Steve’s Woodworking Shop Tour

February 18, 2012 By Bob Simmons Leave a Comment

This woodworking shop tour: is shared with us by Steve P., a fellow woodworker from Australia. Steve is a locksmith by trade and an avid woodworker. As you can easily see when taking this woodworking shop tour, Steve’s shop is quite efficient. He makes the most of his space in his garage shop. His work space is very clean and comfortable which makes for an enjoyable woodworking experience. The clean shop also makes for a safe working environnment.

And now from Steve…

G’day Bob, from Tropical Cairns Australia. I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me and sharing your wealth of knowledge with fellow woodworkers. I have made all of your various jigs etc over the past couple of years, and have, because of them and your wonderful instruction, been able to complete some excellent projects with real accuracy and quality of finish. Also, I’m a great fan of Ulmia pinch clamps.

Anyway mate, all the very best for you and your family in 2012. Looking forward to future A&J. Cheers.

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As you can see when studying Steve’s wood shop, there are a number of woodworking power tools that have mobile bases. This allows Steve to be able roll the table saw, bandsaw, planer, and drum sander out to his driveway and thus extend his work space. Also, take a look at where Steve’s Jet dust collector is located. It is situated in the corner right next to the garage door. The location of the dust collector is ideal for reaching the power tools when they are moved out onto the driveway and also for connecting to the other power tools inside the woodworking shop.

Notice how well lit this shop is. There is plenty of natural lighting as well as overhead lighting. Plus, you will find that there are plenty of anti-fatigue mats in the main working areas of the shop. These mats make a huge difference for one’s feet when standing for long periods of time. We can also see how easy it is to reach for clamps on the side walls. I think you will agree with me, Steve’s workshop is a very smart set up.

Thanks Steve for sharing your woodworking shop with all of us woodworkers. Thanks for your kind words as well!

Attention all woodworkers: If you would like to include your shop in our Woodworking Shop Tours, contact us. Include your story of the shop along with your shop pictures.

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Filed Under: Woodworking Shop Tours Tagged With: Woodworking shops

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

January 29, 2012 By Bob Simmons Leave a Comment

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

There is something special about seeing fine wood projects that are accented by decorative wood inlay bandings. As we well know, wooden inlays have been used by various cultures through the milleniums. As woodworkers we see on occasions wood projects such as furniture, picture frames, and jewelry boxes that are embellished with various wood inlay designs. It certainly is simple enough that one can can always purchase these inlay bandings from online woodworking supplies and have it delivered to the wood shop. However, for the most part the craft of creating wood inlay bandings has been lost. Let’s see what we can do to rediscover the lost art of making wood inlay bandings. Our focus in this article is checkered wood inlay bandings made in the shop.

The hardwoods used for the checkers are mahogany and maple while the outer veneers used to sandwich the checkers is of maple. The beauty of creating our own bandings is that we have the flexibility to make them to whatever size we want. We can also choose whatever species of woods that we want as well.

Each checker in this banding is square, however they can be rectangular as well if one prefers. It is a simple process of customizing the checkers to one’s own liking.

1.) Use white glue to laminate 2 strips of wood together that are of equal thickness, width, and length. (In this case it was maple and mahogany.) Clamp the 2 strips securely with cauls.)

2.) Clean and scrape off any glue once the glue has cured. Joint one edge and rip the opposite edge parallel on either the table saw or bandsaw.

3.) Using the band saw crosscut sled square off one end of the lamination. Clamp a stop block to the sled’s fence set to the desired width of the checker. Now is the time to cut all our wood segments that will become our checkers.

4.) At the workbench arrange the package of the segments and outer veneers.

a.) Layout one outer veneer of maple.

b.) Arrange and glue the segments in an alternating manner on the maple veneer.

c.) Glue on the second outer veneer.

d.) Make sure all segments are aligned properly and are nice and tight to one another. Adjust the wooden package as needed.

e.) Use cauls to securely clamp the package.

f.) When the glue has cured clean up the package. Scrape off any excess glue, joint one edge, and rip the opposite edge on the table saw or band saw.

g.) On the band saw rip the bandings to 3/32″

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Filed Under: Wood Inlay Tagged With: wood inlay banding, wood inlay patterns

Box Joint Fence for the Dado Crosscut Sled

December 11, 2011 By Bob Simmons 5 Comments

What’s the Purpose of the Adjustable Box Joint Fence?

The adjustable box joint fence for the dado crosscut sled allows the woodworker flexibility when he or she is creating wood joinery on the table saw. The box joint fence is simply a woodworking accessory used to assure uniform spacing when making wood joinery such as box joints (finger joints) and evenly spaced dadoes. Also, by employing the adjustable box joint fence on the dado crosscut sled, the woodworker can quickly make the repetitive cuts necessary for creating decorative dentil moulding. The addition of the optional box joint fence enhances a woodworker’s ability to work systematically, accurately, and efficiently while at the same time, working safely.

How to make the Adjustable Box Joint Fence

The adjustable box joint fence is comprised of (2) 1″ rails of straight grained maple. The rail closest to the woodworker is stationary while the interior rail can slide laterally. This lateral rail has a T-track set in a groove. (The T-track is concealed from view.) The heads of (2) 5/16″ T-bolts are held within the T-Track. Holes are drilled thru the stationary fence so that the T-bolts can extend thru this fence. The threaded T-bolts are then fastened with the black star knobs.To adjust the box joint fence simply loosen the star knobs, adjust the box joint fence left or right so that the peg is aligned from the dado saw kerf the desired amount. Once the star knobs are secured, it is time to make the cuts.
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In the photos, you’ll notice a series of 1/4″ holes towards the bottom of the adjustable box joint fence. These are spaced at 1-1/2″. A peg that is 1/4″ diameter then fits into one of the holes to make for the desired spacing of cuts. This adjust works well for dadoes, finger joint operations, or for creating dentil moulding. (Of course, the dado crosscut sled can also be used to cut other wooden joints such as half laps, rabbets, tongues, and tenons. Simply remove the 1/4″ peg for these woodworking operations.)

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What are the Dimensions for the Dado Crosscut Sled?

The dado crosscut sled for the tablesaw is made from 1/2″ Baltic Birch plywood. This particular sled is 18″ x 26″ wide. All 3 fence rails are made from straight grained hard maple that measure 1″ x 5″ x 26″. A 6″ section of a 4 x 4 is fastened where the dado blades exit the sled. This block provides additional safety for the woodworker as it helps to conceal the dado blades from the woodworker’s hands.

Note:The adjustable box joint fence is simply a great accessory for the dado crosscut sled. I highly recommend the basic dado sled as it will help to advance your woodworking skills. Remember, the dado sled offers the woodworker control and precision. These two factors are key ingredients to being able to work with confidence. Once you have built the dado sled, you can simply add the box joint fence as you desire. Let me know how it works out for you.

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Woodworking Power Tools

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…

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The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Filed Under: Crosscut Sled, Dado Sled Tagged With: box joint, dado, finger joint, Joinery, tenons

Steve’s Woodworking Shop Tour

And now from Steve…

Anyway mate, all the very best for you and your family in 2012. Looking forward to future A&J. Cheers.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thanks Steve for sharing your woodworking shop with all of us woodworkers. Thanks for your kind words as well!

Attention all woodworkers: If you would like to include your shop in our Woodworking Shop Tours, contact us. Include your story of the shop along with your shop pictures.

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

Each checker in this banding is square, however they can be rectangular as well if one prefers. It is a simple process of customizing the checkers to one’s own liking.

1.) Use white glue to laminate 2 strips of wood together that are of equal thickness, width, and length. (In this case it was maple and mahogany.) Clamp the 2 strips securely with cauls.)

2.) Clean and scrape off any glue once the glue has cured. Joint one edge and rip the opposite edge parallel on either the table saw or bandsaw.

3.) Using the band saw crosscut sled square off one end of the lamination. Clamp a stop block to the sled’s fence set to the desired width of the checker. Now is the time to cut all our wood segments that will become our checkers.

4.) At the workbench arrange the package of the segments and outer veneers.

a.) Layout one outer veneer of maple.

b.) Arrange and glue the segments in an alternating manner on the maple veneer.

c.) Glue on the second outer veneer.

d.) Make sure all segments are aligned properly and are nice and tight to one another. Adjust the wooden package as needed.

e.) Use cauls to securely clamp the package.

f.) When the glue has cured clean up the package. Scrape off any excess glue, joint one edge, and rip the opposite edge on the table saw or band saw.

g.) On the band saw rip the bandings to 3/32″

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Box Joint Fence for the Dado Crosscut Sled

What’s the Purpose of the Adjustable Box Joint Fence?

How to make the Adjustable Box Joint Fence

What are the Dimensions for the Dado Crosscut Sled?

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

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Steve’s Woodworking Shop Tour

And now from Steve…

Anyway mate, all the very best for you and your family in 2012. Looking forward to future A&J. Cheers.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thanks Steve for sharing your woodworking shop with all of us woodworkers. Thanks for your kind words as well!

Attention all woodworkers: If you would like to include your shop in our Woodworking Shop Tours, contact us. Include your story of the shop along with your shop pictures.

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

Checkered Wood Inlay Bandings

Each checker in this banding is square, however they can be rectangular as well if one prefers. It is a simple process of customizing the checkers to one’s own liking.

1.) Use white glue to laminate 2 strips of wood together that are of equal thickness, width, and length. (In this case it was maple and mahogany.) Clamp the 2 strips securely with cauls.)

2.) Clean and scrape off any glue once the glue has cured. Joint one edge and rip the opposite edge parallel on either the table saw or bandsaw.

3.) Using the band saw crosscut sled square off one end of the lamination. Clamp a stop block to the sled’s fence set to the desired width of the checker. Now is the time to cut all our wood segments that will become our checkers.

4.) At the workbench arrange the package of the segments and outer veneers.

a.) Layout one outer veneer of maple.

b.) Arrange and glue the segments in an alternating manner on the maple veneer.

c.) Glue on the second outer veneer.

d.) Make sure all segments are aligned properly and are nice and tight to one another. Adjust the wooden package as needed.

e.) Use cauls to securely clamp the package.

f.) When the glue has cured clean up the package. Scrape off any excess glue, joint one edge, and rip the opposite edge on the table saw or band saw.

g.) On the band saw rip the bandings to 3/32″

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

Box Joint Fence for the Dado Crosscut Sled

What’s the Purpose of the Adjustable Box Joint Fence?

How to make the Adjustable Box Joint Fence

What are the Dimensions for the Dado Crosscut Sled?

The Apprentice and The Journeyman University

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Woodturning a 9″ x 12″ Segmented Vase

A Dedicated Dado Sled for the Table Saw