Tool Talk Podcast #19
July 30, 2007
This week Sean and I run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers — and call out a few posts we thought deserved attention as well. Highlights: we answer a question about painting chrome exhaust pipes, discuss foam-core modelling, talk Swiss Army knives, and reveal Sean’s track obsession. Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download) Read More →
Episode 14 - Bombe Series - Fitting Writing Surface to Case
July 30, 2007
Using a pencil Tommy transfers the outline of the writing surface pin onto one of the case's bombe sides. Shaving by shaving he chisels out the dovetail to receive the pin. While his hands move as if guided from Above, you can tell from his chatter that he's really sweating it. Cleaning out a dovetail on a priceless work is nerve-racking, but Tommy handles it with his usual cool. Thank God he has something great to look at when he's done. Read More →
New Manufacturer’s Perversion
July 29, 2007
I never cease to be amazed by the incidence of tools which don't work, and like to refer to them as Manufacturer's Perversions.More ... Read More →
Episode 13 - Bombe Series - Writing Surface Dovetail Layout
July 27, 2007
Tommy marks up the dove tail on the writing surface and then using a ramp block chisels out the 45 degree and 1:6 dovetail. Just ease into these dovetails and tap, tap, tap it in. Finally scoring the case for the final work to complete the dovetail. Read More →
Episode 12 - Bombe Series - Cleaning a dado with a router plane
July 25, 2007
What's the best way to ensure a perfect dado? With a router plane. Tommy demonstrates why and how to use the router plane, a simple but valuable tool in a woodworker's arsenal. Read More →
Tool Talk Podcast #18
July 24, 2007
Join Sean and me as we update you on what’s happening in the TM shop and run down the week’s top five posts as selected by Toolmonger readers. Highlights: we discuss the ins and outs of fiberglass interior work as we near completion on our first ‘glass project, discuss the joys of an unlimited hot water supply, and dish on some childhood indiscretions we probably should have kept to ourselves. Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403....
Episode 11 - Bombe Series - Assembling the lower case
July 21, 2007
It's time to assemble the lower case. In preparation, Tommy must get the dove tails on the lower assembly of the bombe 100%. To do this he uses a router on a quarter million dollar piece of furniture...insane or genius? You be the judge. Roughing in the pins and paring it with a chisel, Tommy makes quick work of the job. Read More →
New Plunge Base for Porter-Cable 890 Router
July 20, 2007
The flood is starting already. In addition to launching a new web site (www.deltaportercable.com), Porter-Cable today announced the availability of a new plunge base for their 890-series routers. From their press release: The plunge base is offered as part of multi-base kits, models 893PK, 894PK and 895PK, as well as an accessory, model 8931. With machined brass brushings and steel guide rods, the upgraded base offers an extremely smooth and durable plunge stroke for greater user control...
Delta/Porter-Cable Announces New Product Lines
July 20, 2007
Changes are a comin’. Delta/Porter-Cable announced at a gathering at AWFS last night a major revamping of their product line. Lower-end products are going away. Newer products are on the horizon. The focus will be on quality with an emphasis on a new look and major efforts in industrial design of the products. One example cited was a new Unisaw with both wheel cranks on the front of the saw. It’s a unique concept that should have been done years ago. The new Unisaw will also have...
Highlights from AWFS, Part 2
July 19, 2007
I finally got a chance to walk part of the AWFS show floor here in Las Vegas and take in some of the new stuff for woodworking. Makita is coming out with some exciting new “black and white’ cordless tools that will appeal to the home woodworker and do-it-yourselfer. They’re 18v tools with 1.5 amp-hour batteries that will recharge in 15 minutes, according to Wayne Hart, Communications Manager for Makita. To me, these tools look the same as their traditional teal-colored tools....
WOOD Magazine Featured Project
July 18, 2007
The cradle you see on the cover of the September 2007 issue of WOOD Magazine is my winning design from WOOD Magazine's  Build-a-Gift Contest. Kevin Boyle and the editors at WOOD did a fabulous job. The magazine write-up is excellent, complete with full scale templates. A slide show produced by the editors is also availble for viewing, at the WOOD web-site.The video we've produced here, goes through the design progression that lead to being the featurer project. As you continue to...
Highlights from AWFS, Part 1
July 18, 2007
When they say it’s hot in Vegas, they aren’t kidding. And even though the show floor is air-conditioned, there are some hot new products heating up the arena. Porter-Cable is set to announce a whole lineup of new tools tomorrow night at a press briefing. I’m going to see if I can sneak in the back door and let you know what I find out. I got to spend some time at the Rikon Power Tools booth. I met and spoke for a few moments with Erin Riley, president. She said that the company...
Carving a Carousel
July 16, 2007
I got a treat on Sunday. The Heritage Carousel at Union Park in Des Moines, Iowa was celebrating its tenth anniversary. As part of the celebration, they invited the original builders of the carousel, The Carousel Works, Inc., to attend and demonstrate their carving and painting skills. I got to speak with the owner and his wife (Art and Marilyn Ritchie) about their craft. It so happens that they’re from Mansfield, Ohio, close to where I grew up in Ohio. He’s been carving for...
The Pleasure of Working with Sharp Tools
July 16, 2007
There is a phrase which keeps cropping up on or after my short courses. It goes something like this;"I wish I had ... Read More →
Lingerie Cabinet Ep08 - Final Finishing
July 10, 2007
Back to our Contemporary Lingerie Cabinet and Webisode08. Here we've disassembled the case, labeled parts, final sanded and final finished to match our Finish Sample from Episode07.It's a well executed episode that turns sample finiahing into reality.Enjoy........ Formats available: Quicktime (.mov) Read More →
Tool Talk Podcast #17
July 9, 2007
Join me and Sean as we discuss woodworking shop layout issues and some sweet veneer finds, run down this week’s top five tools as selected by Toolmonger readers, give you the low-down on the mini-feud with The Hardware Aisle, and tell you all about our “little black books.” Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download) Read More →
Podcast #23: Pocket Hole Joinery: Simple & Strong Cabinetmaking
July 6, 2007
Pocket holes are one of the simplest forms of joinery in all of woodworking. All you need is a pocket hole jig to drill the holes and some special pocket hole screws to connect two pieces together. They’re great for avoiding problems with laying out your workpieces and with alignment. Plus, they eliminate the need to clamp up a lot of pieces during glue up. During this week’s podcast, Phil Huber will show you some tricks for using pocket screws and he’ll build a complete patio table...
Episode 10 - Bombe Series - Tuning-up a Scraper
July 5, 2007
Tommy fine tunes a cabinet scraper which he uses to clean the undulating plane of the bombe cabinet's sides. Watch him rock and roll (get it, roll...) the scraper's edge with a file, then a "wata" stone and lastly a burnisher. Al sings the praises of the scraper manufacturer's line in hopes of scoring a complete set of tools for himself. Read More →
Hexagonal Portable Tool Tote
July 3, 2007
I don’t know about you, but when I have to do some work around the house or somewhere away from the shop, I usually use a five-gallon bucket with a Bucket Boss to transport my tools. I’ve been using that for years and it has worked fairly well. It’s great for hauling my portable drill, screwdrivers, hammers, chisels, etc. Over on WoodNet, Bob Strawn (aka “CedarSlayer”) is showing off his portable “roll-up” tool tote. He even went so far as to...
Tool Talk Podcast #16
July 2, 2007
Join me and Sean as we update you on what’s going on right now in the Toolmonger shop — thanks for the called-in tips! – run down this week’s top five tools as selected by Toolmonger readers, and bitch about Case’s new “vault program.” Remember, if you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 866-718-9403. (Podcast Download) Read More →
Episode 9 - Bombe Series - Shaping the Lower Cabinet Sides - Part 2
July 2, 2007
Rock star T-Mac shows off a compass plane on the curves of the bombe cabinet. Also, he demonstrates a shoulder plane with a few tricks to keep the edge clean. Lastly, he cleans the side of the cabinet with a cabinet scrapper. Read More →
