KS Woodwork Blog

I intended to post the Freedom Pens article yesterday afternoon. Technology and weather were not playing nicely yesterday. Our internet provider went down for an extended period of time. Most likely due to the massive storms moving through the mid-west. The ISP informed me the outage had just been reported and there was no ETA. About 2000 modems were down. I had the great idea of using dialup…. One slight problem consisting of 4 letters. (VOIP) It is slightly difficult to dial without internet connection. Even if the weather improved there would be no wireless hot-spots in service. I guess the technology gods were not on my side. And so we shall move on to another day.

KS Woodwork

I recently found freedom pens website when reading a woodworking forum. This group supports our troops by sending hand crafted pens. These pens are made by individual woodworkers with donated materials. For woodworkers without a lathe you can still help. Wood blanks would be a welcomed donation. Please support our troops by visiting the Freedom Pens website at http://www.freedompens.org. By getting the word out a goal of 20,000 pens a year can be met. These gifts are appreciated by our troops as stated on the website:

“When one of our hand made writing instruments is used to write a letter home it is a symbol of our support and physical evidence that the people of America care deeply about their safety and are praying for their safe return home.” (Freedompens.org)
A photo gallery can be viewed at: http://www.freedompens.org/pens/pens_01.html

KS Woodwork

I recently found Google SketchUp. This software can be used to design 3D models. The software is free and competes with AutoCAD’s product offerings for an occasional user. There are a lot of powerful tools I recall seeing years ago in a CAD class. Even with past drafting experience the learning curve seems to be high.

Toying around with different features I managed to create a basic drawing. If you could not tell it is supposed to be a workbench with multiple drawers on two sides.

I do not know if I will use the program extensively in the future. I can complete drawings with a drafting ruler, triangles and some grid paper in less time. These paper drawings seem to meet my design needs. If I do master the software it will be another tool used in woodworking. The software can be downloaded from http://sketchup.google.com/. The User Manual is available in PDF form from http://dl.google.com/sketchup/gsu6/docs/ug_sketchup_win.pdf.

KS Woodwork

Photo: (c) 2007 Chris Baylor licensed to About.com, Inc. retrieved 16 Sept 2007 from http://woodworking.about.com/

About.com’s Chris Baylor recently had an article detailing the build of a portable Miter Saw workstation. This innovative design could be built inexpensively using scrap lumber. The article shows step-by-step the construction process with photos. This same design could be used in the workshop and save valuable workbench space. View the article here: Miter Saw Workstation .
KS Woodwork

About 81,000 Dewalt DW660 Cut-Out Tools have been recalled.

The full details of the recall can be viewed at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07067.html

KS Woodwork

Description: These DEWALT cut-out tools are yellow and black, and have model number DW660 written on their nameplate, which is located on the body of the unit. The recalled tools were manufactured between January 2006 and September 2006, and have date codes ranging from 200601 to 200639. The date code also is located on the tool’s nameplate. Units with a “V” stamped on the nameplate are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Major home center and hardware stores nationwide from January 2006 through November 2006 for between $70 and $130, depending on the kit.

The switch on DEWALT DC305 Reciprocating Saws can cause a fire hazard due to shorting out.

The full details of the recall can be viewed at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07068.html

KS Woodwork

Name of Product: DEWALT DC305 Model Reciprocating Saws

Description: This recall involves cordless DEWALT DC305 model reciprocating saws with date codes 200601-49 through 200640-49. They are yellow and black and about 18 inches long. The model number is located on the name plate on the side of the housing and the date code is located under the handle where the battery is inserted.

Sold at: Major home centers and hardware stores nationwide from May 2006 through November 2006 for between $380 and $800.

The label on multiple Craftsman Circular Saws prevents proper operation. Two incidents have been reported. One requiring stitches.

The full details of the recall can be viewed at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07149.html

KS Woodwork

Name of product: Craftsman Circular Saws

Description: The recall involves a 7-1/4-inch circular saw. The model numbers included are: 172.108550, 172.108560, 172.108650, and 172.108660. The model number is located on the circular saw’s upper motor housing. Model numbers 172.108560 and 172.108650 have a gray body housing and a gray blade guard. Model numbers 172.108550 and 172.108660 have a black body housing and a gray blade guard. “Craftsman” is written on the label on the upper blade guard.

Sold at: Sears, Kmart, and Orchard Supply Hardware stores nationwide and online through these stores from November 2004 through February 2007 for between $40 and $60.

Everyone knows how to use a hand-saw, Right? Apparently this is not the case. If I do not have a power saw handy there is always the manual powered back-up. You grab a 2X4, put the saw on the line and begin hacking away the piece of wood. At least this is my method. I could use the tips provided recently on woodworking magazine. The high-points are listed below.

KS Woodwork

Nine Rules of Sawing

1. Use a relaxed grip on the tote. Clenching the handle will push you off your line. Pretend you are holding a baby bird and that you are trying to keep it in your hand without crushing it. That’s about right.

2. Extend your index finger out on the tote. The handle was built for a three-fingered grip, and extending your index finger is good to do with any user-guided tool.

3. Always work so your sawing elbow swings free like a steam locomotive. Don’t work with your arm rubbing your body or move it at an angle to the back of your saw.

4. Whenever possible, work so you can see your line. Try not to let the blade of the saw obscure the line.

5. Use minimal downward pressure. Allow the saw’s weight to carry the cut.

6. Always imagine the saw is longer than it really is. This will fool you into using longer strokes, which will allow you to saw faster and wear your teeth evenly.

7. Whenever possible, advance on two lines (tenons, crosscutting, dovetailing at times). This increases your accuracy.

8. Always work right against a line. Never saw a certain distance away from a line.

9. Lifting the saw a tad on the return stroke clears your line of sawdust.

More information has been posted on the Fall Philanthropy Challenge.  The fundraiser will benefit Save the Children.  The  marketing and sales ideas are still being worked out .  The deadline is  December 1st 2007.

More information can be obtained at http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/msojka/blog/1836