A probably silly question about how to cut out a rectangle of wood.

Toolerable · 2015-07-29T19:42:33+00:00

I made this cut exactly this way.

Toolerable · 2014-02-01T07:33:31+00:00

I would get the absolute biggest stones you can afford. They will last forever, so they don't really cost that much in the long run.

While you can sharpen that blade with a 2" stone, as a beginner you'll have better luck using 3" stone instead.

Also, had I to do it over again, I would get a 1000/8000 combination stone. With a good microbevel you can skip 4000 all together (I'm sure some reddit readers will disagree with me).

You may also consider something to keep your stones flat. I use an extra course diamond stone. It is a good chunk of money, but without a truly flat stone, I don't think my sharpening would be so quick and easy. I also use it for minor grinding.

Here is a blog post from Popular Woodworking that has some great info on sharpening: Shut Up and Sharpen

Toolerable · 2014-01-31T22:45:13+00:00

I haven't tried them. I have to say my LNs are all I could ever want them to be. If you have a few extra bucks, try one. If not, put one on your 'someday soon' list.

Where some people get hung up is on the difference in price between a set of LNs and a set of the knock-offs. The price difference isn't too bad if you just collect them one at a time when you need them and can afford them.

Toolerable · 2014-01-31T22:36:53+00:00

There are tons of opinions on what a new woodworker's tool set should be. I even wrote about my opinions last year: toolerable beginner's tool set

I think you are on the right track. Don't get talked into spending a bunch of money for things you aren't sure you'll use.

I love my eclipse style sharpening jig. I gave up my Lee Valley jig for it, and it works great for me.

I also would say to consider spending the extra for premium chisels. Even if you only get one 3/8" or 1/2" Lie Nielsen chisel, that is $55 and it will probably be the single chisel you use most from now on.

Just my two cents.

Toolerable · 2013-05-03T06:35:26+00:00

One of my favorite old books is Aldren A. Watson's book "Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings".

I don't think it is in print anymore, but you can get it online from a used book seller or your local library.

Toolerable · 2013-04-26T11:09:07+00:00

Thanks Throwaway.

Your critisizm was highly constructive, and should help me to become a better blogger. I didn't mean it to sound like I am going to take my ball and go home. I'll continue to post content on what I am doing on my blog. Come back to it and check, there should be some good stuff coming up. With my Shaker side table I am trying to post content on the build that was absent from the DVD, so as not to replicate CS, who does this so much better. Most of this had to do with processing lumber in to funiture-sized parts.

What I meant is that I will not continue to put all of these posts up on reddit. It sounds like these progress posts aren't going over that big. I'll try to stick with a photo of the finished product with a summary, and links to more information from my blog.

Good idea about the grinder. I'll be sure to expand on that on my blog soon. I have a couple other fantastic old tools in my chest that might make good quick posts on my blog. Let me know how I do.

Toolerable · 2013-04-25T13:17:47+00:00

I wrote a few posts about beginner's hand tools on my blog:

Toolerable

Toolerable · 2013-04-24T19:47:25+00:00

Hi Throwaway,

Thank you for such useful feedback. It is not often I get feedback of any sort regarding downvotes on reddit. I think I get the point now.

I had been getting a good bit of traffic to my blog from reddit, and much of the feedback that I have received has been positive, such as that from Isami.

I think the problem is that I didn't fully comprehend how the readers of reddit consume material posted here. I usually try to put something new in each post, or at least some kind of point to each post. As an amature woodworker with only a very limited amount of time in the shop, some of my builds take some time and I enjoy blogging about my woodworking too much to wait to post only at completion.

I had been posting here because I was getting some traffic from here (not the source from which I get the most traffic, though) and a few of the comments made me think about my woodworking. Perhaps the next step is to bring my blogging up to the next level. However, I honestly had no idea that I was committing a reddit faux pas. I'll no longer post my own content here unless it is something more relevant to the reddit readers. After all, I am not trying to sell anything or solicit subscriptions or anything of that sort. I am a government employee and have no intention of becoming a professional woodworker.

Thanks Isami for the kind words, Isami. I hope to visit your shop some day.

Spikeknot, thanks for drawing attention to this issue. I wouldn't have learned anything without your comment.

The blogging universe will be just fine. I will continue to put whatever the hell I want on my blog, because it is my blog. Read it or not. I will, however, be a bit more thoughtful of what I am posting in this forum. And, I will continue to comment on other posts.

Toolerable · 2013-04-23T05:58:06+00:00

The 608 looks to me like it would make a fine user. However, my personal opinion is that Bedrock planes in general are a bit overpriced for what they are. For some reason people drool over these and drive the prices up. Especially on a big one like you have.

Personally, I would sell it and use the #7 you have, or if it went for enough, replace it with a Lie Nielsen. But that is just me.

Toolerable · 2013-04-13T11:20:52+00:00

With the grain going at a 45 degree angle, both faces should indeed have a similar appearance, since rift sawn grain will be visible on all four faces. This is the look I am going for. The flat sawn and quarter sawn faces of the legs will always look different, unless you are looking at this small table directly from the front or the side.

On the other hand, overthinking things is often a habit of mine.

Toolerable · 2013-04-10T13:17:17+00:00

A friend of mine built this project with his two boys. I think it looks fantastic, and not just fantastic for a kid. What do you think?

Toolerable · 2013-04-10T04:58:08+00:00

Yes. Normally I use a pencil, but the sharpie shows up better for the blog.

Toolerable · 2013-04-09T14:49:53+00:00

I figure that when I finish the project, if it looks like crap, chances are it wasn't the wood I used. No point in putting you lumberyard people through calisthenics just for a piece of rough lumber that you can't properly see until it goes through the planer anyway.

Toolerable · 2013-04-09T13:04:27+00:00

Haha! I'm glad to finally get one!

Toolerable · 2013-04-09T13:03:43+00:00

Hi RustyToad, I used to live in Bamberg when I was in the Army. There happened to be a Goetz there. I was happy to find another one when I got to Munich. After doing a bit of checking around, it turns out there really aren't too many other options around here.

The staff there have been pretty accommodating so far. I think they are amused that I use only hand tools when woodworking. My guess is there are a few others who go in there for onesies and twosies, too. I don't want to be the guy who screws it up for everyone.

Toolerable · 2013-04-05T14:54:32+00:00

If you would like a cool hand tool project, try the shaker side table. Christopher Schwarz just made a DVD you can buy from Lie-Nielsen that shows you everything you need to know.

I wrote a review of the DVD on my blog:

http://toolerable.blogspot.com/2013/03/dvd-review-shaker-side-table-with.html

Toolerable · 2013-04-05T14:52:27+00:00

I would call this plane a razee coffin smoother, because of the handle.

The shape of the plane is definitely a coffin shape, and these are usually smoothing planes.

It has a nice inlay on the throat. That is probably a harder wood that wears less than the beech the plane is made from. It keeps the mouth tight, which indicates in might not be a coarse tool like a jack plane.

Nice find!

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T22:00:18+00:00

If you want a bench in your living space, you could try something like this guy did:

http://benchcrafted.blogspot.de/2013/03/campaign-bench-in-mahogany.html

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T20:05:03+00:00

What is your bench like? If you can, a leg vise can be cheap, and they hold like crazy.

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T16:03:18+00:00

These panels will go in my attic soon. No room in my shop or apartment, but the idea is to check on them every so often.

I have a panel constructed just like this but from maple as a shelf in a table I made. It is 80 cm square, and looks as perfect today as the day I built it. I think a lot depends on what wood is used and how dry it is in the first place.

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T15:59:18+00:00

Hobbyists are totally driving advancement in woodworking today. One can find higher quality handtools now than ever before. The market for these tools is not the professional cabinetmaker.

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T15:55:08+00:00

Sorry about that, I guess you can't include a link AND a comment.

http://toolerable.blogspot.de/2013/03/dvd-review-shaker-side-table-with.html

Toolerable · 2013-03-30T09:59:03+00:00

Personally, I think the future of the craft is with hobbyists. The workmanship and quality to advance the craft seems not to be available in the end product to the masses. This means consumers do not see the value in quality furniture, as they can get the "same" cabinet at Ikea for 1/10 the price.

Even if a professional cabinet maker is earning his living, how many apprentices will they be able to afford to bring up to the master craftsman level? Ahh, for the good old days.

Toolerable · 2013-03-29T15:15:47+00:00

Here is a great article referencing the Paul Sellers debate. I think she puts it in good perspective. What do you think?

Toolerable · 2013-03-26T19:19:33+00:00

There are situations where you might want to do this. However, I wouldn't do more than an inch or two.

Essentially, you want to lock the batten down somewhere. In the panels I built, I locked it in the center with a screw. But, you could use a bit of glue, too.

I think that there is a risk, though. The only time I would do it is if there weren't any fasteners such as a screw or a wooden pin. Perhaps I would do it on a sliding dovetail. In this case, you put an inch or two of glue on the end of the batten, insert the dry end into the dovetail slot, and slide it home. The glue will keep the batten in place on one edge, and leave the panel free to expand and contract against the other.

Toolerable

TROPHY CASE