Sweet!

I am in upstate NY and my shop is 20 X 30. I use 2 of the little ceramic heaters and they keep my shop in the mid 50's. They do not run all the time. I did insulate the walls and ceiling pretty well and I'm sure that helps.

Pretty nifty. I've accumulated several compass/keyhole saw blades, and finally settled on a couple of handles I really like.

They're stored some distance from the other saws...when I finally get around to a saw till, I need to remember to include them.

You might not think you "stole it", but I can tell you that you did extremely well at 40 bucks...I call that a $75.00 tool if it's a nickel!! Keen Kutters are collectible!!

And they are danged good users, that one in particular!!

Still naked...

This past weekend was the Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event (www.lie-nielsen.com) at the Kansas City Woodworkers' Guild. So I decided this would be a good time to demonstrate how this type of bench is used for holding your workpiece to perform the usual operations.

I did forget one photo, and that is working a long edge -- i.e. jointing. But it would be similar to this holding method using the crochet for re-sawing a board:


To re-saw I use the crochet to keep the board steady from the front, a pin in the apron to hold the bottom and a holdfast through the apron to squeeze it all together. Works very well. Just keep flipping the board face-for-face until you get down to the crochet. Then flip end-for-end and work down to where you stopped.

Instead of working at an angle, add a second pin and lay the board down and jam into the crochet. A holdfast can be added to hold steady. If the board is narrow or short, simply add a second board below to stack everything up above the edge of the bench.

Working on the surface of the bench to hold pieces for long-grain or cross grain, you can flip over the center strip so it rests 1/2" above the surface. A wider board can be accommodated by removing the strip and clamping it at each end on the far edge of the bench.


Or if sized appropriately, you can combine the planing stop and the "stick" like this:


Too wide or too narrow for either method above, add a "doe's foot" and a holdfast or clamp to hold like this:



If the board must be clamped down to the bench, you can use a hold fast or again remove the center stick and drop a clamp through the gap:


Similar to the setup for re-sawing, you can work on the end of a board for tenons too without using the crochet:



If a face vice is the best method to hold something, use a stout board, two pegs and two holdfasts (a slightly wider board would have been better but I just grabbed from the scrap bin) :


And if you want to move work a little closer to you for fine details (dovetails, carving, whatever) you can make accessories. Here is how to hold down a "Moxon vice" (or just use a couple of handscrew clamps in a similar manner) :



At this point I think the idea is clear, you use combinations of fences, edges, holdfasts, pegs and wedges to hold the work. It does mean you have to think ahead a bit and possibly make some fixtures. But pretty much, anything can be held. Add a few 8" or larger handscrew clamps and you can hold oddly shaped objects easily.

In summary, yes, it is a bit fiddly to work without a vice or vices. But it shouldn't stop you from working. For very small money, one can make a perfectly serviceable bench and get going. $150 (wood + holdfasts) vs $1500+ means beginners aren't going to be stymied by the cost, at least not for long. Oh, and FYI, if you want to join the KCWG and use the shop and its tools, $75/year.

I use Franmar's soy gel cleaner. Spray on, let set for a few minutes and scrub with a toothbrush. Not no mess, but it is non-toxic and does not smell bad. I have a utility sink in my shop so I can contain the mess there, but in my previous shop I used a cheap plastic basin.

Just a note, your bits and blades are not getting dull, the pitch build up is causing them to cut like they are dull. Cleaning regularly not only keeps them cutting well and without burning, but it is MUCH easier to remove a little resin than a lot. With too much build up, it can require a few rounds of scrubbing and spraying.

Ralph

Can you disconnect/move it out of the way temporarily? Maybe string it along the ceiling long enough to do the work , then put it back in place?

Good deal

Fellas ( and fellettes)

Gues who might be getting a full functioning, with an extension table, a nice fence and on a mobile base Unisaw next Saturday?

And I'll let you guess the price too!!


Yup.....got a call from a friend. Seems he's got a line on a shop that want to unload this baby for free!!!? They even offered to deliver it....no charge!!!

Told him I'd pick it up. So if all goes well, next Saturday they'll be a nice Uni in my shop!!!


Now can I get the "You Suck" of the millennium???

Tools for working wood has a good selection, the biggest selection I've found is sharpening supplies.com. They pretty much have everything made. Prices for slip stones are pretty steep. I'm saving my pennies for A set of the Chris Pye signature slip stones that are matched for both width and sweep!

Good luck with the carving!