Podcast – Stu's Shed

Stusshed-Episode16TheRouterTable

Episode 16 The Router Table.

The router is an incredibly versatile tool, capable of many, many tasks. One method of using the router is to mount it underneath a table, so the router bit is exposed, and bringing the workpiece to the router, rather than the other way around.

This video looks at using the router table, using the router table fence as well as bearinged versus unbearinged router bits. It is a followup to the blog post on Stu’s Shed “So just what is a Router Table?” on the 25th November 07

Stusshed-Episode15MetalDetection

Episode 15 Metal Detection in Reclaimed Timber

I came across this security device recently and to all intents and purposes, it is exactly the same as the metal detectors sold in woodworking shops (for 2 – 3 times as much). This video is a brief look at the detector in action (plus some traps for young players (myself included)).

For more info, see the post on http://www.stusshed.com “A Win for the Good Guys”

Stusshed-Episode14EEqualsMCSquare

Episode 14 E=mc Square.

Squares (or tri-squares) are an essential part of every toolbox. In this episode, we have a brief look at various types of squares, from the cheapest through to some superb versions that are available. We also look at how to test a square for accuracy before buying it.

Particularly featured is Incra’s Guaranteed Square, available from Professional Woodworker Supplies. Their guarantee is that the angular accuracy, from heel to toe of this square is accurate to within 1/1000th of a inch, making for a square with incredible accuracy. Cost is $A112.50. It is made from a hardened material (not sure what the base material is), which has been anodised for durability and finish. Also from Professional Woodwork Supplies is a Wixey Digital Angle Gauge. Not strictly a square, but it is easy to use it as such, and accurate to within 0.1 degrees. This one will set you back $77.50. Since getting to use both these around the workshop, I have found them essential tools, and both can now be found in my shop apron, as they get used constantly.

From Australian Wood Review magazine is their multi-square. This is an accurately machined 45-45-90 set square, and is excellent for both measuring and checking angles. It is excellent for setting blade and bit heights, as well as checking for square (and checking other squares). Cost is $35 for the imperial version (currently on special), and $45 for the metric version. Drop this one on the floor, and you don’t have to think about buying a new one!

Finally, for those who love quality hand-made hand tools there is a Colen Clenton square, with an ebony stock, and a recalibratable blade. This is a fine tool, beautiful to look at and use. They are available through the HNT Gordon website.

BTW, sorry about the quality at the start of the video – think a camera is definitely needing a service. Hope the other videos shot around the same time are not too badly affected

Update: Having a look at some of the feedback, and yes, there are a whole heap of other squares on the market, including some combination squares that are apparently very accurate. Unfortunately, I can only review what I have, or have come across (or in a couple of instances were generously supplied), which is pretty much the same situation for many woodworkers. If other suppliers/manufacturers would like to have their items included in a side-by-side review, please drop me an email.

Episode 13 Footy Trophy

Episode 13 A Footy Trophy.

In this episode, I needed to extend the life of a Footy Tipping Trophy by adding some room for more winner plaques.

We go from sketching the initial shape, to roughing it out on the bandsaw, sanding to final dimensions on the disk sander and spindle sander, and finally round over the edges on the router table.

Stusshed-Episode12RouterSignWriting

Episode 12 Sign Writing with the Router.

It is one of those things that many people want to do when they first buy a set of template guides for their router, and see the picture of router-carved words on the box. Or when you come across a well-made wooden sign, and you look at it wondering – How did they do that?

You don’t have to be an expert with carving chisels, and have the patience of a saint, so long as you have a reasonable kit of sign writing templates, a guide, and a router with a low centre-of-gravity (the small, cheap ones work really well)!

This video covers a few related topics, including templates and template guides, a sign-writing (commercial) jig, modifying a router (ok, I cut the plunge springs down), and of course, demonstrating using the jig.

Stusshed-Episode11CarbitoolWheelCutter

Episode 11 Carbitool Wheel Cutter

Carb-i-tool is a Melbourne manufacturing company, producing very high quality router bits in a myriad of styles and designs. One of their rather unique designs is the Wheel Cutter. It comes in 3 sizes – 40mm, 50mm and 60mm. It is not strictly a router bit, as it is designed to be used in the drill press, and quickly and easily turns offcuts into toy wheels!

The wheels have a nice profile, with a rounded rim, and indented hub. The bits have a large chunk of tungsten carbide, and will produce 1000s of wheels!

Carb-i-tool router bits can be found at a number of outlets, including The Tool Centre, Mitre 10, and their stand can also be seen (with a large range of bits) at many of the Working with Wood Shows. If you wat to find a supplier near you, contact Carb-i-tool by email at [email protected], or through their website www.carbitool.com.au. You will find their current catalogue online there as well. One of the things I find very impressive is the fact that if there isn’t a bit there that you specifically need, they can make any other profile to order. They also offer a sharpening service for you router bits and saw blades, which from memory is in the vicinity of $5 for a router bit.

This is a new segment for Stu’s Shed – Router Bit of-the-month. Credit for the concept actually goes to Matt’s Basement Workshop, an American Podcast you can also find on iTunes.

Carb-i-tool have very generously supported Stu’s Shed with this segment, and have provided a number of bits that we will review over the coming months.

The background noise in the video is rain – can’t seem to do much about it – the only times I get a chance to shoot some footage recently seems to be the only time it rains around here! Seeing as we are in the middle of a very bad drought, I guess we can’t complain, but the timing is…..unfortunate! Been chatting with one of my colleagues, and I’m going to play more with how I record audio in the future. I guess while we are learning more about woodworking, I’m on quite an interesting learning curve about video production!

When all’s said and done, hope you are enjoying the results, and the authenticness of this being a real video, shot in a real shed….our own little reality show….I should have called it “Little Brother”.

Stusshed-Episode10TritonSpindleSander

Episode 10 Triton Spindle Sander

Another horse out of the Triton Stables, the Spindle Sander is an excellent addition for the workshop. Taking spindle sizes from 13mm (1/2 inch) to 76mm (3 inch) all those difficult sanding projects can now be easily performed and is an excellent complement to the belt and disk sander.

The sander has a cast iron top, dust port for the all-important dust collection, and onboard storage for all the different sized spindles, and associated surrounds.

Apologies for some sound and lighting issues with this episode – the technical issues have since been resolved (one shorting/dying new battery caused a lot of grief until it was discovered and replaced).

Stusshed-Episode09CompressionBit

Episode 09 Linbide TCT Compression Bit

Stusshed-Episode08TritonWetAndDrySharpener

Episode 08 Triton Wet and Dry Sharpener

Stusshed-Episode07Triton13Thicknesser

Episode 07 Triton 13in Planer / Thicknesser

The Triton 13in Planer/Thicknesser is an interesting addition to the range of Triton power tools.

It is a 2.5HP, 8000 RPM (16000 cuts/min) 330mm x 150mm (max size of stock) thicknesser. It has some quite unusual features that are worth noting. There is a cutterhead lock which provides extra stability for the cutter head by locking onto the 4 uprights, active dust (chip!) extraction, and a planing height gauge which gives an indication of how much material will be removed before passing the stock into the thicknesser.

This video isn’t intended to be an instructional one on the specifics of thicknessing stock (that will be done down-track), but hopefully it will give you a fair idea about what the Triton thicknesser is all about.