Dan Shapiro's Blog

In an old post, I let you know about the decline of Ridgid. Specifically, how they slashed their warranty and outsourced tool production to the far east. Well, “someone” anonymously took issue with that, so I updated the article.

I got one of the Oldham Viper bits that was recommended there–a nice fat 3/4 straight bit. Used it to trim some 5/4 walnut, put rabbets in maple, and a few other tasks. The bad boy makes sawdust like a woodchuck.

When gluing up something that will be hard to clean when complete, use masking tape to keep the squeezeout from messing up your project.

Spalting is the decay left behind by a specific type of fungus. The wood must be harvested when the spalting is pronounced and visible, but wait too long and the wood loses its structural integrity.

The miter gage that came with your tablesaw wobbles several degrees. If you don’t believe me, stick a long skinny piece of wood against the nice, 90 degree flat surface, put it in the miter slot, and wiggle.

But what about the lining? You want spanish cedar. NOT any other kind of cedar, or your cigars will smell like a hamster cage. Spanish cedar is remarkably expensive for an otherwise-unremarkable softwood; it usually goes for about $5.50/bf in inconvenient thicknesses.

Take your favorite combination square. Adjust it so the ruler sticks out all the way. Hold the short end against your workbench, so it looks like |_ from the top, and draw a line. Now flip it over, so it looks like _|, and draw another line on top of it. Do the two lines…

$25 off a purchase of $199 or more at Amazon.

I had some dadoes that were cut with a dull blade, and consequently had some shreds of wood stuck to the sides. I took a cabinet scraper and ran it back and forth, shearing off a bit of the edge.

I coupled my 2′ pipes to the end of the not-quite-long-enough pipes and I was good to go.