Woodworking thread

royalj7

Active Member
Thought I'd start a thread about another hobby I have, and since this is my favorite internet hangout, why not here :)

Right now I'm working on a frame to go around my inwall touchscreen. I just finished a custom router table that actually turned out pretty well (which is not always the case). On the frame, I'm a bit stumped on two aspects. The first is how to mount it on the wall. The TS is installed between two studs and I ran a header and "footer" between the studs to secure the TS. I'm thinking of attaching the frame to the header/footer, but I'm not sure how to do it and minimize any fasteners showing or damage to the finished side of the frame. The second problem I'm having is I want to route a decorative pattern around the outside edge of the frame, but if I did that there would be no real way to clamp the pieces together when I glue them up...the outside edge would be too small or uneven that the 45deg clamp I have wouldn't be able to grab on. I could wait till the frame is glued up then route the pattern, but I risk tearout at the corners which would suck if I've gotten that far.

In other news, I'm looking for a good cordless drill to replace my 14V Hitichi. I'm down to one battery for that guy and it doesn't hold charge all that long. I have two of Bosch's 12V Lion tools, the impact driver and 1/4" drill, which have been great. The issue is both use the 1/4" quick change bits, and I'd like a drill with a chuck so I can use all the drill bits I have. Bosch has the PS-30 which is a 3/8" chucked drill that uses the same batteries at my other two drill/drivers. However, its pretty pricey for a 12V unit.

Anyways, feel free to talk about your projects, or ask some questions.

--Jamie
 
Great topic, and great idea! I've got the tools, mostly, but not the skills yet! However, I've also been given a complete green light to learn and acquire the tools for making our own picture frames. I need to buy a frame clamp, obviously....any suggestions?

I've got 2 routers, a porter cable with the plunger base, and I think a Ryobi that mounts into its own cute little table.

I need to get a mitre saw, just waiting for a good deal on a new one, or a good used one.
 
This is a great topic and can be integrated with HA, if you stretch it just a bit. :)

I've had the woodworking hobby much longer than the HA hobby. I've made most of the furniture and cabinets in our home as well as entertainment centers for audio/video equipment. Most of the commercially available models leave a lot to be desired when trying to get equipment and wiring installed. I never have been able to get the hang of chairs though, I think they're in a class all by themselves.

Anybody for a Model Railroad topic? That can ,sort of, be integrated with HA too, depending on the system you use for operation. I've combined these 3 hobbies for years to one extent or another. I'm just getting into DCC systems for model railroads and with the proper software it looks like a natural for HA, especially for those continuous running holiday displays.
 
Great topic, and great idea! I've got the tools, mostly, but not the skills yet! However, I've also been given a complete green light to learn and acquire the tools for making our own picture frames. I need to buy a frame clamp, obviously....any suggestions?

I've got 2 routers, a porter cable with the plunger base, and I think a Ryobi that mounts into its own cute little table.

I need to get a mitre saw, just waiting for a good deal on a new one, or a good used one.

Go for a 10" model if you can swing it, it's amazing how much difference it makes during a project.
 
On the frame, I'm a bit stumped on two aspects. The first is how to mount it on the wall. The TS is installed between two studs and I ran a header and "footer" between the studs to secure the TS. I'm thinking of attaching the frame to the header/footer, but I'm not sure how to do it and minimize any fasteners showing or damage to the finished side of the frame. The second problem I'm having is I want to route a decorative pattern around the outside edge of the frame, but if I did that there would be no real way to clamp the pieces together when I glue them up...the outside edge would be too small or uneven that the 45deg clamp I have wouldn't be able to grab on. I could wait till the frame is glued up then route the pattern, but I risk tearout at the corners which would suck if I've gotten that far.

In other news, I'm looking for a good cordless drill to replace my 14V Hitichi.

--Jamie

The new Makita's are very nice, either with or without the hammer drill option. Compact, powerful, lightweight.

For frames I've done I made a sort of frame inside of a frame so that I'm able to swing out or down to easily get behind when needed. The other method that may work better for you is a magnetic mount for the frame when everything else is complete. It makes it easy to adjust a bit for fit and comes off just as easy as it goes on.

Generally when I want to rout decorative things into small frames I find it easier to do when the piece is still in one long strip. Then when you cut to size and assemble it all matches up, depending on pattern of course.

Strap clamps can be invaluable around the shop for just these situations where the normal clamps don't grab like you'd hoped. Depending on the size of the frame you can still use all manner of fasteners from biscuits to dowels or mortise and tenon or ... well, you get the idea the list goes on and on. :)
 
Go for a 10" model if you can swing it, it's amazing how much difference it makes during a project.

Good suggestion...I was looking more at 12", but I'll put 10" at a minimum.

And as much as I would love to open up the boxes and boxes of HO, N, and O gauge model trains I have...I just don't have time to add yet another hobby to the mix yet. I do, however, dream some day of combining my trains and computers/programming for a little automated track action! But...that will indeed be some day.
 
A miter saw was one of the first real tools I bought, after a cordless drill. I got a Dewalt 714, dual bevel 12". You can get a 10" for a pretty low price, but the extra width capacity on the 12" makes it worth it to me. Hell, I wish I could have swung a sliding compound miter saw.

I actually picked up my first frame clamp yesterday. I picked up this one at my local big box store. I haven't used it yet, but it looks ok. The problem I mentioned is any strap clamp is going to have a problem if I'm using 1" stock and route a decorative profile, the edge is only going to be 1/4" or so...there is not enough surface area to clamp it, know what I mean?

As to the magnetic mount, great idea! Any links?

--jamie
 
Go for a 10" model if you can swing it, it's amazing how much difference it makes during a project.

Good suggestion...I was looking more at 12", but I'll put 10" at a minimum.

And as much as I would love to open up the boxes and boxes of HO, N, and O gauge model trains I have...I just don't have time to add yet another hobby to the mix yet. I do, however, dream some day of combining my trains and computers/programming for a little automated track action! But...that will indeed be some day.

Oh man, what a typo, it is the 12" models I meant to type, I have a couple of 10" over the years but when I switch to 12" two years ago it was like night and day.

Sorry about the confusion, not sure it was my typing or me thinking faster than I can type.
 
A miter saw was one of the first real tools I bought, after a cordless drill. I got a Dewalt 714, dual bevel 12". You can get a 10" for a pretty low price, but the extra width capacity on the 12" makes it worth it to me. Hell, I wish I could have swung a sliding compound miter saw.

I actually picked up my first frame clamp yesterday. I picked up this one at my local big box store. I haven't used it yet, but it looks ok. The problem I mentioned is any strap clamp is going to have a problem if I'm using 1" stock and route a decorative profile, the edge is only going to be 1/4" or so...there is not enough surface area to clamp it, know what I mean?

As to the magnetic mount, great idea! Any links?

--jamie

I don't have a link but you can get lots of magnetic cabinet door holders that would work or I've used magnets that come with security contacts, they work great and have a hole in the middle to mount it with.

I have a clamp similar to this one http://framing4yourself.com/equipment-supp...ng-clamping.htm that does a fine job with smaller stock. There are also others that are even smaller. The difference is this one is not adjustable for different angles, only does the 90's for picture frames. There are a couple others on the same page that do well with smaller stock as well, like all hobbies all it takes is money and time. Pretty much the two I have the least of these days. :)
 
Great topic, Jamie.

I'd get a cordless impact/hammer drill - I've had to pull out my corded drill a few times, the last few months, when my cordless Dewalt wouldn't hack it. I still like the Dewalt, though, for everyday use. I keep it in the kitchen, where it's most handy.

I'm putting together a basement workshop, with future plans for some woodworking. I've been looking at the SawStop table saw - I'd rather get a hybrid than the full cabinet saw. Maybe SawStop will come out with a hybrid in the next year or 2. The technology is amazing.

I picked up some Delta dust control equipment on Craigslist a few months ago - nearly new, half price. I mounted the fan/filter onto the ceiling (what a pain), and the portable cannister (1.5 HP, 110v) is on wheels. I've only used them for some sanding, and cleanup after sawing.

I have big plans for the workshop - using it mostly for HA stuff now. Still putting it together. Almost everything I have (tables, shelving) is on wheels, allowing for mobility. My first big purchase will be a table saw of some kind.

Edit - I had an awesome (to me!) train collection, when I was still living at home (20 years ago). Maybe I can get my son interested in it, so I can play with them again.
 
We've designated that our cordless drill (Craftsman) is our #1 useful tool. (2nd place belongs to our Yamaha ATV). It's not a hammer drill, but that doesn't bother me. I'm willing to break out the corded hammer drill on those rare occasions where I need to drill through the basement wall.

I've got an assortment of woodworking tools, mainly the smaller stuff....routers, biscuit joiner, drill press. I've got a Grizzly bandsaw that I've not even used yet....but I look forward to it.

But top on the list to acquire is the mitre saw, and then the table saw.

Ya know, HA isn't entirely bereft of some possibilities here, when it comes to the woodworking...mainly in the area of safety I'd guess.

Neurorad, start with Thomas the train shows, that'll see if there's a spark for your boy.
 
I have a 3/4 basement in my house, and there was already a small workshop setup when I bought the place. It actually was one of the selling points for me at the time. Like Neurorad, almost all my stuff is on wheels, mostly custom made things. The router table i just completed is on wheels, I have a miter saw station that I did thats moveable, next "tool" project I'm going to get into is a movable cart with a flip top for my benchtop drill press and bench sander. They will be mounted to a base on a pivot and I'll just flip it over when I want to use one or the other. Atless that's what I'm planning...I've noticed most of my time in the shop is working stuff to make other stuff...kind of disturbing. This frame is the first non-shop related project I've done since building my bar.
 
The idea of equipment on wheels really appeals (haha!), just from a space usage vantage point. But how do you put stuff on wheels and then have it immobile when using it? Do the wheels retract, or do you use those wheels that have a built-in brake, and is that good enough?
 
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