Save a brain cell. Use a Calculator.

>> 20 Free Woodworking Calculators (you’ve already seen)
If you’re a regular reader (bless you) you’ve already seen these. For my new readers, these gems will help make your future projects just a little more relaxing :)

How To Calculate Board Feet for Your Woodworking Projects: 3 Calculators
10 Free “Project-Specific” Woodworking Software Programs
2 Free Cutlist Programs that Minimize Scrap for Woodworkers
5 and 1/4 Free Woodshop Layout Programs: Software for Workshop Layout

>> 14 Web Based Woodworking Calculators
These web-based calculators don’t require downloading of any kind! Not only are they free, but the processing power is free too, which is great news for any true woodworking cheapskate ;)

1) Calculator/Converter
“No more manually converting MM’s or Fractions.”

2) CROWN MOLDING CALCULATOR
“Version 2.03 – (Free) Calculate crown molding cutting on-line.”

3) 5 Carpentry Calculators
(Circular Arch and Segments, Common Rafter, Leg Load)

4) Dovetail Template Generator

5) Draw Sizer – Arithmetic Progression
“Computes graduated drawer sizes using arithmetic progression.”

6) Moisture Content Calculator
“Computes equilibrium moisture content of wood given relative humidity and temperature.”

7) Sagulator
“Calculates shelf sag (deflection) given type of shelf material, shelf load, length, width, and thickness.”

8) Shrinkulator
“A calculator for estimating dimensional changes in wood, either shrinkage or expansion, based on changes in the wood’s moisture content.”

9) Wood Finish Selector
“A screening tool that helps you choose the best clear finish for your woodworking projects.”

10) Wood Picker
“A screening tool that allows you to identify woods based on up to 10 different criteria such as weight, hardness, and strength.”

>> 5 Downloadable Woodworking Spread Sheets + 1 Printout
Spreadsheets – they’re not just for accounting anymore. These excels will help your woodworking become more excel-lent. Oh wow. Sorry about that one.

1) Segment Sizer
“A freeware Excel workbook that calculates arch moulding segment sizes – PC”

2) Arc Layout Program
“Excel 97 spreadsheet”

3) Cabinet Design Program
“An Excel spreadsheet program which designs all kinds of cabinets.”

4) Compound Miter Angles
Excel spreadsheet for figuring compound miter angles.

5) Raised Panel Calculator
Excel spreadsheet. Does all the calculations for raised panels, produces a rudimentary diagram and a cut list.

Handy Fraction/Decimal/Metric Conversion Chart

>> 5 Executable Woodworking Programs You Install
Yup, you have to download these. Yeah I know… AND install them. And they don’t even complete the projects for you ;) Just kidding – these nifty little free programs will save you lots of hassle!

1) CadStd Lite
“Lite” and free version of CADstd.

2) Template Maker
“Thomas Giammo has offered his “Template Maker” (219KB) which is a Windows program for constructing templates for the Incra & JointTech dovetail jigs.”

3) ShopMath
“Freeware- performs common geometrical calculations – PC – 3.01mb”

4) Polygon Angle Program
“It calculates the proper angles for polygons having 3 to 16 sides and side slopes from 0 to 60 degrees. It also shows you graphically what you need to cut and will even print out a drawing for you to take to the shop. Self-installing executable, 800k”

5) Wood Movement Calculator
“A program to calculate wood movement due to temperature and humidity changes.”

Our Sources for Compiling This List
Woodworking Software at WoodBin
Woodworking Software at WoodCentral
Woodworking Software at WoodWeb
Woodworking Software at InternetWoodworking.com
Woodworking Software at AllWoodWork.com
Woodworking Software at WoodworkersWorkshop.com

1) Grizzly Woodshop Planner
Very intuitive and easy to use. You can save your layouts with login/signup. Minimum dimensions are 6×6 feet. Includes a model of a cat or a dog for those who work with furry companions. Makes satisfying noises.

2) Delta Porter-Cable Shop Designer
Slick and intuitive. Includes tips and best practices for shop layout. Even better it has a user layout gallery. This shop designer tool has a minimum size of 12×16 feet.

2 1/2) Better Homes and Gardens Arrange a Room (login required)
Not for workshops obviously, but I thought it might come in handy if any of these others aren’t working for you. This one only counts as 1/2 of a workshop layout application.

2 3/4 Free Downloadable Woodshop Layout Software + Accessories
If you don’t mind adding new software to your computer – and the web-based layout software doesn’t work for you then consider some of the following applications…

3 1/2) Google SketchUp
If you get into SketchUp just to layout a shop then you will learn to love it for a number of woodworking design applications. Be sure to search SketchUp for models of your tools… it’s pretty likely that the work is already done for you.

4 1/2) Easyshop Shop Designer
This gets lots of good marks from the forums… as I understand it you can change the size of the tools so that you don’t have to think in terms of Grizzly or Delta/P-C…

5) Room Aranger (Layout to 3D Visualization)
This shareware is designed for room layout, but not necessarily shop layout. I’m not sure why you’d choose this over, say, the Grizzly shop layout tool above execpt that maybe you prefer 3D. Hurry though – you only have 30 days to test it out. This one only counts as 1/2 too – it shareware PLUS it’s for general rooms. Gosh, maybe I should only have given it 1/4 of a point.

5 1/4) Microsoft Visio Woodshop Stencils and Templates
Microsoft Visio’s not free – these stencils and template are though. They even beat Grizzly’s program’s stencils for shading and detail. Since this isn’t an app it gets only 1/4 of a point. For Visio users though it’s just what you need for great woodshop layout.

Workshop Layout Resources:
Woodshop Software
Ultimate Woodshop — Layout and Essential Tools
Shop Layout
Workflow Planning

Forum Thread Resources:
Software for workshop planning
Sketching up workshop layout; Software tools?
Small Woodworking Shop Layout
Any good sites for effective shop layout?
Need recommendations on new shop layout

In this track saw comparison I read through several forum threads discussing track saws and counted up the purchase recommendations. I did not use any of these tools myself! I hope that this comparison of recommendations, plus the links to my sources, will help you to make a better decision on how to spend your heard earned dollars.

Track Saw Comparison:
1) Festool TS 55 (or 75)

Votes: 13
Dewalt DWS520SK vs Festool TS55EQ – long with pictures (best comparison thread I’ve ever seen)
Festool TS 55 Circular Saw in Action video
#5 on Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service

2) EurekaZone (best buy on a budget)

Votes: 8
EurekaZone Forum at SMC
#2 on Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service
DIY Table Saw Alternative: EZ Guide + Circular Saw (From 2 years ago, when I first discovered tracks + circ saws)

3) Dewalt DWS520SK Track Saw

Votes: 3
Dewalt Track saw owner

4) Makita SP6000 + Rail System

SP6000 Video (Canadian)

Cutting Grid for Breaking Down Sheet Goods:
Knock-Down Sawhorse Cutting Grid

Track Saw Forum Threads:
Which track saw?
Dewalt DWS520SK vs Festool TS55EQ – long with pictures
Festool Saw with Guide Rail, or Dewalt Tracksaw?
Dewalt Track saw cost
Table saw vs. Track saw
Dewalt TrackSaw vs Table saw?
Festool T55/75 vs cab saw..

More Resources:
Talk about ways to cut down sheet goods
Getting Sheet Goods Home: 9 Ways to Reduce the Pain
15 Free Table Saw Outfeed Plans: Mobile Tables, Folding Tables, Outfeed Stands and More!
How To Calculate Board Feet for Your Woodworking Projects

Don’t do it.

I read through all 5 pages of comments and summarized 8 safety tips you could use to better protect your family, your tools, your livelihood (for some), and oh yeah – yourself. I guess we need to add battery chargers to our top 10 list of most dangerous power tools…

8 Tips for Battery Charging Safety from WoodNetters

1) Don’t leave batteries charging overnight. Ever.

2) Put battery chargers on a switched power strip that also runs your radio (or TV, or something you wouldn’t leave on)

3) Put battery chargers on interval timers – many only take an hour or two to charge fully.

4) Put a smoke detector in your shop/near your power tools.

5) Check to see if your batteries/tool have been recalled. (Search for recalls here >>)

6) Beware when formerly silent chargers start “singing” or whining.

7) Don’t trust the manual if it says it’s ok to leave batteries charging.

8) Have a separate insurance policy for powertool replacement costs.

Fire Starting Battery Charger has excellent discussion, some technical, some heart breaking, and all of it will help your resolve to change your battery charging habits.

Here’s a video of what happens in PC laptop lithium ion battery fires. Temperatures exceed 1,000 degrees (I assume that would be similar in power tools?):

Planing with a jointer – a tedious but do-able process – is a lesser-recommended technique for finishing the faces of your boards.

This article isn’t a how-to – it’s a collection of all the how-to’s and forum discussions I could find on the subject. It usually takes me a few times hearing something before I understand (just ask my wife ;)) so I figure it won’t hurt you to hear it from several different perspectives.

Here’s what you’ll find:
>> 5 Planing with a Router Resources
>> 9 Pro Articles on Jointing with a Router Table
>> 7 Forum Discussions on Router Jointing
>> 1 Router Jointing Product
>> 2 Jointing with a Router Videos

>> 5 Planing with a Router Resources
Most pros say it’s impossible, maybe they mean it’s impossibly tedious. Here are the few router planing resources I could dig up:

Router sled planer
“This is a sled that I made a couple years back before I bought a portable planer. It can help you to get a clean face on some rough sawn lumber.”

Planing with a Router – RouterForums (where else? ;))
-note the majority of the excellent discussion here revolves around building your own thicknesser rather than planing with your router ;)

Detailed Description of Planing with a Router – From that Router Forum Thread
“A few weeks ago, I had to flatten a board… I don’t have a thickness planer, etc…. I thought of the Router method… I quickly made a jig to do it… It was super simple and it worked great!!”

Using a Router to plane a Board Face – Router Forums

Surfacing Stock with a Router
- No pics, good description

>> Edge Jointing with a Router
Edge Jointing with a router is one of the most common non-jointer methods for getting straight and true edges on rough-milled lumber.

>> 9 Pro Articles on Jointing with a Router Table
Jointing With A Router: A workable compromise – Tom Hintz
“Let’s be clear. A dedicated jointer will always be the best choice for straightening the edge of a board. With proper setup and technique an edge can be made reasonably straight and square with a router.”
-See his video below, in the video section.

JOINTING ON THE ROUTERTABLE – Pat Warner
“A routertable is no substitute for a jointer but it can be handy for the short run, especially when used on material unfriendly to HSS jointer knives.”

Jointing on a Router Table (PDF) – WoodSmith
“A jointer has separate infeed and outfeed tables that are offset from each other. To create the same effect on the router table, I attached a piece of plastic laminate to the left (outfeed) side of the router table fence.”

Jointing on router table WoodworkingTips
“Even if you don’t own a jointer, you can do a top-notch jointing job with a router table, a piece of plastic laminate, and a straight bit.”

Edge Jointing on a Router Table – David Thiel, DIY Network
“A really wavy edge may be difficult to deal with on a jointer, but with a jig you can take care of the problem on a router.”

Building the Poor Man’s Jointer (PDF) – Practical Sailor
“Even if you own one of the big 6-inch, cast iron variety, I’m betting that you’ll find lots of uses for this little one (and that you may never miss the big jointer, if you don’t have one).”

Jointing Boards With the Router -FineWoodworking Reader Write In
“If you don’t have a jointer, this easy-to-use jig lets you joint boards with a router.”

Can the router table serve as a jointer? – WoodShopDemos
“Can the router table serve as a joiner? About 6 years ago I was preparing a technical manual on a router table and the manufacturer insisted that it could work. I set it up and was amazed at how well it worked.”

Jointing on a Router Table: How to Use – ProvenWoodworking.com
“You can use your router table to joint the edges of wood. It is simple and fast. The results are excellent.”

>> 7 Forum Discussions on Router Jointing
problem jointing with router – LumberJocks
Excellent trouble-shooting discussion. Highly useful read for first-timers.

Edge jointing large stock with a router.
-AWESOME tutorial from the Woodwhisperer’s new forum.
“I do have a jointer, but still edge joint with a router for long boards. I find it easier to control, and sometimes quicker. Moving large or long stock over a 6″ jointer isn’t always an accurate process.”

jointing with a shaper – WoodWeb
“I do this everyday on a dedicated shaper I have setup to only edge joint lumber. I use an outboard fence, meaning that the work piece runs between the fence and cutter head.”

Jointing/Milling router jig – LumberJocks
“This jig can joint/mill anything from 1/4”-14”. I simply set the fence with a combination square & run it past a bottom bearing template bit.”

Router used as jointer – WoodNet
Good, basic discussion.

Jointing with a Router – RidgidForum
Basic discussion, useful observations.

Jointing long boards – RouterForums
Great discussions on edginglong stock with a router.

>> 1 Router Jointing Product
Using a Router Table as a Jointer
-A how-to from Rockler, with links to products they made for router jointing.

>> 2 Jointing with a Router Videos
Sometimes you have to see it to believe it. These videos will help you get the concept down.

Jointing With a Router (by Tom Hintz)

The Original Jimmy Jig/router jointing to a finished edge

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
What is a Hybrid Table Saw? A Working Definition
When You Should Go for a Cabinet Saw Instead of a Hybrid
ToolCrib.com’s Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws
Hybrid Table Saw Ranking Resources

If you like this article then sign up for our email newsletter >> You can browse the ToolCrib.com newsletter archive here >>

Update: See the New Ridgid R4511 Granite Top Hybrid Table Saw. It’s liable to rank highly on this list once we get more information about it!

What is a Hybrid Table Saw? A Working Definition
In short, a hybrid table saw is larger than both the benchtop and contractor style table saws and smaller than the cabinet saw in terms of amperage. Some other key distinctions of the hybrid table saw include:

>usually cheaper than a cabinet saw
>has a cabinet for better dust control
>the motor’s inside the cabinet
>typically runs on 110v circuit
>often use contractor-style trunions

If you enjoy arguing on the internet you might appreciate the overly long semantical warfare of this WoodNet thread debating the difference (or lack thereof…) between cabinet saws and hybrids. It’s occasionally funny if you appreciate “zingers” and open hostility low-end cabinet saws vs. “high end” hybrids.

Also see:
Dumb question… what the heck is a “hybrid”?
Hybrid Table Saws
DIY Network: Exploring Hybrid Saws

When You Should Go for a Cabinet Saw Instead of a Hybrid
The Craftsman 22124 got 24 forum purchase recommendations, more than any other hybrid saw out there. I didn’t count them all, but I bet there were TWICE that many recommendations that woodworkers get a cabinet saw instead of a hybrid. Over and over (and over and over and over) woodworkers recommend to each other on forums that they spring for a low-end or used cabinet saw instead of a hybrid. This is not always an option for many woodworkers due to space, electric, or cash restrictions.

That said, if you’ve got upwards of $1,000 to drop you should at least consider the Grizzly 1023 (the #1 cheap cabinet saw recommendation by woodworking forum members).

ToolCrib.com’s Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws
Without further ado we proudly present the top 10 hybrid saws.

1) Craftsman 22124

Ranking:
24 Forum Recommendations
#2 ranking at Consumer Search >>

Craftsman 22124 Reviews:
Craftsman – 22124 Hybrid Tablesaw in Fine Woodworking
Craftsman Professional 10 in. Table Saw 22124 in Epinions
Craftsman Professional 10″ Hybrid Table Saw Lumber Jocks
Craftsman Professional 22124 10″ table saw in Lumber Jocks
Craftsman 221240 10-Inch Professional Tablesaw in Lumber Jocks
consumer review aggregation for Craftsman Professional 10 in. Table Saw
Craftsman Professional Table Saw Review in Palatable Woodworking

Forum Discussion on the 22124:
Craftsman 22124 compared to the GI 50-185M1 (sawmillcreek)
Sears 22124 vs Steel City 35670 saws (sawmillcreek)
Craftsman saw (woodnet)

List Price On 01-02-09:
$1199.99 >> (You can probably find it sub $800 if you wait for the right sale…)

2) Grizzly G0478

Ranking:
5 Forum Recommendations
Picked #1 at Tools of the Trade
#2 by Tom Begnal at Fine Woodworking
#2 in Popular Woodworking
#4 at Consumer Search

Grizzly G0478 Reviews:
Grizzly G0478 2 HP Hybrid Cabinet Saw Lumber Jocks
Grizzly 2 hp hybrid cabinet saw Lumber Jocks
4 1/2 stars with 11 reviews at Amazon

Forum Discussion on the G0478:
“Grizzly G0478 Hybrid Cabinet Table saw”
Grizzly G0478 or Jet JPS-10 (708482k)
Grizzly G0478 Cab Saw, anyone have one?
Before I leap, let me ask around! Buying the Grizzly G0478, (excellent grizzly fan flame war – funniest line: “Have fun humping your Griz when it arrives.”)
is this Grizzly hybrid a quality saw?
grizzly hybrid table saw

List Price as of 01/02/09:
$775.00 >>

3) Steel City 35670

Ranking:
6 Forum Recommendations
#1 in Popular Woodworking
#1 in Consumer Search

Steel City 35670 Reviews:
Steel City 35670 10 inch with 30-Inch fence, 1.75 hp, Cast Iron top in Lumber Jocks
Steel City 35900G in Consumer Search (a stoned, hybrid relative of the 35670)

Forum Discussions:
Anyone have the Steel City table saw 35670?
Sears 22124 vs Steel City 35670 saws
Steel City 65720 review
Jet ProShop vs SteelCity

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,099.99 >>

4) JET JPS-10

Ranking
13 Forum Recommendations
Tom Hintz reviewed and recommends this one regularly in forum discussions about hybrid saws
4 stars + 9 reviews in Amazon

Reviews of the Jet ProShop:
JET JPS-10TS ProShop Saw review by Tom Hintz

Forum Discussions:
“Jet ProShop Table Saw – Experiences or Opinions”
Jet Proshop vs TS3650 (Ridgid Forum)
Delta Hybrid or Jet Pro Shop (WoodNet)
Jet ProShop vs SteelCity

Video: JET ProShop Table Saw Review by Tom Hintz

List Price 01-02-09:
$999.99 >>

5) Woodtek 148-271

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation
#1 at Fine Woodworking for Value and Performance (which made this the most over-discussed saw of 2008…)
#3 at Consumer Search

Woodtek Reviews:
Woodtek – 148-271 Hybrid Tablesaw brief review by Fine Woodworking

Forum Discussion:
Wait for Woodtek 10″ Hybrid…or

List Price 01-02-09:
$929.99 >>

6) Dewalt DW746X

Ranking:
3 Forum Recommendations
#3 at Tools of the Trade

DeWalt DW746X Reviews:
DeWALT DW746X TABLE SAW
DeWalt Woodworker’s Table Saw DW746 (epinions)
4 stars, 17 reviews at Amazon

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,174.93 >>

7) Delta 36-717

Ranking:
2 Forum Recommendations

Delta 36-717 Reviews:
Delta – 36-717 Hybrid Tablesaw in Fine Woodworking
Delta 36-714 10-Inch Left Tilt Hybrid Saw Lumber Jocks
4 Stars + 34 Reviews at Amazon

Forum Discussion:
Delta Hybrid or Jet Pro Shop (WoodNet)
Delta 36-717 Hybrid/Biese BT3Central
Delta Hybrid SMC

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,149.00 >>

8) General 50-220C M1

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation

General 50-220C M1 Reviews:
General International Table Saw Model 50-220CL M1
General Int’l 50-200 Cabinet Table Saw Epinions

Forum Discussion:
General 50-220C Table Saw (SMC)

US Distributors for General >>

9) Shop Fox W1748

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation

List Price 01-02-09:
$979.99 >>

10) Hitachi C10LA

Hitachi C10LA Reviews:
Hitachi – C10LA Cabinet Saw – Roland Johnson in Fine Woodworking
Hitachi C10FL 10″ Stationary Table Saw Lumber Jocks

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,407.78 >>

Hybrid Table Saw Ranking Resources
The “forum recommendations” mentioned above are any time a forum member makes a purchase recommendation (”I have/had this saw and love/d it”) for a given saw. In the case of the Woodtek, which got great reviews from Fine Woodworking, there weren’t any forum/user reviews available so we ranked it lower than other more tried and true favorites. In cases where a saw had multiple thumbs up from magazines we ranked these above saws more popular in the forums. We tend to skew towards forum recommendations as a key indicator for making our recommendations though there are certainly issues of objectivity. That said, magazine reviews are far from objective too. ALWAYS try a saw before you buy to make sure it fits your needs and expectations. If you can’t try it, don’t buy it.

Pro Review Sources:
Hybrid Table Saws (Tools of the Trade)
Hybrid Saws (ConsumerSearch.com review aggregation)

Hybrid Table Saw Resources from ToolCrib:
Grizzly 1023 vs. Delta Unisaw and Craftsman Hybrid
A Table Saw Buying Guide: Benchtop vs Contractor vs Cabinet vs Hybrid

Hybrid Table Saw Forum Discussions:
Best Hybrid Table Saw?
Hybrid Table Saw
Hybrid table saws
hybrid table saw review
table saw
Newbie needs help picking out a hybrid table saw
contractor vs hybrid table saw
New Table saw
Wait for Woodtek 10″ Hybrid…or
is this Grizzly hybrid a quality saw?
grizzly hybrid table saw
New Tablesaw Purchase – Hybrid or Cabinet?
Need table saw recommendations/advice
Steel City hybrid saw with riving knife and granite top
table saw?
Hybrid Saws
Anybody got a Hybrid Table Saw?

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.

>> Free Picnic (etc…) Table Design Software
Just in case our list of 32 picnic table plans didn’t end your quest for the perfect picnic table, software designer David Eidsness provides the ultimate tool… Picnic Table Design Software. (See all of Eidsness’ software here >>)

Picnic Table Design Software (Zip file for PC only) >>

“This Windows operating system software will produce detailed picnic table plans based on the users input. With a few mouse clicks, you can easily design a picnic table sized for babies, children, adults, extra tall persons, and wheel chair accessible. Other than square cuts, the software is programmed to use only two angles for ease of construction and aesthetics.”
His picnic table software is also available from Downloads.com >>

Patio Table Software (Zip file for PC only) >>

XFrame Table and Bench Software (Zip file for PC only)

Coffee Table Calculator
Web based applications from Router Workshop, perhaps overly simple. Suitable for picnics in your living room…

>> Free Picture Frame Design Software
Frame Maker Ver. 1.5 >>

“It’s a small picture frame or picture calculating program; which would come in handy for anyone building picture or other frames.”

>> Free Sawhorse Design Software
So you’re still on the hunt for the ultimate sawhorse plans? if you didn’t find what you need from us then your only recourse is to download this software and get busy with your own designs.

Sawhorse Software (Zip file for PC only) >>

>> Free Small Barn and Shed Design Software
If you’ve been through our 23 free workshop and shed plans and you didn’t find one that suits you, these programs from David Eidsness may be what you’re looking for.

“Baby Barn” Design Software (Zip file for PC only) >>

Garden Shed Design Software (Zip file for PC only) >>

Gazebo Layout Calculator (web based) >>

>> Free Cabinet Design Software
There are many cabinet design software applications out there. There are many free TRIALS available for cabinet design software. This is the only cabinet design software I found that was completely and totally free. Remember… you ALWAYS get what you pay for…

Easycab Pro Builder 7.0.0 >>

Cabinet design software woodworking software. Raised panel sides, backs, and drawers. Inland, base, uppers, calculates up to 50 cabinets at a time. Library viewer for quick selection of cabinets. Wood editor, build lists.

In case you’re designing boxes/carcasses without all the fixtures, this web-based Box Calculator from Router Workshop should prove marginally more helpful than paper and pencil >>

>> Free Stair Design Calculator
Stair Calculator (web based) >>

>> Other Calculators and Software Useful for Project Woodworking
How To Calculate Board Feet for Your Woodworking Projects
2 Free Cutlist Programs that Minimize Scrap for Woodworkers
The Sagulator >> Calculate shelf sag (deflection) given type of shelf material, shelf load, load distribution, dimensions, and method of attachment.
The Wood Picker >> identify candidate woods for a woodworking project.
ShopMath Freeware Version >> “It allows the user to perform common geometrical calculations and unit conversions. The program also provides information on simple techniques to help in laying out geometrical forms. The intent of the program is to provide help to the woodworkers in solving mathematical and geometrical problems.”

>> My Free Woodworking Software Sources
Woodbin’s List of Free Woodworking Software (AWESOME) >>
Badger Pond Woodworking Downloads

>> Lists that Include Free Woodworking Software, and Many Paid

Woodweb’s Woodworking Software List >>
Woodworking Software List from IWW >>
All Woodwork’s Free and Demo Software List >>
Woodworker’s Workshop Software List >>

So the love of your life and kids don’t know what to get your for Christmas? You’re not alone. Don over at WoodNet mentions the same problem here: 2008 wish list gadgets/ gizmo’s. The good folk of WoodNet chime in to suggest a number of suitably inexpensive gifts that you can use to brain storm gift ideas when people ask: “so what do you want for Christmas?”

You could send them this list of 7 stupid laser guided tools to tell them what NOT to get ;)

The list below is more or less in the order that I found it in the forum thread. A few are over $30 – I put warnings on them.

1) Consumables
Gloves, foam brushes, sandpaper, router bits, etc…

2) Wixey Digital Angle Gauge

3) Digital Caliper

Calipers mentioned in 9 Woodworking Tools You Wish You had Bought Earlier >>

4) Wixey Digital Thickness Gauge for Planer (+$30 warning)

5) Card Scraper (Under $10)

6) Lumber Wizard Metal Detector

Great for treating found and salvaged lumber: Lumber Salvage: The Top 10 Sources for Cheap, Free and Recycled Wood

7) Fire Extinguisher

8) Peltor Worktunes (+$30 warning)

9) Zero clearance inserts

10) Wood
Pro Tip: You’re gonna want to be as specific about variety, shape, size etcetera. Make it easy on your loved ones to shop for ya ;)

11) Clamps

Parallel Clamps: Jet vs. Bessey
Don’t let them read: Cheap, DIY Clamp Alternatives

12) Woodworking DVDs

13) Spokeshave

14) Mortise Chisels

15) 220v DC Remote Control (+$30 warning)

16) Veritas wonder dogs (+$30 warning only by a little)

17) Holdfasts

18) A Good Square (+$30 warning)

Top 4 Most Used Woodworking Squares

And of course you could always ask for a Harbor Freight gift card… just make sure you bring your Harbor Freight buying guide ;)

Other Resources for Finding Great Woodworking Gifts:
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better >>
Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service >> (if you’re considering gift certificates…)

What if you could consistently determine the most efficient way to cut your wood stock down into project-ready pieces?

First off you’d save yourself money – quite a big chunk over time depending on how much wood you buy. Some other repercussions? You’d have no need for articles like: 11 Ideas for Wood Cut Offs, and you could strike the cut off storage plans off your list of wood storage plans.

So if you’re willing to save money and give up your future cut off supply (you have probably saved more than you can ever use anyways ;) then you should give these two free programs a try. I found these two programs in the Woodnet thread: one of the best tools I have found in a while

1) Cutlist Generator

“This program creates a diagram showing the stock pieces and how the required parts may be cut from them. Data may created, deleted, modified and saved to a file for later use. Users can specify the width of material lost during cutting (saw blade kerf width), and the minimum dimension of waste material to report. Solution searches give priority to crosscuts (vertical on the screen) or rip-cuts (horizontal) first or will try a Combination approach using all possible mixes of both types of cuts.”

This particular application – which you will have to download to your computer and run from there – has mentions from many many woodworking forums. It’s often compared to Cutlist Plus, a more polished program that costs between $90 and $500. Most say it’s not as good looking or quite as easy to use, but it’s free and “works well for my usage” according to most everyone. Pages linking to this program (might prove useful if you have any specific questions or problems…)

Check out the Cutlist Sheet Stock Maximizer >>

2) Solving “the Cutting Stock Problem”

“The Cutting Stock problem requires that we find the best (cheapest) way to cut one-dimensional stock pieces (pipe, dimensional lumber, wire, rolls of paper or other sheet material to be slit, etc.) in such a way that a given number of pieces of specified lengths or widths are created.”

Like sheet stock, linear stock can pose thorny mathematical problems when trying to minimize waste. This program will do the thinking for you! For free. What’s not to love?

Check out the linear stock maximizer program >>

1) Good Security Lighting Outside
Good security lighting lets people from the street, neighbors, and YOU see what’s happening on your property. This means eliminating large shadows and making sure that you’re not creating a glare anywhere – shadows and glare are friends to thieves. Also, bright-white light allows for the highest rate of accurate identification of intruders. Check out this article on construction site security lighting for more tips.

2) Dogs
Enough said. Nearly everyone posting in that SMC thread that inspired this article wrote about getting a dog. The former insurance adjustors who posted on the thread said that they never filed insurance claims at houses with dogs. See Top Dogs for Security Work and Top Dogs for Watchdog Barking and Dogs Least Likely to Succeed at Watchdog Barking.

3) Reduce Your Workshop’s “Curb Appeal”
In other words, if no one can see that you have nice tools they won’t steal them. Keep the inside lights OFF when you’re not in there, the curtains drawn and if it’s a garage workshop invest in dust collection rather than keeping the door open. Other things that reduce curb appeal and window shopping include trimming hedges and removing cover that intruders could use to hide behind.

4) A Warning About Craigslist!
Not to frighten you away from selling your goods, but thieves sometimes prowl Craigslist postings to find good targets. And why not? They can come in posing as a buyer and see if your goods – or other items in your shop – are worth stealing. One SMC commenter took extra precaution when a potential craigslist buyer seemed to have NO IDEA what the machine did. Another says he always shows for sale items AWAY from his shop. Unfortunately you have to be somewhat wary of the buying public…

5) Your Neighbors Are Your Best Defense
No matter how you happen to feel about them, your neighbors are one of your best defenses against theft on your property. Especially the nosey ones. Consider joining your neighborhood watch, or even starting one. This goes double if there’s been an increase in break ins in your area (you can monitor neighborhood crime that gets reported using Google Alerts). If you’re more of the community organizer type check out this article on increasing your neighborhood security.

6) Create a Tool Inventory List + Etch the Serial Numbers
Tool inventories and etched serial numbers are not theft deterrents, but they can sure help in the event that cops try and track your tools down in the local pawn shops. These safeguards also show the insurance agency that you went the extra mile and should help your claims in the case that your workshop is hit.

7) Alarms and Fake Alarm Systems: Warning Stickers and Foil Tape
You may not need to invest in an entire alarm system… sometimes blinking red lights and foil tape on your windows will be enough to deter potential thieves. On the other hand, why not really protect yourself and install an actual alarm? You will need to spend some time doing price comparisons and shopping for options…

8) Motion Sensor Alarm Horn and Lights Inside the Shop
Nothing gets a criminal running like a piercing blast of an air horn. I read of some shop owners who rigged horns and lights to motion detectors inside their shops. This line of defense is sure to wake you up too so that you can deal with the intruders as you see fit. Just make sure your animals can’t or don’t get in the shop…

9) Limit Onsite Worker Access and Visibility
In construction site crime it’s often an inside job – sub contractors scope out theft opportunities and come back later with their buddies. The same can happen when you have workers in at your house. I’m not trying to sew suspicion here or cast a shadow on any contractors. That said, if no one knows it’s there it won’t get stolen. If possible keep your valuable power tools locked and out of site when you have workers in at your house.

10) A Tool Crib or Safe Box for Very Expensive Tools
Put all your Festools and other highly valuable, highly portable tools away in a lock box inside your workshop. A lock box is an especially good combination with a motion sensor and horn – it keeps thieves from dashing out with your tools before the cops show up to your 911 call. This could be an over-expensive solution for some, but for others it could be just the right compliment.

11) Strong Bars, Locks and Doors
Because thieves want to get in and out so quickly they are not prone to picking locks. They are far more likely to bash a door in. Strong bars on windows and strong locks on strong doors will keep your power tools safe. I also read of someone stopping a garage door track with a vice grip – and my dad always unplugs his garage door opener when he leaves the garage. His shops in the basement though but that’s another story…

12) Call Your Insurance Agent And Keep Your Tool Documentation Up to Date
If this article put a little fear in you consider at least contacting your insurance agent and making sure that your tools are covered. If so, make sure that you’ve followed the appropriate procedures for documenting all your tools. This will likely include inventory lists, records of receipts, proofs of purchase and video documentation.

Honorable Mention Tip: In Rural Areas Do Target Practice Regularly
I’m not sure how effective this idea is, but I had to include it. If you’re in a rural area consider putting up a berm and conduct regular target practice. The sound of gun shots makes a great reminder to would-be criminals that you’re exercising your 2nd amendment.

Other More or Less Related Resources
How do you prevent theft/break-ins at your shop?
Can You Claim Power Tool Depreciation on Taxes?
Are Your Power Tools Covered in Your Insurance?

Tags: workshop, security,, woodshop, security,, power, tool, security