The woodworking universe is populated by a diverse group of people. It includes traditional project-builders like my father-in-law, who cobbled together many a fine masterpiece in his time, including barrister’s bookcases, cradles, end tables and lamp bases. Toward the other end of the spectrum is the realm of those who are far less traditional, either in the methods they employ, in their finished products, or both, and includes some practitioners of the craft whose techniques you definitely do NOT want to emulate. [Read more...]
Five Woodworking Projects You DON’T Want to Try at Home!
Thin and Long – Bosch Extra Long Jigsaw Blades Review & Corbel Test
Just like certain “movie” stars, some tool accessories are known for their girth, and others for their length. Jigsaw blades aren’t typically known for either. If you’re looking to cut a meaty piece of wood and you don’t happen to have a bandsaw handy, your options have been pretty limited. Bosch recently released their Precision line of extra long 10 inch jigsaw blades and we found ourselves wondering whether they had much practical use, particularly for doing what you often do with jigsaws; cutting curves. With our curiosity piqued, we asked Bosch if they could send a few blades our way to review. We were pretty sure they could cut a thick piece of wood straight, so we set out to test these with curvaceous cuts that would have been a challenge even with a portable bandsaw. [Read more...]
Eco-Friendly Wood Finishes – Or How to Make your Own Salad Dressing
Woodworking projects are something I really enjoy. But at the end of the day, after I’ve finished sanding something and it’s ready to be painted, stained or coated with urethane, you can bet that applying finish is the part of the project I hate the most. Smelly stains, mind numbing fumes and toxic chemical cleanup, makes me leave a lot of my wood projects like I leave my ladies — naked and waiting to be finished. Just kidding, I don’t have any ladies. If you’re anything like I am: you hate smelly paint fumes, loathe cleaning up brushes and are alone on Friday nights. You can also bet that finishing your favorite home improvement projects is the part of the project you despise. Get rid of the stinky stains and putrid paints, go green and use these cool techniques for finishing your wood projects naturally. You’ll be sure to get a good finish without the toxic trouble. As far as a date for Friday night, these tips will absolutely not help at all. [Read more...]
The Secret of Trim – 6 Essential Carpentry Tips and Tricks
I love working with wood. I don’t know if it’s my manstincts kicking in (*New Word Alert: Manstincts – Man and instincts put together), but cutting and shaping wood brings me to a primal state that often makes me raise my head and caveman grunt like Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. Uh-Uh-Uh-UH-UH-UGGH! Let’s move on from that Tim Allen 90s catchphrase crap before that annoying grunting noise gets stuck in your head. Suffice it to say, I’m in love with woodworking and I really love to share my love with everyone. Ok, that came out wrong. I love to share my knowledge of woodworking with DIYer’s who want to beautify their own home with trim, baseboard and molding, but are too scared to try it because they’re afraid of screwing it up. If that describes you (or you want to pick up a trick or two), read on for tips to help you tackle any trim. [Read more...]
Radarcarve – No Relation to that Golden Earring Song
Perhaps it is a little outdated but does anyone remember that Golden Earring song Radar Love? You know “I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hand’s wet on the wheel. There’s a voice in my head that drives my heel. It’s my baby callin’, says I need you here. And it’s a half past four and I’m shiftin’ gear…Don’t need no phone at all. We’ve got a thing called Radar Love.” It’s a great song, you gotta love the Dutch! Regardless of whether you remember that song (or like it), this article has nothing to do with it. Instead, we’re here to talk about Radarcarve. If you’re a woodworker you might want to keep reading, and we promise note to quote any more lyrics. [Read more...]
Bosch FNS138-23 Pin Nailer Review – Prepare to Meet Your Match!
Every so often, I get an uncontrollable urge to empty a box of matchsticks and attach them to something. Aside from being an indication that my meds may require further adjustment, the latest episode seemed a perfect opportunity to check out the latest (and smallest) entrant to Bosch’s lineup of air nailers, the recently-released FNS138-23, which had just arrived in the Home Fixated executive suite. [Read more...]
Meet The Rocklers! A Peek Inside MY Rockler Woodworking And Hardware Store
There’s a six-lane road north of where I live, outside of Pittsburgh, aptly nicknamed McNightmare Road by the locals. Its real name is McKnight Road, and with its abundance of malls, restaurants, car dealers, and the like, it’s the place to go if you love shopping, eating, or sitting in snarled traffic. Since eating is the only aforementioned activity I enjoy, I routinely avoid the area like the Pittsburgh Pirates avoid playing in the post-season. I only venture into the fray when there’s something there I can’t get elsewhere. [Read more...]
Hot & Steamy Accessory – Rockler Steam Bending Kit for Wood
Wood can be so damn straight! Oh sure, you can always grab a trusty jigsaw and a little sandpaper to make a few curves. But what if you’ve got a woodworking project so curvaceous it makes San Francisco’s Lombard Street look like the Interstate in Nevada? Our sponsor Rockler has just the thing for you, their Steam Bending Kit & Plan. What’s “the plan”, you ask? Well, the kit comes with everything you need to start steam bending wood, with the exception of a box to do it in. Oh, and the water. They don’t ship the water, which we think is a sound environmental decision. As to the missing box, that’s where “the plan” kicks in, giving you the blueprints to create your own wood bending steam box. But wait, there’s more! [Read more...]
Tool News Nirvana – Cute Little Gorilla Mini Glue, Sexy Bosch Surface Laser & More Milwaukee Cordless Power
Leave a Commentby on August 15, 2012
in Bosch, Milwaukee Tool, News, Porter Cable, Tools, Woodworking
in Bosch, Milwaukee Tool, News, Porter Cable, Tools, Woodworking
You know the deal with glue: you buy a normal size container, use a little bit of it, set it on the shelf, and then forget about it – and next time when you try to use it, the tip is all plugged up. Sometimes you can fashion a new opening and get to the nearly full container of glue – other times it’s too much of a hassle and you throw the whole thing away and go get another. Now Gorilla Glue has solved your life-long problems (glue-wise) with a mini version. Yay! And take a look at Bosch’s surface laser below – the first of its kind. Very cool. Plus, we have loads of additional news from the likes of Milwaukee, Klein, Porter Cable, and even LaGesse! La Who? Read up, and you’ll wish you La-invented it! [Read more...]
Get In Tight – Sandfast Detail Sander Review
It’s been a long week. And it’s only Tuesday! These happen now and then. The ebb and flow of life means you will traverse the highs and lows and the peaks and valleys as you approach your final destination. One hopes the final destination is later than sooner, of course. But a bad week doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel and give up the ghost. Grab a cold one, toast to the fact you woke up this morning at all, and get on with your life. Pretty heavy stuff from an ol’ wood butcher, don’t you think? [Read more...]
