Stupid trick of the day

[LCHIEN]

I had to cut a 2x4x8' today in the yard but I was too lazy to haul it into the garage for the miter saw. I just clamped it to the bench, being very careful to put the cut past the table edge and not cut into the table (who's done that before?). Checked my clothes for hanging drawstring or other loose stuff that could get caught, checked the power cord position so I didn't cut it, lined up the speed square perfectly and called the wife to catch the cut off so it wouldn't be damaged of damage anything when it fell and started the circular saw, making a perfectly placed cut. Throwing sawdust everywhere as only a circular saw can.

Finished the cut and looked expectantly at her to triumphantly hold up the cutoff, but she said, " It's still attached." Duh. Forgot to check the blade depth which was set to a little over an inch.

Oh, well. Don't use a circ saw much.
I guess I should store it with the blade retracted. That way it will sit flat on the base instead of the blade guard and force me to set a depth with each subsequent use.

[leehljp]

"checked the power cord position so I didn't cut it,"

That is where I fail most often, and why I started using cordless cutting tools when possible. I have cut numerous cords on corded saws. DO it once, that happens and even twice over a few years, but 4 or 5 times, - that shows I have a one track mind, the cutting PATH. Just dumb when you ( I ) do it that many times.

[cwsmith]

Back in highschool when our shopclass project was building a garage, one of my classmates cut his circular saw cord. That probably led me to always be extra careful and so, I've never had that happen.

However, a couple of years ago, I was cutting a plywood panel using my cordless circular saw and cut into the top of the Stanley foldable table I was using to support it. Everything was going along just fine, until my sawdust turned black all of sudden!

I had the blade set to slightly less than a quarter-inch below the thickness of the ply. Still, I left an 7-inch long cut into the table top; fortunately, I missed the table latch by an inch or so. Still everytime I see that cut, it reminds me to be careful.

[LCHIEN]

Well the good news, nothing damaged. In the past I once have "nicked" a supporting table and I have repaired a cut off cord for a friend (not me!). I increased the depth of cut and recut and you couldn't see the misalignment - both edges were flush.

[leehljp]

I was comfortable with electrical and mechanical work even as a kid - even more so than wood work at 8 or 9 years old. So when I cut cords, OR more to the truth - at that time if a cord was cut or pulled out or a cord got damaged in one way or anther, I usually replaced the full length cord instead of splicing the "cut" cord. Dad had no problem with me doing that. We had a 30 x 50 shop with engine and even motor overhaul equipment as well as large arc welding and acetylene torch cutting; and dad kinda expected me to do those things at an early age.

I'm trying to think of why I have cut cords several times - I was in Osaka for 14 years and didn't cut any cords then. Next I was in Nagoya for 7 years and I know I cut two cords. One was a cord not being used but under a board I was cutting. Since I returned to the US in 2011, I know I have cut one cord - I was cutting a sheet of plywood laying on top of the grass with the extension cord under it.

I am a slow learner!

[LCHIEN]

Ok, here's stupid trick number two.
jessem router lift, Bosch 1617 router 1/2" dia carbide upcut bit.

Test cut (at least I'm smart enough to do that). The bit keeps climbing over a cut of a few inches, the thin overhang was to be 1/8". The piece was 1/2" thick.


After mulling it over and theorizing my router shifted or the lift shifted, I decided it must be the bit and collet. Probably not tightened enough and the spiral uncut pulls the bit away from the router making a deeper cut.

Tightened the bit and had to reset all the settings, worked like a champ.

I don't normally overtighten my router bits, just a small amount past where finger tight stops. Guess I should use a bit more... don't use spiral bits that often on deep cuts.

[capncarl]

I was using my 4 wheeler trailer for a sawhorse. It had heavy angle iron side rails that were about as tall as the top of the tires. T made a really good sawhorse. My neighbor and one of my kids were holding the piece of plywood as I cut a rip cut parallel to the trailer side rails… straight through the tire! I heard the loud hissing and thought the saw was burning up, I sat the saw down and quickly unplugged the cord. The hissing continued for a little while and was drowned out by our laughter, but it really wasn’t that funny.

[billwmeyer]

In my small shop, I usually use my Ryobi table saw as a base to cut on. Somehow I have cuts in the rubber handle on the rip fence!

[LCHIEN]

duct tape it!