How to Parallel a Table Saw Fence
Written by drbob on January 23, 2012 – 6:49 pm -In order for your table saw to work as well as it should it's really important that the rib fence and the saw blade are perfectly parallel to each other. Now my technique for this is I'm assuming that you've got the blade and the miter gauge slots are already parallel. Then the easiest way to check your fence is to make the fence also parallel to the slots. So here's the way I'm going to do this. I'm going to slide my fence over until the face of the fence is even with the miter gauge slot and lock it down and I'm not looking at it. I'm feeling it. My fingers in this case will tell me more than my eyes will. So I'm feeling that, that I'm going to feel it all the way to the back and if they're even in the front, in order to be parallel of course,... more
Tags: steel city table saw
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Table Saw Maintenance
Written by drbob on January 20, 2012 – 9:54 am -Table Saw Maintenance - Skill Builder Power Tool Tune-Up Series By Sandor Nagyszalanczy It's one thing to own an expensive sports car or a luxurious boat, it's another thing to keep it in top condition over time. Regular maintenance is essential to keep all of our "adult toys" operating at their best. A table saw - or any power tool - is no different. A well-tuned machine is a pleasure to use, while a poorly maintained one is at best inaccurate and a pain to use and at worst can cause a serious accident. <object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DxCImg3gMwY&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param... more
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Leg to Rail Joinery Methods
Written by drbob on January 20, 2012 – 9:44 am -I use and prefer motise and tenon joints for joining legs to rails, but the video presents doweling and biscuits as two alternatives. Another alternative would be pocket holes. Biscuits an pocket holes are not going to be as strong as mortise and tenon or dowels. <object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMwNRUnNChg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OMwNRUnNChg&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"... more
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Cleaning a Rusty Table
Written by drbob on January 20, 2012 – 9:41 am -Hopefully your table saw table or drill press tables will never get as badly rusted as the one in the video. But if they should do so it is good to know they can be reclaimed with some knowledge and a lot of elbow grease. <object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MN_DTiaXEIU&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MN_DTiaXEIU&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640"... more
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Best cordless jigsaw overall: Makita LXT BJV180
Written by drbob on October 29, 2011 – 12:33 pm -Cordless jigsaws are convenient, but the best models are more expensive than a corded jigsaw. Reviews praise the lithium-ion-powered 18-volt Makita cordless jigsaw for its 6.1-pound weight and fine ergonomics, along with a long runtime, an LED light and a 25-minute charger. Lithium-ion batteries are light, compact and environmentally friendly. They also hold a charge longer between uses – up to five times longer than NiMH or Ni-Cad batteries. The jigsaw warranty is for three years, and the battery is covered for one year. Details Description Features Reviews Makita Bare-Tool BJV180Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw List Price: $718.00 Sale Price: $185.00 You save: $533.00 (74%) Eligible for free... more
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Steel City 35900G Chosen the best hybrid saw
Written by drbob on October 29, 2011 – 11:00 am -Steel City makes the first hybrid saws to incorporate a true riving knife plus a heavy granite table top that's more stable than cast iron. This saw keeps all the features that reviews praise in earlier Steel City table saws, like a tool-free blade guard and excellent dust control. Reviews also praise it for ease in cutting sheet stock. This 1.75-horsepower saw could easily be the centerpiece of a workshop devoted to precision woodworking. The saw carries a five-year warranty, with 10 years on the granite top. It's also available with a precision-machined top as the 35900 (*Est. $1,250). Details Description Features Reviews Steel City Tool Works 35900 1.75HP 10-Inch Left Tilt Cabinet Saw with 30-Inch Fence List Price: $1,889.99 Sale... more
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Makita LS1016L Selected the Best 10-inch Sliding Miter Saw
Written by drbob on October 29, 2011 – 10:37 am -Experts say that sliding miter saws are the "sweet spot" in terms of miter saw sizes and types, with ample capacity for most users. This award-winning Makita miter saw makes smooth cuts on up to a 2-by-12 board, but its four-rail system makes it more compact than most 10-inch sliders. Admittedly the Makita doesn't meet the level of precision and features of the highly-regarded but pricey Festool Kapex KS 120 (*Est. $1,300), but comparison tests find the Makita is very competitive in terms of performance and ease of use. Its soft-start motor with electronic speed control handles thick hardwoods well, and the adjustable laser guide has a separate power switch. Warranty coverage is for one year. Details Description Features Reviews Makita... more
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DeWalt DW716 selected the best 12-inch compound miter saw
Written by drbob on October 29, 2011 – 10:31 am -If you need a larger miter saw, reviewers say the DeWalt DW716 provides excellent cutting capacity; with some tweaking, it can even crosscut a 2-by-10 board. Vertical capacity for baseboard and crown molding is also outstanding. Reviews praise this top-rated saw's build quality, performance and convenience. It's a double-bevel miter saw, which helps save time as well. A three-year warranty is standard, and a laser guide is available as an optional accessory. Details Description Features Reviews DEWALT DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw List Price: $724.59 Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 16 new from Too low to display 1... more
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Cutting Circles on the Router Table
Written by drbob on October 1, 2011 – 11:05 am -Cutting Circles on the Router Table Details Description Features Reviews Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets List Price: $439.00 Sale Price: $199.99 You save: $239.01 (54%) Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 8 new from $199.99 1 used from $192.00 Description Handle a broad range of routing applications with the versatile Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit. This router kit includes a powerful motor with advanced speed control technology, precision bases, and plenty of advanced features to help get a variety of jobs done quickly... more
Tags: plunge router, woodworking tips
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Clamping tips for stress free glue up
Written by drbob on September 29, 2011 – 11:37 am -Putting a project together is one of the best parts of woodworking, but don't let your enthusiasm cause you to skip the final prep work before opening the glue bottle. Every gluing and clamping session should begin with a level-headed approach, because once the glue sets, there's usually no going back. Here are some tips to help prepare yourself for calm, successful project assembly. Take a few minutes to rehearse these every time you are ready for gluing and clamping, and you'll be able to take the "panic button" off of the assembly line. Rally the Troops At first blush, it wouldn't seem like you would need many supplies to glue wood together, but thinking through the process of gluing and clamping will reveal otherwise (see Photo 1). Aside... more
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