Do you ever try to adjust the height of your table saw blade with a tape measure? Router bit height with ruler? I’m guessing you’ve used both of those methods, depending upon which is within reach at the moment; I certainly do. At least I used to, before our sponsor Rockler Woodworking and Hardware sent us their new Rockler Brass Setup Bars Master Set to evaluate. It’s nice to have the certainty they provide, eliminating possibility of misreading a ruler. Never heard of brass setup bars? If you’re a woodworker, cabinet maker or other hobbyist or pro that demands precision, you’ll wonder how you got along without them. Read More
precision
CNC Machines – Real Woodworking or Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater
There’s been a debate brewing for several years now among hobbyist woodworkers: Can CNC machines be used in “real” woodworking? Let’s explore this! For those residing under rocks, a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine is a computer-controlled, motorized, multi-axis assembly with a cutting tool of some sort mounted to it. In the context of woodworking, the term generally refers to an X,Y,Z table outfitted with rails, a gantry that spans the rails and a router (or similar) motor. A collet on the motor’s shaft holds a rotary cutting bit, which cuts or carves out whatever the computer programs tell it to. In a nutshell: it’s a woodworking robot. Read More