#shop tools

[mamedoridesign]

Shop card design

[wikirobot]

I completed my mallet from the other day, got it glued up a couple days back and then turned the handle this afternoon. It ended up being a bit bigger than it really has any reason to be. I'll likely end up making a smaller version sometime in the future

It's a hard maple head with an oak handle.

Decided to put a single coat of shellac on, it really makes the grain stand out.

[qupritsuvwix]

[wikirobot]

While waiting for some glue to dry on a different project I put together a basic first attempt at a scrap pile router plane. I took a piece of cherry, an eye bolt, wing nut, and a leftover allen key that came with some flat pack furniture and turned it into a decent router plane. Still needs a bit more sharpening. And need to decide if I want to turn some handles for the sides.

Now waiting for the shellac to dry

[wikirobot]

Went through and sharpened my chisels. Mostly a motley crew or hand me downs. Gotta say the ones I got from Aldi a few years ago might be my favorites after they get a good sharpening in (also I don't feel guilty abusing them a bit).

My general process is to use the honing guide and have the main face be around 25 degrees (this is only really needed occasionally), then cut a higher angle edge, 30 degrees, on the cutting edge. It means I only have to hit that 30degree grind for the next few sharpening sessions.

For the higher angle cuts I tend to do a few passes at 1000 till the edge is crisp, then a few at 4000, then place the flat on the 4000 and cut off the "burr"

[studio42artworks]

Sometimes you need helping tools. The steel of a sawzall blade is good. Just need to drill second hole and put it together.

[studio42artworks]

Now here is a good story. Ive been wanting one of these for a while. I had one all picked out and was set to purchase it but the order went unfilled. I canceled it. The price range on these can be in the upper teens but you know where those are made. I found one not made in China and bought it. Cost double at around $40. Yesterday I tested it against a set of drawing triangles I bought. Spot on. 

Notice this one goes to places past the decimal. In my former life at one time I did calibrations for a company in Alaska. To me accuracy is important. Finding one that went one more decimal place was important. You can find way more expensive ones if you want. Soon to talk about is my table saw.

This is a photo which leads into a project I have going right now.

[studio42artworks]

Speaking of products made in China, I have chosen unwisely. Porter Cable is made in China. Wish I had researched this way back. But I have way to many Porter Cable tools to just change, and I don’t know know what I would change to. Research for down the road and I think it maybe hard to find something not made in China. My air compressor is a major tool in my shop. It hets used everyday that I am in the shop. Because of the high humidity i must remember to drain the tank often. That often is now and I should do it today. Our weather is in a continuing saga of humidity right now.