Busy day, and a bad sign for my wallet...

[dbhost]

So I had the last 2 days off, my company insists on no overtime, so after 2 16 hour days I got sent home... So what to do? Well after LOML got done with her wish list for my time, I managed to get some stress release / shop time in...

For starters, I got the ducting installed in the miter saw bench,


I used what I had on hand up to the point of hitting the blast gate, and by then, I was running out of elbows and pipe. I had to run to Lowes..

The blast gate is another one of the repurposed Lee Valley gates. I did NOT use any floor sweeps this time, so I actually have a surplus of gates...



While I was waiting for the silicone adhesive caulk to dry, I went and took apart and reglued one of my dining room chairs. I bought my dining room set from a furniture store that was going out of business in the late 90s, it would appear that the MFG they imported from didn't know what wood glue was. There wasn't a trace of glue anywhere on this chair. The glue has set up mostly, but will give it a full 24 to be sure. I am sure that once these chairs are all done, they will be FAR more solid than they EVER were new...

BTW, AHW is the name of my shop. The Amish Heritage Workshop...

Today being the last day of the month, My Harbor Freight super coupons were going to expire, and I have been resisting running in and grabbing one of the Multi Speed Oscillating Multitools. Until today... They did a BAAAADDDD thing to me...


I no longer have to go out of my way to Pasadena Texas to get to Harbor Freight now, and this one is set up really nicely...

Somehow, along with that multitool, the self centering dowel jig, and 2 of the carbide triangle grinding tools for the oscillating tool came home with me too...

My General Tools 840 Revolving Turret Doweling Jig is now up for grabs... It is the jig only, in good condition, just old is all...

I suspect within the month, I am going to end up over there and have a Pocket Screw Jig follow me home.

[durango dude]

good luck with the dowel jig ----

That's the one thing that I bought from HF that is absolute junk.

Here's how you test it ----

take 3/4" wood ----- drill a hole with jig

Flip jig around 180 degs

Drill another hole -----

If they line up - you're lucky ------ none of mine lined up (all 3)

[lrr]

My wallet took a hit also. I was browsing at tools while at Lowes, and they were clearancing their long Bessey K-body Revo clamps. They had 3 of the 40 inch for $38 (around $55 or so at most places), and two 50 inch for $42 (normally around $60 or so). I told them I'd take all 5 if they discounted them a little deeper. They took another 10% off, so I got all 5 for $190 with tax. I have 2 of the 24" models, and 3 Woodcraft store brand 12" parallel clamps.

I'm feeling slightly comfortable with the quantity of good quality parallel bar clamps I have, at least for now ...

[dbhost]

good luck with the dowel jig ----

That's the one thing that I bought from HF that is absolute junk.

Here's how you test it ----

take 3/4" wood ----- drill a hole with jig

Flip jig around 180 degs

Drill another hole -----

If they line up - you're lucky ------ none of mine lined up (all 3)

I know the dowel jig is a gamble, but honestly. I never liked the General jig for the same reason.... Most of these jigs are known to be off a bit from the factory. I figure though, for the painfully low investment of $12.00 I could take a gamble...

In all honesty, the reviews on this particular jig aren't any worse than say the Rockler Self Centering Dowel jig at 4 times the price... And from what I saw in store both at Harbor Freight, and at Rockler. I suspect they are EXACTLY the same thing just in a different box...

[gsmittle]

My wallet took a hit also. I was browsing at tools while at Lowes, and they were clearancing their long Bessey K-body Revo clamps. They had 3 of the 40 inch for $38 (around $55 or so at most places), and two 50 inch for $42 (normally around $60 or so). I told them I'd take all 5 if they discounted them a little deeper. They took another 10% off, so I got all 5 for $190 with tax. I have 2 of the 24" models, and 3 Woodcraft store brand 12" parallel clamps.

I'm feeling slightly comfortable with the quantity of good quality parallel bar clamps I have, at least for now ...

Sorry to disagree—it's not possible to have enough clamps. You're not comfortable with them; it's an illusion. You need more clamps…

g.

[dbhost]

Okay I tested the jig out, and yes, it DID take some adjusting to get it to go centered, and it also took careful use as the dumb thing likes to rack which makes it go off center...

However carefully setting it up, I am able to get dead center every time.

There are 2 socket cap screws on the back, locking down an adjuster ring. Mine was too far out making the back about 1/16" further out than the front causing the jig to be off center. Once I got everything tightened down and adjusted right though, it worked predictably as a jig of this design should...

I wonder though, do Chinese manufacturers get a discount on all that machining oil / shipping lube they use? You think they'd want to reclaim some of that if possible. My jig was litereally dripping with that oil... It took a few minutes with some rubbing alcohol and a shop rag to get it clean...

The multi tool works great, far better than anticipated, and I am not exaggerating either. I am using it to grind down thin set near my back door. LOML and I are redoing the flooring and need to start with a smooth clean concrete slab. The Carbide rasp that everyone recommends is working great, but honestly is wearing kind of fast. Then again what do I expect flogging the snot out of it on Thin Set?