This Old Workshop

Come in and look around. This Old Workshop is an online woodworker's web resource. Inside you will find tool reviews, project blogs and information for the home shop woodworker. This Old Workshop has been a woodworker's resource since 1995. We are dedicated to bringing you what's new in the wood working world.

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Best Wishes from everyone at This Old Workshop

Daniel Carter & Lance Granum

The LaserKerf system arrived in a small box. Inside were several parts, some wires, a battery box, power adapter and various small pieces. My first impression was oh great, some assembly required.  The install was a little bit confusing for me but one phone call to the company had me straightened out. Score one for customer service. I do not count this as a bad feature they simply could not make a manual that covers every type of install for every brand of saw. The Laserkerf comes in models to fit a number of saws and models. The one I was working with is for my Ridgid radial arm saw.Once in place I aligned the laser, which was very easy using the controls built into it, the line shown directly on the cut line of my radial arm saw. The thickness of the line was pretty much exactly the size of the kerf of my saw blade. This looked promising. I mounted the battery box and switch onto the main part of my radial arm saw so it would be easily reached. You can also use the included ac power adapter in place of the batteries, which I plan to do at a later time.

Here we go with another new tool from Rockwell that can make a nice holiday gift for your homeowner or other DIY enthusiast . The Versa-Cut mini circular saw. Opening up the box I find the Versa-Cut saw, a pair of allen wrenches in a holder attached to the power cord, an edge guide, a non-marring base cover, a carrying bag and a set of 3 blades for cutting wood, thin metal, aluminum and tile.

 Looking over the features I found the saw’s laser guide, mounted on top of the saw so I am expecting it to show right on the cut line. The Versacut has a plunge system that allows the saw to get to full speed before cutting, this helps avoid kick back. The Versacut also has a safety switch and a vacuum attachment.

Trend Routing Technology, in the U.K, and now distributed in the USA., has been creating woodworking products since 1955. The list of their creations is quite varied. Today we will be testing some of Trend’s Diamond sharpening whetstones and guides.

I am the first to admit I do not like sharpening tools; I would rather bite the bullet and have a professional sharpen them for me. This is not only expensive but it is a hassle to take them in, and return a couple days later with a large hole in my wallet. This said, I am always on the look out to find a high quality sharpening system that is easy to use and reasonably priced. Trend has produced a set that is all of those things and even more.

The Rockwell SheetMaster

Every now and then we get to test a really nice tool, the Rockwell “SheetMaster” is one of those tools. , The SheetMaster is an upgraded version of Rockwell’s JawHorse. Rockwell tools have been in the tool business since 1994. In the fall of 2008 they introduced the original JawHorse, a very versatile clamping and work station. Now they have updated the design with the release of the new SheetMaster, with over a ton of clamping force the SheetMaster is the answer to many requirements around the house, workshop or worksite. The clamp is closed with the use of a foot pedal leaving your hands free to manipulate the item being clamped.

The mortise and tenon joint is a staple of woodworking. Creating them can pose a few challenges. Building a custom jig with the size and orientation of the joints is fine if you only need a single size and shape. But if you find yourself making several jigs to cover the varied m&t joints in even a single project then a variable jig is something you should consider. The Leigh Jigs Super FMT Mortise and Tenon jig is a very nice answer to this challenge. The joints are created by using an array of snap in guides that allow you to cut a large variation of tenons and corresponding mortises. A specialized router base predrilled with many holes that allow it to receive many of today’s most popular routers. Aligning and attaching the base to your router is something that needs care and precision. In fact every step of aligning the jig is crucial. Any mistakes here will show up on every cut you make. Unfortunately with the selection of routers these days leigh can only write detailed instructions for some of the steps but is can be a bit vague when it comes to your specific router. It would be unrealistic to expect any more then that.

Today let’s have a look at the new compact router table from Rockler. Designed for use with a trim router this new table is one I can see getting a lot of use in my shop. Bringing new versatility to your compact trim router, this small, 11-1/2'' x 15-1/2'' , table is made of ¾” vinyl wrapped MDF making it both durable and strong. The table comes with pre-drilled holes at the rear for attaching a clamping strip so it can be firmly clamped to a bench, table or nearly any other work surface.  At the heart of the system is the clear, round 1/4'' thick acrylic base whose 1 1/2'' opening can fit most any trim style router bits. The base comes pre-drilled to fit several of the more common trim routers on the market. Fitting the Bosch Colt, Porter Cable 450 and 7301, the DeWalt DW 611, and other popular trim routers, you also have the option of drilling your own holes to match most any other trim routers.

If you are like me, you have several chisels in a rack, hanging on your wall ready to use at a moments notice, except for one problem. They are as dull as a piece of spaghetti. Also if you are like me, then sharpening those chisels is far from your favorite activity.  I am so bad I would almost prefer to buy new ones rather then sharpening the old ones. The thought of trying to hold them against the grinder at the right angle and then not letting them get overheated is daunting to say the least. Then smoothing them out with a stone or file until they are sharp is just more then I like to do. For those woodworkers who are like me then the Precision Sharpening System (PSS1) from M-Power and DMT is a gift from above. Machined from solid aluminum, the PSS1 is impressive in its exacting quality.

Joseph Marples Trial One Set 

When one is buying a Marples’ tool they are buying a great deal of history. The earliest recorded mention of Marples is about 1540 in Balow Derby Shire. There the family stayed until about 1750. They had two sons William and Robert. William' son williuam , born in 1809 was most likely the founder of the Joseph Marples Company. In 1840s Joseph Marples was one of several companies in Sheffield using the Marples name. Since that time Joseph Marples has manufactured joiners’ tools such as brass inlaid, rosewood and ebony braces as well as boxwood spoke shaves and beach plains, gouges and squares. The business remains in the family today and is currently ran by Joseph Anthony Marples.

The holiday season is here. Everywhere you see winter holiday decorations and gift advertisements. If you have a wood worker on your list then here is a great gift idea for you. Every Woodworker needs clamps. Holding joints together is simply a basic woodworking fundamental. Having good clamps in your shop will help to make your finished projects better. You may have heard the old expression, The right tool for the right job.  Well here are some wonderful examples.

Recently I received several boxes full of Bessy Clamps to test and review. Previously I owned a pair of K body clamps and love working with them. Bessy has revised their K body line and some of the changes are well designed with an eye on the woodworking home shop. Lets have a look at some of their woodworking line of clamps.