Sorting and Storing Scrap Wood in Small Workshops
Don’t be like me. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself surrounded by piles of scrap wood in my shop. I have a small basement shop, so I need to be very diligent with the scrap wood …
Workshop
Table Saw Tripping Circuit Breaker – Diagnosis & Solutions
I don’t know much about electricity, plugs, circuit breakers, and such, except that electricity can kill you if you don’t know what you’re doing and touch the wrong thing. I did once dare to replace a copper lantern outside my …
How To Dispose Of Stain Rags
We all know the dangers of woodworking. Power tools, and even hand tools, when not used properly and without taking the proper precautions, can cause great harm, and we must be careful. There is a reason why we recommend eye …
Why Does My Miter Saw Keeps Tripping The Breaker?
My house is 130 years old, and the “cellar” is a dirt floor with original stone walls. I’m 6’1″, and have to stay low as there is only about 5 feet of space height. After tripping a breaker as I …
How To Safely Dispose Of Linseed Oil Soaked Rags & Prevent Fires
Linseed oil is a staple in woodworking, enhancing wood’s natural beauty and durability. Yet, its use comes with a significant fire hazard if the oil-soaked rags are not disposed of properly. These rags can spontaneously combust, posing a serious risk …
How Tall Should a Workbench Be?
How tall are you? At 6’1”, I’m neither tall nor short, just sort of 6’1”, with somewhat long arms (35” shirt sleeve length) and an fairly erect stance – age hasn’t quite caught up with me yet. In preparing to …
Understanding Peak Shop Vac Horsepower HP in Woodworking
The shop vac can be an indispensable tool for woodworkers. At the heart of a shop vac’s performance lies its horsepower (HP), a key indicator of its suction power and overall capability. Understanding the horsepower of a shop vac is …
What Side of the Table Saw Should The Fence Be On?
The best estimate available for the percentage of people who are left-handed is 10%. It’s difficult to measure this with any great accuracy because the variance in preferences and skills from task to task is great and because left-handed people …
What Is a Sacrificial Fence For A Table Saw?
Safety first is always the rule in our woodworking shop. We want to preserve all ten digits, the flesh on our forearms, and our pretty faces. Safety first also applies to the tools we use. We’ve invested good money in …
How Do Cyclone Dust Collectors Work?
Cyclones by any other name…in the Atlantic and Pacific northeast, they are called hurricanes; in the far East, they are called typhoons. But, they are all the same event: large air masses that circulate around an area of low atmospheric …
How to Store Lumber to Prevent Warping
A warped sense of humor can be funny and fun, but warped wood isn’t. It will be either unusable or require a lot of effort to make it so. When it comes to lumber and its arch-enemy, water, warping is …
Table Saw Kickback Prevention Tips
I clenched my teeth, recalling the table saw kickback that sent my beautiful oak cutting board careening wildly across the shop, leaving a gaping divot behind. Stick with me before you end up ducking behind machinery to dodge wayward wood …
How Much Weight Can A French Cleat Hold?
In my woodworking shop, I’ve found the French cleat system to be incredibly useful. It’s a simple way to hang tools and accessories securely on the wall. It’s not just practical but also easy to set up. In this article, …
Why Does My Dust Collector Lose So Much Suction?
A properly functioning dust collector or shop vac system in your workshop is necessary for shop cleanliness and convenience – and your health. It is as important as wearing safety goggles and a mask that covers both your mouth and nose. …
What is Good Dust Collection Air Flow?
Woodwork hobbyists know of the mess they create in their woodshops, those piles of chips and shavings that collect beneath your table saw or planer. For many, dust collection probably means a dustpan and brush at the end of the day, …