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5 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying Reconditioned Power Tools
2007-05-17 00:49:00
Reconditioned power tools - depending on who you ask - are either the bane or the boon of the power tool industry. Mostly they’re the boon, especially if it’s a name brand tool from a name brand reseller. However if you’re not careful there’s a chance that your great deal today may turn into tomorrow’s yard ...
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Interview with Bosch: The Bosch Power Tool Reconditioning Process
2007-05-17 00:25:00
I wrote to Bosch recently with 5 questions about their tool reconditioning process. I hope their answers help you to make more educated decisions about Bosch reconditioned power tools! 1) What is a “certified factory reconditioned tool”? A certified factory reconditioned tool has been through a complete inspection by factory trained technicians at the Robert Bosch Power ...
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Thomas Moser Bed Made by Woodworker?s Wife
2007-05-14 00:02:00
This WoodNet thread really blew my mind: WoodNetter ksquared photographed and wrote about the build process his wife went through to build a gorgeous Thom as Moser bed. Not only is the finished bed beautiful, but there’s a fantastic write up with very clear photographs that follow along with the process. I think the most amazing thing is ...
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Top 11 Cordless Drills/Drivers FamilyWoodworking Poll
2007-05-13 21:08:00
A FamilyWoodworking member started a poll recently and asked members what kind of drill/driver they used. 98 votes later here are the break downs: DeWalt: 26 Makita: 18 Panasonic: 10 Ryobi: 8 Bosch: 8 Craftsman: 5 Milwaukee: 5 Festool: 4 Hitachi: 3 Porter-Cable: 2 Rigid: 1 Other: 8 You’re shorting yourself if you skip reading through the thread though. Especially if you’re in the market for a cordless drill. ...
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ToolCrib.com?s Ultimate Guide to Online Home Remodeling DIY Resources
2007-04-29 18:34:00
This is a stake in the ground and a starting point for a project that will grow over time - ToolCrib.com’s Ultimate Guide to Online DIY Resources . Here’s what we’ve got right now: 1) DIY Info Sites 2) DIY Blogs 3) DIY Forums 4) DIY Resources from ToolCrib.com What I imagine this growing into: Groupings based around actual home remodeling DIY projects ...
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Frank Pellow?s Work Bench Chronicles
2007-03-30 23:49:00
You last heard of Fran k Pellow in The Story of a “Forum Assisted” Woodworking Shop: Frank Pellow?s Shop Build Journal. His latest chronicles - which haven’t made it to book status quite yet, perhaps because he’s not finished yet - describe his new work bench. And what a bench it’s shaping up to be! He got the ...
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How Would You Outfit Your Wood Shop from Scratch with ONLY $1000?
2007-03-30 22:39:00
(Hello Wood Whisperer readers So… here’s the scenario: 1) You have no woodworking tools. 2) You have $1000 tool budget for a YEAR. What tools would you buy? I asked this hypothetical question of The Wood Whisperer Marc Spagnuolo and he answered here: Zero Tools and $1000. Then I worked my way around ToolCrib.com’s favorite forums to get their ...
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Can You Cut Steel Siding with a Miter Saw?
2007-03-29 03:52:00
I didn’t know the proper answer to this question: “can I use a mitre saw to cut steel siding? If so what type of blade do I need.” So I headed on over to the WoodNet forum to hear what the Woodnetters thought. Here are some suggestions regarding how one should cut steel siding from the forum thread ...
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The New Norms: Top Online Woodworking Videos from Woodsmith and the Wood Wh
2007-03-20 20:24:00
If you’re like the majority of woodworkers then the chances are good that Norm Abram is on the list of your most influential woodworkers… Did you know that there’s a new crop of “Norms” starting up online? That’s right I’m talking about the friendly guys at Wood smith and the coolest woodworker online The Wood Whisperer. I picked ...
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Sometimes You Ask Us to Play Name That Tool?
2007-03-19 20:43:00
Sometimes you send us questions like this: “I’m interested in making a stand for my fish tank and I would like a tool that allows screws to be drill into the wood at an angle. This tool makes the holes and it appears very common in cabinet making.” I’m better with words than with wood so I ...
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Q/A: Best DIYer Table Saw for Ripping Plywood? Under $300?
2007-03-19 19:54:00
A ToolCrib.com visitor asked us recently what was the best DIYer table saw for ripping plywood and paneling… in the $300 range. I posted his question at Wood Net and learned three key things. Here’s the thread: best table saw for DIYer in $300> The first and most important thing I learned is that he’s better off NOT ...
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ToolCrib.com?s Guide to Your 31 Most Influential Woodworkers
2007-03-10 17:08:00
ToolCrib.com recently asked the Wood Net, FamilyWoodworking and LumberJocks forums who were their TOP FIVE most influential woodworkers. After tallying their votes we had a list of over 100 different “most influential” woodworkers. Here’s the WoodNet thread. Here’s the thread in FamilyWoodworking. And here’s LumberJocks. Of these, 31 received 2 or more mentions, and so that’s who we investigated ...
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Making the Power Tool Battery Decision: NiMH vs. NiCad vs. Li-Ion
2007-03-07 02:27:01
A Tool Crib.com visitor asked us recently: “What is the difference between NiMH and NiCd and which is best when using 220v power to charge battery?” So. To tackle the first part of the question we have to look at the criteria for making the power tool battery decision. And then bring Lithium Ion into the equation to round out the choices. Get helpful articles that help you make informed power tool decisions by signing up for the ToolCrib.com newsletter! Criteria for Making Your Power Tool Battery Decision According to Building a Better Power-Tool Battery you should be looking at a battery’s run time, life cycle, volts and amp-hour rating. Run Time: Quite simply run time is the amount of work a tool can do before its charge runs out. Life Cycle: Life cycle is how many times the battery can be recharged during its life time. Volts (Power): Volts will determine work output of the tool. John Sara, cordless product manager for Milwaukee Electric Tool, quoted in the artic...
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Amazon Weekend Sale - Great Power Tool Deals for March 4 and 5
2007-03-04 02:25:03
What is it with Amazon on the weekends? They give out power tool deals like they were Saturday morning cartoons or something… Check out these Weekend Sale Deals that I added to the power tool deals section of our blog today: Bosch 1587AVSK Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit - $85.49 GMC ATBR1500 2 1/4 HP Router Kit With 3 Bases - $47.49 Denali 10 Inch Compound Miter saw - $47.49 Gerber 22-41506 Clutch Mini Pliers - $9.99 GMC AJS58LS 5.8 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw - $18.99 Tags: Amazon Weekend Sale, -, Great Power Tool Deals

ToolCrib.com?s Ultimate Guide to Free Router Table Plans
2007-03-04 02:25:03
This is the first in a series that will focus on free workshop plans. Subscribe to the Tool Crib.com email newsletter to stay up to date on ALL of our woodworking and power tool resources! The router table is a classic wood shop project, and if you’re as thrifty as I am then there’s no question that you’re going to build your own (though, cough cough, our associates at Amazon have a fantastic array of prebuilt router tables . I searched through free woodworking plans from our ultimate guide to hand pick these free router table plans for you. This article is designed to be a great starting point for your router table project, and to get you thinking about all the possible options out there. So browse the plans, and let your imagination run wild. And check out the links to forum discussions at the end of the article for more insight I organized the best plans I found into three lists: Space Saver and Bench Top Router Tabl es Full Size/Professional Router Tables Rou...
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ToolCrib.com?s Ultimate Guide to Over 4,000 Free Woodworking Plans
2007-02-28 14:22:03
We recently posted about Free WW.com, a site devoted to free woodworking plans. Judging from out site stats you guys ate them up. We set the hounds on hunting out all the free woodworking plan sites that the web has to offer, and we think we’re getting pretty close to pointing to all of them right here. If you’re wondering how we got the 4,000 number I’ll admit - it was a lot of guess work. On sites like the first one, where I estimate around 2,500 plans, I counted the number of categories (180) and multiplied that by the lowest number I found in the sampling of categories I checked in (15) and rounded down. I stayed conservative any time I couldn’t get an exact count. Scientific? Heck no! But who cares? There’s lots and lots and lots of free plans for you to start rummaging through… so DIG IN to these plans and get your butt into the work shop! (if you’d rather not go through them all by hand scroll down for a search box that lets you searc...
More About: Work , Tool , Wood , Guide

WoodNet?s Top 7 Most Influential Woodworkers
2007-02-27 14:21:01
I polled the guys at Wood net recently to see who were their top five most influential woodworkers… It turned out to be a pretty popular and highly personal topic. Great stuff for those seeking to broaden their woodworking influences… What I published here today is but a small part of a larger survey I’m doing. I also asked at LumberJocks and will re-ask at FamilyWoodworking now that I have refined my question. You’re welcome to contribute to the “most influential woodworker project” too by commenting this thread or emailing GFrench@ToolCrib.com about your top five most influential woodworkers. Here’s a sneak peek at the WoodNet top ten so far… I will check back there before I put together another “ultimate guide” 1) Norm Abram - 27 “The guy in plaid,” “Nahm…” He goes by many names and Woodnetters mentioned him 27 times as a “most influential” woodworker. Especially in the early y...
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$289.97 Off Delta 36-731 10-Inch Right Tilt Cabinet Saw
2007-02-23 20:17:04
Don’t look at Amazon’s list price of $2,440.82, this Delta beauty queen usually sits at $1588.97. Today - and we DON’T know how long this will last - you can take her home for $1,299.00. This is the lowest price I’ve ever seen on the Delta 36-731. You WILL have to pay $149.00 shipping for this 476 pound tool. Here are her specs: * 3-horsepower cabinet saw with 50-inch unifence system; magnetic switch * Industrial T-slot miter gage; full beveled front edge; 4-inch rear dust port * Cast-iron base, carbide-tipped blade * Includes saw, fence system, adjustment tool kit, blade, table insert * 74 by 45 by 42 inches; 476 pounds; 2-year warranty This price could go up at any time… and if it goes any lower within 30 days you can get a refund (learn how)! So get your Delta 36-731 10-Inch Right Tilt 3 Horsepower Cabinet Saw today! Safety first! If you buy this saw read the manual for safety and then read our guide to the most dangerous power tools to see where...

Woodworker Interview Project + Most Influential Woodworkers
2007-02-23 02:15:02
I’m not afraid to admit that I know nothing about woodworking First and foremost because I have very little shame, to the chagrin of the LOML when we’re out at dinner. And secondly because I know I can rely on the guys at FamilyWoodworking and WoodNet for a healthy dose of woodworking wisdom. Building from the collaborative success of our Ultimate Guide to the Top Ten Most Dangerous Woodworking Power Tools I went to both forums today and asked them about good questions to ask of influential woodworkers. I thought I’d link to them from here so you can see the “conversations” emerge… I think I may have to re-ask my question in WoodNet cause I’ve got crickets there for now . Anyways, check out: Who are your top five most influential woodworkers? and woodworker interviews project And please comment or email me: GFrench@ToolCrib.com about YOUR favorite woodworkers and questions you’d like to ask them!
More About: Workers , Inter , Work , Project , Interview

The new ToolCrib.com Newsletter
2007-02-23 02:15:02
The first Volume of the Tool Crib.com News letter is out into the world. Thanks to everyone for the great response. Click here to check it out and click here to make sure you are on the list for the next one. Tags: toolcrib.com, newsletter, woodworking, diy, home, improvement
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ToolCrib.com?s Ultimate Guide to the Top Ten Most Dangerous Woodworking Pow
2007-02-22 14:15:01
“What is the most dangerous woodworking power tool?” That’s what I asked the woodworkers at the woodworking forums FamilyWood working.org and WoodNet.net. WoodNet.net’s woodworkers responded with 55 replies and the guys at FamilyWoodworking.org responded with 51 replies with over 3000 views between them. The chilling experiences and hard-knock wisdom from both forums inspired this article, and I hope that by reading this and following the links I provide that you become a safer, more tool-respecting woodworker. The #1 Most Dangerous Power Tool After over 100 responses to the “most dangerous tool” question the seasoned woodworkers from both forums delivered an unequivocal answer. There IS INDEED a power tool that’s more dangerous than any other in your wood shop and you need to treat this tool with more respect and care than your table saw, shaper, jointer or chain saw. And the number one most dangerous power tool in your wood shop is YOU....
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Framers Going Nuts Over PR-7000 12-Inch Prazi Circular Saw Beam Cutter
2007-02-20 20:12:03
Framers, general contractors and restoration crews are going nuts over the Prazi USA PR-7000 12-Inch Prazi Beam Cutter. And the price just dropped 30% to an all-time low of $87.22 shipped. Unbelievable. With the Prazi’s 12 in. cutting capacity you’ll be making the following types of cuts: rafter pitch cut miters stairs arches log cuts compound angles bandsaw cut notch 6×12 panels ripping There ARE some downsides to the Prazi, described in part here: One, the bar bounces around a lot when you begin to cut into a beam so you get sloppy cuts starting out. Two, the chain would not stay tight. If they had used the same system that a conventional chain saw uses to tighten the bar it would be much better. But overall the Prazi owners are lit up over this cutter: “The Prazi paid for itself the first day we used it. We use it on a Milwaukee 8-1/4 inch worm drive saw and although a bit on the heavy side, the thing is a beast.” “As a framer I don’t ...
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A List of Free Woodworking Project Plans
2007-02-20 08:12:04
Hey guys, Here is a great list of Free Wood working Plans I found at www.freeww.com. Leave a comment and let us know what you think of these plans and where you go to find other Free Woodworking Plans. The plans have great diagrams and pictures of the finished products such as the ones below form this plan for a Farm Table. Here are the main categories, Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think. Free woodworking plans: Bed Plans Bed Headboard Plans Bedroom Furniture Plans Bedside Tables Bench Plans Bird Feeder Plans Bird House Plans Bookcase Plans Chair Plans Chest Plans Chest of Drawer Plans Children’s Backyard Equipment Plans Clock Plans Closet Organizers Coat Rack Plans Desk Plans Dresser Plans Entertainment Center Plans Home Bar Plans Entertainment Centers Kitchen Woodworking Project s Mission Furniture Plans Router Table Plans Shelf Plans Skateboard Ramp Plans Small Project Plans Stool Plans Storage Buildings and Sheds Table Plans Index Bedside Table Plans Co...
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Popular Woodworking Manual Reveals What to Look For in Woodworking Tools
2007-02-20 08:12:04
If you’re a regular Pop ular Woodworking reader then you’re probably familiar with their “I Can Do That” feature which emphasizes two day shop projects for woodworkers with most of the standard power tool array. The “I Can Do That” Manual is much more than this - it’s 12 chapters and 81 pages of woodworking tool bliss that will help you put together your first full set of woodworking tools. …or figure out how to round out the tool set you already have. Download the Manual - it’s in PDF format. It’s full of great, no-nonsense insight like: “The jigsaw cuts curves beautifully and it is safe, powerful and inexpensive. (In fact, some professional cabinetmakers use their jigsaw for curves more than they use a stationary band saw.) Plus, with a little practice, you’ll find that you need very little clean-up of your sawn edges.” I’m not sure if our friends over at FamilyWoodworking and WoodNet would agree 1...
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Price Drop on Bench Dog 40-037 Complete Router Table System
2007-02-20 08:12:04
Now that you know how to pick your next router, how about a great price on a router table from Bench Dog? These tables don’t wobble. Ever. And because of their Bench Dog quality the price doesn’t wobble that much either. That’s why this $20 price drop is such a ding dang big deal folks. Alas you WILL incur a $49 shipping charge on this puppy. Fortunately you can more than make up for that cost with Amazon’s current 20% off deal for router bits and sets! Get more out of your routers today with the Bench Dog 40-037! Also see our guide to picking your next router. Tags: Bench Dog 40-037, Router Tabl e, Deal of the Day
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Price Drop on Drill Doctor 750X Automatic Bit Sharpener: to $99.99 Shipped
2007-02-20 08:12:04
This mean little bit sharpening machine normally hovers in the $120 - $160 range on Amazon. You can get it today for only $99.99 shipped from Amazon! That’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the Drill Doctor through Amazon… I think I can hear the rumble of DIYers stacking up their boxes of dull bits in anticipation… So break out of the disposable mentality and start saving yourself money by resharpening drill bits yourself! This price won’t last long though… So get your Drill Doctor 750X Auto matic Bit Sharp ener for only $99.99 shipped today! Tags: Drill Doctor 750X, Automatic Bit Sharpener, Deal of the Day
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Price Drop + $50 Gift Card! Hitachi C12LSH 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compo
2007-02-18 20:10:05
Bells? Check. Whistles? Check. 12″ SCMS with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display for $549 and a free $50 Hitachi gift card? Check. If you’ve been following the Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita miter saw debate you know that the Hitachi is a well respected miter saw at FamilyWoodworking.org and especially WoodNet.net. Amazon list price (lol): $1,319.58 The high end price: $750.42 Most recent low price: $610.01 Lowest Price we’ve seen on this saw: $549.99 Note! Shipping is $39. BUT if you buy it now you get a $50 gift card good for future Hitachi purchases from Amazon. This deal isn’t likely to last long… so start dropping some hints with the love of your life NOW. That night stand you promised her… Heirloom furniture for future generations… Small investment next to the improvements you’ll make on the house… You buttered her up good on Valentine’s day right? Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Comp ound Miter ...
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How To Choose the Right Circular Saw Blade.
2007-02-17 02:08:06
It comes down to the job and the power of your circular saw… If you’re new to woodworking and would like a one minute overview of the differences between circular saw blades check out this video with Tim Carter of http://www.AsktheBuilder.com. To get a bit more depth on matching saw blades with your job, check out How to Choose the Right Circular Saw Blade . And for a discussion of the differences in usage between full kerf and thin kerf I suggest the full kerf/thin kerf discussion in WoodNet. (Kerf is the width of the cut as determined by how wide the teeth protrude on the blade.) And if you really want to dig into the history of saws I highly recommend the wikipedia Saws page. Tags: how to choose the right circular saw blade
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20% Off 10? and 12? Circular Saw Blades, Dado Blades and Router Bits and Se
2007-02-17 02:08:06
There’s no telling when this sweet Amazon deal will end… (we suspect it’s the end of the month…) but you can still get 20% off of 10″ and 12″ circular saw blades, dado blades and router bits and sets if you type in the promotional code 2OOFFPTA at check out. Go get your 20% on: Circular Saw Blade s Dado Blades Route r Bits Router Bit Sets We don’t know how long this deal will last so stock up now! Learn more about the Amazon 20% off deal. Tags: 2OOFFPTA, Amazon Discount, Circular Saw Blades Discount, Router Bits Discount, Dado Blade Discount
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Most Dangerous Woodworking Power Tools?
2007-02-17 02:08:06
I recently asked the woodworkers at FamilyWood working and WoodNet.net about what they thought were the most dangerous power tools. The resounding answer was: “the tool OPERATOR is the most dangerous tool.” There are some chilling stories and great advice from all sides and I’m now in the process of contacting folks for quote permissions to pull all the pieces together and wrap them into something that - I hope - will genuinely benefit the woodworking community. Here’s where I’ll be drawing from for the article - FamilyWoodworking.org: Most Dangerous Woodworking Tool WoodNet.net: Most Dangerous Power Tool? Tags: most dangerous power tools
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