Did you make any Christmas gifts in your workshop this year? You’re not alone While visiting my favorite woodworking forums today I found several threads showcasing Christmas gifts.
Here are some of my favorite photos, followed by links to where you can see the whole threads for yourself:
Stu’s an Australian woodworking blogger who writes and video tapes his experiences and lessons learned while working in his shed. He’s also one of the few cheapskate woodworkers brave enough to take the quiz AND post his cheapskate badge ;D.
Pop a beer (don’t set it on his table saw though), relax and enjoy your tour of Stu’s Shed! (more…)
In many cases a quality combination blade will outperform lower grade dedicated rip and cross cut blades. Whether you choose to run only combo blades or switch your blades depending on your cuts is a matter of preference, what you’re cutting, how much you’re cutting, and the saw you’re cutting with. To help you make a decision on your next combo blade I visited the usual suspects (woodworking forums) and researched opinions.
I didn’t do any tests with these blades - the rankings/votes are based purely on each blade’s popularity in a forum. At the end of the post you’ll find the threads I counted along with info resources (…if you’re blade shopping because of bad cuts have you considered either cleaning or sharpening your current saw blades?)
Here goes - enjoy the showdown (cue tumbleweed, blowing sand and Sergio Leone music) (more…)
Festool lovers weep while Festool haters laugh and wink at their perfectly respectable collection of power tools. Why? Festool announced a price increase starting on February 1st, 2009.
We plugged the Festool price increase list supplied by McFeely’s into good old Microsoft Excel so we could get a feel for what’s going on with their prices.
You’ll end up raising your blood pressure learning software to design a picture frame when you should be making sawdust. Luckily for your health we found 10 free woodworking software tools designed for highly specific projects. Enjoy and if you’ve used these or know of any other free programs please comment them below.
Note: Clicking some of the links below will make your computer begin downloading zip files that contain programs that you have to install. There’s fair warning on each one.
If you value your sanity STOP READING RIGHT NOW. The following puzzle plans will not only challenge your woodworking ability, but your ability to control your anger and frustration when you attempt to master your own creations… Puzzle makers seem almost gleefully willing to share their secrets, perhaps because they are just the slightest bit sadistic
Join me now on a tour of 30 free 3D puzzle plans for woodworkers… and please don’t blame your newfound obsession on me
>> ToolCrib’s 3D Puzzle Awards
>> 3D Wooden Puzzle Design + Build Resources
>> 4 Put-Together Puzzle Plans
>> 7 Take-Apart Puzzle Plans
>> 15 Interlocking Solid Puzzle Plans
>> 3 Disentanglement Puzzle Plans
>> 2 “Just Plain Mean” Puzzle Plans (No Solutions)
>> 3D Puzzle Inspiration
>> My Sources
>> More Free Woodworking Plan Collections
>> 3D Puzzle Awards
Coolest Puzzles I couldn’t find plans for: Articulated Interlocking Sculpture Puzzles
These are by Peter Chapman, who describes his puzzles like this: “Each of these three dimensional interlocking puzzles is cut from a single piece of wood. The animal articulates and moves like the creature it represents. Sequentially locking pieces create a sculpture that stays together when locked with the eye piece. Best of all - every one has a surprise inside! ”
Best “scrap wood” puzzle: Bandsaw Puzzle Cubes
“Here’s one way to put some of your cherished chunks of thick stock to good use, producing casual gifts of irresistible appeal to young and old alike. Kids under ten can reassemble these puzzles in 30 seconds, grown-ups in only three or four minutes if they’re sharp.”
Most FIENDISH Puzzle: The 25 move (PDF)
All the moves on this box are very similar to the 14-19 box, but in this version there are four more “secret” sliders, that don’t seem to do anything. To start with, they won’t move at all! They only come into play at different times during the sequence of moves. Which makes it a bit irritating trying to get the box open…
My wife and I dropped by the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft during our recent Thanksgiving visit. I’m lucky she brought her camera - otherwise I would have not been able to share these exquisitely crafted wooden clocks by Lexington, KY woodworker Keith Chambers of Woodwerks.
If you’re just getting started shopping for a 14 inch band saw the choices can be overwhelming… I’ve read of woodworkers who spent over a year doing their 14 inch bandsaw research. And with good reason - these puppies can cost well over $1000 (though you can get a SOLID 14 inch for $500 and lower). To help you make your purchase decision I researched woodworkers’ and expert reviewers opinions on 14 inch bandsaws in 30+ different articles and forum threads.
Twelve 14 inch bandsaws made it onto the list, and they’re ranked below based on the number of “votes” or purchase recommendations I found. I also linked out to notable reviews for each machine. I did not do any pricing research, and the prices written below may not be in line with current prices on the sites I link to.
Before proceeding I have to quote woodnetter Jokerbird: “Few people regret having a bandsaw that is a bit too big or a bit too powerful.” Before dropping cash on a great 14 incher consider going up to 17 if your woodworking future could possibly require accommodation for big resawing projects.
The Top Twelve 14 Inch Bandsaws:
Here goes Please add your comments at the bottom if you’d had good or bad experiences with any of these machines.
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