Hi All:

Haven't posted to Woodnet in a while, but I have a general power tool question:

I have a 10 year old Hitachi miter saw. Lately the preset angles don't seem to cut straight. Like the 45deg preset cuts more like 44 deg. So I take it all apart and clean it, re-square the blade to both fences.  It cuts true for a few cuts then the whole process starts over.  It cuts true enough for rough framing, but not for wood working.  My first saw was a 1994 vintage Craftsman 12" direct drive miter saw that cut true and straight til the motor finally burned up.  This Hitachi replaced that original saw.  I have never been truly impressed with this Hitachi saw.

Maybe time for an upgrade?

Thoughts?

SWMBO and the kids are leaning on me to make a cribbage board.  (I used to play it so a refresher might be in mind).  Anyways, I see Rockler sells a template for making one (as well as the pegs).  I'll grant that they're jig will make straight, clean holes, but I'm cheap so I'm looking for other ideas.  I can copy a template and spray glue it to a board, but I'm afraid the holes won't be clean and straight.

Is this a case of "spend the $$$ now DP so you won't regret it later?

How have you made your cribbage board(s)?

I need to look it up and learn how to replace it.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

Hi all!

I know that several here have built their own kitchen cabinets.  I'm dipping my foot into that water and wonder if anyone out there has a tool that would help set up cut sheets and help me get an idea of the amount of material I would need to purchase.  Once I have an idea of the materials I'd need, I can go out and determine if the cost savings is worth it versus ordering them made for me.  

I have a floor plan that lists all of the cabinets out in specifications like "B15L" "BCB18L" "SB36" "BCB12R"  etc....

Thanks!
Kevin

Hi All,

Quick question.  I'm wondering if anyone has actually done this.  I have a patio on the back of my house.  It has a horrendous flood light fixture on the side of the house.  Following SWMBO's orders, I am installing string lights.  Problem is, I need an outlet to plug into.  I know they make some light fixtures that also include a GFCI outlet in them, and I might be forced to go that route...the issue is they are all so physically large that it will look funny in this location.  Has anyone ever converted a shallow round work box into a plugable outlet?  There are a bunch of "stories" on the INET, but I haven't found someone who actually has done this...

Thanks for any help!
Kevin

I am looking for a free wood identifying app for my phone.  I have been around wood and trees a fair amount but I have never been very good at identifying species.  If anyone has a suggestion, that would be great.  Thx as always.

If you were going to build a new shop from scratch, what would you do or not do?

I mean everything, like type of construction, building shape and size, building features, machines to definitely have or avoid... anything.

I didn't know whether to post here or in power tools.

Can anyone recommend a good wood chipper?  I am, of course, looking for a consumer version, not one of the trailer mounted types that the lawn care pros use.  Most of the reviews for the consumer versions have a significant number of negative ratings (clogs, or won't feed a 3 inch branch, or something).  I typically trust the negative reviews more than the positive reviews.  If the entire category of consumer wood chippers is basically over-hyped, I'd rather not buy one that is destined to become a boat anchor.  I will have reasonably frequent need for it, so I'd rather not rent but I suppose I could go that route if I really had to.  I'm willing to spend some coin, but not the multi thousand dollar price tag of the pro versions.

Thanks,
Mark

Hit a rock yesterday with the JD so I slipped the deck off and inspected the blades.  I re-sharpened them and while I had the deck upside down, I used a wire brush-type attachment in the drill to remove most of the stuck on grass.  I would have done a more thorough job, but I was under a time crunch.  Re-installed the deck and she works fine.

While I was removing the stuck on grass I thought there must be a way to keep the underside as slick as snot, somewhat.  I see there are coatings I can spray on, but what has worked for you in the past?

I was thinking about taking the mower deck inside for the winter, scraping/cleaning it down, spay painting it with a gloss rattle can and then applying car wax to it.  (a nice lil inside winter project, no?)  Would that work or do you have an easier, more effective solution?

If it matters, it's a side discharge JD and I bag the grass.


Thanks!

I’m ready to attach the base cabinets for my miter station. I’ve got some 3” Tapcons. Is this the proper way to go about it?
Use a regular drill bit to go through the ply nailer strip; then use the Tapcon masonry bit and a hammer drill to make the pilot hole in the cinder block. A hammer drill to drive in the Tapcons.

Is the a trick to drilling the pilot hole with it getting to wide? Last time I drilled into cinder block, the vibration from the hammer drill caused the bit to wobble a bit,and a bunch of the pilot holes were too wide for the Tapcons to bite. (Or maybe I did something else wrong?)

Also, should I try to find the the solid part of the cinder block so I not drilling into the void? Or is the wall of the cinder block strong enough.

Thanks in advance.