Woodworkers - as with most other people in the world - are creatures of habit.
Think about breakfast, especially during the work week… so many of us stumble to the breakfast table, eyes barely open, and go through the motions of getting what is - in many cases - the exact same breakfast we had the day before. A cup of coffee, a bowl of cereal, a glass of orange juice.
We typically stick with the familiar because we are on autopilot, so finding the comfortable and familiar is what works.
The same thing happens when it comes to finishing. When we get to the end of a project, most woodworkers want the tried-and-true methods that will give good results - and prevent disaster on a project we spent so much time lovingly building.
When it comes to your finishing regimen, what is your favorite think-of-first method of applying finish?
Loading …
Experience is the best teacher. After all, unless you actually get out and practice karate, fishing, kite flying, golf or some other activity, you can’t develop the skills to get better at your avocation.
The same rules hold true for woodworking. While some of us completely blow the curve, most woodworkers get better through the years. After all, takes time to try - and perfecct - new techniques, tools and joints.
So, how many years has it been for you? Are you a woodworking newbie with just a few months in the shop, or are you an old hand recalling the days when you used to cut wood with stone tools - uphill - through hip-deep snow - and you were THANKFUL for that!
Loading …
Woodworking can be tough on your clothes. I can’t tell you how many times I have reached across a glue up to only to discover later the telltale streak of glue over a favorite tee shirt. Ruined forever! Or, after routing a series of dovetails, find that I have sawdust in ‘uncomfortable places’ in my clothing.
To overcome these challenges, some woodworkers turn to shop aprons. Many are dirt cheap, made of light canvas and given away to advertise some lumberyard or hardware store. Others are from the other side of the spectrum, custom made of top-grain leather, expertly tailored to fit comfortably and keep a selection of tools close at hand.
So, what are your thoughts about shop aprons? Essential comfort and safety clothing or something for woodworkers who care about the designer clothes they wear to the shop?
Loading …
Since its invention by Raymond DeWalt back in 1923, the radial arm saw has had quite an interesting history. Once held as the ultimate home woodworking machine, the saw could crosscut, rip, dado, cut joints and do other tasks with specialized attachments.
While the saw was enjoying its reputation, questions about its accuracy, space utilization and - most importantly - safety were being raised.
With the invention of the power miter saw in the 1970’s, radial arm saw use declined precipitously. While radial arm saws are still produced today, table saws far outsell these machines.
Where do you stand when it comes to these tools?
Loading …
Look at any blade maker’s catalog, and you’ll see dozens of blade designs to choose from. Combination, plywood, crosscut, rip, glue-line rip… the average woodworker could go well into debt buying just one portion of the offerings - and that’s just from one manufacturer!
Since there are dozens of designs, tooth shapes and other features out there, in this week’s poll, we want to know if you are a blade changer, or have you settled on a favorite that never leaves your saw.
Just for the record, don’t count dado blades, molding cutter heads, those new box joint blade setups or any other kind of blade that cuts wider than a regular (1/8″) or a thin kerf. We’re just looking for standard blades.
For the record, here is just a sampling of blade manufacturer’s websites so you can get an idea of what’s out there:
Loading …
The reason most of us hobbyist woodworkers go to the shop is to have fun. Designing our own projects. Working with beautiful wood. Skillfully cutting joints. Unveiling the finished project for display and admiration.
But, it’s not all fun and games. In fact, some of the tasks we have to do are tedious, time consuming, and many woodworkers will put off doing them because they would never be considered fun. “I’ll clean the shop tomorrow.” “I hate dragging out all of my sharpening equipment just to touch up that chisel.”
This week, we want to know what woodworking task you consider the absolute worst. I mean, we’re talking about the kind of task you would build a robot to do if you had the time, skill and the robotics degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Loading …
While combination woodworking machines have long been the norm in European shops, the one combination machine that has been sold for decades in the United States has been the Shopsmith. It’s touted as the Swiss Army Knife of woodworking machines, with the current model - the Mark V - able to serve as a table saw, drill press, disc sander and lathe right out of the box.
While, at first glance, it might seem like the perfect tool for a cramped woodworking shop, opinions about the tool run the gamit from deep, abiding love to an intense loathing.
So, this week’s poll is trying to determine whether or not you own a Shopsmith, and what your thoughts are about this interesting woodworking machine.
Loading …
