bubbadovetail

I am with a lot of the other folks on this issue. I am not sure what type of shops you visited but most in my area not only have one but rely on it just as much as their table saws. It is one of our primary tools for the entire woodworking process. We use it to square up rough lumber cut and square all our long face frame pieces and so on. In our shop it is a built in tool and it's table is also used in conjunction with our jointer and chop saw. We feel as safe with our RAS as our table saw but follow very careful safety rules using it. It is nice to have the table saw freed up and install the stacked dado on the RAS for joinery. We get as accurate of cuts with ours and compare the cross cuts to those made on our Unisaw using the Incra miter gauge. It surprises me that more shops you went to did not have these tools. If you view some of the videos of the Taunton Press (Mastering Your Woodworking Tools, Building a Shaker Table etc they feature the use of this tool.) and we can't forget one of the longest running PBS programs on woodworking of all time the tool was used not used very often but was still present in the shop. Thanks for reading. Good and safe woodworking to all. Big Bubba

I am happy that PBS is adding a new woodworking show and keeping our hobby and a big part of our national heritage. However I am not that familiar with Tommy with the exception of what I have read on Fine Woodworking. But I and my Son's wish him the best of luck and many seasons on PBS and we also think that it is great that Woodcraft has sponsored the show, at least we will get a little dividend on all that money we spent with them on tools and supplies. JB, NB Michigan

I really hate to be a party pooper however since Norm has left we have a new (not really new he has been on the air for over 15 years) and thoroughly enjoy his show and another that airs an hour before that we just love. If Tommy's show would air during the half hour between these two or just before of after than go for it but really don't want to loose these enough loss already with the departure of Norm.

I had an issue arise several years ago in a basement shop that seems unbelievable. It could cause a fire as well as be an shock hazard. One day when I went to unplug a tool as I disconnected the tool from the receptacle the plug sparked as we have all seen and to my amazement it ignited some cobwebs draped around the receptacle. After that the shop is kept clean floor to ceiling of dust and cobwebs. I also have heard of people loosing their shops to dust fires that could have been avoided by simply grounding their dust collectors and if you are working in a basement shop this is even more important as most homes have the heating and hot water heater in the basement and some even have the cloths dryer there as well and these not only are more risky ignition sources they dry out the chips and make them even more susceptible to ignition not to mention that in a basement shop it is like being in a below ground inferno that is difficult to escape some advance planning is necessary. Works safely Big Bubba

All who have commented before me have said it all. You set the bar pretty high and set a standard for all of us to strive for. I think that it is great that you are keeping these beautiful period pieces of our heritage alive. Fantastic job.

I am a big proponent of the modern use of power machinery however when it comes to the period type of furniture we make the tender love and care of good hand tools just to get that joint feel a little bet more authentic is a great feeling. Our shop as most of yours commands both measures of electrical power as well as muscle power tools.

I am very thankful to see that Norm is well and happy I was concerned that he might be ill. I like the vast majority of you fellow woodworkers have been watching and inspired by Norm since the begning and up until my life threatning and changing injury enjoyed building Norm's projects. Some of my favorits that are cherished around here are "The Lowboy", "The Queen Anne Bonett Top Highboy" and "Martha's Candle Stand" to name a few these projects were build using Norm's plans by my teen sons that did the vast majority of the work on them. The boy's would rather watch Norm on Saturadys than cartoons or some other program with out any useful information at all. The oldest one has set out to become a profesional woodworker thanks to Norm, he did his final project in shop class about Norm and the projects he was inspired to build because of Norm, and am proud to say that next year he will be attending the College Of The Redwoods to make his dream a reality thanks Norm I wonder if you realy realize how much positive influance you have had on the youth not only in the USA but around the globe. Thank's for the many years of insperation, mentoring and entertainment and we hope to see ya again. jb

Mr. Krenov will be missed by the whole woodworking comunity.He leaves a legacy that not many can compare to with his many accomplishments. I and my family wish to express our thoughts and prayers to his family.

the legs were selected form steright grain common soft maple. Then they were cut to length, squared to 27/8 sq, layed out on 2 opposing sides (toes touching)then on the table saw the knee was cut to create a sharp corner on the finished leg then they were cut out on the band saw leaving the line, cutting the knee first the cut off knee was saved the ballance of the first cut was made leaving a bridge of 1/2" so the other could be cut with a square flat base then before cutting the other side the loose knee waste was double tabed back into place. (the post was not cut on the bandsaw) The next step was to turn the leg on the lath to create the foot. Next the leg was smothed at the spindal sander then the leg was sculpted with concave spokeshaves, cabnit scrapers and a shinto rasp sand paper till the desired effect was achived then with calipers and templates made for the firs leg the others were made in the same mannor and worked till they were all the same dimention. The final step was to cut the post at the table saw and finish the under cut with a back saw to get an absolute square post for a tight fit between the sides front and the legs. I hope this helps and thank's for your inquiery.