A project that I have in the works, is going to require some routing with a guide bushing. Back when my only router was PC 890, I picked up a nice guide bushing base that centers with a locator pin. About a year ago I switched to a Bosch 1617, and sure enough when i checked the other night, none of the mounting holes lined up. The first thing the came to mind, was “crap I need to buy a new base“, but then I remembered I have a set of counterbores, after about an hour of marking, drilling, & counterboring I was back in business. I guess one of the benefits of being a woodworker & metalworker, is having the tools to make or modify other tools.
counterboring
It’s time that I own up to the fact that I’m not a good writer, and hence not a very good blogger. No this doesn’t mean I’m going to stop blogging, what it means is that I’m going to change my blogs format a little. Instead of spending days agonizing over what to say and how to say it, I’m going to start blogging tumblr style. In short I’m going to start posting more often, but my post will be shorter, a paragraph or two at most. Don’t worry I’ll still post lots of photos.
I’m one of the lucky (yea that’s it) few, that has sweat/skin oils that rust metal. I’ve read some place that roughly 10% of people have this problem. Most of the time it’s not much of a problem, but if your involved in woodworking or metalworking, it’s a real problem because a lot of tools are made from metals that rust. Rust causes the tool surface to become uneven, and while it’s mildly annoying on most tools, it’s a real problem on a precision tool like a square.
Most squares are made from tool steel, and most tool steels aren’t know for their rust resistance. Fortunately, Peachtree Woodworking sells special layout squares made from stainless steel. I’ve had them for about month now, and they are well worth the price in my opinion. They’re exceptionally square, and their unique design means you don’t need 3 hands to use them.
My rusty old machinist square
stainless steel squares
This weekend I prepared the shop for spring, I didn’t do anything major, just blow out the dust, and rearrange some tools on the wall. It only took 2 hours to do it, but it still felt really good to open the garage door, turn up Pandora, and doe something completely mindless.In other words, another season of woodworking has begun.
It’s been 3 weeks, and as you might have expected, Wrigley has been keeping me really busy. I’ve been chasing him around the house, making sure he doesn’t make a mess on the carpet. Thankfully housebreaking is coming along nicely, and hopefully in another month I will be able to start venturing back into the shop.
While I haven’t been in the shop, I have had time to do a lot of woodworking related reading. I have a bunch of posters I Want to make frames for, and since I have never made a frame before, I did what I always do when I need to learn how to do something; I bought a book. How to Make Picture Frames is an excellent book, It shows you how to make several picture frames using your table-saw and Router. On top of frame construction, it also covers sizing the matting, to keep the poster visually balanced. At $12 it’s an excellent purchase, check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
