Bandsaw Blade Recommendations - Question of the Week

February 19, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Question of the Week | 15 Comments 

This week’s question comes from Gatorbait. He writes:

“I value your opinion on tool recommendations. I am very new to bandsaws. I just snagged the 14″ Powermatic (as you know from a previous email) and am looking for a few new blades (only because I heard the ones that come with the saw are horrible). Do you have any recommendations on manufacturers, blades, etc? I’m running the saw with the riser block so I’m looking at 105″ blades.”

And here was my reply:

“I would recommend either Timberwolf or Lenox blades, simply because those are the two I had the most success with. Both are fantastic. I would also recommend using the stock blade for a while. The reason is for your own knowledge as a woodworker. The stock blades cut pretty good for a while, but quickly dull and become crap (in most cases). So I think its important to use that blade for a while so you can actually see and feel an improvement when you install the new blade. You will also learn how to recognize when a blade is dull. Not to mention, there is definitely a lot of life in that stock blade and it’s a waste to just throw it out. Even if you only get a month out of it, you are still ahead of the game. More importantly, when you spend good money on a premium blade, you will have first-hand knowledge and experience that will go a long way in helping you justify spending the extra dough. Hope that helps.”



Wood Talk Online - Episode 29

February 17, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Wood Talk Online | 8 Comments 

Download Episode


Marc and Matt discuss: Marc being a judge at a woodworking show, analyzing other people’s work and how it affects your own work, Matt trying lacquer for the first time, the Earlex HVLP System, blade guards and splitters,

Relevant links:

Arizona Association of Fine Woodworkers
Charles Neil
Earlex HVLP Sprayer
Plumbing a Shop for Air

Our voicemail line: 623-242-2450

Not Your Average Sewing Table - Project of the Week

February 15, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Project of the Week | 12 Comments 

This week’s project comes from my good buddy Ron. Nice job Ron. The details on this piece are fantastic! He writes:

“This was a project the really seemed as though it should have been easier but we know how that goes. I think one the biggest challenges was getting the leaf on the end to be functional. I didn’t want anyone to be knocking their knees should someone be sitting there and it needed to be easy to work and yet sturdy. It’s somewhat hard to explain but the top actually slides on the supports because the top is hinged from a stationary point. Yeah clear as mud, I know but. Without building a steam system to bend the purpleheart I have no idea how I would bend the 1/8” strip of PH in such as small radius so I built a form and ended up doing a 3 piece lamination with each piece being just over 1/32 (I love that drum sander!!!!) I attached some pics. At that point I attached the curly maple edging and inlayed the purpleheart.”

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Wednesday Night Chat 2/13

February 14, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Wednesday Chat | 13 Comments 

I know many folks wish they could make it to our Wed. night chats, so I decided to try something new. As a spur of the moment thing during our chat this evening, I came up with a way to record everything. And since the chat topics tend to stray over the course of two hours, I decided to record a smaller period of time where the discussion was focused 100% on woodworking. And that’s what we have here. If the response is good, I can do this every week.

And be sure to hit the little “Full Screen” button on the player, otherwise you wont be able to read the chat. Thanks everybody

Rockler Deals

February 13, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 3 Comments 

There was a very positive response the last time I posted some great deals I found at Rockler, so I will continue to do so whenever I see deals that make me feel like hopping into my pickup and running over to my local store. And just in case you don’t know, we are a Rockler affiliate and any purchases made through these links will help to support the show.

Clamp-It® Assembly Square and Clamps (Sold Separately) Clamp-It® Assembly Square and Clamps (Sold Separately)
Align it, clamp it, and fasten it to get perfect 90 degree angles every time! 5” Clamp-It Bar Clamp sold separately.

Clamp-It® Assembly Square and Clamps (Sold Separately)
JIG IT® Shelving Jig JIG IT® Shelving Jig
Get perfectly, consistently spaced and centered shelf-pin holes! Economical and practical, this jig can be used on assembled or unassembled cabinetry.

JIG IT® Shelving Jig
24-Piece Foam Brush Set 24-Piece Foam Brush Set
Tackle many of your finishing jobs with this great value on a 24-piece set! Includes six 1″, twelve 2″ and six 3″ foam brushes…

24-Piece Foam Brush Set
Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish
Extraordinary wax polish restores, refreshes and protects fine furniture, antiques, precious metals, collectibles, art and much more. It’s also ideal for use as a friction finish for woodturning. It d..

Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish

Is My Blade Dull? - Question of the Week

February 12, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Question of the Week | 6 Comments 

This week’s question comes from Stu. He writes:

“Alright Marc, got a new one for you. What is a reliable way to tell if your table saw blade is dull? I know if its cutting slower it might be dirty or dull. I know with a chisel the blade should catch your nail or shave the hair off your arm or be able to split a hair form across the room, etc. Also I have a 40 tooth freud Diablo - so its not REAL fancy, I’m just poor, so I’d rather be able to clean it than have it resharpened or buy a new one.”

And here was my reply:

“Hey Stu. Its really something that takes a little time to get a feel for. At some point, you will realize you have to push much harder than you used to for something as simple as a ripping operation. You will also notice more burning on woods that didn’t burn before. In addition, you should notice more tearout on your cuts. If you don’t notice any of these changes, or they just arent that severe yet, then I would say the blade is still sharp. The first time I notice these things, I clean the blade. After 2-3 cleanings its time for a resharpening. Hope that helps.”

The Wood Whisperer Network

February 12, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 13 Comments 

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a major shift occurring in woodworking lately. What used to be a relatively solitary hobby (or job), is thriving online in various forms. The success of sites like TheWoodWhisperer.com and Lumberjocks.com as well as all of the other excellent blogs and podcasts show that the woodworker is evolving. Its time to shake off the primordial goo and emerge from our shops as beautiful social butterflies. Yes, I’m scared too! But together my friends, we can join hands (virtually, of course) and explore this brave new world of ours.

So what’s this new world look like? Well, it contains social networks, communities and forums where woodworkers can exchange ideas and techniques. It’s a place where the individual woodworker can speak to an audience of thousands, instead of a bored audience of 4 at the dinner table. It’s a place where traditional media is compelled to join in the fun by creating quality online content, in addition to the material found in their print magazines. Truly powerful stuff! Perhaps, the most significant aspect to all of this change is the rise of the individual blogger. Most of us don’t have time/money for traditional apprenticeships or classes. But with so many talented craftsmen sharing their tips, tricks, and secrets online, we can all become virtual apprentices to a plethora of teachers.

Today I learned how to make Arts & Crafts inlays from TreefrogFurniture. On Monday I learned about heat treating and tempering blades from The Village Carpenter. Pretty productive week so far, and it’s only Tuesday!!

With all of these resources at our fingertips (and so many new ones springing up each day), I felt we really needed a good way to organize it all. That’s why I created The Whisperer Network. The network itself has been around for over a month now, but it was very limited and lived within TheWoodWhisperer.com. The new site, however, is a true standalone site with much more flexibility and plenty of room for growth. I am doing my best to make this the most comprehensive directory of woodworking blogs and podcasts on the web. So check it out when you have a moment. If you have suggestions for sites that I may have missed, please feel free to use the Submit button at TheWoodWhispererNetwork.com.

Let’s embrace this change my friends and support these hard-working bloggers and podcasters. Afterall, without all of you viewers, readers, and listeners, we would all be talking to ourselves (which I promised Nicole I wouldn’t do anymore).

February Wood Whisperer Giveaway

February 10, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 4 Comments 

Sorry I’m late with this one guys. But here’s what’s up for grabs for the February Wood Whisperer Giveaway:

katz2The second installment in Gary Katz’s Mastering Finish Carpentry series. This DVD includes Program 3- Installing Casing and Program 4- Installing Baseboard. Two think I know I could use some brushing up on. haha! I have seen all of Gary’s videos and this stuff is top-notch. He truly takes the mystery out of the process. You can find more information as well as all of Gary’s DVD’s on his site at GaryMKatz.com

We also have some killer products up for grabs from the great folks at Magswitch. With their incredibly strong (easy on/off) magnets, these guys have redefined the humble featherboard. We have a number of products up for grabs including their standard featherboard with the vertical attachment and their universal featherboard.

standard featherboard Universal featherboard

Remember, if you’ve already entered one of our Wood Whisperer Giveaways in the past, you do not need to enter again. Now if this is your first time, you can enter by sending us an email at TWWPromo@gmail.com and you will be good to go for this and all future Wood Whisperer Giveaways.

Kitchen Cabinets - Project of the Week

February 9, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Project of the Week | 14 Comments 

This week’s project comes from Skip. Beautiful birch kitchen cabinets. Norm eat your heart out! Here’s Skip’s description:

“Pictures show my biggest home project. Floor is Cherry. Cabinets are Birch, finished with a 7 step process including conditioning, 3 gel stain combos-Minwax and Old Masters, then wipe-on-poly top coats. Drawers and lower china cabinet all have full extension slides. Granite was contracted. The stained glass was my first attempt, but worth the effort. Good note – when I decided to design and make the stained glass, I visited a local supplier/window maker and he said I could ask questions, watch him work and get some pointers… for a reasonable time – but asked if I decided to make a window, to please purchase supplies and material from him. A great trade off!”

Kitchen1 Kitchen2

Episode 40 - End Table (Pt. 4)

February 8, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Projects, Video | 62 Comments 

Low Resolution Version
High Resolution Version


Time for the fun stuff! The legs are routed and then shaped by hand with a cabinet-maker’s rasp. I then show you how you can use card scrapers and sandpaper to achieve the smoothest finish possible. And finally we will glue all the legs to the center pieces. I finish up by requesting suggestions for a top to the table. What would you do? And here is the link for the rasp I used in the show. It’s the 10” Pattern Maker Cabinet Rasp, 2nd Cut, #49:


Nicholson Cabinetmaker Files
Nicholson Cabinetmaker Files

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