Highdesert Splintermaker
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Posts posted by Highdesert Splintermaker
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I want one of those systems that shrinks or expands things from the movie "Honey I shrunk the kids". Think of all the material savings. You could turn little scraps into full sheets of lumber and when your done with your project you could condense your entire shop to fit in a drawer.
That would work just great 'till you took the shop out of the drawer and as you restored it to full size the tiny splinter in your finger grew to the size of a 2x4.
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Hey! A light saber with a sonic rip fence and a sonar depth stop - perfect for removing those tight knots from clear birds eye maple - right??
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An update to my earlier complaint about no quality 8" bench top jointers available in today's market. I've been in touch with the power tool manufacturer that's currently playing catch up with a 6 week backlog of its helical head 6" jointers. Essentially I told their customer service rep. most of what I cited in my earlier entry under this topic. Consequently, they are apparently somewhat surprised to confirm my market assessment and are seriously looking into producing an 8" bench top helical head jointer similar to their current 6" jointers. It may even already be in the design stage. I've been advised to keep checking for product line updates. Wonders never cease!
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Is it a metal casing or plastic?
Its the all metal version without double insulation or a three prong plug. I replaced the power cord many years ago. Perhaps I should retrofit a new three wire cord with the grounding plug.
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I'd love to have the Senco Fusion Finish nailer.
Most of my nailing will be done in the shop so right now I'm looking at a two gun and compressor kit from Hitachi. The kit (KNT65APR) contains the EC510 compressor, the NT65MA4 15g, angled finish nailer, the NT50AE2 18g finish nailer, plus a hose and a few strips of nails - all for just over $200. Its like getting the compressor free. The reviews I've read put this set somewhere in the above average but less than exceptional quality category. Does anyone out there have experience with this or similar Hitachi equipment?
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Shopmate ¼" Drill - I selected it as a prize for new subscriptions as a Cleveland Press carrier in 1958. Yep! I've had it for 55 years and, although I seldom use it (aren't those cordless drills handy) it still works.
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My list is slowly getting shorter but I fear that, to woodworkers, that next tool is every bit as addictive as fishing rods, reels, and lures are to fishermen. Right now I'm looking at pneumatic nailers & compressors, compact fixed/plunge routers, and making my own dust abatement system. That should keep me busy 'till next Fathers Day. As to the source of those tools - my two unreasonable facsimiles are off having kids of their own. We need a grandfather's day - - Yeah!
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Most of us still have that one tool we've put off buying but still want. If only I had that new
? I could - etc. - etc. - etc. So tell us what tool you're eyeing, and what project you'd undertake if it magically appeared in your shop on Father's day!-
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I've already posted my answer to this question under another thread - something about "Are tool manufacturers stupid or what?"
My response, however, is that I'd like to see 1.) a drill press designed for woodworking, and 2.) a reasonably priced 8" helical bench jointer. Reasons and details are as cited in my previous post.
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Both Lowes & Home Depot have multiple stores in the Reno/Sparks area. If one store doesn't have what I need their sister store usually does. We also have a couple ACE Hardware stores but I find their prices are not competitive. All offer Veterans a 10% discount on any for-personal-use purchase - just show your military or VA ID. Neither Lowe's nor Home Depot's web sites will allow the Veteran's discount when ordering online but you can place your order by phone and get it. I've not tried to order anything by phone or online from ACE.
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I don't know if they are stupid or simply unobservant. Most businesses today are holding every nickel so close to their eyes they can't see a dollar two feet away. They would all do well to look around and certainly to read these blogs as many valid observations are cited quite clearly - both here and on other similar websites.
My observations concern two tools - drill presses and jointer/planers.
Drill presses are designed primarily for metalworking and then marketed in those places we go to buy woodworking tools. There are primarily two reasons today's drill press offerings are wrong for woodworking. The speeds are too high and the work table designs are all wrong. Most drill presses, especially the bench configurations, turn too fast for many woodworking tasks. Unless you get one with 10 speeds or more you get only three (possibly 4) speeds of 750 rpm or less suitable for drilling only the smaller diameter holes in hardwood. The second problem is that most drill presses come with work tables that are great for capturing cutting fluids (used only for cutting metals) but have very poor to nonexistent compatibility with woodworking requirements. While most drill press work tables can be squared (adjusted for perpendicularity to the quill axis) or tilted to one or both sides, they lack the ability to adjust or tilt front to rear. Most are almost impossible to clamp to, won't accept a fence, are difficult if not impossible to attach an auxiliary jig or fixture to make them more woodworking compatible, and (last but not least) is that too small center thru-hole that won't accommodate even the modest sized spade or forstner bits.
The worst of all circumstances rear their ugly head when you try to use the same drill press for working both metal and wood. Once you've used it for metal; clean it up for all you're worth and you still come away with oil and metal shavings pressed into the surface of your wood.
Seems to me a simple conversion kit consisting of a larger replacement work table and support arm assembly and a lower ratio sheave (pulley) set might be one solution. But, the real winner will be the first manufacturer that comes out with a benchtop drill press specifically designed for working wood.
Jointers, and planers but mostly jointers, seem to be going through a transition. There are only two reasonably priced 6" bench jointers on the market today and no 8" bench jointers at all, reasonably priced or otherwise. The only 6" bench jointer with segmented helical heads is marketed with either granite and cast iron in/outfeed tables. Its manufacturer is currently unable to keep up with current demand. Why is that demand not being met? you might ask. I suggest the reason is; there is far too big a price gap between the 6" bench jointers and the least expensive 8" floor jointers and, once again, there is no 8" bench joiner available period. Most of us frequently work with rough sawn lumber much of which won't feed through a 6" machine. But, in order to accommodate any additional width were faced with having to pay an additional 200% price jump. How many of us will actually process enough wood wider than 6" to justify that additional $800 or more expense for an 8" floor jointer? And, if you want an 8" jointer with either a segmented helical head or granite tables - good luck! Most of us neither need nor have storage space for those overpriced "aircraft carrier" status symbols. But, the market currently appears to be more than ready for an 8" segmented helical head bench jointer (cast iron or granite) with an overall length of up to 4 feet (1.2 mtrs) that would sell for up to double the price of it's highly in demand 6" little brother.
Hope I haven't stepped on any sensitive toes. Let me know if you think I've missed the mark.
? I could - etc. - etc. - etc. So tell us what tool you're eyeing, and what project you'd undertake if it magically appeared in your shop on Father's day!
Are tool companies stupid on purpose ???
in Pub Talk
Posted
Steel City Tool Works.