Month: March 2013

New Table Saw Fence – Part 2 – Demolition & Planning

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old_rails_goneBefore I could start the install I had to remove the old fence. Despite the bolts for the old fence rails being a little rusty, they came out fairly easily. I found however that the wings had bolts that had rounded heads that needed to come out as well, otherwise the angle irons for the new fence would not be able to sit flush to the TS. Out 9 of these bolts 1 came out easily. Using some WD-40 and slotting the bolt heads with the dremel, I was able to get 6 more out. The last two….. Well they were a bit stubborn. The picture speaks for itself as to what it took to get those suckers out. (Fear not, none of theses tools were used anywhere near the cast iron table…. yet)

new_fence_planningAt this point, if this had been a Delta table saw, this fence would have very easily bolted up to the saw. However, since the saw is a Craftsman, none of the holes in the saw lined up with the holes in the angle iron. I could potentially use the closest matching hole, but the tape measure would be about an inch off. Therefore I needed to drill a few new holes, I just needed to figure out where. First thing I did was raise the blade up so that it was taller than the new fence, and placed the fence right against the blade. Looking at the indicator line on the fence indicated approximately  where there rail needed to lined up so zero would be within the adjustment zone of the scale. I marked the position on the saw using a red china pen.  Next I screwed the tube rail to the angle iron, and then aligned the zero point to the red mark on the saw.  From there I was able to mark the hole positions in the table saw top based off the positions in the angle iron.  I then knew where I needed to drill.

New Table Saw Fence – Part 1

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Back in September of 2010, before I had even thought of starting a blog, I did a write up on one of the woodworking forums about installing the Delta T-2 Fence on my Craftsman Contractor saw.  With what I am trying to accomplish on my Blog, I thought it would be relevant to repost it here.   I have revised and cleaned up each post so that it fits better in a blog setting, as well as make the dates and timelines appropriate.  The photos are not the best, and often dark.  Since I did this install, I have gotten a better camera and the lighting in the garage/shop area has been improved.

Originally Posted On September 7th, 2010

As mentioned in the safety thread, I ordered a Delta T2 36-T30 fence system for my 25 year old Craftsman Contractor saw. I bought a Craftsman Contractor table saw for $100 via craigslist earlier in 2010, and overall was happy with the saw, except the fence was stock as it was shot. (please note, I had no expectations at getting an older table saw with a good fence at the time of purchase) As much as I would have liked a Biesemeyer or Incra fence, the T2 @ $155 (that is including shipping) it seemed liked a smart purchase for the saw.

I am breaking this down across multiple posts so that I can better show and explain the overall process, especially since there is a few challenges to installing a Delta fence to Craftsman table saw.

The first picture is the before picture. As you can see the fence would only go right of the blade. Honestly it wasn’t that big of a limitation, but there are times when having the fence to the left of the blade is useful. Also the power switch points down towards the floor, which can make it hard to get to when trying to turn the saw off. The second picture has all the T2 Fence parts laid out for inspection.

original_fence new_fence_unboxed

What does woodcrafted and handcrafted mean?

Published on by Mike  (3 Comments)

2013-03-18 21.36.28So, there has been quite a bit of discussion on some recent blog posts.  While the discussion has ranged quite a bit, I think it did bring up some thoughtful points.  The main point brought up, is what does it take to have a completed woodworking project to be considered woodcrafted and/or handcrafted?  Disclaimer, my intention for this post is to further provoke thought and discussion.  While it maybe contrary to another’s blog post, it is not meant to be an attack on that individual, but rather to open dialog.

2013-03-18 21.36.19So, is it the tools we use?  I don’t think there would be many that would deny that unplugged hand tools brings us closer to the wood and the project.  I think my past post “A day of zen in the shop” demonstrates that I agree with that.  So, does using power tools on a project some how cheapen it, make it less then woodcrafted or not be considered handcrafted?  In this modern age where we have machines are computer controlled and batch out hundreds of parts in a blink of an eye, it is easy to jump in and say NO WAY!  However, lets take a step back here.  The machines that most hobbyist woodworkers use are merely modern versions of what was used over 100 years ago, before most shops had to the ability to plug in a lamp, much more a machine.  The craftsman of that era used belt driven machines  powered by steam, water wheel, or sometimes by leg power.  True, most of these craftsman went on to fine tune there work with hand tools.  Also, if I may point out, these same craftsman considered a dovetail ugly and did whatever they could to cover them up.  To them it was simply a strong joint to use when making a box.  Many of those products that were made in those shops still exist today and considered by many to be both woodcrafted and handcrafted.

2013-03-18 21.36.10I think I have made my point that I don’t necessarily think it is the tools we use that make a project considered woodcrafted and handcrafted.  There are many examples of far greater woodworkers then myself who use machines to make beautiful and functional pieces of what many would consider art.  I like to think of any tool, power tool, machine, or hand tool as an extension of my two hands.  When I push a piece of wood through the table saw, or pass it over the router table, I am still working the wood with my two hands.  And just like each hand tool operation, each power tool is rarely the last step for the work piece.   There is almost always more I want to do with that piece to make the workpiece ready for the next step.  I do not disagree one bit the using hand tools go a long way in making a project into something more then just a project, but I don’t feel it is necessarily a prerequisite, and doesn’t necessarily mean it will be considered  What I strongly believe is that it is in the woodworker that makes the piece a woodcrafted and/or handcrafted.  If a skilled woodworker has the passion for the craft I believe that will be telescoped into the project no matter what tools were used.

2013-01-19 18.22.49To be honest, I don’t know if any of my projects have yet reach that status of woodcrafted or handcrafted.  I don’t know if they ever will.  However, I am going to continue using both my machines and my hand tools to keep on trying, and will have fun doing it too!

Technology in the Shop – Part 4 – Entertainment and Conclusion

Published on by Mike  (2 Comments)

2013-03-05 22.08.29Entertainment?  Isn’t just being in the shop entertaining enough?  Well of course it is!  However, sometimes it is nice to have a little background noise while hand cutting a dovetail, or setting up a power tool for the next operation.  Sometimes having a little music  on can provide a little rhythm when using the mallet on a chisel.  True, a radio or CD player can accomplish this too, but many of us have our music now in a digital format on our MP3 players, phones, tablets, and computers.  With internet enabled devices not only do we have to choose from our music we own, but also streaming music options like Pandora and iHeart Radio give a wide range of variety.   With all the benefits already covered, the music is an added bonus.  Before I left for college many years ago, I bought some decent speakers for my dorm room for my computer so that I could listen to my music in the dorm.  When I setup the computer to be permanently in the shop, I dug these speakers up and put them out in the shop.  Amazingly enough these speakers still sound just as good as they did back in the 90s, and do well to fill the shop with music.

As for other modes of entertainment from having technology in the shop, the options are endless, from watching videos, TV shows, and Movies , to having shop time with friends on line.

From discussions I have had with others, there is a wide ranging of opinions to having technology in the shop.  As it is obvious, I am a proponent of having a dedicated shop computer.  I have spoken with others who have a compelling reason to keep the technology out of the shop.  Lets face it, our shops are sometimes our own sanctuaries away from reality, and some may feel it be intrusive to have this technology.  To be honest, there are times I don’t want it either.  The nice thing with technology…… It has an off button!

I hope you have enjoyed this series of articles on Technology in the Shop.  If you have enjoyed it let me know!

Technology in the Shop – Part 3 – Giving and Receiving Help

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2013-03-04 20.52.28I spend more time then I probably should be online in various chat rooms and forums.  However, the knowledge I have gained from participating in these online venues has been considerable.  It has also has prompted me to push myself to explore options I have never thought about trying.  Lets face it, when you watch woodworking shows on TV, you see a lot of brad nails and pocket screws out there.  Up until a couple years ago I honestly though that was the way to go about doing it.  Then I would never have dreamed of cutting dovetails with a handsaw and chisels!

So a lot of the text only options could be printed out and taken to the shop with paper.  However, in a chatroom often times having the live interaction is very beneficial.  Even with forums, keep up with current posts can be beneficial in real time.

I briefly talked about helping each other out with the streaming videos in Part 2.  And that is a great way to do it.  Setting up a stream isn’t for everyone though.  However, with options like Skype, Facetime, instant messengers, and other video chat options that are available, there are a lot of very easy ways to get one on one video help in the shop.

This can really go both ways.  When I am having trouble on my lathe, I will often bring up a video conversation with someone far more knowledgeable then I am on turning.  They can watch what I am doing, look at what I am doing wrong, and give me advice on what I am doing wrong.  (Thank you Roger!)  Also getting watch others work, and being able to interact with them in real time is a great way to learn new techniques.

One thing I will say.  Whenever I receive help, I always try to pay it forward.   As much as I can using the video streaming techniques as discussed above.  If I had a questions on it at one time, there are likely others who have the same question as well.