A Learning Adventure in the Workshop

Oneway Mastercut Handle

I replaced the handle on the bowl gouge that I broke a few posts ago with a metal handle made by Oneway.  I love it!  It is heavy and stable and gives the tool a great feel.  This is one handle that will never break.  Click on the link below for info on the handle:

Oneway Mastercut Handle

Rethinking Boeshield T-9

On the advice of a local woodworking store, I switched to Boeshield T-9 a few months ago as a protectant, lubricant and rust-proofing  for the cast-iron on my woodworking machines.  At first I loved it, but now it is generating a sticky residue on the machines.  I'm not sure what has changed to cause the stickiness to  develop.  The air is more humid in the shop now as our dehumidifier is on the blink.  Maybe that's the problem.

Anyway, I never had this trouble with "Topcoat." I am going to switch back.

Working with UHMW Plastic

Yesterday I began work on the cutter-head carriage for the CNC machine.  It is to be made out of 1/2-inch think UHMW (ultra-high molecular wieght) plastic.  This is the first time that I have done any significant work with plastic.   The UHMW plastic machines easily (with my table saw and a standard woodworking blade) without melting or burning as I had feared.   It also drills and taps easily.  Because it does not have a grain like wood does, it is easy to be very accurate.  I expect that I will find many uses for this stuff in the future now that I have been exposed to it.

The base of the carriage is now complete.  Next I need to make all of the alignment blocks, motor mounts, etc.  All will be made of UHMW plastic.

CNC Lathe Attachment Rails Complete

I finished the redesigned Mark 2 CNC lathe attachment rails tonight.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I changed the original design to allow for more adjustability for calibrating the distance between the rails, and to provide more strength.  I am pleased with the new design.  I will post a picture later.  It is similar to the design that I described in the earlier post, with a few minor modifications.

I also attached the anti-backlash nut assembly and test fit the stepper-motor for the lead screw.  Next step will be to build the carriage for the cutter head.

Woodworking Magazine and Blog

I have really enjoyed the four issues of the new Woodworking Magazine produced so far.  It is not sold by subscription and is not on a regular publishing schedule...yet.  It accepts no ads, similar to "Cook's Illustrated" magazine which is my wife's favorite magazine (and I like it too).  It blends power-tool woodworking with traditional hand tool methods just like I like to do.

Even better, I enjoy Chris Schwarz's new blog that is hosted on the magazine's website.

Click here for  Woodworking Magazine's site for the blog.

Sioux Right-Angle Sander Repair

I bought a handheld right-angle sander last year at Edric's recommendation.  I use it sand pieces while they are still on the lathe (with the lathe turned off).  I bought a Sioux brand sander and the unit has worked great and I would recommend it...but, I broke the trigger a few weeks ago by bumping the trigger side-ways during a sanding operation.  The trigger is long and fragile and has no lateral strength.  Cracked right in half.

I ordered a new part from Sioux and fixed it myself.  At least it is easy to fix, but they need to make the trigger stronger.

UPDATE FROM 8/2008:  This unit continues to be a real workhorse for me and runs like a champ. Recommended in spite of the trigger issue in 2005

This blog is now on Typepad instead of Blogger

I've decided to move my blog from Blogger.com to Typepad.com.  Blogger just had too many errors and was too limiting in features.

Content seems to have imported into Typepad seemlessly, so everything from before should now appear here.   I particularly like the ability to "categorize" posts and set up Photo Albums.

The old blogger site will remain, but all new posts will be to here.

Mulberry bowl complete except for drying and finish

I finished turning the large mulberry bowl (green wood from my in-law's tree) on the lathe on Sunday.  It has turned out well so far.  A few early drying cracks that I have tried to stabilize with instant glue...otherwise looks good (Maybe 15" diameter and 5" deep). 

It now needs to dry the rest of the way before final finishing.  I am going to try to use the microwave to speed the drying, but I need to watch out for cracking as it is an end-grain bowl that includes the pith.

This was the bowl that "injured" me a few posts back, so I am determined that it will be completed properly.

H.K. Porter 0-4-0T, 1897

Click on: H.K. Porter 0-4-0T, 1897

This site includes some photos of the Porter in place in the Sewickley Park that someone else has posted.

HK Porter Locomotive Research Begins

Porter Locomotive Page-- Last Updated 07/16/02

This is an excellent page listing a number of other websites that have info on the HK Porter Locomotive Works of Pittsburgh, Pa where the locomotive that is in Rivefront Park in Sewickley was built.  This is the beginning of my research into the local Porter locomotive.  Nothing here strikes me as the same exact model as the Riverfront Loco, but a few are close.

Here are a couple of other good link on Porters:
RR Extra Porter Page

Fallen-Flags Porter Page