Comments for Adventures in Woodworking

Comment on Cross Training by Fabian

Fabian — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:01:51 +0000

Hey Eric, that’s great! I haven’t had time to go scuba diving here in Europe so far. Beside of that I prefer the water temperature of your place anyway.

But maybe I’ll be back one day!

Comment on Which Vise Do I Nurse in My Bosom? by Bill

Bill — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:54:07 +0000

Hey there “homeboy.” Just discovered this whilst Googling for something else.

Was that really a “few” years ago already? Yeesh.

Hope you find some kinda use for that screw anyhow. If you ever make it back to this area, we could have at that wooden screw, being as I do have a lathe. I would make an entirely new head for it and probably attach it with a lengthwise threaded rod into the shaft. I have a wood threading kit which would make that possible. There are alternatives as well…

- Bill Taggart

Comment on More Roubo Musings (and Questions) by Gye Greene

Gye Greene — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:11:49 +0000

Was pondering (for some reason) the “benchtop clamping” issue, and remembered that another work-around is to drill holes all the way through, and then use a series of threaded rods, with washers and nuts on the end.

The threaded rod keeps all the boards aligned, and the nuts create the pressure.

–GG

Comment on Which Vise Do I Nurse in My Bosom? by Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:25:24 +0000

I would go with the wooden screw. You will regret the limited capacity if you use the shorter leg. I still recommend mortising the nut into the leg with the wooden screw but it would be easier to remove and patch if necessary in the future. I agree with the comments above to try to salvage the head by filling the rotten parts and stabilizing the wood. You would even use a gap filling epoxy with sawdust to fit it up and keep the old look. As far as a shoulder to grab the chop, I would use an internal garter system and mortise through the side of the chop and cut a shallow groove on the screw just inside the head. Then you can insert a “peg” or garter that will grab the chop and allow it to move with the screw. Check out Joe Communale’s site at http://www.bigwoodvise.com for more on garters or Scott Landis’ Workbench book. I am using an internal garter for my Roubo so even check out my podcast in the coming months and I will do a segment on it.

Shannon

Comment on Which Vise Do I Nurse in My Bosom? by Gye Greene

Gye Greene — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:41:02 +0000

I, too, think the wooden threads have more “vibe”. I think it was on the OldTools list that someone mentioned some sort of magic gunk or epoxy that you can inject into rotten wood, where it occupies the rotted-out wood cells and hardens, “restoring” the wood. (Dunno if it’s available locally to you, though.)

Rather than sand back the head, I’d try something that preserves the “found it in a burnt-out cabin in the woods” look. Maybe fill in the gaps with a clearly different-colored (i.e. darker) wood filler — then give everything a light sanding, then varnish over the outside (to hold it all together). (Theoretical; haven’t tried.)

If you wanted to take the other suggestion, and make a new head:

1) It doesn’t **have** to be square; it could be a brick with a square cross-section.

2) You could attach it with a dowel or two — maybe play about with drawboring? (That is: auger or mortise out a hole — although I’d lean towards square, as that’ll give it more purchase when you turn it; then put the squared-off end of the screw into your square hole.) (Again, theoretical.)

BTW — engagingly-written blog entry, and with well-shot, highly illustrated pics.

–GG

Comment on Which Vise Do I Nurse in My Bosom? by Eric

Eric — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:13:42 +0000

Okay, I could take a shot at making a new head. Without a lathe it will take a while but I could probably put out something roundish.

But how would I attach it to the screw?

Comment on Which Vise Do I Nurse in My Bosom? by thewoodshopbug

thewoodshopbug — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:18:07 +0000

I would definitely go with the wood, it is so much cooler, but I would make a new head. That one looks pretty fried. Those threads will be very nice. I have a similar screw, but it’s threads are pretty chipped. Good luck, keep us posted, I love fellow bench-builders!

Comment on Cold Feet by Gye Greene

Gye Greene — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:23:00 +0000

It tickles me that they have a category of “miscellaneous” at your local lumber yard.

What everyone else said makes sense to me. Esp. since you can pick the individual boards, and they’ll plane it to thickness for ya — sure! why not…

(Personally, I tend to go for the oddball, no-name bargains…)

–GG

Comment on Cold Feet by Eric

Eric — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:08:43 +0000

Thanks Kari, for reminding me about getting a lighter color for the top. A lot of the wood here is reddish, but there are varying shades of reddish.

Ma: I’d like to think this is a 10+ year bench, but there are a lot of factors that would determine that! But as long as I’m in Malaysia and working wood, I would imagine this’d be my bench. And yes, if we moved (within Sabah anyway), this bench would follow.

Bob: What a beauty! Love that bench you built.

Comment on Cold Feet by Bob Easton

Bob Easton — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:26:21 +0000

My workbench is built from some of “the Borg’s” cheapest, knottiest, construction lumber. The bench does its job wonderfully, and I feel absolutely no remorse when it gets banged up a bit. To “ma’s” suggestion of amortizing the cost, I really like the value I see in this approach. The bench will last a very long time and the money that could have been spent for better lumber went instead into boat building projects.

My workbench: http://www.bob-easton.com/blog/?cat=11