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It's great seeing old tools brought back to life like this.

I store wood vertically. It takes less space and I can get at specific boards without a lot of time wasted removing and re-stacking boards that always seem to be on top of the one I want.

I have been doing a bunch of strength tests on glue joints for a recent project. Basically making the joints, gluing them, then testing to failure with stress applied by clamps, or hammers!

It has...

They are nice lightweight clamps that are inexpensive and easy to use. However, don't plan on using them where high clamping forces are needed. Also watch out for glue squeeze out which may stick to...

Tee slots are very common on most machines here in the UK where everything has gone European. Unfortunately there's no standard for the tee slots various mfrs use! I have made up runners in wood and...

Re the question on disposable bags. I have the II and it came with a disposable bag but the machine works fine without it - just the felt bag and the cartridge filter is what I use.

Chris

I have three by Henry Taylor - not sure if they are available in the USA but they seem pretty good.

I have a smoother in ebony - works great. I use it for planing difficult woods and it handles those with ease. I like the way it slides so easily over the workpiece - almost frictionless.

It is...

I have found Sandvik to be the best of several the "bought" brands I have tried.

If you can find the saw doctor at a timber mill, ask him to cut a few bits from their scrap bandsaw blades, they...

Glue on a strip for the hook?

Chris

Looks like a Buckhorn scraper to me

Ron,

You say you want to do box joints and dovetails in all typical configurations but that isn't really enough to advise the optimum for your needs, an important consideration is the size of the...

I live in the UK.

You will do well to visit the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) The new British Galleries have an abundance of fine furniture and an amazing carving by Gibbons.

You can also...

That' s sized for a hell of a lot of panties!

Chris

Bill,

The work is lovely and I like the shape of the pieces very much. I have to say however - and no doubt incur the wrath of many in the saying(!) - that I don't like the fashion for a very...

I love ash, it works so much nicer than oak which I use mostly (American White, English and other varieties). It seems to cut very cleanly, a sharp plane leaves a glass smooth surface and it looks...

I have a Wagner CS9600 - 4 stage turbine and associated gun which I bought in the mistaken belief that more powerful was better. If I could buy again, I'd get the Apollo 800.

My set-up is very...

If this plane is working for you and you still need to do that sort of work, leave it alone. Old wooden smoothers are practically given away, even on Ebay. Buy a couple of those and practice your...

I have tried everything and in the process spent enough to have sent out all my tools for sharpening at least ten times over.

I have "discovered" the following:

1. All systems can be made to...

As other have said, loose tenons are easy and strong - they also save wood - tenons can be made from scrap and you only cut your stuff to the length between shoulders.

If determined to round your...

As others have said don't worry about a scratch if the sole is otherwise flat.

I confess to scratching the sole of my prized LN No.7 whilst planing some ply edges I wanted really straight :( I...

It is helpful when cutting end grain as in a dovetail, to lightly chisel along the layout line to make a shallow vee groove for the saw. It only takes an instant and makes starting the saw much...

Dick,

Nice bench! I have a similar one - a "joiners" bench from a book by Sam Allen and I find it very practical.

I would recommend that you wax the top regularly. It really does help to...

I think it's really hard to beat loose tenons. They are just as strong as a regular Neander M/T and much, much easier to make and align. They allow - if you wish, for the same kind of latitude as...

Kurt,

For this kind of "timber framing" work you need a chain mortiser like this:- http://www.mafell.com/produkte/prod_fraesen_ls103_i.htm

Chris