Archive
Supermax Air Filter from Laguna
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.
New Shop Thoughts
Moving South has prompted thoughts of my future work space. Most of my woodworking has been done in the Midwest with a brief stint in the south. Considering the impacts of weather to both myself and the projects I build, temperature and humidity are of concern.
Projects have been built in a wide range of temperatures, the cart project pushed through a cold winter with a small heater struggling to pull the temperature above 30 degrees (fahrenheit for my European readers), the bed I built over 20 years ago was pursued in the Southern heat. Along with temperature, there is a large humidity change between Southern summers and Midwest winters. Like most of you I would rather not struggle through the temperature extremes and my tools would certainly prefer a consistent temperature.
A small shop in an outbuilding would be ideal, but that would take more property than most of us can afford so I’m considering walling off one section of a 3 car garage with a small addition. Shannon Rogers has made excellent use of a single car garage and certainly provides insight into how this space should be used. ATypical single car garage is 12′ x 22′, adequate space at 264 sq ft, however a small addition off to the side would make a large impact with minimal cost.
Placing a wall in the garage and ensuring it is insulated would allow heating and cooling without the risk of losing heat when the garage door is opened for a car! Or accidentally when coming home from a run. It also helps control dust and makes an air cleaner much more effective. The down side, your garage is smaller and would this be amenable for future homeowners?
Continuing the journey to find a new home and shop over the next several months I’ll share my thoughts and decisions hoping for feedback and suggestions from all of you.
Packing Up
Some recent changes that will have a temporary impact on woodworking. I spent time over the last several weeks packing tools and sorting through items that I don’t need to move.
As we look for a new home near San Antonio, Texas; it’s clear that the tools will remain in storage for a period of time.
Moving always brings potential opportunities. New friends, places to explore and the chance of a new woodworking shop. Like many of you each move brings the hope of having a shop that is not shared with cars, lawn mowers and shovels. I’ll be in touch.
Roubo End Cap
The end cap on the Roubo Bench creates anxiety for most bench builders, I’m no different and procrastination built a simple dovetail into a crescendo. Although cherry is a soft wood, its beautiful color led me to using it for accent parts (chop, cap, pins, etc.) putting aside my fears I spent a long time marking out the various mortises, holes and finally the dovetail. No pictures for the blog, just pure focus. A couple of hours later and it was complete.
Many of you used hand drills to auger the holes. I used my drill press and was very thankful for the accuracy. Glad to have this behind me its time to place the top on the base.
Dog Holes and Mistakes
When choosing a new bench design the dog holes and integral dogs drew me to the Roubo. Planing boards is a pleasure except when you don’t have a great method to hold them on your bench. Paul Sellers’ is adept at using his front vice, and I admit it has worked well for narrow boards. I’ve also used boards positioned across the end of the vice as a planing stop. However the ability to use a tail vice and adjust to any board length has great appeal.
Most of you will notice that a router and template was used in this process. Before hand tool woodworking I did most of my work by machine and I still have most of them. You can’t beat machines for repetitive processes. Except when you stop paying attention and oops.
A little plug will take care of that. I routed one dog hole too far.
Cabinet Door Joinery 2
After a couple of days with intermittent rain I noticed a little twist in a couple of the rails so I did my best to plane them straight. That’s one of the problems of spreading your project out over many weeks. The doors are held together with mortise and tenon joints and thanks to previous practice on the back my process has improved.
For little extra to the doors I added a stile in the center so tehe doors have divided panels.
Not necessary
The Hanging Tool Cabinet project prompted a review of my shop space. Review may not be the correct term, in fact, let’s say a moment of panic when seeking empty wall space. Look at the picture, do you see an area about 40″x 30″?
Looking into all of the boxes on the shelf it became apparent that some progress could be made by robust cleaning and consolidation. Simply, get rid of the junk!
Feeling good about the purge, I began handling tools and jigs that I had not used for many years. Changing most of my work to hand tools, has made some of these items obsolete. Why shouldn’t I move these items along as well. 6″ Delta Jointer used once in 2015 made me mad because I took more time getting the rust of then using it, for sale. 14″ Jet bandsaw, new tires used a dozen times in a dozen years, for sale, Leigh dovetail jig ( used a good bit 6 years ago and not since) eBay. Mortising attachment for drill press out the door. Etc. etc. hopefully I can get a little money, help out fellow woodworkers and simplify my space.
Next I began looking at where my saw till was placed. Too far from the bench! Reshuffling the quiver of kayaks, it’s now by the bench. Old cabinet that I don’t like? Splinters and recycle lumber. After a couple of days I have plenty of room for my new cabinet (just have to get it built) and a lot less junk to get in the way.
orepass 