Reviews

A smart combination

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I have trouble getting things square.

There. I said it. I don’t have the ‘eye’ to get things square on just the first crack. Or, sometimes the second. Or even the third.

But, eventually I get things right. And, that’s due primarily to a lot of measuring aids that I turn to. I have a number of clamping squares that help get things at right angles during assemblies. And, then there is my little double square  I like to pull out while I’m planing to ensure I’m not getting out of square while I true an edge.

But, the real multi-tool of them all is the combination square. That sucker is a real workhorse in most shops. It typically comes with a 12 inch rule and a head that measures 45 and 90 degree angles. There are other heads that can increase that versatility, including protractor heads and center-finding heads. You can check assemblies for square, measure bit or blade height above a table, use them to scribe a cut line … well, they are a tried-and-true multitasker in the shop.

You can go uber-cheap with them, picking up the big-box home improvement version, or you can drop some serious coin on a Starrett model. But, for the average woodworker who needs a great, reliable tool AND would like to have some money left over to buy some wood, there are some options available.

One that was sent to me by my new sponsor Bora Tools has an interesting feature I have never seen in a combination square. Most models use a ruler with a groove milled down the middle of one side. And, in the head, there is a nut that can be tightened down to lock the rule in place. The system works well, but if you ever pull the rule out to measure by itself, getting the parts all aligned can be a real pain in the posterior.

Bora’s combination square does away with all of that nonsense, relying instead on a set of rare-earth magnets to hold the rule in place. It holds securely enough to allow accurate measurements to be obtained, yet still allows for easy adjustment for changing measurements.

The rule that comes with this combination square is a substantial etched stainless model graduated coarsely on one side (in eighth-inch increments) and fine on the other (32nds). I have used this as a guide for my marking knife, and its thick edge is a sweet surface to reference the knife against.

The head of the tool is cast zinc, with all of the edges that contact the work surface milled well. It comes with a steel scribe for use when marking cut lines for joinery. And, it comes with the obligatory level vial to serve as a level or plumb reference.

When you throw in that Bora guarantees this tool for life, well, come on, what’s not to like?

Now, I just have to make sure I actually USE this thing when I woodwork, and stop trusting my poorly calibrated eyeballs.

 

Experiences

From Tom’s workbench… with love…

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With Tropical Storm Debby dumping tons of rain on us, and me called in to the Emergency Operations Center, my wife Rhonda has stepped to the plate and written a post for your enjoyment. She tried her hand in the shop … and here’s what she observed.  Enjoy!

First let me say that I am NOT one of those do-it-all women who know all the names of the power tools and which side is the sharp side.  I’m a busy mom, high school teacher, and wife.  Recently, after a frustrating search through Michael’s craft store, I couldn’t find any craft I could cling to.  So I decided to delve into my husband’s territory, with his permission, of course.  After all, I figured, here’s a quick route to “craft” satisfaction.  I could sand, finish, and maybe even veneer some of his furniture.  We could bond over birch, improve our communication skills while working side by sander, and share our dreams during demo.  That’s not exactly how things worked out.  But after you find out what happened, maybe you’ll be inspired to invite your wife or girlfriend into this sacred sanctuary called “the shop.”

Today’s task:  sand a stepstool.

In my first foray into the shop, I realized I would have to get used to a few things.

  1. No mirror.  Touching up in the shop is tough.  I found a way around it, though.  The infinity saw blade Tom had mounted on the wall.  Thanks, honey!
  2. No chit chat.  Once that sander turns on, you can’t carry on a conversation with anyone.  On the upside, I was able to recall all of the locales of the Real Housewives gals on Bravo.  (There are 5, I think.)
  3. No multitasking.  I LOVE doing more than one thing at once.  It’s supremely satisfying to make dinner in the oven while cleaning the fridge and quizzing your 11 year old on multiplication tables.  It must be in the genes.  You know what I mean, mom.

Now that you know what I’m up against, the actual reason I entered the shop was to sand my mother-in-law’s stepstool.  Tom had cut out the pieces with dovetails.

Santos Mahogany is a gorgeous wood.  Very … appealing.  OK – I have no idea how to describe it other than I like it.

The first step was to get the right grit on the sander.  We used 120 for the first round.  I grabbed a piece of chalk and drew lines, and some flowers, so I’d know if I evenly sanded the wood.

Once I started up the sander, it was easy.  I just let the sander “do the work” as Tom instructed.  It took longer than I thought, though, and I had to resist that multitasking urge and just take my time.  After about 10 minutes, I flipped the pieces over to chalk and sand the other side.

By the time I was done, about 20 minutes later, I had a tingly sensation in my hands and just wanted to sit down.  But a refreshing sense of accomplishment came over me.  I had completed the task for today and looked forward to the next go-round with a lighter grit sandpaper tomorrow.  The step stool will essentially be made by both of us and I feel pride and ownership in that.

I see why you love this hobby, Tom!

 

Quick Polls

Quick Poll

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Hobby woodworking has undergone a tremendous change over the past fifteen years, and much is thanks to the Internet.

Once the only way to learn about woodworking was to take a lesson from a school or a knowledgeable neighbor, relative or friend,  read books and magazines or watch woodworking shows.

Today, woodworkers have access to a vast array of resources right from the comfort of their own living rooms.  Websites featuring new techniques, tool reviews and video build alongs have sprung up and can provide immediate access to what woodworkers want to know.

Of course, the Internet could be a huge time waster, taking away valuable time actually doing something in the shop.

This week, how important of a woodworking tool do you believe the Internet is for you?


Link of the week

Link of the week

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Giant Cypress

A monk asked Zhaozhou, “What is the living meaning of Zen?”
Zhaozhou said, “The cypress tree in the yard.”

Wilbur Pan is a gifted woodworker. From his workshop in New Jersey, he creates tremendous  projects with a distinctly Asian flair.

Photo courtesy of Nik Brown – digitalwoodworker.com

His blog, Giant Cypress, is a great place to come for sound advice on his collection of Japanese tools, treatises on wood selection and working methods and links to a rich array of woodworking knowledge.

Wilbur also likes to link to a number of other sites that will make you stop and think, and he also posts many of his witty observations for readers.

In addition to running the site, he’s also one heck of a funny guy.  Visit his site, I’m sure you will be happy

Wood

Species Spotlight: Mayan Walnut

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The Mayan culture was exceptionally advanced for when it existed from 2000 BC until the Spanish Conquistadors in the 15th century. They had a fully developed alphabet, were outstanding civil engineers and created this whole calendar thing that seems to have some of us concerned about this coming December.

They also were big into art. Artists in the civilization also liked to etch their names into the work they created, helping archaeologists get an idea of who created which works. Of course, in the very warm and wet tropical atmosphere, any wooden works they may have created have long since been lost to the ravages of time.

But, if we could see some of their works, they may have been using today’s spotlighted species. Mayan walnut, a member of the Lysiloma genus, is a spreading tree found in central America and Mexico, about the same range as the Mayan civilization. The tree grows to between 40 and 60 feet in height, with a diameter of two to three feet. The trunks of the trees can be free of branches for up to 25 feet above the ground, making it excellent for cutting into slabs.

When you order Mayan Walnut, you should know that it is often known by other names, including T’zalam (Mexico), Frijolillo, Jigue, Sabicu (Cuba), Tabernau, Tavernon (Haiti), Caribbean walnut or Aztec walnut.

Regardless what you call it, the wood is reminiscent of walnut, a deep, lustrous brown with purple or coppery tones and faint striping. It’s a straight grained wood with a medium texture. It has excellent working properties, making it a good choice for turning, furniture making and other applications. It is just about as hard as hard maple, so if you are familiar with that wood, you should expect similar working properties.

Mayan walnut is a great tonewood, so if your are into building instruments, it’s not a bad choice at all.

This is the kind of wood you’ll want to get your hands on… probably sooner than later. Just in case the Mayans were right about December and all…

 

Tools

Happy Father’s Day to me!

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I love my family. What a great bunch of folks… My wife, Rhonda and my two sons Dominic and Steven. Not only are they a bunch of fun, but they treat me right!

For instance, yesterday I had probably the best Father’s Day I have ever celebrated. It started off with a simple breakfast and a few presents. The best one was this carving kit from Flexcut. It came with three separate blades, a handle for them to insert into, the instruction book and  a boot shaped block of basswood to try my first project. Sure, I’ll mess with it, but I’m looking forward to doing a little letter carving for  a sign for our house.

Of course, after the bathroom is done.

It’s funny, but the instructions warn me off from using a sharpening stone on the blades – just a strop. Going to have to see how well that works.

From there, it was off to Tampa to Centro Ybor. This is in the heart of the old cigar rolling district, and the place just oozes history. Many of the old cigar factories and warehouses have been converted into night clubs, special stores and restaurants, and I had to pay a visit to the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. The visit was totally unplanned until Friday night, when we saw the restaurant featured on the show Diners, Drive ins and Dives. The beer was awesome, but no where near as great as the food. WOW! It was there I also discovered something very important… Beer is my friend.

While the day was going well, my wife and I started talking about going and doing a little bit of shopping. At a place. I’m not sure I can mention its name…

Gulp.

Ikea.

Hey, Iggy put me up to it. Bad Monkey…

We went to the Swedish smorgasbord of furniture just looking to walk around for a bit, but we saw something that my wife had been asking me about for years – a comfortable chair to fit in our bedroom.  At only $69 for the chair and cushion.. and she could have it immediately… well, I swallowed my pride a bit and went for it. It was too good a deal, and mama is happy.

The rest of the day involved a trip to the city’s pool for a swim and some Argentine-style steaks on the grill.  That Chimichurri sauce is some REALLY good stuff.

As I put the boys to bed tonight, I gave them an extra hug. While the stuff we did was fun, the best part is that I got to spend the day with my two sons and my wife. That’s the good stuff that makes all this worthwhile.

 

Quick Polls

Quick Poll

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Today in the United States, we are celebrating Father’s Day. I am writing this poll in the wee hours of the morning because I know the rest of my day is going to be filled with lots of fun and relaxation, so I wanted to get this done early.

With today being Father’s Day, it’s only natural that the poll touch on an important topic – how much of an influence was your dad on your woodworking?  My dad wasn’t necessarily a fine woodworker, but he was a VERY handy DIY kind of guy who showed me the ropes when it came to working with tools. And, during one big home improvement project – the finishing of our basement in our home – I caught the bug. Sure, the bug took about another 15 years to really kick in when it came to woodworking, but hey, it was a time delayed bug!

Thanks, Dad.

(Oh, while I’m at it, happy Father’s Day to everyone out there, especially Marc Spagnuolo and Aaron Marshall, celebrating their first Father’s Day today!)

So, this week, tell us how much of an influence your dad was on your woodworking.


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