool Drill Milling Gas Nickel

you may appreciate the issue I've encountered while cranking up the chuck to get a good grip on some of my drill bits.

I don't know about other DP brands, however, most of my better ones had a quill lock, but none had a spindle (rotation) lock.

Much as I love my Nova Voyager, it has a very "freely rotating spindle" that just about makes a one handed chuck tightening impossible… even holding the drill bit tight enough to get the other hand into the action.
Fairly soon after the initial launch, the manufacturer released some firmware to permit locking of the spindle.
Neat undertaking, and while it is quite effective, I have to navigate through the menu to select the "Spindle Lock" feature.
Gadget Font Technology Office equipment Display device


Font Office equipment Display device Technology Electronic device


Font Display device Electronic device Technology Number


While usually the lock is sufficient, I've found that under certain circumstances I needed some white knuckle pressure that was difficult to achieve.
I still retain my keyed chuck and have had occasions where I had no alternative but to temporarily swap them out.

I won't bore you with why I need it, other than I do and I'm guessing there may be other out there feeling the same.

Now I'm sure the following concept is not new to many, however, like me, you probably think about it but slackly, never execute it.
Well, I finally have.

To overcome this I have two cheap multi grips permanently hanging on a board near the drill press,
Saw Milling Drill Power tool Tool


that have their jaws lined with leather strips
Product Sportswear Kitchen utensil Wood Font

to protect the chucks surface from disfiguring scratches.
The grips are bargain basement jobs, but are ideal for those odd occasions where I need to force the chuck.

In the past I used two of these rubberised oil filter removers,
Bicycle frame Bicycle tire Bicycle fork Bicycle handlebar Bicycle part

however, they were a pain to set up for the big "squeeze"… that's why I graduated to the multi grip.
While my Voyager spindle lock is sufficient for 99% of my requirements, this may make life a tad easier for someone taking the time to read this.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
 

Attachments

#531 ·
Come to Grips with Keyless Chucks on your Drill Press.

Boy and Girls,

I believe that Drill Presses all come with keyed chucks as it is hard to tighten a keyless chuck similar to the little trick with cordless drill chucks… Google it if you don't know how to apply that lock using a "reverse twist".

If like me, you've gone thrill-seeker and replaced the original with a keyless chuck,
Machine tool Drill Milling Gas Nickel

you may appreciate the issue I've encountered while cranking up the chuck to get a good grip on some of my drill bits.

I don't know about other DP brands, however, most of my better ones had a quill lock, but none had a spindle (rotation) lock.

Much as I love my Nova Voyager, it has a very "freely rotating spindle" that just about makes a one handed chuck tightening impossible… even holding the drill bit tight enough to get the other hand into the action.
Fairly soon after the initial launch, the manufacturer released some firmware to permit locking of the spindle.
Neat undertaking, and while it is quite effective, I have to navigate through the menu to select the "Spindle Lock" feature.
Gadget Font Technology Office equipment Display device


Font Office equipment Display device Technology Electronic device


Font Display device Electronic device Technology Number


While usually the lock is sufficient, I've found that under certain circumstances I needed some white knuckle pressure that was difficult to achieve.
I still retain my keyed chuck and have had occasions where I had no alternative but to temporarily swap them out.

I won't bore you with why I need it, other than I do and I'm guessing there may be other out there feeling the same.

Now I'm sure the following concept is not new to many, however, like me, you probably think about it but slackly, never execute it.
Well, I finally have.

To overcome this I have two cheap multi grips permanently hanging on a board near the drill press,
Saw Milling Drill Power tool Tool


that have their jaws lined with leather strips
Product Sportswear Kitchen utensil Wood Font

to protect the chucks surface from disfiguring scratches.
The grips are bargain basement jobs, but are ideal for those odd occasions where I need to force the chuck.

In the past I used two of these rubberised oil filter removers,
Bicycle frame Bicycle tire Bicycle fork Bicycle handlebar Bicycle part

however, they were a pain to set up for the big "squeeze"… that's why I graduated to the multi grip.
While my Voyager spindle lock is sufficient for 99% of my requirements, this may make life a tad easier for someone taking the time to read this.

Keep safe, jocks... and your jocks, safe!
I read it! Had some time. Thanks for the tip.
 

Attachments

#537 ·
Glass Jars for those recalcitrant chems.

Boys and Girls,

During the C19 Pandemic, I treated myself to a few new Fe$tool tools. This is noting to do with them, though I may do a review later, they dragged me down to the workshop and make me do some "workshop kinkies" that SWMBO might deliver a moon-slap in disgust.

For once I will avoid powered tools and turn my back on hand tools. I will crap on about those workshop incidentals that most just tend to ignore.

To minimise cross contamination I decant most of my chems/paints/stains/shellac, into glass jars. I wrote a tip on how to undo jars.

With this PITA C19 putting a dent into my activities, I found that my venture into "traditional workshoping" has taken a back seat to my puzzling laser work... (sorry gotta spruik my financier… ME).... you've all been following my puzzle mania… haven't yazall?

Returning to the workshop and hitting the jars with the 2 strap method, I had more OOPSIES with "horizontal orientation" spills than glasses of vino consumed in the last 10 minutes.

Faster curing tung oil and a traditional mix of shellac has the tendency to glue the lid to the jar… not to mention all those contraband chemicals that invade some selective noses… though I'm not condoning ample splinkling of sawdust/flour for workshop foothold stability.

If you are bored so far (as I've been know to crap on… but the goods are about to come), there are many more interesting LJ threads to satisfy your druthers…

This may seem obvious to the psychos (or is it psychics) out there, but I have found two ways to prevent those spillages while I used to battle with the two straps on a horizontal jar.
  1. Fully graduate to square jars.
    Drinkware Newspaper Fluid Drink Publication

    If I detect an item in a square jar,
    Automotive tire Rim Gas Food storage containers Auto part

    I buy it and then determine if I like it. If I like it, I have a great source of square jars and if I don't, I hold my nose and try to eat the stuff without proclaiming disgust of the stuff and wear my badge of abhorrance with nose-held pride. They can be inserted in a vice and with minimal pressure stabilise them for use with 1 strap wrench,
    Fluid Persian lime Tableware Wood Table
  2. If You're no square and claim rotundness, get some rubber padding,
    Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Gas

    I got this from Clark Rubber, however, if it's a tad too far to shop from Yankeeland, Google it's local equivalent. I use the semi-soft 6mm x 100mm (to length) rubber strips to grab round jars in my vice
    Bicycle tire Automotive tire Wood Bumper Electrical wiring

    I can crank it up to a reasonable force without fear of mega sweeping and cuts in the base of my thongs (flip-flops) of glass shards.

BTW: Shellac (liquid) has a limited shelf life, however, expired shellac mixed at 1:10 (depending on your cut) with metho (DNA), make a brilliant sanding sealer…. So don't throw out that non-tackie shellac (test used for determining expiry). Aren't you glad you didn't stop reading…
 

Attachments

#538 ·
Glass Jars for those recalcitrant chems.

Boys and Girls,

During the C19 Pandemic, I treated myself to a few new Fe$tool tools. This is noting to do with them, though I may do a review later, they dragged me down to the workshop and make me do some "workshop kinkies" that SWMBO might deliver a moon-slap in disgust.

For once I will avoid powered tools and turn my back on hand tools. I will crap on about those workshop incidentals that most just tend to ignore.

To minimise cross contamination I decant most of my chems/paints/stains/shellac, into glass jars. I wrote a tip on how to undo jars.

With this PITA C19 putting a dent into my activities, I found that my venture into "traditional workshoping" has taken a back seat to my puzzling laser work... (sorry gotta spruik my financier… ME).... you've all been following my puzzle mania… haven't yazall?

Returning to the workshop and hitting the jars with the 2 strap method, I had more OOPSIES with "horizontal orientation" spills than glasses of vino consumed in the last 10 minutes.

Faster curing tung oil and a traditional mix of shellac has the tendency to glue the lid to the jar… not to mention all those contraband chemicals that invade some selective noses… though I'm not condoning ample splinkling of sawdust/flour for workshop foothold stability.

If you are bored so far (as I've been know to crap on… but the goods are about to come), there are many more interesting LJ threads to satisfy your druthers…

This may seem obvious to the psychos (or is it psychics) out there, but I have found two ways to prevent those spillages while I used to battle with the two straps on a horizontal jar.
  1. Fully graduate to square jars.
    Drinkware Newspaper Fluid Drink Publication

    If I detect an item in a square jar,
    Automotive tire Rim Gas Food storage containers Auto part

    I buy it and then determine if I like it. If I like it, I have a great source of square jars and if I don't, I hold my nose and try to eat the stuff without proclaiming disgust of the stuff and wear my badge of abhorrance with nose-held pride. They can be inserted in a vice and with minimal pressure stabilise them for use with 1 strap wrench,
    Fluid Persian lime Tableware Wood Table
  2. If You're no square and claim rotundness, get some rubber padding,
    Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Gas

    I got this from Clark Rubber, however, if it's a tad too far to shop from Yankeeland, Google it's local equivalent. I use the semi-soft 6mm x 100mm (to length) rubber strips to grab round jars in my vice
    Bicycle tire Automotive tire Wood Bumper Electrical wiring

    I can crank it up to a reasonable force without fear of mega sweeping and cuts in the base of my thongs (flip-flops) of glass shards.

BTW: Shellac (liquid) has a limited shelf life, however, expired shellac mixed at 1:10 (depending on your cut) with metho (DNA), make a brilliant sanding sealer…. So don't throw out that non-tackie shellac (test used for determining expiry). Aren't you glad you didn't stop reading…
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/must-reads/pensioner-diversifies-rubber-business-making-erotic-gear-sex-dungeons-69196

Font Military camouflage Photo caption Travel Landscape


I am not sure which one is applicable tee hee!!!
 

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