I'd use spray foam, but the dog would probably chew it off. That stuff sticks to anything.

From what I have found its just a urethane paint. Basically a derivative of automotive paint. The one guy I talked to that does cast iron tubs uses automotive paint on them. Good stuff but has cyanoacrelates. Better for the environment but much more dangerous to people than the old lacquer.

That is some nice stuff for sure and I am glad you started the thread.

Arlin

I've used an adze many times, but that one looks like it has been used as a hoe. Generally I use a lipped adze. Sharpened up, they are a finishing tool. I use them for fairing up planking and keel repairs.
Jim

Looks like they are set in dados in the plywood.

they have refurb sales every so often.

there have been dealers that have kicked things in, but none of them will admit it publicly.

Great advice!

And I would add:

"Find a way to optimize your tool storage for when they are not in use. Every tool does not need to be front-and-center. Tuck them away, pull them out only when you need them, and put them away when you are done. This holds true as much for big machines as it does for small hand tools."

I just spent some time watching early episodes of New Yankee Workshop. It was kind of fun and interesting. It was basically watching a carpenter trying to be a furniture maker. He would reproduce a period piece and produce a very nice facsimile. But he would use mostly carpenter techniques relying on a lot of screws and pneumatic nails. Rabbits and dados replaced many more standard joinery like dovetails and M&T. He loved his biscuit joiner. I watched him make some Ogee bracket feet. And he worked way too hard. Had he looked up how furniture makers do it, it would have taken half the time and probably yielded better results.

You could see in some of his later shows how he (slightly) evolved. And you could see some serious tool upgrades.

No knocks on Norm. The finished products always looked very good and his precision was excellent. I just think it is interesting to see other people's process.

I have a 2 car garage and I'm sure I would be the envy of many a small shop owner. I upgraded from another house where I had a 1 car. Unfortunately, my wife owns one wall with her glass studio (fancy word for shop). I would kick her out, but she sells over $6000 worth of stuff every year, so I just hoping she doesn't kick me out. Small shops are definitely a challenge.


I recently decided that there simply is not enough room for an assembly table and a full sized workbench. In a small shop, many tools and workstations have to pull double duty. So, my advice is, figure out an axillary top for the workbench.

Another big frustration for me, where to keep lumber, sheet goods, and scraps. Scraps are so essential. I can't just throw them away.

Used vintage saw sets are better, depending on which you get. My favorite is the Stanley 42X. They are plentiful. Post a WTB on SnS and you'll likely get an offer to sell.

As far as saw files go, I think Grobet makes the best ones now. They can be ordered from multiple sources. If you can find new old stock US files like Simmonds, Nicholson (Made in USA), and Heller, those are good as well. Most of what's sold at the hardware stores are horrible.