SawStop inventor Steve Gass decided that a hot dog just isn’t cutting it anymore… So he put his OWN FINGER into the spinning blade on national television…

I saw this over at the Wood Whisperer, where there’s a lively conversation going on in the comments: Sawstop Inventor Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is
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Nail Jack Tools - an American nail-pulling tool manufacturer - has reportedly entered into an agreement to purchase the Vise-Grip factory in DeWitt, Nebraska, according to a recent announcement made on the factory floor. The Vise-Grip factory, currently owned by Irwin Tools, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, went up for sale in early September, 2008 when the owners finalized plans to move all Vise-Grip manufacturing to China. News of the factory’s closing attracted national attention, along with condolences from national figures like Paul Harvey and President-Elect Barack Obama. At least some of the 330 workers from DeWitt may simply be changing employers rather than losing their jobs, which would be good news for a manufacturing facility located in a small Nebraska village of only 560 people.

But who exactly is Nail Jack Tools, the company reportedly in talks to buy the Vise-Grip factory? Google knows all - here’s what I found…
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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.
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Can woodworking compete with video games, text messaging and the internet? To put it another way do you think YOU would have gotten interested in woodworking if you had grown up in this “golden” era of entertainment technologies? My guess is that you would have…

Why? There was someone in your life who encouraged you and helped pass along a love of working with your hands. There’s a reason why Dads placed 2nd in our Guide to Your 31 Most Influential Woodworkers…

To keep the woodworking torch lit you have to bring kids (grand kids, children, neighborhood kids) into the tradition. I found a WoodNet thread recently that inspired me to gather resources and plans for anyone who wants to encourage a love of woodworking in children. Here’s the thread: Getting Kids interested in Woodworking.

This article is about passing along a love of woodworking so all the plans I mention will be more or less suitable for kids using hand tools with close supervision. And remember - start teaching them about safety from the start. Here are some safety tips for kids from BuildEazy: a bit about safety >>

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
Woodworking Project Ideas for Kids
Tips and Suggestions on Kids and Woodworking
Free Plans for Kids Woodworking Projects
Video of Woodworking with Kids
More Woodworking with Kids Resources:
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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.
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Whether you’re just dreaming it or you’re ready to build it, the backyard workshop is the ultimate for every woodworker. Just ask the guys who have one This collection of links to plans, articles, books, videos - all free - shows you a wide range of possibilities so you can mix and match ideas to build the workshop of your dreams.

Remember though: “Before you begin work, contact your local building codes office and find out about necessary permits or other requirements for this type of building.”

What’s in this Workshop Building Plan Collection
–> 4 Remarkable Workshop Ideas, Plans and Guides
–> 3 True “Workshop” Plans
–> 12 Sheds You Could Enlarge
–> 4 Shed Foundations and Floor Guides
–> 4 Shed Construction Videos
–> 8 Free Shed Plan Pages I Used to Compile This Page
–> 11 More Free Plan Collections

–> 4 Remarkable Workshop Ideas, Plans and Guides

1) The Pallet Shed - the Ultimate in Cheapskate Refinement
Insulated? It… could be. Big enough for your table saw and your router table and workbench and jointer and planer? Erm… maybe with a few engineering tweaks to the structure. Are there any actual plans? Nope - you’ll have to wing it, just like everyone else who builds structures with pallets. Is it expensive? Not in terms of cash

This in-construction picture is from a page with pictures of 7 different sheds and other structures built from pallets. See them here: Pallet Sheds >>

If you’re seriously considering building with pallets then you don’t need to take the cheapskate woodworker quiz

2) GENERAL BARN AND UTILITY SHED PLANS (23 plans in PDF from the University of Tennessee)
When it comes to free plans it’s tough to beat the guys at the University of Tennessee. I had a tough time finding plans that would really provide enough square footage for a SERIOUS woodworking shop. You will probably have to REDUCE THE SIZE of the plans on that list… (and take out some of the stalls .

See all 23 General Barn and Utility Shed Plans from UT >>

3) Oak Lawn Vehicle Barn and Workshop
The Oak Lawn Four-Bay Car Barn… Loft? CHECK. 24′ x 28′? CHECK. Cars? H*** NO!!!

The Oak Lawn Four-Bay Car Barn >>
NOTE: This free plan requires that you give up your name and email…

4) Frank Pellow’s Workshop
Frank Pellow started building his dream workshop two months after he retired in 2003. He’s an active woodworking forum poster (now in FamilyWoodworking.org) and asked LOTS of questions about functionality and best practices. But best of all he wrote down every step he took, every idea he incorporated, and every design decision he made in a book and published it online.

Download The Story of a Woodworking Shop by Frank Pellow (188 pages in PDF) >> (very slow download… it’s being hosted by a friend of Frank’s, Mr. Stu Ablett who also posts at FamilyWoodworking)
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Theft sucks. There’s no other way to put it. It leaves you feeling violated and all to aware of your vulnerability. That’s why there’s no time like the present to increase the security you have on your power tools… Thanks to the good folks at SawmillCreek for starting the lively thread How do you prevent theft/break-ins at your shop? which served as inspiration for this article.

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.
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Like clamps and free lumber, storage is always scarce when you need it. These free storage plans will help you tame the clutter in your workshop and make you more productive, efficient, and smarter. Or, at least they will make you LOOK like you are

Enjoy!

–> My 4 Favorite Shop Storage Plans
–> 2 Rolling Cabinet/Shop Cart Plans
–> 3 Tool Cabinets/Shelves Plans
–> 2 Storage Shelf Plans
–> 1 Under Stair Storage Plan
–> More Free Woodworking Plans

–> My 4 Favorite Shop Storage Plans
Mod Your File Cabinet for the Work Shop

“I started to work on a system of 1⁄4″ hardboard inserts for storing saw blades, router bits and sanding supplies-including discs and sheets-turning the cabinet into a very functional part of my shop.” This one gets my reuse/recycle award - very clever way to reuse old file cabinets!

Small Shop Storage Solutions

“The keys to making big things in a little shop are organization, out-of-the-way storage, and nesting or collapsible work surfaces.” CEILING DRAWERS? Niiiiiiiice… This link includes several plans for small shops, but I geeked hard over those ceiling drawers…

Corded Power Tool Shelf

“Besides providing storage, this tool shelf solves another nagging problem as well — it keeps the power cords from getting tangled up like spaghetti.” Smart, simple, addresses common power tool storage problems. What more could you ask for… it’s a free plan!

Rotating Corner Shelves

“This bin rotates on a pair of lazy Susan rings to maximize corner space and provide quick, easy access. A stationary upper shelf secured to the wall steadies the bin so it’ll spin easily and won’t tip over.” I think this is one of those good ideas in pictures but kind of lame in practice… You tell me. I was won over by the idea though.

–> 2 Rolling Cabinet/Shop Cart Plans
Rolling shop cabinet

“At its core, this project is a simple plywood cabinet. I chose contrasting wood to add visual appeal. Walnut drawer fronts and edging for the top provide a nice dark contrast against the pale maple and birch of the rest of the cabinet. I also made my own maple drawer pulls to add a little flair.”

Shop Cart/Table Saw Extension

“I had been contemplating buying or building a table saw extension wing for some time and finally decided on making a simple cabinet on wheels. This cart is the result.” No plans, just pics and descriptions.

–> 3 Tool Cabinets/Shelves Plans
Tool Cabinet/Shelves (PDF)

“Today’s woodworker needs a different kind of storage space, geared toward power tools. Our tool chest is just the ticket.”

Pegboard Storage Cabinet

Here’s how to make a simple pegboard cabinet that can greatly increase your storage area.

Folding Peg-Board Cabinet

–> 2 Storage Shelf Plans
Super-Size Cabinets

“With this 2×2 frame and panel system, you can add 80-plus cubic feet of storage in an afternoon”

Building a basement storage solution

“On going through the junk in my basement, I got annoyed at all the cardboard boxes in bad shape holding various parts and junk, and I figured I should build some wooden boxes to hold the stuff instead. Of course, if I build those boxes, I might as well make something to hold the boxes in an orderly fashion too. And hence this project.”

–> 1 Under Stair Storage Plan
Under-Stair Storage Cabinets

“The cabinets roll out for easy access to the items stored in them, and they add a finished look to the area when they’re stowed away.”

–> More Free Woodworking Plans
20 Free Cutting Board Plans + the 4 that Blew My Mind
15 Free Mobile Base Plans: Put Your Power Tools on Wheels
Wood Storage 101: 14 Lumber Storage Plans and 7 Storage Tips
32 Free Picnic Table Plans + Top 3 Most Awesome Picnic Table Plan Awards
15 Free Toolbox Plans for Woodworkers
24 Free Sawhorse Plans in the Hunt for the Ultimate Sawhorse
ToolCrib.com’s Ultimate Guide to Free Woodworking Workbench Plans
9 Sandpaper Storage Ideas (+ free plans)
ToolCrib.com’s Ultimate Guide to Free Router Table Plans
ToolCrib.com’s Ultimate Guide to the Crosscut Sled

WAIT! You don’t have to buy a new battery for your drill just because the old one won’t hold a charge anymore! There are some great companies who will rebuild those batteries for you… AND some great companies that will sell you the parts you need to rebuild batteries yourself. As ever I take my initial inspiration for this post from Woodnet: Batteries and Drills….

2 Companies that Rebuild Rechargeable Batteries
Building/Refurbishing Rechargeable Batteries Yourself
Battery Forums
Battery Pack Theory Pages
Information from Battery Rebuilding DIYers
Battery Rebuilding Videos
Other Battery Rebuilding Resources

Companies that Rebuild Rechargeable Batteries
First and foremost I have to mention Jason Abel of MTOBattery who posts regularly at both WoodNet AND SawmillCreek. I know from experience that WoodNet can be a tough crowd. If several members there openly and eagerly endorse Mr. Abel then I think you’d do well to have him rebuild your batteries.
Jason Abel of MTOBattery >>

Secondly I’d like to point out the folks over at VoltmanBatteries.com Now they didn’t have any forum recommendations I saw but they seem like they have a good time repairing batteries. Plus they made a funny video that I embedded below in the video section. They’re worth checking out if Mr. Abel can’t get to you

Building/Refurbishing Rechargeable Batteries Yourself
Every battery pack is different, and most of them connect to your cordless power tools using proprietary systems. Most of the smaller batteries inside your battery pack are NOT proprietary. If you decide to rebuild your batteries yourself then you should definitely do some searches on your particular make and model of power tool. There could very well be a tutorial out there already written. I also want to scare you a little if you’re planning to DIY… this is from the excellent forum at BatterySpace:
“OK, I got all inspired by this and rebuilt my 14.4 Dewalt battery with 4200mAH NiMH bats…. It has not gone well.”

Battery Forums
Your first and foremost resources should be the forums at the rechargeable battery suppliers sites - they don’t sell the whole battery packs, but rather the pieces and parts that go into the battery packs. I found two such forums and you will need to spend some time there as well as in the stores that relate to each one.

Battery Space Forums >>
All Battery Forums >>

Battery Pack Theory Pages:
Both links here probably fall into the “too much information” category. If I was about to start this project I wouldn’t want to bog my head down with theory. Then again, that’s probably why I would mess up the first couple of times. Anyways, if you’re the theory type who prefers to understand what’s going on rather than following direction I suggest both of these pages.

Engineering Guidelines for Designing Battery Packs
Assembling your own battery packs

Information from Battery Rebuilding DIYers:
how to build the Milwaukee SuperTough 12V Battery pack (PDF)
This *should* be the only guide you need for rebuilding your batteries. It’s 11 PDF pages long and full of great pictures and thorough explanation. Again you should search for your particular make and model first, but this is a great place to start (I was an english major in college though, not electrical engineering so I can’t vouch for if he’s right or not - also I cannot vouch for my grammar, so there you go).

Rebuilding a Craftsman 18 Volt Pwer Tool Battery
This is a good write up that should extend beyond just the Craftsman. The original author includes his email address so I assume you could write him with questions if the forum fails you. Here’s the author: “The project took about 2 hours and the total cost was really just the cost of the batteries – around $30. A genuine Craftsman replacement battery would run about $80 with clones costing around $50.”

Battery Rebuild DIY Projects
Here is a list of DIY projects that Battery Space paid to have written… Some are better than others. You may or may not be able to ask questions of the writers. You will get a response from someone, but English is not likely to be a first language for them.

Ni-Cad Rebuilding
This has one of the best write ups of the pitfalls of battery rebuilding that I found. It’s very straightforward. It’s from the This Old House forums.

Rebuilding the Makita Battery Pack
This write up is more of a warning than anything, as the writer was unable to fix his battery pack for less than the cost of a new battery pack. That happens.

DIY Cordless Drill Battery Improvement This brief how-to shows breaking open and rebuilding the battery pack on a DEWALT drill.

Homemade Spot Welders: Apparently most battery cells come with tabs pre-soldered to them so you don’t really need a spot welder. Plus they are expensive. Plus, if you’re crazy enough you just might want to build your own even though batteries come with pre-soldered tabs: The Home-Brew Spot Welder Also see: Homemade Spot Welder.

Battery Rebuilding Videos
Video from Voltman Batteries:
This is mostly a long advertisement for them, but it does show some of the basics of battery building about 2/3 through. Be patient and enjoy the incredible special effects they brought George Lucas in for

Batterypack Repair Demo for Battery House:
Again, this is more of an ad than anything, but there are little clues that could help you in your particular situation.

DIY battery pack making:
An excellent video - I think it’s more targeted towards remote control applications but they appear to cross over nicely with power tools.

Other Battery Rebuilding Resources
Find a Drop Off Location Near You for Recycling Dead Batteries
BatterySpace forums Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (FAQ’s)
10 Battery Hacks
Rebuilding a Roomba Battery for Less
Battery Recharger Repair
HOW-TO: Rebuild your laptop battery

ToolCrib.com got Digested! No, not by zombies in the work shop on Halloween - by Reader’s Digest! We’re happy and excited to announce that Reader’s Digest listed ToolCrib.com as a great site for those seeking low prices on power tools. We made it into their print as well as their online magazine.

Check us out on page 5 of More Ways to Get a Great Deal on Anything

Thanks to the great folks at Reader’s Digest, and be sure to check out the whole article, starting on page one. There are some great suggestions: Page 1: More Ways to Get a Great Deal on Anything.