RalphBarker

A beautiful piece, to be sure. It's a shame we can't bypass the initial-user market, and jump directly to the collector market. ;-)

Don't worry, Ed, a couple of coats of black milk paint will cover that. ;-)

I've been picketing my (home) shop for not having all the tools I want for weeks, now. I was going to set up a tent in front of my garage, so I could protest more hours in the day, but it's supposed to snow today. ;-)

If flesh-sensing technology is mandated to be added to table saws, what about bagel slicers and kitchen knives, where injuries are far more common. Then, there is the pocket knife, the chisel, etc. The mind boggles when one considers the Law of Unintended Consequences.

In the final analysis, the mouths of politicians are far more dangerous than table saws. Table saws don't start wars or impose taxes.

A stupidity-sensing mechanism attached to the mouths of politicians would be far more useful.

[Raises hand.] Me! Me! ;-)

Safe enough? Probably not, considering the stupidity exhibited by both end users and the courts these days. First, you're using a powered machine (the table saw, which everyone knows to be a man-eater). Second, you've removed the safety guard. Third, you actually have a saw blade in the machine, with all those finger-gobbling teeth exposed. Fourth, the technique requires that the rip fence be properly adjusted in order to be safe. All of these requirements are well beyond the capability of a worker (or, juror and judge) with a single-digit IQ, particularly if they are doing this with one hand, while drinking coffee with the other. Thus, the only safe recommendation is to outsource the work to a Chinese factory not subject to the American judicial system. (Yes, this is all sarcasm, prompted by recent court decisions.)

Raises hand for free book. ;-)

Matt, I'm just debating semantics. I simply see a difference between "precision" and "precise enough". To me, having a TS that has any run-out or blade flex/deflection takes it out of the running for a "precision instrument". It can, however, be "precise enough" for the task at hand.

Sorry, Matt, but *precision* miters are done with a well-tuned shooting board, not a table saw. At least in my experience, the TS is not a precision instrument.

Anybody have a pancake router?

Another book I'd love to have.

Gee, you seem to have misspelled "New Mexico" all through the list. ;-)

Raises hand.

It's a groove, NOT a rut!

Frugality is the cornerstone of retired woodworking.

I was thinking about buying a complete set for each of my three best friends, but I haven't heard from them in so long . . . ;-)

The audience draw for a pure woodworking reality show might be too thin to attract networks (and, make money). A comedy show along the line of Red Green on PBS, with woodworking as the background might work, though.

Just tossing my name in the hat.

I was in this bar on a planet far, far away, and watched what happened when a MOAMFT (mother of all MFTs) fell in love with an older wide-body WorkMate. Their offspring had the precision matrix of surface holes of the MFT combined with the clamping surface of the WorkMate. Interchangeable center inserts (like table leaves) allowed for either a flat surface or a clamping surface. Recessed aluminum extrusions along the apron, similar to the edge on the MFT, allowed the use of other FancyClamps, while still providing a wooden edge to protect the stock.

Just tossing my name into the hat.

Personally, I think the "philosophical" argument is a waste of time, even though the purist woodworker vs. the nerd question does have some cardio-vascular benefits . . . if you allow yourself to get sucked into the argument.

On the practical side, it seems to me that CNC routers are a non-starter for the average hobbyist. The machines are still grossly over-priced for the average person, and even more so when the limitations are given some scrutiny. Production-quality machines certainly have applications for production shops, but these low-level machines don't deserve much attention, IMHO.

{Raises hand. ;-) )

Could this be my first won'd-'er book? ;-)

Can I get one with a 48" width of cut? Now, that would be a game-changer. ;-)

Most of us have probably had fantasies about doing wild, crazy, rebellious things at one time or another. Driving through stopped traffic in a car-crushing tank is one of my favorites. Actually doing such things is another matter, though. Such situations never end well.

The Gollypod reminds me of the fanciful creatures shown a while back on one of the science channels about what life might look like on an alien planet. Lane simply stopped short of adding eyes and a single clawed foot.

Might be an interesting design for a house, though, complete with wind- or solar-powered elevator.

I would argue that engineering, woodworking and editing are simply different applications of the same skill set. When writing (or, editing), doesn't one give similar consideration to the design and structure of the sentence, the paragraph, and the article/book as does the engineer building a bridge? It's like math and music being described as the same at their core.

Excellent. Love the pattern reflection - rather Escher-like.

Will the random picker smile on me this time?

This would make a nice addition to the shelves.

I'll get to the plunge cut in a minute. I need to rest after lifting this big router up onto the work piece.

I'm hoping that Ryobi will appeal the verdict and a better-informed court will reverse the decision. The injury was caused by user negligence and lack of proper training.

While I like the SawStop technology, there is a big difference between gingerly edging a hot dog into the blade and doing so at normal working speeds.

Very interesting work.

I'll add my name to the hat for this one.

When will these be available at Woodcraft? ;-)

Could you tell us about the material used for the sliding doors, Kent?

Learning how to fix the fiascoes would go a long way toward getting started with a fine finish.

I for one (and, an old one at that) hope the new show finds sponsors and is a success. I think it's misguided to attempt to compare the proposed show to New Yankee or any other show, simply because they share a basic topic. Although some older feathers may be ruffled by Tommy's youth and exuberance, those qualities may well appeal to a younger crowd and accomplish something similar to what Norm did in the past.

For me, ANY woodworking show is better than yet another 3-hour self-help marathon, or a ten-part mini-series on the history of the shovel.

Asa, while I appreciate the enthusiasm aimed at producing articles for FWW, the approach seems to be lacking in recognition and respect for professional-level photographic skills and techniques. The equivalent woodworking class would be "Learn how to make Hepplewhite chairs in an afternoon". Pro photographers spend years learning how to do this well, and spend a lot of money on the proper equipment. Is FWW really looking for more poorly-lit fuzzy photos done with digi-point-n-shoot cameras for the magazine?

I have a bare spot on my shelf that's just the right size for this book. ;-)

Interesting design, and definitely a creative use of scraps and reclaimed parts.

Would you call this a "measle-ly" stool? ;-)

Tom - if you didn't see them, the subsequent pages (1 | 2 | 3 | 4 next>) contain tidbits.

Whether they are tasty enough is up to the individual reader, of course. ;-)

I, too, like to wax Shakespearean. I keep a real-looking skull in the shop. When asked to borrow a tool, I take the skull in hand and lament, "Alas, poor tool borrower, I knew him well." ;-)

One can also post a sign: "Tool borrowers shot on sight".

I enjoyed woodworking during the Civil War (what my cousin called the War of Northern Aggression) - peaceful and therapeutic compared to all that flying lead. ;-)

My guess is that most shop accidents are caused by user error, not tool design flaws. Not taking the time to read and understand the safety precautions that come with the tool may be the first source of problems. Then, failing to think through an operation (no injury-repair pun intended) before actually doing it, and failing to ask, "Can I do this in a different, safer way?" Then, there's TWNHTM - the That Would Never Happen To Me syndrome.

I agree that "ignorance" is best defined as simply a lack of knowledge, without any assumption as to the source of said knowledge. And, when discussing such matters, it is helpful if one eschews obfuscatory sesquipedalianisms. ;-)

Great looking set, Scott.

Where did you find the reclaimed hickory?

Wow, now that's a bench, not to mention a great buy on the timber.

I can't imagine doing that much timer on a milling machine, though. You must be a very patient man, Dennis.

I just finished upgrading from clay tablets to papyrus. Does this mean I have to upgrade again? Sheesh! ;-)

Add me to the list of those who would like to have the book. My aluminum cane looks so . . . well, un-woodworky.

There are few things more rewarding than exposing kids to a new area of endeavor, new skills, or new science. Not all of the "light bulbs" go on, but those that do make it worth the effort.

I think the answer depends on whether the work is being done as a hobbyist or a pro, where time is a balance between quality and profit.

Personally, I mostly like to take my time, smelling the fresh shavings (or, sawdust) along the way.

With respect to methods (the focus of the tenon-out), however, my choices are often based on how I feel my hand skills compare, precision-wise, to what I can achieve with a machine. Proper set-up of the machine often takes longer for me, though.

I think I detected some wasted motion at 14.23757 seconds, Matthew. ;-)

Should you want to take longer, try shooting with an 8x10 view camera. ;-)

Thanks for the report, Asa. The conference sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

By chance, does either the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, or Taunton, do DVDs of the sessions for sale to those of us out here on the frontier? (I have a roadrunner chasing a lizard on a treadmill to power my DVD player. ;-) )

I wonder why the woodworking shows never come to Rio Rancho, New Mexico? ;-)

I was really hoping for a #4 workshop expander, but I didn't see it on any of the polls. ;-)

Turning a few wooden plates would be a big improvement over the flat rocks I'm using now. The rocks are pretty durable, but tough to hold onto in the wash water. ;-)

And, FWIW, the MF keyhole saws actually did work - for things like cutting outlet holes in sheetrock, but they weren't as versatile as the MF marketing department wanted us to believe.

I still have a couple of those puppies. Last used about 30 years ago, as I recall.

I tried buying tools as Christmas gifts for all three of my ex-wives.

Obviously, that didn't work out well. ;-)

To paraphrase the line from the old movie, "I don't need no stinking dovetails." I equip all of my drawers with motor-driven worm gears, activated by a remote control. ;-)

There is a possibility, however, for practitioners of any craft to become overly obsessive about certain aspects of the craft. Dovetails may be one of those instances for woodworkers. I've never understood the lack of interest in hand-cut hexagonal mortices and tenons, however. ;-)

Dear Santa,

I'd really like to get a Time Machine for Christmas. That way, I could go back to when exotic woods were both available and affordable, buy a whole bunch of it, and sticker it away for the present time.

Oh, and I've been a good boy, too. (At my age, the choices are limited).

Congrats on the find, Matthew. Old Delta iron is tough to beat, unless you have a bush out back that grows cast-iron sticks. ;-)

How about a screw-in leg to support the end of that outrigger fence?

The only thing better than a good book is a free good book. ;-)

Yeah, those sheets looked pretty loose. Not likely to pass the bouncing-quarter inspection. ;-)

Good thinking, Ms. Roman. Norm deserves the pat on the plaid.

I could definitely use this book. The furniture I carved from the sandstone in my cave is starting to wear. Plus, the "sofa" is really cold in the winter. ;-)

Even though I don't consider myself a "Normite", this is sad news. I wonder what prompted the decision to discontinue the show?

I hope your refurb works out OK, Patrick.

One possible lesson in the experience is to take a magnifier along on yard-sale adventures, allowing closer scrutiny of higher-priced items. ;-)

I completely agree with the idea that teaching hand skills is relevant, even in a digital age. A parallel exists in teaching analog photography basics to budding photographers who have only experienced the use of digital cameras. Both lead to better understanding and a more well-rounded mind.

Teaching hand skills, of course, goes back thousands of years - back to the time that learning flint napping, for example, was essential to bring home dinner. Back then, outsourcing the task to manual craftspersons in China or India wasn't possible.

This might help me to think inside the box.

I've always wanted to get my angles right. ;-)

To paraphrase the frog, "It's not easy being Greene."

No sliding mini-dovetails on the dividers? ;-)

Please allow me to cut your chances in half, Jake. ;-)

Life has a nasty habit of ending, usually well before we'd like it to do so. Worse, there are no exemptions for those, like Krenov and Maloof, whom we'd like to have around forever. But, they live on in the on-going inspiration they provide. Rest in peace, Mr. Krenov, and Mr. Maloof, as well.

I agree that it's tough to choose a favorite tool. But, after some consideration, I've settled on my brain, even though it's probably the least-capable tool in the shop.

Excellent work, and a distinctive design.

I haul out the spare, continue to work, and then repair the broken one later. Doesn't everyone buy two of everything, plus spare parts? ;-)

Seriously, for me, the repair/replace question is one of economics vs. features. If the repair is cheap, it has a chance . . . unless the features of a new version are too attractive to pass up.

Fun game, but is there a link that shows all of the differences after one has tried to spot them?

Do the toothpicks have T&G joints routed along each edge? Or, did he use nano-biscuits? ;-)

re: Laguna's new LT14 SUV Bandsaw

"SUV" - does that mean it consumes more amps than one would expect? ;-)

I'm interested in mortisers, but limiting the comparison to benchtop models is much less interesting. I'm more curious about whether floor models are worth the added expense. In other words, my suggestion is to consider the real buying decisions people make when determining the scope of a tool review.

Does it cover the flint and copper tools I'm still using? ;-)

Nice to put some faces to names in the masthead. Thanks, everyone.

One might quibble about whether the band saw is the *most* important tool in the shop, but it's certainly among the top contenders in my shop. Now, to go carve one of those big "champion" belts out of wood (oval cut on the bandsaw, of course), and hire a couple of "round girls". ;-)

It's great to get the kids involved in woodworking, and this is a simple-enough project to ensure their success. Others have commented on safety issues.

The design of the tote, however, might prompt additional gifts of a gym membership and steel-toed boots. The sides of the tote are heavier than they need to be, requiring Mom to pump more wood than she needs to, and the handle would be better placed inside a hole drilled in the end panels. As-is, supporting the weight of the tote and contents depends on the fasteners in the end grain of the end panels.