Lessons learned
In the building and construction areas, shipbuilding an example, the term widely used is “lessons learned” This occurs at the end of a big project where a review of mistakes and fixes made are...
View ArticleThe Dynamics of Power Saws and Blades
Concerns regarding saw cutting accuracy usually puts the blame on the blade. Blades can cost anywhere from less than $5 to well past $100. One might think that the more expensive blade will cut better...
View ArticleTorsion Boxes
The purpose of a torsion box (TB) is to have a flat surface for assembling projects. They have recently been used for tables for DIY CNC router machines. These routers are usually made from MDF,...
View ArticleTable Saw Kickback
I have read many posts in several forums regarding kickback and how to prevent it. I read them because I want to get others impressions of why kickbacks happen in the first place. In my 50+ years...
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CNC Machines #1: Part 1
Here is a picture of the CNC router I am currently building. I’m working very slow on this as I make changes as I go. When done, it will have a workable area of 36”x72”. I hope to be able to cut...
View ArticleCNC Machines #2: Part 2
I would like to present a little history and philosophy behind my CNC machine. First, I got interested in CNC when I tried to find ways to make many small parts for building large scale locomotives....
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CNC Machines #3: Part 3
In this part, I will show you how to layout accurately to a few thousands of an inch. The CNC router is a machine capable of cutting to accuracies measured in thousands of an inch; therefore the...
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Safe saw blade height
As you can see from the following sketches, a low blade directs the cutting force in a plane close to parallel to the table. This increases the chance of kickback. In the lower sketch, a high blade...
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Adjustable Height Workbench
After reading many threads on this and other forums, regarding the correct workbench height, I have concluded that one size does not fit all. Bench height is dependent on the height of the person and...
View ArticleQuality vs Mediocre Tools
People are always saying “they don’t make them like that anymore”. Off course that is 100% true, but that goes both ways. When tool manufacturers started making and selling tools around 100 years ago,...
View ArticleTruth in Advertising
When a new product hits the street, some initial advertising is necessary to introduce it to the public. After a time, if sales go well, less budget needs to be spent on advertising, but if another...
View ArticleSafety with Power Tools
I would like to begin this discussion on safety by relating a story that I witnessed over fifty years ago. I was living in a suburb of Boston at the time. Winter was setting in. My neighbor directly...
View ArticleOld Machinery #1: Old vs New Machinery
One of the big differences between machinery made in the old American factories and the new factories of China, is weight. Weight is important to keep vibration down and stability and accuracy high....
View ArticleOld Machinery #2: Old Machine Restoration
If you watch the various automotive restoration programs on TV, you will realize there are literally hundreds of such restoration shops in the country. This has been due to the interest in old and...
View ArticleLarge Scale Model Trains #1: An Introduction To Building Large Scale Model...
This is a forum devoted to those who work with wood. Woodworking usually means building or restoring furniture, wood crafts, even house construction. I have asked this question in the past; do I...
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Large Scale Model Trains #2: Getting Started
When I build model locomotives, I always work using engineering measurements. That’s because being a retired mechanical engineer, I’m comfortable working in thousands of an inch. You can use any system...
View ArticleLessons learned
In the building and construction areas, shipbuilding an example, the term widely used is “lessons learned” This occurs at the end of a big project where a review of mistakes and fixes made are...
View ArticleThe Dynamics of Power Saws and Blades
Concerns regarding saw cutting accuracy usually puts the blame on the blade. Blades can cost anywhere from less than $5 to well past $100. One might think that the more expensive blade will cut better...
View ArticleTorsion Boxes
The purpose of a torsion box (TB) is to have a flat surface for assembling projects. They have recently been used for tables for DIY CNC router machines. These routers are usually made from MDF,...
View ArticleTable Saw Kickback
I have read many posts in several forums regarding kickback and how to prevent it. I read them because I want to get others impressions of why kickbacks happen in the first place. In my 50+ years...
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