[RGtools]

Take a picture of this slab…If there are now huge knots or waves or pith, I would say you are OK.

 

[Bertha]

I think the World authority on everything (including benches), Chris Swartz, uses pine in his benches. He's made some really nice ones; gotta give the guy that one.

 

[lysdexic]

I really like clear pine. It is just so hard to come by.

 

[lysdexic]

Mauricio,

Did you order the materials needed for the draw bore pins? If so, where? My Sears closed its doors a few months ago.

 

[Bertha]

^I'm sure y'all know about these. Not meaning to offend, of course. $100 is offensive, I know; but it might be worth NOT running around creation looking for the stock, turning the handles, etc. I've been told that there's another item (like the one at Sears) that can be had at automotive stores. I can't put my finger on it.
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http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=1-DBP#
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I think I remember dismissing them b/c they were too short, like Iles describes:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/indextool.mvc?prodid=MS-DRAWB.XX
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Once again, Blue Spruce for the win
http://www.bluesprucetoolworks.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=DBPN.375

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This is one of the best drawboring write-ups I've seen with tons of eye candy
http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/tag/drawboring/
Plus, I like that dude's beard.
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I'm planning on just buying mine. I'd say Blue Spruce but it's all going to be about the backorder situation.

 

[mochoa]

Bill, I know that feeling your talking about, its what drives us to spend hundreds of hours in the shop on those really big project. Embrace it! ;-)

If you don't want to spend a lot of money then dont, I havent spent a lot on mine, I just used what wood I had and what came my way. It sounds like you have some really nice materials already.

When you say your concerned about the resins, are you worried about them gumming up your machines? It sounds like they may be too big to run through machines anyway. Go at with hand tools. Post pictures of those beams, I'd love to see them.

Scott, I haven't gotten my drawbore pin stuff yet but I'll probably go to Harbor Freight when I do.

Al, those pins are things of beauty. So hard to justify though when Schwarz shows you how to make one for $6.

 

[Bertha]

^Yeah, I know Mauricio. I've got all his books but I generally reject his advice reflexively. My loss, I know. I've come to really prize simple tools that are just ridiculously overdone. Burnishers, marking knives, etc. Anything Blue Spruce, really. I think I'm going to stop apologizing for these type of purchases b/c they make me so stupidly happy. I don't smile when I look at my $350 kitchen faucet; but I do when I look at my $20 burnisher.

 

[mochoa]

LOL, hey man, if it makes you happy and you can afford it, F it, buy that sh*t.

 

[Bertha]

^that's what I'm talking about, Mauricio
and if you cant afford it, F it, steal that sh*t
That's the philosophy where I'm used to living, at least

 

[mochoa]

correction $13
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-punch-and-chisel-set-66337.html

 

[Bertha]

^$13? Well I'm definitely getting the Blue Spruce

 

[BrandonW]

You can get the harbor freight model and turn a nice handle for it.

 

[mochoa]

Its even easier than that, since the handle needs to be torqued and twisted, to smooth the way for the pin, a hexagonal handle actually works better.

 

[mochoa]

Octagonal I meant.

 

[mochoa]

 

[Brit]

Mauricio and all - I bought the Ray Iles ones a few years ago. They are excellent and I don't subscribe to the view that octagonal handles are better. Ray Iles makes both and I went for the round handles and I'm glad I did. They are so much more comfortable to hold. The handles are large and fill the hand, so there is a huge amount of friction. My hand has never slipped once. Just putting it out there.

 

[Bertha]

^there you go. And I bet they make you smile every time you pick them up, Andy.
I've always wondered about the octagonal argument; and it may well have been bitterly discussed here for all I know. To me, with the appropriate palm swell, I would think the one with the most surface area would be the most desirable in terms of friction. I like the LOOK of octagonal handles but I admit, I don't have many of them in my collection. The closest, I suppose, are the rather squarish Butcher pigsticking mortise chisels. Those, however, you don't really "grip", rather just "point".

 

[KenBry]

I watched Marc's video and don't see a need for them things. What am I missing? Yea, you can use those crazy expensive tools but I think a wood dowel should do the trick just fine.
http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/drawbored-mortise-tenon/

 

[TopamaxSurvivor]

Depends on your grip power. Office guys need octagon. Working guys can get by with round ;-))

 

[Bertha]

^lol, Topa; I love that.
Man, I don't know what it is…but I just can't watch those woodwhisperer videos. The guy's clearly talented and I know he's loved by all, it's like fingernails on the chalkboard for me. Maybe it's the soul patch; not sure. No offense meant, of course.
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It's true, though, just sharpen up one end of a long dowel and start hammering. Definitely no tools needed. You can also use a screwdriver instead of a burnisher; razor blade instead of a marking knife.
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For me, at least, it's just a reason to get a new tool.