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  • Grizzly Track Saw Observations...

    Grizzly Track Saw Observations...

    I had the opportunity to purchase a grizzly track saw, the accessory kit, and two sections of 55" track "used" for $200. If purchased directly from Grizzly the "master pack" (which includes the accessory pack) would cost about $316 (plus tax). Allow me to qualify my comments so you can take them for what it's worth. I have never seen a festool anything in person, let alone had the opportunity to use one. I've not seen the dewalt or Makita versions of the track saw either. Also I am an amatuer ...
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  • Harbor Freight transfer punch set

    Harbor Freight transfer punch set

    Today we're going to discuss transfer punches.


    $10 set from Harbor Freight #3577 (note: 2022 price is $12)



    One trick that some people know is that if you have a drill bit set you also have a fairly accurate set of setup bars. OK, so they're round but you can use the shank end of a 1/8" drill bit to space an item exactly 1/8" away from a fence or set a 1/8" gap between two parallel boards you are fastening down.

    The transfer...
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    Last edited by LCHIEN; 06-28-2022, 02:14 AM. Reason: updated graphics

  • Handyman drill bit guide

    Handyman drill bit guide

    After my $1.89 tool review a couple of days ago, I'm shooting for a even lower priced tool review. I don't think anyone can beat this one! Has 32 drill sizes Made in USA! Handy hole for hanging Beautiful black plastic finish won't damage your sharp edged tools (but the tools might damage the gauge) relief bumps 10 mils high for drawing, perhaps? THis came free along with an offer to evaluate tools for free and keep the tools. I don't fall for that Malarky. But the drill bit guide is possibly ...
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  • pocket blow gun

    pocket blow gun

    this is the shortest review for the cheapest tool on BT3Central. I was wasting time at HF the other day so I bought a pocket blow gun 68262 a slim blow gun for the grand price of $1.89 (So this has to be a record low price for a reviewed item here, right?) I figured it would be handy. But, there's no trigger so it blows all the time. At least, it would if the industrial connector machined into it actually fit. I could not lock it to any of the several quick connects I tried to mate it to. The...
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  • Craftsman 6 piece router bit starter set

    Craftsman 6 piece router bit starter set

    I didn't know what I was doing when I bought my first router bit set. I've learned a lot, since. Craftsman sells a 6 piece set ---- and I'll tell you - it's a lousy way to go. The set includes: - cove bit - 3/8" round over (the one piece I use a lot) - 2 straight bits (1/2 and 1/4") - dovetail bit - 1/2 trim bit I did use the straight bits a little - but have since replaced both of them with spirial upcut bits. The round over bit is the single piece I've had a good use for...
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  • Rikon slow speed grinder

    Rikon slow speed grinder

    Got this for Christmas. So far I really like it. It is quite heavy and has both a 60 grit and a 120 grit wheel, both of which run very true. This thing is very quiet and, combined with my new "Blackhawk sharpening system" from Captain Eddie, does a very good job of sharpening my lathe chisels. I had been using a 6" Craftsman grinder running at 3500 rpm and the difference is night and day. The Rikon was only $99 at the time, although a local store now lists it at $149.
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  • Rockler 32866 Wheel marking gauge

    Rockler 32866 Wheel marking gauge

    Sorry about the ratings I never know if 1 is best or 5 is best I just leave it alone. I'm not even sure it its for the author to rank the product or for the users to rank the review, since the ratings are available to both poster and subsequent responders.

    If you don't use a marking gauge, they are very handy. I won't go into the use, other than to say its for precise marking of a line a user-selected distance from the edge of a board, for cuts, and for hole locations. I'll presume...
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    Last edited by LCHIEN; 11-21-2023, 03:00 PM.

  • Harbor Freight 18V cordless impact wrench

    Harbor Freight 18V cordless impact wrench

    I asked my son about borrowing his Milwaukee impact wrench and he told me it had been stolen but gave him an idea. Almost 2 weeks ago he came over to help me install new floats under my dock with an early Christmas present. He bought me the Harbor Freight impact wrench, a spare battery, and a set of sockets. We then used it to remove 8 floats and install 10 in half a day. I have a 18V Ryobi impact driver but it puts out significantly less torque than the Harbor Freight wrench. Hot Rod magazine...
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  • Chicago Electric 69820 Initial impressions.

    Chicago Electric 69820 Initial impressions.

    I needed a way to knock down floor leveling compound for my concrete patch and staining project, and I figured a disposable belt sander would be workable. I wanted to get a sander that shared belt size with my Ridgid EB4424. Upon unboxing and inspection, I found it to be much heavier than I felt the demo model at the store was. I plugged it in and took a test pass at some exceedingly high leveling / patch compound in my floor... I plugged it in, and pulled the trigger, watching the belt track...
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  • BT3000 Quick Fold Table and Manual

    BT3000 Quick Fold Table and Manual

    I have attached the manual for those who requested it. I found this a useful accessory. Its a fairly heavy table about the width of the BT3000 and maybe just a bit deeper than the top of the BT3. The front attaches to the rear rail at two points of the BT3 and has a slightly beveled front to that the workpeices coming off the saw don't catch. There's a hinge right behind the rear rail which fastens to the bottom of the rear rail via T-slot using T-nuts and bolts (the hinge is articulated so...
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  • Harbor Freight Circular Saw Blade Sharpener

    Harbor Freight Circular Saw Blade Sharpener

    The Chicago Electric Power Tools Professional circular saw blade sharpener (Item#96687 at Harbor Freight) was on sale after coupon for $36 this month. My BT3 was bogging down ripping a stud earlier this week so I figured that after 8 years of intermittent use maybe the blade was due for its first sharpening. I was up for a new learning experience, and I like a bargain, so I picked up the sharpener on Monday. The included instructions are fine for assembling the machine. The machine is lightwei...
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  • Harbor Freight 2Hp Dust Collector

    Harbor Freight 2Hp Dust Collector

    Between sale price and coupon, the price was low enough that I took the plunge and bought the HF 2HP DC. --Starting with assembly:-- You end up doing quite of bit of assembly with this unit, not just 2 or 3 connections. The very first thing I did when unpacking the unit was to plug the motor in to make sure it ran. Sometimes with HF, you can get little surprises and I din't want to assemble the whole thing and then discover the motor didn't work. It fired right up, no problems. I've seen ta...
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  • Craftsman 17539 Biscuit Joiner Review

    Craftsman 17539 Biscuit Joiner Review

    This review should also apply to the Ryobi JM82K, since other than color they are basically the same unit. I believe this is also my first review of a tool here on BT3, so please forgive me if I offend. I'm just trying to offer my honest opinion of a tool purchase. I recently noticed that since I am a Craftsman Club member, I could get a discount on this unit. Also, by cashing in a bunch of rewards points and by ordering online, I was able to walk out the door with the unit for less than $48. N...
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  • Craftsman BAS350

    Craftsman BAS350

    Recently, I became the owner of a Craftsman BAS-350 14" band saw. I thought you would be interested in hearing about it, even tho I haven't had a chance to use it much yet. I have owned 2 bandsaws in the past. One was a B&D 10" 3-wheeled job, which I got rid of and bought a Delta 9" model. Turned out it wasn't an upgrade, and I've been watching for a replacement. The wife finally gave me the go-ahead to buy another. Having read good reviews of Sears 10" model here and other web sites, and ...
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  • HF 12" SCMS Model 69684 dual bevel

    HF 12" SCMS Model 69684 dual bevel

    First I want to express that the saw will be used for home repairs/remodels. I am not a woodworker by trade, so those in the professional business of woodworking may have a completely different opinion of this saw. The saw takes up a large area from front to rear. With the saw in the return position, the total distance from front to rear is 45 inches. There is nothing in the manual regarding the use of the laser guide. It appears that two items on the laser have been improved from the previous 12” s...
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  • BT3000/3100 Featherboard using SMT
    by LCHIEN
    Here's how I do my Featherboard operations. As you know, Featherboards are spring boards meant to hold the workpiece against the fence snugly to ensure accurate rips while freeing both your hands for hand over hand and push stick smooth, even feeding of the workpiece to avoid burning and sawmarks.

    The Feather board is the classic one that they suggest you make.... Mine was made 20+ years ago, apparently a 1x4 piece of pine wood with one end cut at 30 degrees. 15-16 inches long 3 to...
    04-15-2024, 06:19 PM
  • BT3000/BT3100 Belly pan easy dust collection
    by LCHIEN
    I made a belly pan dust collection for my BT3000, using a commercially available, cheap dust pan from one of the woodworking supply houses with a 4" hose fitting.

    It seems to work effectively very simple DC belly pan under BT3000. Not tightly fitting I wanted to allow air in to carry the dust to the DC, pulling on a close cabinet is not a good idea. SO the plywood sits on the stand, not screwed down or anything. So there's air coming in thru the ends and the Shroud dust port arc....
    03-16-2024, 04:37 PM
  • BT3000/BT3100 rip fence and miter fence stop block
    by LCHIEN

    With the small t-nut for the front of the rip fence and miter fence, I made a new stop block that can be used on both
    https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...nce-attachment

    When used on the rip fence , it can set a stop for cross cutting fixed lengths off a piece against the miter fence without risking a kickback from continuous...
    02-17-2024, 01:43 AM
  • Small T-Nut for the Left side of Rip Fence and Front of Miter Fence on BT3x saws.
    by LCHIEN
    Small T-nut for the left side of BT3 rip fence or front of miter fence (Article Version)

    11-30-2023, 04:00 PM
    I have found a perfect T-nut for the front of the BT3 miter fence and for the left side of the rip fence (same extrusion used both places)

    Its actually a weld nut, but fits the T-slot described above.

    Weld Nut: #10-24 Thread, Tab, 1/32 in Base Ht, 3/8 in Base Wd, 5/8 in Base Lg, Steel, 50 PK
    Item 1LAJ3 Mfr. Model 1LAJ3​ (WW Graingers)...
    12-07-2023, 12:19 AM
  • Special DIY T-bolt for BT3000 Miter Fence, Rip Fence and Rails
    by LCHIEN
    After a bit more thinking, some universal T-bolts for the rip miter fence make more sense than fixture blocks.
    The two big slots in the rip fence and the miter fence and the front and rear rails are sized to take 1.00 inches wide x 1/8th and 1-1/8" wide x 1/8th.

    So I took some 1/8th flat Aluminum 1.00 inches wide and cut 1-1/8" long to make a 1" x 1-1/8" rectangular plates; I used a short rip fence Block to space the length but not cause a kickback with the...
    07-09-2023, 02:37 PM
  • How to make a BT3x00 Rip Fence/Miter Fence fixture block for mounting jigs
    by LCHIEN

    DIY BT3000 FIXTURE BLOCK for Rip/Miter Fence extrusion

    Simple shop construction - no machining.


    This is intended to fit the top T-track on the Rip and miter fence (uses the same extrusion) on the Ryobi BT3x00 / Craftsman 22811 family of saws
    You must make the Block and Base parts; you can make them 1.5" or 3 inches long or modify to any other length.
    Make the base from 1/8” aluminum bar, you can get 1.5”, 2”, and 3” at Lowes...
    05-24-2023, 09:55 PM

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