Since I moved a shelf in my shop 
I have to find new homes for stuff that used to sit on it. One of the tools I have at hand is a mallet from Shenandoah tool works. This mallet has a double grip (triple actually, I hold the head for fine work) and needed a forked holder. I used a simple technique to do this one.
The next set of tweaks is done on the drawing, we’re going to try to get the new carriage assembly set up and cut out in the next couple weeks, and this time around – we’re planning to mount a Dremmel with a grinding burr as part of the test. (Prior to that I have to make up some blanks with paper taped on, and create a marker holder that can be mounted to test some of the pattern logic out. I’ve uploaded this plan to the 3D Warehouse for those that are interested.
Just updated the drawings to make some of the physical changes we wanted to do. Read more…
I modified the original carriage to accept the timing belt approach. To do this I had to rotate the drive motor 90 degrees and mount a timing pulley on the shaft. The belt needs to thread through the carriage sides, and since it forms a loop, there are two holes on each side. The belt needs to be attached to the drill platform and loops over the timing pulley on the drive motor. The other end needs to wrap around a free turning idler bearing (or a very smooth/no-friction surface). Read more…
Woodcraft setup at the Loudoun County Maker Fair
I had the chance to attend the maker fair at the Loudoun County fairgrounds this past weekend, as a representative of Leesburg Woodcraft. I met a bunch of like minded folks (folks that like to build things). My role was to make sure that people in the maker community knew that there was a place they could go, locally, to get hands on with the tools and supplies they need – but more than that, we talked about ways to act more inclusively with makers in general. It was a great opportunity to meet folks, and I think that I’m going to get more out of this, than I can possibly offer in support :). Check out the kickstarter page for more information on what happened, and throw a bit of love their way!
I elected to not take any electrical implements, rather I focused on the hand tools. Many of the home-made tools (thanks to the Hand Tool School membership) were on display along with the recently completed knock down nicholson (which had a lot of admirers). And of course my Dutch tool chest was on display as well – that thing has already got a ton of miles on it. … i’m going to have to build the rolling base for it – the extra storage will hold more of the bench appliances, and I want big rubber tires to help roll it over the ground – it seems I use it more outdoors than in shop spaces these days.
The next stage of development is in progress
– I got most of the code running on the test jig this week, and once I got it to a point that most functions seemed to work – it was time to put it into a practice jig. But before that happened, I got two micro switches to use to detect when the drill platform hit the far right and left points. Originally, I was just going to mount these so that I could tell when the drill platform hit the ends Continue reading
For those that are interested, I’m going to keep a compiled list of parts, prices and sources for the project here. I already have a couple more parts on order, and if they work out, I’ll update the list to include them as well.
To be able to work on part of a project, while on the road is a bit of a challenge. I cobbled together a jig to hold the controller and motors to allow me to start working on the controller code while I was on a business trip. The gory details are in the update to the pen decorator project.
Ok, I admit it. I don’t just do woodwork. I also like playing with photography, and have a ham radio license (KC8MNS). It’s the latter that got me in trouble – because coupled with my professional background as a software systems architect (computer programmer) and the love of building stuff, even with electronics, I was ripe for the picking… read about it here
(I think I was turned on to this by Shannon Rogers in the Hand Tool Workshop – and since then, it’s been a go to item in my kit.)
Its one of my favorite tools, because of it’s simplicity and general utility is a router plane. I have a pair of small ones that I use for close in work, hinge mortising and fine trim work. I have a pair of largers ones set up with optional fences and with different style blades. They excel as working on the bottom of flat surfaces that need trimmed parallel to a higher face.
Continue reading
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seventeenth-century joined furniture; green wood, hand tools
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In which 1snugthejoiner writes about woodworking, publishing, house renovations, cats and Shakespeare (don't worry – that last one is rare).
Woodworking for the fun of it
Woodworking for the fun of it
Woodworking for the fun of it
Brian's Workbench 