Ron's Brain

I found me a worktable at a yard sale this summer. $15 - it's 10'x4' - but I had to drag it 4 blocks (although I did have a dolly on one end) home as the trailer I was going to borrow wasn't available that evening.

I plan to start doing more "craft" stuff, but I'm still a novice when it comes to tools other than my cordless drill, a hammer, and a skill saw.

I engaged in lofty academic dialog. The latest was a question from a colleague about the supposed currency and veracity of "My father chased me around with power tools." I had to admit that I personally had never been so chased, but I admitted grudgingly that I may, myself, have been a chaser. I was thinking in particular of a drill with a missing chuck.... Please, gentle readers (and you, too, Ron), add your wisdom to my investigation of the phenomenon that is beginning to take on the dimensions of an authentic urban legend. While your discussion above of power tools makes you an ideal audience for my question, please know that the question itself in no way is intended to cast ANY aspersions (hence the "gentle readers" qualification). Were YOU chased around, by either parent, threatening you with power tools, and/or have you ever been a chaser?

I've never chased anyone with a power tool, but sometimes I'll point the drill at the kids and give it a quick whir, just to startle them. I'll also cycle the power on a tool before I use it if they are working with me. This usually causes them to go running. I'd rather them run around during a quick buzz from the table saw than when I'm actually operating the saw.

I also don't recall ever being chased with a power tool.

OH MY GOD we have the same table saw. TABLE SAW BUDDIES 4 EVER!

I do recall you being chased with a Lazy Boy.

During your vacation, I restored a jack plane that I picked up from an antiques mall for $40. I'm quite proud of the finished result, though the iron is dull as fuckall and I have yet to hone it.

I want to get a few chip breakers and irons and build myself a couple of planes. I also want to make a spokeshave. I'm kindof on a handtool kick, and am planing to make a few such as a coping saw and frame saw. I'll have pictures up when I'm done.

Who manufactured your jack plane?

Craftsman- there were a few Stanley's, but they were in terrible shape. One even had a crack that ran right through the mouth and the guy still had $80 on it. There were several finishing planes there also, but I only had so much cash with me. I'm planing on going back and checking those out eventually. One box had SEVERAL moulding planes, but I couldn't justify those without owning a house. Good luck getting the irons and chip breakers- I swear I haven't seen those in a hardware store in years.

Think I might go with Hock Tools for the chip breakers and irons. They sell kits designed for handmade planes.

Niiiiice! *Bookmark*

I would also suggest going to antique malls and doing some diligent searching as there is always a ton of old school woodworking hand tools that require only some minor refurbing. But I've got a plan in my head for an adjustable rabbet plane that I'm planing on starting soon.

I've also been reading this and it's been fantastic.

Woodwork Joints is a joinery book that is very in depth.

Sometimes when I see some joint work, I imagine the carpenter thinking "How can I make this as odd as possible?"