The Glowforge is an amazing tool for cutting, engraving, and etching thin wood, acrylic, leather, anodized metal, etc., but it’s not immediately obvious that it can also do the same with common thicker objects like wooden-handle utensils (pizza cutters, spatulas), etc. etc. Thicker objects require removal of the Glowforge’s “crumb tray” to make room underContinue reading “Pegboard Work Surfaces”
Category Archives: Workshop
Rubber Biscuit?
My DeWALT DW682K Plate Joiner is one of my favorite tools. It makes precision slots for easily aligning pieces prior to glue application and clamping. Slots are cut into adjoining surface with the joiner. Side-to-side positioning is easily achieved by aligning the red line on the joiner with a straight line drawn across pieces. ConsistentContinue reading “Rubber Biscuit?”
Clamp, Clamp, Ka Bamp!*
Clamps are an amazing thing. Especially when you have the right kind and enough of them. I’ve been collecting a variety for a while, and I may finally have enough. Here’s a quick walkthrough…
Being a Luddite with Carpentry
I used to create detailed carpentry plans on the computer. Hyper-accurate measurements and every possible angle. I even considered switching to SketchUp for 3D views, as advocated by so many books… But I never saw a computer on those carpentry shows. Does Norm Abram use a mouse? Maybe, but you’d never know. So despite myContinue reading “Being a Luddite with Carpentry”
Why So Many Shoes?
I’m sure that’s what they think at “The Container Store“. But alas, they’re not for shoes…. Many of you commented on my workshop organization. Thanks! But like everything else, that was only possible through trial and error. What works for me? Clear polypropylene shoe boxes: You can see through them, they stack well, and they’reContinue reading “Why So Many Shoes?”
Workbenches: The Extras
I referred to “special features” in my earlier ‘Basics‘ blog posting. Well, we’ve waited long enough so here we go! These features fall into three groups: clamping, alignment, and safety. Clamping provides a means to more easily hold your materials. Alignment allows you to more easily align the work to ensure you have good angles.Continue reading “Workbenches: The Extras”
Workbenches: The Basics
I have a number of workbenches in my workshop: large, mobile, tool-specific, …. And even so, it always seems I need more space. I have three basic tables: My large, stationary table that I built years ago. It’s just shy of 4′ x 8′ and includes a ton of storage on the lower shelf. Included:Continue reading “Workbenches: The Basics”
The Flexible Workshop
Though I’m fortunate to have a large workshop space, I’d still be constrained by not having enough room to position my larger tools in unobstructed floor positions. My solution? Wheels! Specifically, rolling mobile bases and caster kits. The mobile bases can support large, heavy, “stationary” tools when properly adjusted / modified. The caster kits canContinue reading “The Flexible Workshop”
Dust Collection
I agonized over the best way to handle [saw] dust collection. Should I invest in a centralized dedicated 4″ cyclone system with a venting network, or keep it simple by using a portable dry vacuum on steroids? I opted to go with the vacuum since it offers more flexibility and consumes less dedicated space. Specifically,Continue reading “Dust Collection”
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