StevenLee

I can't watch the show so I'd like to this book. Maybe the show will be online sometime soon?
SLT

I second what JROTH33139 said. Perhaps a glass top would make it more functional, but I like it for what it is.

Thanks for the friendly words and support.

I used biscuits to align the top then flattened with a #7 jointer, but that resulted in horrible tear out. I then learned how to sharpen and use a scraper in an old Stanley #80. After some trial and error, it worked amazingly well. I'm doing what I can with hand tools.

Steve (SLT)

I'd need to see the hot dog test. Does it really stop the blade fast enough to prevent a finger amputation. I felt four teeth of my Forest WWII blade cutting through the bone of my thumb, so I'm skeptical it will really prevent injuries.

I do admire his work, though, and wish him luck.

It's a hand tool... and don't call me "Norm."

What a deal. What a book.

Gary said accidents are more likely to occur when you're tired and distracted. Perhaps this is true, but my worst accident came when I felt sharp and everything was working really well. I even noted to myself how efficient I was working one day, just before I cut off the end 3/4 inch of my left thumb.

I was ripping a relatively wide boards into 2" strips using a push stick in my right hand. My left hand was handling the board to the left of the blade. On the last cut my left hand was following through with the offcut and the thumb went through the blade. I consider myself lucky in that I still have most of my thumb.

Also consider this: cutting off the thumb hurt, no question about it, but what really hurt was the long recovery period. I've never felt such pain as wet-to-dry bandages. It also hurt my confidence, and I felt like I let down my wife who trusts me to be carefull in the shop.