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Archive for October, 2020

Roubo Workbench – Bench Dogs

October 31, 2020 Leave a comment
<p class="has-text-align-left" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">The tail vise (wagon vise) is of no use without providing something to clamp against. In this case the Bench Dog becomes the opposing force. Many people use round dowels and it certainly would make things easier wehn making and drilling holes for their placement but the design of these bench dogs is unique and it looks like a fun project. The challenge is making fourteen of them. Clearly this is when a production line is a great choice and using power tools will speed up the process. I followed the guide suggested by the Wood Whisperer and it only toolk a couple of hours to complete. The first step was making a model which is shown below.The tail vise (wagon vise) is of no use without providing something to clamp against. In this case the Bench Dog becomes the opposing force. Many people use round dowels and it certainly would make things easier wehn making and drilling holes for their placement but the design of these bench dogs is unique and it looks like a fun project. The challenge is making fourteen of them. Clearly this is when a production line is a great choice and using power tools will speed up the process. I followed the guide suggested by the Wood Whisperer and it only toolk a couple of hours to complete. The first step was making a model which is shown below.

Beginning with hand tools, I made the first dog to get the correct size and shape. Most of you know that the majority of my time is spent using hand tools, however I do have the option of power tools when it makes sense and with 14 pieces exactly the same making a jig and mass producing them is a better use of the little free time I have. I’ve probably used a router more on this bench project then the last 10 years in total and although it’s far from my most favorite tool, it handles this job well. Beginning with hand tools, I made the first dog to get the correct size and shape. It took a bit of time assembling my router table, mostly spent looking for the assembly manual (hidden carefully in the box with my routers.) Next I assembled a jig using pallet wood from the construction dumpster next door. The design is from the WoodWhisperer, and it took an hour to put the jig together and rout the final shape for all of the Bench Dogs. Notice that the router produces a rounded shape rather then the squared off shape I made by hand. No worries they work just fine.

Categories: Roubo

Roubo Bench Tail Vise

October 26, 2020 1 comment

A year of waiting to woodwork has produced one lone thought, where the heck was I. Looking at the bench I recall a frantic weekend to put together as much as possible and carefully pack the benchcrafted parts. However remembering the step I was about to take is in a recess of my mind. One thing is clear, I need to complete the tail vise or Front vise before moving forward.

After some contemplation I set to work on the tail vise. It appeared to be a quicker installation and I’ve yet to determine the shape of the chop on the front vise. It took time and some final adjustment, but I inserted the rails into mortises, adjusted the bolt holes and screwed it together.

Really happy to have the center punches to mark the holes. It’s one of those tools that aren’t essential but make a difference. I picked mine up at Lee Valley but I think you can get them most woodworking stores.

Some work the plane and saw and it’s all together.

Categories: Roubo

Shop Sign

October 17, 2020 Leave a comment

It has to be difficult finding a gift for most of us woodworkers. Several years ago my wife made a logo for my woodworking and it appears in various places such as the shop apron from Texas Heritage, Stickers and a T-shirt. This year she reached out across international borders to have a sign made.

Hanging above my small toolchest it adds an element of professionalism that was definitely lacking. The sign was made by

Categories: Texas Shop

Supermax Air Filter from Laguna

October 14, 2020 Leave a comment

Packing up my shop over a year ago revealed a lot about my woodworking. The most noticeable is the amount of fine dust coating everything. Although most of my work is done with hand tools I do use a planer and tablesaw to speed up stock preparation. It’s safe to say that most of the dust comes from these operations and in spite of using a dust collector, more needed to be done.

After a small amount of research, a Supermax Air Filter arrived at my front door and after some planning and help I mounted it to the ceiling joists. If you want to see the unboxing video, there isn’t one, but I’ll provide a brief description. Grabbing my pocket knife, I slit the tape closing the cardboard box, flipped the box over, slid the box over the styrofoam and gently removed the air cleaner. After checking that all the parts were there I stared at the 60+ pound machine for a couple of weeks until I figured out a safe way to install it.

I’m looking forward to trying it out and if you want to know more shoot me an email.

Categories: Tools

New Shop-Still Unpacking

October 11, 2020 Leave a comment

Glacial progress continues and perhaps in a few weeks the clutter will be down to a pile of lumber and a couple of boxes. There are certainly several tools that will hit the local San Antonio market. One in particular a 6 inch jointer has been boxed for a couple of years.

Currently I’m working through the Anarchist Tool Chest and Small Tool Chest, cleaning up, sharpening and removing all of the antirust coatings that I used to store the tools. Looks like this may take me a couple of weeks.

Since moving I dont have a working vise so one of the first orders of business will be the completion of the workbench. Ive found the lumber for the vise and sliding deadman, if only I could find the plans…..

Categories: Uncategorized