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Ruminations, Philosophy, and Workshop Antics..........

119K views 637 replies 80 participants last post by  jbertelson 
#1 ·
My antic plans for the weekend........

I am into "shop antics" this weekend, or at least I think thats what Mike Stefang from Norway would call it. One of Mike's comments gave me that part of the title for this series.

I decided I was not going to use my TS (nearly 20 year old Delta contractor's saw) any more until I fixed the on-off switch and position. You can't find it half the time, and to look, puts your face in front of the blade. Bad deal. So I have pretty well designed my new switch…......you really didn't think I would buy one, DID YOU…......

Had to make the cord from the switch to the power source longer in any case, and it needed a new plug. Put in a 12 gauge cord since I doubled the length of the old 14 gauge cord. I will have increase the segment from the switch to the motor a little bit tomorrow. Sometime in November, hope to rewire it for 220.

Anytime we mention wiring, safety has to be addressed. For those of you not conversant with wiring, consult an electrician, or a knowledgeable friend for help. There are a lot of ways to screw up, destroy your equipment, burn down your house, or endanger your loved ones. As I have noted before, I have been doing this for many decades, and have the background to understand what I am doing. And I always follow the code.
So please be careful.

But aside from putting in longer cords, my switch is only going to involve mechanics, no electricity…...so read on….......

So back to the switch. I looked at a lot of switches from retailers, and also mods from other users. I don't like hunting for the on switch, let alone the off switch. I wanted a switch I could hit with my thigh or hand without hardly looking, and turn on without searching. Nothing out there seemed right. I needed a push-pull action. That's a toggle effect. And this saw came with a toggle switch. So, why not figure out a way to use the original switch? You know, it might be a CHEAP solution…....

So I think I have it designed. In Sketchup no less…..needs a little work on the visuals.

So I am going to try it. Use the old switch. Throw down the gauntlet. Basically free.

I am going to make a first class switch for my Delta Contractor's Saw out of scrap…...........

Boy am I going to be red-faced if this fails…..................it will then become another one of my workshop antics…......(-:

More tomorrow…................................................
 
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#3 ·
Do you want close ups of how I attached the left side switch on my BT? My switch has been moved to the far left side of the rails by the sliding miter table. I LOVE where that is, VERY easy for me to get to..

I know the exact idea won't work for non T slotted rails, but at least you can see what I used for brackets and boxes…
 
#4 ·
David,

More info the better. Have made the attachment to the Vega rails, but still have to do the switch tomorrow. Send it on…..................did you notice the double we had on drfixit…....I referred him to your website re the separator as you were saying the same thing….......HALLOWEEN…...for sure…..........

Yes, I want close ups….......
 
#5 ·
Running late, but the switch mechanics look good......I hope

Lots of thing goin' on Saturday…....exercise, lunch with my true love, errands….....

Well I lengthened the cord from the motor to the switch, got the mount figured out to the Vega Fence…....even made it adjustable. Had to revamp some materials usage, some of the aluminum tubing I had was bent. Switched to dowels, thats OK, use aluminum bearings. Please understand, I am making this from scrap and the junk box….....that's one of the premises….make a first class switch mechanism with no purchases. Doing OK, just a little slow. So tomorrow….hopefully will be able to produce some pictures….....I know that is important to LJ's…...words are a little tough…..especially my words…....so pictures…........
 
#8 ·
Nearly done with the table saw switch..........

I am nearly done with building my table saw switch mechanism using the original toggle switch. CHEAP, fun, and interesting. My rules are…. no new purchases allowed. Scrap box and odds-and-ends. Not done enough for pictures, lost a lot of time today for a variety of reasons, but did get some of the Sketchup stuff done, and got the mechanism to the point that a couple of hours will have it on the saw. The concept has been established in wood and a tiny bit of metal and works well. Mind you, this is just mechanics, not electricity. I am using the original toggle switch for the electrical part.

I will be posting Sketchup plans, photos etc.

So why do I do this silly stuff? Got it from my Dad. Great excuse. Bet a bunch of you out there have used that one….............

For instance:

My dad bought a new wringer washing machine, so he retrieved the motor from the old wringer washer. That was a long time ago, while I was in grade school. He used the motor to power a grinder, belt driven, for knives, axes, etc. Then he made it into an electric lawn mower with a wooden chassis that he built with hand tools, painted that chassis green. I used that to mow the lawn for about 5 years while growing up. Finally he bought a gas mower, so he made the lawn mower into a scrubbing machine for the floors at the department store he worked in. He found a better method for floor scrubbing, namely he and I using a sprayed on strong soap solution and mops, very effiecient, and I made some money. So the motor became a grinder again, that my brother used for about 20 or more years. That motor should be gold plated and immortalized…............... I think it had a 40 to 50 year life time of usefulness.

Nothing like old motors…......

So my toggle switch is soon to be encapsulated in wood, some aluminum tubing bearings for the dowel that moves the toggle (with a washer as a bearing surface), attached to my saw with some angle iron, oak, and plywood…...all, and I mean all, is from left overs and scrap…....CHEAP…...................................as long as you don't count my time, most of it spent in design…......

.......well, just one picture…...... Aren't pictures wonderful? Yeh, I like them too….......you can understand most anything you want to from pictures…....and a lot of things you don't want to understand too…......

This is the original toggle switch handle, now controlled by a dowel with a washer bearing. It is screwed with tiny screws to the dowel. There is a shallow hole in the dowel. The washer is inset into the dowel with a shallow depression created by a Forstner bit. Note the aluminum bearings. Still have some work to do with them. Actually, that is most of the work left. The mount to the saw is finished.



........tomorrow…..............and more pics!
 
#13 ·
A little progress on the table saw switch

Work has been interfering with my life again….rats. Got enuf time in the shop today to finish the bearings on the switch. They provide the sliding surface for the dowel that flips the switch.

The bearings, and stops now eliminate unwanted rotation, over depression, or over extension of the switch. Meaning, it you can't push it in too far, pull it out too far or somehow turn it…....all to avoid stressing the toggle switch. So just a little bit of plywood, the actual face that you actuate ( a 6" by 4" face ) which has to be actuated by hand or thigh, and then I am done. Really close.

Tomorrow is a lost day, work will consume it…....so to Friday…........

Darn, isn't work to blame for all the opportunities missed, people not met, projects not finished, life not fulfilled…......

But it supports the hobby…...........
 
#21 ·
THE SWITCH - functionally complete, outstanding performance

DELTA CONTRACTOR SAW ON-OFF SWITCH REPLACEMENT - PRECISION SCRAPBOX REPLACEMENT

PURPOSE:
Replace my current table saw (TS) switch with a safer, more convenient switch mechanism.

BACKGROUND:
My saw has (had) the stock toggle switch mounted on the cabinet that was hard to find, occasionally required a look, right behing the saw blade, and definitely dangerous. I almost bought a couple of switches I saw at Rockler, Woodcraft, etc on the internet. But they didn't grab me. They all seemed to appear less robust than what I wanted, and less versatile. In my searches for switches…...... people kept writing about, and making, switches that could be turned off more readily. Nobody talked about turning the saw on much. All the easy turn off solutions seemed less than robust, and occasionally raised my eyebrow, but I bet they all worked pretty well. So I was looking at spending money on a switch that was a little clumsy to turn on, and that I would most likely have to modify, to make a facile turn off.

So I procrastinated.

And as I was finishing my bench top downdraft table, and thinking about that dangerous and irksome toggle switch, I realized what I wanted was an easy turn on and turn off switch with a push-pull action. And the immediate next idea was that, well, that's a toggle effect. So I thought about that toggle switch that is on the saw. And I said to myself, I bet I can make a mechanism that uses the toggle switch.

And then I saw it in my brain, the general idea, I had it pictured. So I started designing on Sketchup, and simultaneously posted in my first part of this series:

"So I am going to try it. Use the old switch. Throw down the gauntlet. Basically free.
I am going to make a first class switch for my Delta Contractor's Saw out of scrap……........
Boy am I going to be red-faced if this fails……...............it will then become another one of my workshop antics……...(-:"

Well I am riding high, the switch is now in use, needs some finish, a couple of sawdust control side boards, but it is functional……….and it is exactly what I wanted.

METHODS:
As noted above, I used the original toggle switch, and only junk box and scrap materials. Screws and such I of course have in abundance. I did not make a single purchase. I may use some new red paint on it but I am straying away from that thought.

See Part #1 of this series for electrical modifications, confined to lengthening cords, and replacing the plug.

MATERIALS:
All scrap and left overs:

Scrap oak and birch ply, ½" and ¾"
1 foot or less of 1" OD aluminum tubing
1 foor or less of 7/8" hardwood dowel
Miscellaneous screws, both wood and machine.
A couple of ¼" carriage bolts, wing nuts, and washers.
A piece of ¾" salvage baseboard solid oak… ¾" ply would be fine
A washer with a hole just slightly larger than the toggle switch handle top.
A piece of angle iron, that I hacksawed to length, and then drilled holes in.

That's it. Out of pocket money … none.

TOOLS:
Crosscut saw, I used my radial arm saw.
Band saw.
Drill press.
Hack saw.
And the usual menagerie of hand tools, power drills, drivers, sanders, etc.

DESIGN:
Ok, here I am going to waffle. I will describe how I did it, but no Sketchup pictures, unless someone else wants to build it too. More about that later.

I designed most of this in Sketchup, with plenty of small mods as I went along. Measurements were difficult and had to be precise. It's a mechanical device, not a piece of furniture.

FUNCTION AS INTENDED:
Robust, abuse withstanding: both the mechanism and the mounting sytem
Short crisp throw
Audible feedback
Pull to start the saw, a defined and deliberate motion required, for safety.
Push to stop the saw, with a surface that can be leg actuated, with tactile feedback, and short throw. Must be able to actuate from the usual sawing stance to the left of the blade, or straight on as with a sled.

FUNCTIONAL DESIGN:
The switch mechanism is to be a 6" wide by 4" high plate of wood the can be pulled to start the saw, or hit with the thigh or hand to stop, without looking for either function.

FUNCTION AS ACHIEVED:
Exactly as intended.

PICTURES:

NOTE THAT I INTEND TO FINISH THE SWITCH MECHANISM WITH WATCO, AND THE SWITCH PLATE ITSELF WITH PAINT, MOST LIKELY. THERE WILL BE SIDE BOARDS FOR DUST CONTROL TO THE MECHANISM.

This is a perspective of the switch installed on the saw, I do not have the cords routed properly yet:



A view of the mechanism off of the saw, only two wing nuts had to be removed to enable removal. The position of the switch is somewhat adjustable back and forth, but I suspect I will use it at the most rearward position of the mount.



This gives a better view of the mount. Angle iron, machine screws to an oak vertical dadoed into the plywood horizontal with reinforcement.



A view of the off position, note the front switch plate is even with the horizontal piece just above it.



A view of the on position, pulled forward. Total travel is 7/16". It makes a solid "kerchunk" when it moves (-:



Even with only the top board, the plate cannot apply significant rotary movement to the switch because of the top board, and rotary stops on the forward bearing. The forward travel is limited by the piece of aluminum at the end of the dowel, and backward travel (off motion) drives a screw in the dowel into the wood framework only if the force is excessive. Therefore, the switch is protected. This is important since the amount of force that can be applied to the switch plate is much greater than can be applied to the switch handle itself.

THE SWITCH IN USE---------- FABULOUS!!!

This works better than I had hoped. The on function is easy, with a large surface to be pulled forward without any thought of looking, from the bottom ….KERCHUNK. The off function is unbelieveable, just raise my heel and move my knee slightly forward and it is off…...KERCHUNK. Both in my usual off to the side position out of line of the saw blade, or directly behind the blade. It is right there. And no tendency to turn off unintentionally, you only have to raise the heel to bend the knee to hit the switch…..the travel is only 7/16".

After trying it twice, I didn't even think of turning it off with my hand, that would be too much motion.

I don't think any switch I could have bought could hold a candle to it…......I like it a lot.

PLANS AND SKETCHUP

If someone expresses interest here in comments I will make precise plans with measurements and Sketchup views.
This should be an easy weekender to duplicate. The modification for different users will be the mount to the saw, this may require a different size vertical member on the mount, but this would be a no brainer. Very adaptable to any saw, I suspect. But I will only do the work if someone is interested. Don't feel bashful, if you want to do it, just let me know, I like to show off…..........(-:
 
#22 ·
Now that is COOL!

As you were blogging this, I was wondering if there would be a learning curve. Having to think about the placement and actuation of a new device can seriously reduce the reaction time- in an emergency. Good to hear that the operation is completely natural and requires no special thought.
 
#37 ·
Switch Done - all dressed up for the dance

I put the dust shield sides on yesterday and I used two tone Watco to finish the switch. This is a picture of the switch on the saw, completely done and in use. I think this is the most successful shop addition I have made. Performance is optimum, and the safety added by the switch alone makes it worthwhile.

 
#40 ·
Using the improved table saw, and making zero clearance inserts

Got 4 blanks cut for the zero clearance inserts (ZCI). Using MDF. Drew out 4 blanks on a 48×40 sheet of left over MDF, cut the section out with table saw, then split that section in two length wise so I had two pieces with two rough blanks. Then split it into 4 with the RAS. I had cut some plywood earlier today, and some fiber board.

Why the detail in the description? Since I put those machined pulleys on, and the twist link belt (along with my Forrest WWII thin kerf blade with stabilizer) the saw just seems to effortlessly float through stuff, like it isn't even cutting. The pulleys and the belt made the biggest difference!! That surprises me. I knew it would be smoother, everybody said it would be smoother. But the performance change I guess I just didn't believe would happen. I'll have to cut some tough stuff to be sure, but the difference is amazing to me at this point.

When I changed blades, I was going from a very good Freund Avanti thin kerf crosscut blade to the WWII and the stabilizer. Big difference for rip, but not for crosscut. So I thought I would see minor changes with the belt and pulleys. Not so. At this point, that seems to be the major improvement I have made in cutting performance. I will have to verify this with more cuts in varied material, but it seems to be real at this point.

The saw now has an excellent Vega fence, a Wixey digital readout (most useful for being able to zero to a different blade or dado quickly, and to repeat a cut) a first class…........nah…......lets admit it…......unparalleled switch…..I know because I made it myself, and I would never be biased (-: It has a great blade, stabilizer, new pulleys and belt, and it is beginning to feel like a mean machine. It gets 220 volts this week. In the next month or so, hope to improve dust collection, and then nail the guard and splitter scenario. Then it needs a new cabinet including a router table and first class home made extensions. This is a lot of fun.

Back to the inserts. I did the classic bandsaw to eliminate most waste, followed by the router using the Delta dado insert (no splitter notch to dodge around) as a template. Used my router trimmer bit from my heretofore unopened Hickory router bit collection.

An aside:

I have a Hickory Forstner bit collection and this router collection. The Forstner bits are excellent, much better chip handling than my very old and limited Craftsman set. I have nothing bad to say about them. The case for the Forstner bits and for the router bits is just great. The router trimmer bit (never used one before) worked great.

Back:
So now I have 4 ZCI blanks. Have to make a kerf in back with the dado set (still unopened in its box) and then put in the hex set screws I bought today at Lowe's.

So this week, hope to finish the ZCI's and do the 220 power for both the big saws. Might get to the monster sled. I am going to plagiarize Neil (nbeener) on that one. Working this coming weekend, so don't expect much more.

I would like some feedback. Has anyone out there noted the performance change with the pulleys and the belt upgrade?

Have good week, have fun, be safe…..............
 
#43 ·
An ELECTRIFYING WEEKEND, When Peter Power Pillar Got More Power, & Tammy Table Saw Got More Whine

What follows is a true story,……Tammy arrived without a motor……..and we found it…..and the rest is true also, so help me SAWDUST …………

Of all the joyous sounds of the shop, there is none more beloved than Tammy TableSaw's wonderful whine. She is a proud Contractor's Saw, born to serve, born to create, born from love. When Tammy starts a whining, all the other tools become alert, knowing that they too will soon join in the song. The whine of the saw is the herald of creation, the shop will become a beehive of activity, the Master will attend to us……..it's the end of the gloomy dark time, and the beginning of the happy glad time.

So Randy Radial Arm Saw loves Tammy, and never tires of hearing her. You know Tammy has a very beautiful Delta gray coat, that makes you think of Unisaw, and you dream and dream. So with such a wonderful coat, it is proper and just, as it should be, that Tammy has a wonderful whine. And so Randy Radial Arm Saw one morning upon arising, saying his respects to Grandfather Tool Bench, said as much, just basking in the friendship of Tammy, who gave so much to the shop.

"Bumpity, shhhhick, shhhick, whirrrr", said Grandfather Bench, "Tammy Table Saw has a wonderful whine, because it is the reward the Master has given her. It has been in the family ever since her grandmother a thousand times removed was brave enough to become the herald of shop creation."

"Oh Grandfather Bench, that sounds like a story", cried Randy, "Please tell it to me, for I love Tammy, and I know I will love her more, when I learn how Tammy got her wonderful whine."

And here is Grandfather Bench's story:

Tammy had a humble beginning…….ohmygosh…. someone forgot to give her a heart.

Even the flies have a heart, the trees murmur, the grass grows, the winds whisper, with a heart. No one can be happy without a heart, there is no whine, there is no purpose………, there is no harbinger of creation. Tammy sat dejected, cold and silent. The planks in the wood pile wondered, what would become of them.

And Tammy, depressed……she wondered….would anyone ever love her, she yearned to whine, to create…….what could she do? The Master asked "What is the matter Tammy, you are not creating…. the tools of the shop all need you." Tammy, mute, uncertain, powerless…. how could she be the harbinger of creation, her dream…….she had no way to answer…….she had no heart.

The Master, wise, wise to the ways and…the failings of the RETAILERS, seeing there was no heart, fretted…. was there time?...... and frantic, said "Grandfather Bench, Tammy has no heart!" Bench said, "Go forth, it is a quest, you must find the misplaced heart" ……..so the Master went forth, entered the lair, pleaded, cajoled, threatened,…………reluctantly the RETAILER relented, came forth……..the Master seized the heart….Tammy's lost heart!!!

This heart, was a wonderful heart…..it could run just fine at 110….. or stronger yet at 220, it was a strong heart. The Master rejoiced, a new spirit for shop creation, and gave her a stout 110 volts.

And so it was, that the harbinger of woodwork in the shop came to be, a most wonderful and jubilant voice to herald the start of….creation.

"Bumpity, shhhhick, shhhick, whirrrr", said Grandfather Bench, "but that is not the end of my….most portentous tale. Tammy had greater dreams, and so they came to be, so sit, be quiet…..listen carefully… to the rest of the story."

Now, you should know, from times long forgotten, that in our humble shop, where we all seek to flow with the winds of creation, there is…….a most pervading……no…..fundamental, necessary, and controlling influence….some say it is invisible….like the wind, like the murmurs and shrieks of our endeavors……it may cease to be at any time……and most horrifying…lead to darkness and impotence…..........it is the POWER.

Randy, you must realize that the Master has given us the POWER, so we must not be afraid, it is the POWER of creation, but it must be respected……..only the Master can control it…ON…OFF……the Master has it at his finger tips. So we must thank the SAWDUST, the all pervasive spirit, for the POWER, and the kind Master that controls it. From it comes the light and the force that guides the Master as we create…it is our destiny…….and without the POWER, there will be no creations…………

Deep in the work shop gloom there is pillar, it is a shrine to the POWER, placed there by an ancient forgotten race of woodworkers. And through the millenia, it has had many offerings and gifts placed at its feet. Some errant knight and his fellow monk, on a quest, were so grateful for its shelter, that the monk gave it a soul, a heart of its own, and the knight christened it Peter. And he deemed that Peter should serve woodworkers for the rest of its life, providing light, and energy, the POWER. And he came to be know as Peter Power Pillar.

And so it came to be, with many gifts and offereing, Peter gained more power, great stores of 110, and anon, 4 new sockets of of the strong and able 220. Peter became a great benefactor to the shop, and the shop adored him.

"Bumpity, shhhhick, shhhick, whirrrr", said Grandfather Bench, "you won't believe what happened next."

Well, the Master, I am sure he was under the spell of the WoodWitch, did think that Tammy needed more courage to carry on, and asked Tammy, was there anything else she needed……..anything that she might desire to carry on as the herald of shop creation…..

And Tammy, now thinking……Why, he needs me! Why not just proclaim my hearts desire………. and Tammy said, "I would like an INSERT, ………yes, a Zero Clearance INSERT………… "

And so it was inserted……….

And I really need more WHINE, so that I can properly herald the start of creation in the shop..So the Master installed a new LINK BELT, and PRECISION PULLEYS.

And then Peter, seeing her new splendor, gave her a very special gift, new POWER…….the strong and able 220………

And then the Master seeing, the new POWER, hearing the WHINE, bestowed upon Tammy a new POWER control, Samantha the Switch, made from wonderful wood, so that Tammy might better control her new POWER, now in a most beautiful way. And Samantha was dedicated to safety, and to help Tammy control her awesome POWER.

And Tammy was happy, she thanked Peter and the Master, hugged her new friend Samantha, and WHINED with delight………………

And now Tammy can help make even bigger and better creations with her new power…….with zero clearance…….and a WHINE to stir the heart of all the tools in the shop, and fan the forces of creation as never before.

"Oh that's a wonderful story.", said Randy Radial Arm Saw, "and now I will love Tammy Table Saw even more……..forever."

"Bumpity, shhhhick, shhhick, whirrrr", said Grandfather Bench, "and Randy, because of your friendship, your constantcheer and good will, always chipping in to help………there is a gift for you. Peter says there is plenty of POWER to go around, and all the tools got together to give you a gift." And he gave Randy a shiny wrapped package.

And Randy, excited, carefully unwrapped the shiny package, and found inside a new beautiful yellow plug, and it was for 220. And the Master helped him discard his old white plug. Randy put on the new beautiful yellow plug. The Master, adjusted a few things in Randy's heart to use the new POWER. Then when Randy started up, he found he too had a new voice, for he had lost his startup cough.

Now Randy too, could sing the song of creation as never before.

The end.

And here are the illustrations for the story:

Samantha Switch on the saw:


Samantha Switch back and top, notice the dust cover now on the back:


Samantha Switch from the bottom, in off position. Now the only place to pull on the switch plate is the center underneath. In this position the switch is totally protected from dust:



Samantha Switch from the bottom, in on position:


Peter Power Pillar, at the top is the 220v main switch, just below it is the box used to split the cable into 4 for the 4 sockets


Peter Power Pillar, sockets on the other side:


Zero Clearance Insert from the top, bottom, and end. They will get a couple coats of wipie on poly:


 
#44 ·
Jim, thanks for the pictures and especially the story that goes with them. It was both entertaining and well written and, of course, I enjoyed the entire post. These are some nice additions to your shop and I can see that the long cold nights have been put to productive use.
 
#48 ·
Yankee Push Drill

I saw Timbo's blog entry about an old Miller Falls hand drill, I have used those. And I thought of my Stanley Yankee Push Drill, and thought it was worth a thought, especially, since it is still in active use…......

I have an old Stanley Yankee push drill, anybody remember those? Still in use, and sits in my home made tool tote. My Dad had one, and so I bought one in the 70's…..use it to this day. No cords, no batteries, bits are in the handle. Quick for electrical, for a pilot hole for screws, and wood repair work, working on the fence and gates. Get it done before you can find the cordless and put in the new battery and find a bit.

Here it is in my homemade tote, of about 20 years, oriented towards electrical, but I take it for every repair in the house, and it sits beside me during every project in the shop:
.

.
The Stanley Yankee push drill closed and ready for use…....
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The drill open ready to select a bit…...
.

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This is a good, but very limited tool. I love my portable drills. The box you see on the left side of my tote has a quick pick selection of all the bits you normally, and even rarely need for an electrical driver, and the bits for my portable drills are in the tote too, as you can see. But the old and simple stuff still does part of the project…..........
 
#67 ·
Do you have a gift list, things people can get for you? I do, and it says I am a......LJ

This is the first year, perhaps ever, that I made a gift list. Meaning what I would like, meaning stuff for me. Not what I am going to give to others, the loved and needy souls in my life…..

What's with this….......?!

This is a list for Sherie, my wife, who agonizes about this…..things she can buy for me, and get a true, genuine, smile out of me. But I think it probably says a lot about someone…....you know…...the items on a gift list…......what you would like that you might not just jump out and buy yourself.

You look at the display shelves, envy someone's really neat gear, fantasize about something kinda unattainble, out of reach,

......but you would never dream of, never dream of just….laying down the cash for, not without a moment's hesitation, not without guilt, and then walk away with it under your arm, humming a cheerful tune, waiting to unwrap it and put it to use….

A true gift, something you wouldn't buy for yourself, but something you wish for, or perhaps didn't know you need…............ ......................... ..... ... .

I digress, I always digress…...

Gifts that I didn't know I needed are about 99% useless, inappropriate, and sad. I have counted…..314 gifts…..only 3.14 were something I use, and appreciate. Actually 3.1415926535 gifts were something I appreciate…...you know I figured it out, we all know about my OCD, and that I always am always talking in circles….....well…....you know that this is a sad truth. So let me reword my last statement…....

A true gift, something you wouldn't buy for yourself, but something you wish for, and know in your heart that someday you might..er…...will…....use, and need….................yes…..(-: better.

My wish list:

Relief Carving Set , set A.
Relief Carving Set

Basic Sharpening Set
Sharpening Set

Block Plane, DX60 Block Plane, the NX60 instead would be nice, but is probably overkill
Block Plane

......and then of course…...I sidled up to my true love, as she was trimming the tree…....and mentioned the block plane, and said, well….....I know…..you would want to save a few bucks, the NX60 would be over the top….....so…....the DX60 would be just fine (-:
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Guess I am truly a LJ…..........
 
#68 ·
you know you're a LumberJock when ….

and you know you have OCD when…..... 3.938943843723 lol :)

I never even thought about a wish list … actually, I never even thought about "receiving" .. but now that you mention it.. hmm … let me see!! :D
wood… I want wood… nice long planks of beautiful wood; short stocky chunks of beautiful wood… yes, that's my list. Wood please! :)
 
#82 ·
Case for a digital oven thermometer

My digital oven thermometer, with remote, needed a case. I decided to make it from wood. Since the now infamous thermometer had been the subject of some humerous bantering between NBeener and I, Neil wanted to see the case. I had used it to cook the prime rib for Christmas dinner.

It is a small project, not of much note, made from 1/4" birch ply mostly, with a 1/2" birch ply bottom, and a 1/8" acrylic cover. Construction is nails and glue. Medium Walnut WATCO danish oil is the finish. The cover has a glued on piece of 1/4" acrylic for a handle. When the cover is closed, it drops down when passing over the front lip, making it unlikely to be dislodged unless turned over, but there would be no reason to do that. So to open it, you pull up on the handle, then slide it out. It is a simple and adequate latch mechanism for this type of item.

The dado that the cover slides in was cut with a couple of passes over my table saw thin kerf blade to give it the required width. It needs to be wider than the cover, 7/32" I believe, because the cover falls down about 1/16" when it passes over the front, effectively making a latch.

The plastic is cut with the RAS, no special blade, the edges cleaned with a box knife and the length carefully adjusted by a few trips across my belt sander.

Here is the box empty with the cover closed:



Here is the box with the probe, transmitter and remote, and the cover partially open:

 
#83 ·
While eye certainly did rib [pun?] you about the existence of that NASA-esque remote meat thermometer …. that box, on the other hand, is no laughing matter.

Beautifully done!

So many (um …. probably > 75%) of the completed projects on LJ are SO intricate that I can't fully appreciate them, and how much time, talent, and effort went into their construction.

This one, though … is right up my proverbial alley :)

[typed on my remote, digital laptop ;-)]
 
#91 ·
The Panel Trolley Antic................gonna lighten my load.........

I saw this panel handler trolley in a magazine, except made out of metal, and therefore a much different looking base where the panel rests. I thought the physics were doable in wood, and I had a bunch of scrap wood.

I needed a little warmup before tackling my super sled. The main pieces of the sled are cut out by the way, and the fences are gluing up. I decided I had enough shop time this weekend, now I need to vegetate before starting another week of work.

This project is classified as an antic, because an antic is making something to prove you could do it when it would be smarter to buy it. My only excuse was I hadn't seen one in the local stores. And I had all this warped plywood to use on small items.

So first a picture of the trolley in action on a panel. This is before I finished the trolley with Watco, but I had to get this slightly larger than 4×8' panel of MDF cut up to get a 48×3 inch piece as the finish layer on my sled's back fence. Needed to do the glueup.



Here I have rested the panel while it is on the trolley on a project table and the band saw. It has two in line wheels. There are no attachments to the trolley. The panel needs to rest approximately at its center position on the trolley. The resting point is angled to force the panel into the upright, and this shifts the center of gravity of the average size 4×8' panel to lie approximately over the wheels. So essentially the trolley is a bicycle with the panel sitting side saddle, except there is no seat just an upright to lie against.

This is the backside of this same panel on the trolley:



So then I put another project table near the panel, and then put my hands under the panel and lifted and slid it onto the project table. The trolley just fell backward a few inches and rested on the skirt of the project table. Neat. So not only was it easy to put the panel on the trolley, but with a little attention to balance the panel could then easily be steered(with the short wheel base it turns on a dime)out of the garage and into the shop. You can also tilt the front on the panel up by pushing the rear of the panel down and the wheels will then lift over obstacles. The trolley is forced by physics to stay attached to the panel. Then when the panel is rested against a table or sawhorse, there is space to put ones hands underneath the panel and lift and slide it over. No heroics needed.

Here is a full view of the trolley, after its coat of Watco:



And here is a picture that shows the angling of the resting point for a panel that forces the panel into the upright, and makes the trolley cling to the panel:



The trolley will not get frequent use, but any full panel 1/2 inch thick or more will get a ride on the trolley from storage into the shop…....

Construction
The body of the trolley is layered glued plywood, nothing is hollow. the axles are 5/8" bolts that I have had for 30 years, finally got some use out of them. The upright is glued to the body, and has a carriage bolt and two screws to attach to the body for strength. The upright is made of two 3/4inch plywood pieces glued and screwed.

The wheels are 3/4inch ply made with my new circle jig on my toy bandsaw. The angled piece is some fir cut at about a 30 deg angle.

If anyone wants to make one, I will put up pictures with full dimensions. I did this in Sketchup first. I just eyeballed some pictures in a ShopNotes review of the metal manufactured item, and came up with my dimensions. So if you want to make one….let me know.
 
#119 ·
Lumberjocks Mentored Projects

My Super Sled is the demo item for this discussion:

This continues to be a technically interesting thing to build. Of course, I started out with a simple design more like Neil's, but everyone has urged me to add all the gizmos…........and every gizmo prolongs the build. So LJ's has slowed me down, but I will end up with a more versatile device.

I don't know if LJ's is gonna be a help or a hindrance in whatever the final product is like…......but I am sure LJ's are gonna have an opinion about everything about it…...(-:

Seriously, this would not have worked out well without LJ's.

Of course, John W. Nixon of Eagle Lake Woodworking is the inspiration for the super sled concept. And many of the features come from him.

But LJ's, all along the way, have not only given advice on what I should consider to put on the sled, but also advice about the do's and don'ts of construction. Multiple suggestions on materials, finish, size, weight, guards, etc. Not to mention the fact that I am copying things outright from Scott Bryan, MickeyD, and ohmygosh, even Neil….....(-:

I would say this is the first project I have done where I have presented the design (in Sketchup in this case) and then modified it according to suggestions from LJ's at every step, as I actually started to construct it.

It makes the project longer, but since this is really a tool, not a piece of furniture, it makes sense to get a lot of help and opinions. Especially since I am a beginning woodworking hobbyist, but for those who don't know me, a fairly experienced DIYer.

The first sled I ever saw for real, is the sled I am making.

So I thought there ought to be a name or description for this kind of approach, as distinguished from a number of projects where I just describe what I am doing as I progress to completion. This is different. I presented the concept before I started the sled. I even had a Skype - GoToMeeting session with DaveR about the Sketchup stuff, WOW…...what a learning process revolving around the people at LJ's.

So I thought about this awhile. It is really a mentored project. It is mentored by LJ's. So I am going to call it an LJ Mentored Project

So when I do this again, and it is inevitable, attributes of such a project will include:

LJ MENTORED PROJECT

(the following would be in various blog items)

1) Present plan before construction, whatever the plan format is.
2) Discuss purpose, materials, scope, etc.
3) Present the project at intervals during construction for comment and review.
4) Discuss results with special attention to problems, successes, innovation, and utility of the product.
5) State what I would do different if I were to do it again.


OK, for those of you rolling your eyeballs, this is a project where you ask advice before you start, during the construction, and then review the results for other people who might want to do the same thing…......pretty simple. The more description the better…....the more pictures the better…...everybody likes pictures….LJ's would rather read comic books, and being an LJ, so would I…....get the drift?....(-:

So thanks to you that keep watching this never ending project, and special thanks to those who have mentored me…...this is sure a lot of fun…..........
 
#120 ·
Jim,

Who among us couldn't use some input when we are designing something we've only read about or had a quick glimpse of in a picture or video?

I know I have learned a great deal from watching you develop and build this sled. I appreciate your willingness to share your learning experiences with the rest of us.

Lew
 
#131 ·
What's the oldest thing in your shop you bought new............?

There is no contest in my shop, and I have alluded to it before….......the oldest thing in my shop is a study lamp I went to college with, in 1959. Bought new.

Now here is a picture of that lamp…..........



......and I have said this before too, that was my study lamp, used throughout college, medical school, and beyond….......

.........it still has the original bulbs. Either those are the best bulbs in the world….....or I didn't spend much time studying…and that is not the case. Great lamp, great bulbs, used it today, over 50 years old! What is with this lamp and its bulbs…......anybody got an answer…..?
 
#132 ·
It doesn't use a starter and it doesn't ust a rapid-start ballast. You do those jobs by holding the button down until the light comes on. I still use one just like it. Just older.
 
#153 ·
I Cannot do Quick and Dirty AnyMore........................got a melody?

I did my best, I tried to control myself…...to no avail…....this was a miserable failure.

I cannot do QUICK AND DIRTY ANYMORE…...

......I claim complete rights to the country and western song title…........(-:

So how was it that my attempt to do something just minimal, unfinished, no amenities, just blast it out, who cares what people think, I am going to replace it anyway…........was a fiasco…...a flop….......

I am a total screwup.

Now it wasn't always this way…......let me demonstrate…..even though I don't understand it anymore…....

A tool rack, just for a few months as a stop gap…..15 years ago…..still in use…....used it today…...



.....or my large nuts and bolts rack, made from some warped plywood, and some LDF…...no that is not photographic perspective problems, all those curves are real, those shelves warped slowly but surely until now, 20 years later, thats how it looks…....Q&D at its best….....I was really good at it….....



....or more recently, a thrown together key and miscellaneous rack, used as you came home or exited the house in your car…........



That's pretty typical, most Q&D will outlast storebought 10 to 1, you will never be rid of it, unless you destroy it.
So why can't I do this anymore….....what's my problem.

I am not to blame, I am just like everybody else in this new century, somebody else is at fault.

And I know who is the culprit…......LUMBERJOCKS. I know that everyone will comment, snicker, laugh behind my back. I can't do a h-- a--job anymore. Dratted LJ's.

OK, so you, you that are reading this, you are at fault.

Help me. Teach me how to be Q&D again. Maybe an example or two. Some sympathy.

It's in your hands…........
 
#154 ·
Every task must have a clear objective. If that objective is to produce a useful item to perform a given function for a short term. That is not a cheep and dirty or guick and dirty undertaking, but rather a worthy task. When you let your effort get off track and start introducing things not truley related to the objective you risk failure. Those great projects that are listed here have a very diferent set of objectives such as creating beautifl and long lasting items. Who than should be the judge of weather an objective has been met?
 
#162 ·
A case of LackaNewTool Lament.....................

Recently….....I was talking about the new sandpaper, and my ancient Hitachi sander in a recent blog entry.

And I got this yearning for a new sander…..you know, nothing like a new tool to make you upbeat.

You know….......

the average American equates buying a new car or truck as nirvana

.......soaking up the hype….certain that he will be the envy of the neighbors, revelling in the scent of newness…as they just sit in the vehicle…......

caressing the exquisitely designed vinyl embellishments designed to make you think your new Ford Focus was made by Lamborghini, or your new F-150 was designed by Caterpillar

.....looking under the hood, with pride that indicates the engine must be a new V12 straight from the Ferrari factory.

But not LJ's. For LJ's, Cars and trucks are merely a means to bring home the tools we have coveted, and eventually purloined from our favorite hardware purveyor, then covered with bags of groceries or fertilizer for the lawn, pehaps a roll of insulation or two, hoping to escape detection by the suspicious inspecting eyes of our spouse. Then when all is quiet, we clandestinely sneak it out of the trunk, quietly closing the latch, and rushing to hide it in some crevice between long forgotten hoardings in the corner of the garage.

Waiting to unwrap it when the warden has left the premises for legitimate shopping ( all shopping by the spouse is legitimate ), and then caressing it, fondling it, preening, posing it for the inevitable pictures for the forum.

But new tools are necessary. How else are we going to gloat in the envious commentary, the oohs and ahhs of our approving fellow LJ's, who really know they must lavish praise on even the most inappropriate purchase of whatever doodad for improving our capabilities to do things we may never attempt in any case. Because then they know you are obligated to validate their equally profligate purchase.

Mutual tool admiration, the foundation of LJ's, and a boon to
the woodworking industry. It's not about projects. It's about TOOLS.


It's like a serial killer, who after the last killing, is calmed, and then over time the anxieties and needs build, until he must do the deed again….............

There is only so long an LJ can go without buying a new tool. You know, the kind of tool that has a cord, the PSUEDO NIKE TENNIS SHOE STYLING, something to inspire pride of ownership, and envy in fellow LJ's.

Those who are suffering the most, nearing the end of the cycle, but the money isn't quite there yet…

there must be a name for this painful malady…....let's call it the …......LackaNewTool Lament…........

Well, I got a bad case of the Lament, but can't quite justify the expense. Upon reading the comments to my sandpaper blog….
David Craig hit the nail on the head, noting the old tools look like they are wearing old man Dickie pants and a crew cut instead of donning those Nike's and wearing a nose ring…

So in desparation, I conceived of a way to assuage my yearnings. Realizing I had bought a new tool recently, a sanding block, you know not anything to brag about, there would be no oohs and ahhs, because it was too cheap, and didn't have a cord. But it did have the rudiments of the PSUEDO NIKE TENNIS SHOE STYLING.

So fixed it up to give me some relief, and a least hint of shiny new purchases to come…........complete with cord, and a nose ring…......



......an LJ just has do whatever he can do between big tool purchases, and this will have to do for awhile…....(-:
 
#163 ·
I had to laugh out loud on the part on disguising the purchase. When I bought my first lathe, I commented to the salesman about how I was going to get away with the purchase. He told me to cover it with shavings and sawdust after I slipped it into the work shop. That worked! Mimi didn't discover it for over a year! It may have even taken longer but she couldn't figure out how I made some candle holders.

Does the sanding block work off of R-F energy picked up on the antenna;^)

Lew
 
#184 ·
FLASH: The Petrified Poets Society Selected to Judge.......The Great Sanding Block Beauty Show......

PETRIFIED POETS SOCIETY

Well, I couldn't call a bunch of LJ's dead, could I?

This endeavour is a real LJ family affair. Many LJ's contributed to the impetus to make this, well, extravagent and over engineered sanding block. Just so you all know I am really not THAT 'kooky' (PATRON has labeled my sense of humor thus and I will spend the rest of my days on LJ's living it down)

I WILL TRY TO SPREAD AROUND THE BLAME

NORTON is a real block head, and that's OK, 'cause that's his job. Conjuring up a name for my SANDING BLOCK, (which I know I will have to do in any case or NEIL (NBEENER) immediately questions the anonimity and refuses comment…...) was perplexing for a couple of minutes, and then out of the air came the name, NORTON. No, not the sandpaper company, I was thinking of Ed Norton, truly a blockhead, from the Gleason Show. All around good name, no harm in having the same name as the sandpaper…..........(-:

......and now comes an enumeration of the litany of Petrified Poets. PETRIFIED, THAT'S STONED WOOD, so I really think this is a fitting name for these LJ's…...., AND YOU ALL WERE CERTAINLY POETIC ADVOCATES OF THE LUNACY THAT FOLLOWS…....(-:

Already alluded to, but not to escape notice and inclusion are, PATRON and NEIL. One has me protesting, scrambling to retrieve the aristocratic and noble self view that he has shattered on the carbide tipped LJ blade of judgement, and the other has me drifting into childhood fantasies, searching for soft and fuzzy friends for the lonely and rejected (it's OK Neil, it'll all turn out all right). To some other villains…....

DBHOST….....first comment on the Sandpaper Blog entry….....making me think I am now Jackie Gleason or Jay Leno…....egging me on to untold improprieties and outrageous commentary…....

LOL… Now THAT was a fun read…

....at that point you would think you could make a living doing this…...............

......but this really all started with….....

DAVID CRAIG making comments about the personality of tools, when responding to my Sandpaper Blog entry.

The PSUEDO NIKE TENNIS SHOE STYLE, referring to the ubiquitous new portable tool look (notice how I always capitalize that phrase, hoping that it will fixate in everyones memory, giving me credit for a least one unique observation in my lifetime), was used to compare old and new tools as…...

"wearing old man Dickie pants and a crew cut instead of donning those Nike's and wearing a nose ring…."

Now this is an incomparable insight into the plight of the modern woodworker…....new, shiny, enviable…..(you can throw it away when it breaks next week so nobody will know, and they certainly won't remember) or trusty, reliable, beat up, and comfortable, (but you'll never want your friends to know you use it). So see, already I have another culprit.

The next post, well….I mean…....what do you say to this stuff…....just as maudlin…...or worse than NEIL

........out of the mouth of that incomparable gruff red neck LEW….........quoted in it's entirety…........

Sometimes we just have to go into the workshop and talk to ourselves about these desires for the new "Nikes".
If "old girl" still works, you keep her around. She's like an old friend. Familiar and comfortable and you understand her every "word".


........didn't think those words would come back to haunt you, did you LEW?.........(-:

Do I have a daft bunch of friends or what?....................
....see it's not just me! Hey LEW, I don't think you want to show that one to the wife…............(-:

So in my next blog, The LackaNewTool Lament, DAVID CRAIG'S comment resulted in the embellishment of my latest purchase, a sanding block. You know, $3.69, now looking much better with a nose ring and a cord (all important tools have a cord). Pure serendipity, a sanding block was my last purchase. So in all honesty. This is all about DAVID CRAIG, and the other PETRIFIED POETS who drive me on to seek acceptance and validate my endeavours, in this most noble of hobbies.

Revisiting the embellished sanding block…......



.......now there were more than a few memorable comments after that post….......

From DENNIS GROSEN, setting a new high for cannon fodder in the perennial battle for dominence in the household budget….

.........is it becourse they don´t understand the nessery of
new jewelrys / high heels and gordius dresses in the
toolbox the same way as they put them in the closet


So now we have high heels, gorgeous dresses, and jewelry in our tool boxes.

.......so take kindly to this rather…...er….......overdone presentation…...

..and then even my buddy, DICK CAIN comes into the fray…....

WOW!!!
That was some story, now I'll have to go out in my shop,
& soup up my black rubber sanding block


Dick and I were going to have a contest with the sanding blocks, but his washer and dryer pedestals got the best of him, and then we thought about the Nothing New But Glue Contest to face off, but I have call duty next weekend, and then go on vacation, so I wouldn't be able to make the deadline. But he egged me on, so he is also one of the culprits…...

So all you members of the PETRIFIED POETS SOCIETY, weigh in on what follows…....and if you were not mentioned above, just chime in and I will make you a charter member as well…........(-:

.........I present you…......

NORTON

Norton was a compromise, due to time constraints. I really wanted to mimic the current style in vogue, best exemplified by portable drills….....but not having the time to do the complex paint job, I just used different woods that could be simply finished with clear WATCO Danish Oil.

All the wood was present in the shop. The walnut and spalted birch are pieces over 10 years old. The knob is walnut, the mechanics in the middle section are red oak. The wire hold downs were purloined from a cheap sanding block, now sacrificed. And the base is spalted birch.

Norton is a 1/3 sheet sander. The wires hold the sandpaper perfectly. The knob I dimensioned to fit my hand. The knob was formed on the router table.

The mechanics in oak are mostly a band saw thing, with some judicious sanding.

The base as you might imagine was simple and just sanded.

No metal fasteners, just glue.

I have used it already, and it works perfectly. The knob allow me to effortlessly put it in any position, since I dimensioned it to fit my hand size, and my fingers curl around it.

Norton with sandpaper installed:



Side one…...



Side two…..



Detail of the knob profile….......



Bottom detail….........



Well I am sure that my lunacy is now confirmed…............

..........such is my fate…........

Alaska Jim
 
#185 ·
I like Norton. How do the wire holders get their resistance to apply pressure on the paper?

As I was reading, I wondered if the reference to Norton (Jackie Gleason's Norton) may have sailed unfettered over the heads of the younger LumberJocks as would have references to "The Shadow", "The Green Hornet", "Sargent Preston Of The Yukon" or "Hop-A-Long Cassidy"- no not the movies- the radio programs.

Lew
 
#211 ·
Quality Tools - LJ's Can Make a Difference!

All
I was replying to lilredweldrinrod's Rigid service review and realized I was rambling on, so I converted it into a blog…......currently I am in Chicago at the start of a vacation consisting of family vistis and a random road trip.

LJ's are undoubtedly partially responsible for some the changes we see in the service policies of tool companies…...........

In the old days, quality seemed a matter of pride, and most woodworking machines were commercial. Commercial products have different duty cycles, and businesses are more likely to spend more for durability. As a business man, I can tell you that is a fact. In my business, equipment gets heavy use, and quality is actually much cheaper in the long run.

Then came the consumer move into the woodworking hobby and DIYing that really affected availablity and demand. And of course, then came the marketing folks, and CEO's that only looked at the next few quarter's bottom line…...there are some prominent universities and business school's to blame for that. And those CEO's just milked every buck out of the customer base, scamming them with shoddy quality with low overhead costs, and high prices. Those CEO's knew that by the time the word got out, they would be long gone. Because they knew they would move up to another CEO job in another corporation, based on a short track record that looked good in short haul, but would inevitably destroy the customer base. In other words, they didn't care about the corporation, the stockholders, or the customers. Greed and the get rich quick artists took over American industry, and we know what happened.

Japan and Europe took over the quality market. And eventually much of manufacturing.

News traveled slowly, there was no internet, and national news was covered in a few minutes on TV every evening by the big news networks. It not well understood that the quality movement, and understanding how to make quality products, was developed by an American, Demming. But most of our industry ignored him. Quality takes time and investment, and you couldn't get rich quick that way. But Japan thought he was a real guru, had him come to Japan and teach, and implemented what he had discovered.

Now the new place to make quick and dirty stuff is China. Foist it off on the public, although there are some excellent Chinese products….......check out Lenovo computers. It is not all China's fault. Merchandisers can get an excellent product out of China, but they will have to pay more.

But, the equation is changing. I rarely buy any significant tool or make any large personal purchase without looking at the reviews on the internet.

And the information travels fast, partly due to forums like this one. You can't make a bad product, or give bad service, without it becoming public knowledge very quickly. The greedy CEO's are having a tougher time of it. Quality is now selling products in the consumer industries, as well as the commercial product industries.

So if you post a bad product, or bad service on LJ's, it is more than just venting steam or complaining. And you need to post about the good products as well. Because you are actually affecting the quality of products and services.

Is it perfect? No. But you can see the trend. You not only influence everyone that reads your post, but also those people go to other forums and make remarks. And if they purchase a product on line, they may express their opinion in a review on sites like Amazon. Hopefully the good products get good remarks, and the bad products get bad remarks. Although it is pretty obvious, some of the opinions are obviously plants by the manufacturer.

When I get back home, I am going to look very carefully to see if there is any products I can review, or comments about service I can make. I have made some small purchases, but I haven't had time to test them well in the shop. But even commenting about the little things and well as the big things is important.
 
#217 ·
I HATE POSTS MADE OF LINKS.....it's not etiquette, it's about marketing...........

In some sense, we are all in the business of attracting attention, everyone wants their posts to be read. If you attract attention to your post, and then get people to read it, then you maximize your impact. That is, you satisfy yourself, and you satisfy your readers. A win/win situation.

So here is why I don't read posts that depend mostly upon links. Here is why I prefer, and push, for the whole post to be in one place, whether it is a review, blog, or whatever.

If you want a lot of LJ's to read your post, consider the following:

1) READERS ARE CUSTOMERS
Wouldn't you rather see the whole post in one place? It is simpler to read, allows for quick comparison with other posts, etc. In other words, I am in some sense your customer. Always imagine yourself in the customer's place. It is an axiom of good service.

2) KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS.
I am not just reading, I am looking for interaction with fellow LJ's. I am pretty typical, I think. It is a significant part of my relaxed socializing each day. If your post takes me away from LJ's, then it interrupts what I came here for. In other words, I don't just want to read your post. I want to read the comments, because many of them will be my buddies and online friends. Then we strike up a conversation within the comments.

3) COMPETITION
I can only read a limited number of postings each day. I almost never read posts dependent on links, it takes too much of my time and the post has a much reduced chance of being useful in the short and the long term (see below). In other words, in the competition for my time, link dependent posts are relegated to the bottom of my priorities, and are almost never read.

4) DURABILITY
Sometimes I run across reviews and blog items a couple of years old or so that I find useful, and additional comments may even be made by me and others. The older the post, the more likely that any link will be broken. If the link contains the substance of the post, then the post is lost. In other words, there is more mechanical integrity to the post if it does not depend on links.

5) MAXIMIZE IMPACT
What do LJ's pay attention to? It varies, but when posts are truly informative, well written, lots of pictures, and lots of comments, then they 'go viral'.

A well written post flows. Links break up the flow. You lose the train of the thought. When I find a link is integral to the post, I usually just move on to something else. There are a zillion posts on LJ's each day. If yours are going to be read, then they should read well.

6) MAKE INTERACTION EASY AND INTUITIVE
When the post is broken up by links, then where do I make the comments? Are most of the comments going to the linked site? In other words, you are almost guaranteeing that the content is fragmented and the impact is compromised if it depends on links.

7) COMMENTS ENHANCE AND VALIDATE THE POST

Some of the best information is contained in the interplay between the commenters. A comment may bring to mind something in another commenter's experience. And the comments are subject to critical scrutiny by others reading, and making comments. Some of the most important information on this site is in the threads that are generated by a post, which in and of itself, may not be as important.

8) MARKETING
Marketing is something we all do in some way, almost every day of our lives. But it is a large complex discipline.

As a hobbyist, if you write good posts that are enjoyable and informative, I will probably try to read all your posts, because I will learn that I can expect to find my time well spent.

If you are on LJ's trying to generate business, you are probably competing with a couple of thousand woodworking businessman, I suspect. It takes a lot of work to stand out from the crowd. You have to give us value, make your posts interesting, and you have to get us to trust you. I don't know if you really can generate business on this site, but there are some LJ's that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to my friends.

But they have earned that trust the hard way.

(Most of this is blog entry was extracted from a comment to another post. That post was mostly just a link….....
But after I moaned and groaned….......the link was replaced by the complete text….........)

Alaska Jim
 
#218 ·
Great point, Jim.

For those who post just a link to their main "article/blog", I get the feeling that we (here at LJs) are second rate.

I barely have time to even glance at the post that are complete, here, much less head off to another site, and your point about where do you post a comment is also right on the money.

Lew
 
#266 ·
Hallucinations from the Beach, on a Theme from a 'Project from the Past'

Knowing that I was under the gun.......fresh from vacation…....didn't have any excuses, I thought I would immediately post a blog entry….........

BAMMMMM…................

Only 5 hours after arriving and waking up late, recovering from the dreaded red eye special, just back from Hawaii,

...TA DAHHHH….....a post.

Now, you should realize, that my mind is still in vacation mode. Today is recovery, tomorrow is an adjustment day off, to get in the mood for work, and Tuesday is work again. Don't we all need a mood adjustment day? I may have invented the concept….....but then again, probably not.

Don't complain about this dredgeup from past….......PLEASE….....I have a long way to go before I can touch Dick Cain.............

Any asthma attacks from flying dust, as Barb dusts off those forgotten hall closet projects Dick?

Nah, we know Barb probably has to do all the work, dusting them off, taking the pictures…...........

Hmmmmmmmm?


Dick will rise to this challenge by finding more projects…........

OK,OK,OK, shouldn't be poking fun at Dick to deflect criticism from you vultures just salivating for another chance to roast poor old Jim. But I knew Dick would be there right in the first echelon, rubbing his hands…....best defense is a good offence.

You know, while in vacation mode, I realized that what I had been doing all these years, renting condos instead of buying, was definitely the most cost effective and easy approach. But I still fondly harkened back to my motorhome days, an example of an entertainment money sink folly. The motorhome has found a new home with my daughter in Fairbanks. Low mileage, but over 20 years old.

Instead of this old, yet to be revealed (aren't you excited?) project, I thought I could post a Sketchup diagram of a motorhome simulator, something that seemed appealing to construct, combining woodworking and electronics, right up my geeky alley…........

.........you folks understand, something you dream up in the midst of heat stroke while lying on the beach defying skin cancer and sunburn, trying to conquer your incipient terminal dehydration with one more beer with lime........as you conjure up these absurd projects in your alchoholic haze, your genius distracted by the occasional scantily clad wahine strolling by solely for your amusement, obviously lusting for your 70 year old well oiled, pasty, slightly lumpy, and sagging, physique…..........

Well, back to my epiphany….......I could put it in our oversized bedroom on top of the closets. Video screens all around simulating the scenery as I drive down the highway. We could even conjure up artificial smells to remind us of the overflowing chemical toilet. Then there is the outrageous noise from the wind and the motor easy to generate from an included audio system. Kermit, my 20 year old mitered conure, riding the top of the steering wheel. Very interesting to see him stay on top of the wheel as you turn a corner, he got good at that. Kermit would love it, reciting total verbal repertoire in his loudest voice, the only saving grace being that he is truly funny and remembers the most outrageous things….........

OK, I know, this is a cheat, but I was reminded of this item by a post authored by Rich Greer about sharpening knives......with his Worksharp 3000.

Now I have a Workshop 3000, about one year old….......and yet to be used…......(-:

.......so I am searching for a purpose for this shiny gizmo gathering dust in a forgotten corner of my shop….............(-:

Now Rich, being a buddy, understands. We both like sleak looking over-engineered gagets. My new computer comes to mind.

I decided I needed an easy, always available, quality solution for sharpening my very good German knives. So I had Sherie give me a Chef's Choice 3 wheel sharpener. Now I can sharpen a knife in under a minute, unless it has a nick and then it take longer. My sharpener sits on the pantry counter adjacent to the kitchen, along with a lot of other appliances. I also made a cover for it, to protect it from dust, about 2 years ago, before I decided to do WW as a hobby, so it is more in the DIY mode.

The cover has purple heart ends, rabbeted to fit the 1/4 inch birch ply top and front and back. The back has a slot for the cord. The oak handle came from my junk box of scavanged knobs from discarded furniture and such. This was made essentially from bits and pieces and has nail and glue construction. Finished with clear WATCO. It is not in the main kitchen, so didn't have to be beautiful, mostly functional, but it is consistent with the pantry quality surroundings.

It meets the LJ ultimate condition for merit and self satisfaction:

Built from scrap and materials, including the WATCO, already in the shop.


We might spend a modest fraction of a million dollars setting up the shop….........but if we build it from scrap….......all is justified….saving our planet….mother earth gives us a loving smile................I don't think I'll get into politics here…...........

The Cover on the sharpener.
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The Cover off the sharpener, ready to use.
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The back of the Cover, to display the notch for the cord.
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Just a blast from the past…..........

Alaska Jim
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........in recovery….........tomorrow is mood adjustment
 
#267 ·
well i shall try to be the first to post here…mostly for the idea of mood adjustment day…i think your the first..and it is a good diagnosis of the mood ive been in since i worked my last day…nice knife sharpener cover thingy…with a wonderful notch in the back…made by a very sharp chisel i would assume .. or not…....maybe you should go to the zoo tomorrow…get the alaska feel back…or stand out in the rain ..it will add to the pasty looking skin….that all alaska women look for…you dont want to show a tan…then they know your rich and are just after the money….lol…grizzman
 
#295 ·
The LumberJock Syndrome, also known as the Dick Cain Syndrome

I dedicate this post to Dick Cain, and DennisGrosen. Dick, because like me, he has confessed to having the syndrome, and Dennis, who has spent considerable time investigating the cause, his latest focus being the devices at the entrance of the stores which may be much more than they seem. Keep up the good work Dennis, you may become famous in the arcane field of mind control.

Aha….....that's it, mind control…......that's what they are up to. Indeed it must be the cause of the Lumberjock Syndrome.

Every syndrome must have at least three characteristics:

The Lumberjock Syndrome

1) The victim is a Lumberjock
2) The LJ is seen entering a store to buy a specific item
3) The LJ exits the store with multiple items, but not the specific item the LJ went there for.
4) The LJ spends much more time, and money, than intended, and certainly more than the LJ can afford.
5) The LJ has no memory of the event
6) The events reoccur at odd intervals, possibly related to stressful events….....like….....burns at the site of one's pocket from unspent and overactive currency, feelings of worthlessness, shopping deprivation
7) LJ's with this syndrome may also suffer from LackOfNewTool Lament, an apparently related and not dissimilar affliction.
8) There is no known cure

As an aside, beware of ads claiming to cure this terrible malady, perhaps through mail order rather than buying locally, they will certainly just exacerbate the phenomenon. Mail order may be less public, but it allows the victim to to hide the symptoms from his support group….....until the packages arrive…........(-:
 
#296 ·
Jim,
We need to add one more characteristic:

The tool purchase is clandestinely installed in the workshop, at an inconspicuous location. Then expertly camouflaged and "antiqued" with saw dust and shavings to make it appear as if it had been there since the inception of the shop. Only after a sufficient amount of time is the purchase actually used in front of the significant other (she who holds the purse strings).

Please don't ask how I know of this characteristic.

Lew
 
#332 ·
Don't clean up those old tools, you are removing their value! It's all about...PATINA!

Making a comment on one of nbeener's posts, I got to thinking about my tools. Many of them are, well, veritable antiques. And I bought them new! That is not possible, unless you are an antique….....and unfortunately I qualify.

One of the most important things about antiques is the patina. Refinishing removes much of the value. I learned that….....no, not at a Holiday Inn Express…....I learned that on Antiques Roadshow!

So just to help you understand the concept, I will give you an example from my shop. I guarantee that my radial arm saw has LOTS of patina, I put it there…...........(-:

I bought that shining brute at Sears, 41 years ago, and finally it has gained value. It is now an antique. Can't remove the patina….......that's a no, no.

Little rust here, little paint there, scratches, replaced switch:



.........there it is….......

...........PATINA in technicolor..........note the fine, ingenious, replacement switch….........(-:

Yup, just a surface mount switch, like for a barn, you know. I am sure it is rated for motors and inductive loads….........wouldn't it be?

You know I might be tempted to do an upgrade, but gee whiz…......even that switch has become part of the patina. Besides, I can find that switch easily, and it has a great clicking action….......(-:

........and for you electrical engineers out there….....I put that switch there over 30 years ago. It may not be rated….....but is sure does the job.

I love the patina my tools have acquired over time….............just like an antique…....I am sure removing the patina would compromise the value…............(-:

I bet there are other LJ's out there that have tools with…........a LOTTA PATINA…..........(-:
 
#361 ·
House without a soul. …or how I brought purpose, and creativity to a lifeless home.

I don't know about the rest of you LJ's, but I walk into my shop and it's like putting on an old pair of slippers…….a real old pair, 26 years old to be exact. I know where everything is, and probably could literally find anything I need in the dark. Don't want to be in the dark……..although sometimes I really am clueless…..but, you know what I mean.

Sure, my shop is changing from its plebian DIYer origins, and mutating into a woodworking shop. But that redefinition isn't a far stretch, most of the basics, big saws and all, were there.

But to make another point, it isn't just that the old shop is so familiar, that it allows me to rapidly make small projects within hours, frequently without a trip to the store for wood or fasteners or finish…………..

The real point is………the shop EXISTS.

So, I have a new vacation home.

No, not a furnished condo complete with groundskeeper, housekeeping, swimming pool, golf course. No. Not me.

Sherie and I have a 16 year old fashionable two story house perched on a hill in a small town of 839 people in northern Washington. This town is filled with Victorian homes and artsy shops…..and good restaurants.

The house has outdoor decks, balconies, and railings, all of which require maintenance. There is a two car garage with a shallow alcove off to one side…empty. The garage is in the house, under the bedrooms.

I can tell. One sniff, a casual glance. Only one pair of electrical sockets. Lousy lighting. Clean naked walls. No nail holes, not even patched blemishes. Shiny spotless floor. This soulless house, exists in La Conner, Washington.

But where the heart of the home should be, there is only an epoxy painted floor… unblemished, clean, dimly lit.

Silence. Sterile.



If this house was alive, the detritus of its existence would be evident

…the place with be alive with the aroma of creation, casting a dull haze on the household and permeating the carpets and the air. You might detect a hint of pine resin, perhaps the subtle scent of oak, a wincing whiff of burnt wood might waft by…….perchance the rancid smell of linseed oil.

But the clincher, the centerpiece of my evidence, with this I rest my case…

...there is not a hint of ……… SAWDUST

Now I must digress…especially in what has been presented… as a philosophical treatise. And here I…well…really make an excursion, into the mythical battleground of two giants that lay claim to the lighter, perhaps more frivolous, yet artistic spirit of mankind.

There is the woodcraft goliath, and the fiber arts denizen.

I identify most closely with the former. Sherie with the latter. She might say the quilting room, with its sewing machine and table, ironing board, etc. might well be the heart of the home. But I just can't identify with that. The only odor, perhaps a little formaldehyde, but I can't really detect even that. Perhaps a little ball of lint somewhere to evidence her activity. I mean how many quilts can you use? Granted she knits some, weaves on occasion, and even spins a little. But surely that quilting room cannot be the heart of this home, that puny motor on that sewing machine can't even be 1/10th hp…….a 1/10th horsepower home. Come on now! Well, since this is the LJ forum, I surely don't have to belabor the point. You understand.

End of digression.

So I says, I will energize this home, give it a new heart.

TOOLS.

That's my mantra. Of course, how do you set up a shop…without having a shop?

Shops usually evolve slowly, I think, especially at first. I remember a slow evolution from a small collection of handyman tools to a do-it-yourselfer shop with considerable woodworking capabilities. It took many years, without a specific purpose, just responded to needs with more tools.

But I needed an instant shop in La Conner, because I really can't even imagine a house without a shop anymore. And when you are setting up a new house, inevitably you have to fix things, hang things, etc.

So here is the garage, now with a pile of tools, but certainly not a shop yet.



Note that I have temporarily placed a couple of lights on the wall, have a slab door on a couple of Stanley saw horses for a workbench, and already have the panel cover off trying to figure out how to add more circuits and plugs.

This house needed some stuff repaired and painted, so I collected some painting supplies, minimal woodworking tools, and an assortment of general purpose tools such as socket wrenches, files, etc.
It needed to be organized, so I got some pegboard and placed some of it on the wall in back of the workbench. Here is a picture of my setup to cut the wood strips to mount the pegboard.

Sure miss my RAS sitting idly at home in Anchorage………(-:



I used some precut ¾ x ½ inch strips, and some ¼ by 1 and 3/8 inch strips, gluing them together in appropriate lengths and positions so that none of the holes in the peg board would be blocked. Thanks to Dave Owen for that idea, although I had to use a different approach because I didn't have the tools to cut dadoes. This was a little slow, but worked well.

I also added two new circuits of 120 V 20 Amps, and can easily add a 240 V if needed later.



So here it is, the shop as we left La Conner, heading back to Anchorage:



There are a number of cheaper tools, but they will get the job done for now until I find out what this shop will evolve to. Note the cheap Stanley chisels……actually pretty darn sharp off the shelf. I bought those when I found myself looking for a chisel while putting up the pegboard and lights.

A close up of my few power tools. Note that I got a compressor and pin and brad nail guns. That was to make the glue up of my pegboard supports reasonably efficient.



Here is a picture of a novel support for some Quick Change files that use one handle. Made with scrap materials on hand, peg board and some wood strips. I enlarged the peg board holes on the top piece, and countersunk the holes on the bottom piece so that the handles would stand upright. Glued together and spaced properly with some wood strip pieces.



Here is the shop busy at work painting a post cap to replace one missing from one of the balconies.



I bet you can feel that happy shop at work.

I bet you can hear the heart beat of the hand saw and hammers.

Yup, the La Conner house has found its soul, and is now officially alive………..

Alaska Jim - vacationing in La Conner, Washington
 
#362 ·
What a great and thoughtful solution to what I can only imagine was a nagging feeling of mild anxiety.

Welcome home, Jim !!!

Incidentally, I've picked up on certain … Napoleonic feelings of inadequacy from my wife's Bernina sewing machine, too. Odd little creatures, aren't they (er …. the machines; NOT the ladies) ? ;-)
 
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