| ShortCuts© |
March 30, 2012 |
Column 748
This week's column: #778 |
Previous Columns |
| May 24, 2013 #777 |
| May 10, 2013 #776 |
| April 26, 2013 #775 |
| April 5, 2013 #774 |
| March 28,2013 #773 |
| March 9, 2013 #772 |
| February 22, 2013 #771 |
| February 8, 2013 #770 |
| January 25, 2013 #769 |
| January 11, 2013 #768 |
| December 21, 2012 #767 |
| December 7, 2012 #766 |
| November 23, 2012 #765 |
| November 9, 2012 #764 |
| October 26, 2012 #762 |
| October 12, 2012 #761 |
| September 28, 2012 #760 |
| September 13, 2012 #759 |
| August 31, 2012 #758 |
| August 10, 2012 #757 |
| July 20, 2012 #756 |
| July 6, 2012 #755 |
| June 22, 2012 #754 |
| June 8, 2012 #753 |
| May 25, 2012 #752 |
| May 11, 2012 #751 |
| April 28, 2012 #750 |
| April 14, 2012 #749 |
| March 30, 2012 #748 |
| March 16, 2012 #747 |
| March 2, 2012 #746 |
| February 17, 2012 #745 |
| February 3, 2012 #744 |
| January 20, 2012 #743 |
| January 6, 2012 #742 |
| December 23, 2011 #741 |
| December 9, 2011 #740 |
| November 25, 2011 #739 |
| November 11, 2011 #738 |
| October 28, 2011 #737 |
| October 14, 2011 #736 |
| September 30, 2011 #735 |
| September 16, 2011 #734 |
| August 12, 2011 #733 |
| July 29, 2011 #732 |
| July 15, 2011 #731 |
| July 1, 2011 #730 |
| June 17, 2011 #729 |
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 BUYING TOOLS
We here in Halifax, Nova Scotia are very fortunate!
 Normally when woodworkers want to make a major tool purchase those in other regions have to rely on the “associates” in the big box stores for advice on tool comparisons. The big box stores seem to have a very limited knowledge on other than store brand tools. A few years ago while in Toronto I checked out one of these stores and when I asked a few vey basic questions on even their store brand table saws, the associate was a bit dumbfounded. One would think that these associates would be well trained about woodworking and well versed especially in the store brand products.
Here in Halifax and within a short distance we have a half dozen specialized businesses that pride themselves in their knowledge of woodworking tools and accessories. And, you can bet that they can advise you on the best tools to buy for your particular need. They can show you comparisons of several brands and make an honest recommendation. They know that they have to give you accurate advice because they want you to come back for more tools. What’s more, their prices are very competitive and that’s another plus. There is one more very important factor as well; some of these independents will even offer free delivery and setup. That is a big plus.
Got a problem with your new purchase? Simply pick up the phone or drop in for immediate help. That kind of service just isn’t available at the big box stores.
 SHOP LIGHTING
I thought that I would shed some light on the subject of shop lighting in today’s column as over the past few months several of you have written asking for suggestions on the subject.
There are three forms of lighting in a workshop that should be considered and they are ambient, task and portable. Before we get into that however let’s see why shop lighting is important other than the obvious fact that you want to be able to see what you are doing.
The home or business woodshop generally has a number of power tools in it and these tools can cause serious injury if you don’t have proper lighting to see precisely what you are doing. Additionally, in the woodshop we deal with paints and finishes and it is obvious that proper lighting will tell you the difference between walnut or mahogany wood stain.
Finding the Cut Lines
 Ambient lighting is general overhead lighting like that found in a large office or like that ceiling fixture found in a bedroom. The type of lighting to choose for your workshop is up to you but you will find that fluorescent fixtures will work best and in my opinion, they should be fitted with cool white tubes. The cool white colour is somewhat brighter and will help you to better see those pencil or cut lines on wood. The four-tube fixtures are best for the larger areas of your shop with single or double tube units for nooks or other small areas. However, do not be afraid of overkill, a brighter shop is a better and safer shop. If there are dark spots on the floor for instance, it may be difficult to see off-cuts that are lying there and so easy to trip over. The biggest advantage of fluorescent lighting over incandescent is its spread of light and the softer shadows that it produces. This also holds true with compact fluorescents (CFL’s).
Task Lighting
 Task lighting is lighting that focuses on individual areas such as a workbench or a specific tool in your woodshop. Task lighting can be either incandescent or fluorescent and should be a ‘drop’ fixture rather than a ceiling mounted one. It may also be mounted on an extension arm for more flexibility. Ideally, a draftsman’s lamp fitted with a CFL works just fine.
Overhead type tools such as a drill press or a bandsaw are susceptible to shadows on their work surfaces and task lighting for these types of tools is important for both safety and work accuracy reasons.
In my shop I have made use of unwanted drapery track to suspend compact fluorescent lamps from. The wire is ‘squeezed’ into the metal loop of the rollers and that allows the lamp to move the full length of the track. The lamp is then positioned anywhere along my workbench.
Over the table saw I have lowered a fluorescent 2-tube fixture for a broader spread of light with softer shadows. My lathe has a pair of suspended CFL pendant types fixtures to focus the light.
Portable Lighting
 There are situations where concentrated light is wanted such as the drill press and bandsaw where the mechanisms are above the work surfaces and are generally in a shadow. In these cases you will want to look at a more portable form of lighting such as one of those clamp on fixtures. Or, you may choose a fixture with a magnetic base that will stick to the metal housings of the tools. I have found that using halogen bulbs in these works best as the light is considerably whiter and makes the pencil lines stand out more.
Portable lights are also important in sanding and finishing and here is where the halogen bulb excels. In sanding tabletops and the like, I like to hold the portable lamp close to the edge and ‘scan’ the surface from a low angle. This makes any imperfections stand out like a sore thumb and they can be easily corrected.
OUR SOMETIMES REGULAR BOOK REVIEW
Many, many years ago when I was a teenager the CBC used to broadcast a shortwave radio program called Hawaii Calls. The program was mainly a music show with singers and musicians from the Big Island. The predominant instrument was the ukulele in the four ranges and listening to that music was enchanting. Sunday nights were a real treat to look forward to.
Make Your Own Ukulele
Bill Plant
Fox Chapel Publishing
96 Pages
 I don’t think that either Arthur Godfrey or even Tiny (Tiptoe Through The Tulips) Tim ever made their own ukuleles, they could afford even the most expensive models. However, for the regular folk like me, Australian Bill Plant shows us how to make our own. Plant describes in detail the building of two types of the instrument, the traditional shaped and the simpler box type.
There are four different types of ukuleles from soprano (Tiny Tim’s) to the baritone and the author discusses these as well as suggesting the types of wood species that is best used for the instruments. Hawaiian koa is the traditional species. Solid wood is best rather than plywood.
Plant shows us how to build the “Boxer”, the simple style in chapter three and in the fourth chapter he details the construction of the professional grade. In each case he lists the tools and materials required. Plant also shows how to save money by using a shop made bending iron.
Making your own ukulele looks like a lot of fun! Now, if only he could teach me to play it.
 Learn to Play the Ukulele
Bill Plant & Tricia Scott
64 Pages + Included CD
Fox Chapel Publishing
I haven’t built my ukulele yet but when I do I know that Bill Plant and Tricia Scott will show me how to play it in this excellent book and CD. The book has eight chapters but the tutors think you will be able to strum it in six or so. The book is designed for beginners like myself and judging by the text and photos it looks like maybe I’ll easily get the hang of it in a short time. And, you can as well.
Now, if only I could sing. I don’t think the authors can help me there.
Skil Fills a Niche…..Again
  Here’s the scenario! Your partner comes home with a couple of pictures that she/he wants hung on the walls in the living room. You go get your cordless drill, drill bits, screws and anchors and the vacuum because you know it’s going to make a mess. You know where the new pictures are going to go so you will have to move the furniture while you are drilling the holes for the hooks.
Enter the new Skil SDC01 Drill Bit Dust Collector. With the Dust Collector you simply position it to where you are going to drill the holes, turn it on briefly to engage the suction pump and drill away. The SDC01 sticks to the wall with suction, even slightly textured walls. The dust then simply drops into the dust cup. You release the suction, pop a wall plug into the hole and drive in a screw for the picture wire. It’s that easy! No furniture moving, no vacuum cleaner, no mess. Skill even supplies the screws and the wall plugs and the drill bits.
The SDC01 comes with a protective case that can be hung nicely in your shop or handy to your work bench. The drill hole on the tool has a maximum diameter of ⅜” which is more than ample for picture hanging or for shelf brackets and most anything else that you need to drill for. The new Skil SDC01 Drill Bit Dust Collector sells for $29.95 or less.
Now we know that this is not a heavy-duty industrial tool but we have to give it  ’s because it is so innovative. Good job Skil!
 Coast Rapid Response 3.00
The Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters has about 7,000 members and there are similar federations across Canada with a half million or more members. Add those in the US and around the world and you have gazillions that would love to get their hands on the new Coast Rapid Response spring assisted pocket knife.
Ron Lake design
Ron Lake is a renowned knife designer and he added his talents to this new Coast product. The new knife handle is made from nylon filled fiberglass while the blade is made from 400 series high-carbon stainless steel. There are two styles of the Rapid Response knife available, an all black (oxide coated) blade and a natural finish blade. The black oxide model has a half serrated blade.
The knife is ambidextrous in design and the belt clip may be fixed on either side of the handle. There is a spring assisted opening and a Max-Lock switch on the handle for double security. Simply slide the switch to double lock the blade in the open or closed positions.
The Coast Rapid response Knives sell for just over $40US and can serve double duty in both the field and in the woodshop.
One More From Coast
 Coast says “let there be light”! LED light that is! And light is one of Coasts specialties. Their latest is an LED Emergency Area Lantern model EAL20 that provides up to 10 nights of light on a set of four ‘D’ batteries. At full brightness the EAL20 produces 125 lumens but, there is a dimmer control to extend the battery life. This same control will provide a bright solid red emergency light and a flashing red light.
The Coast EAL20 is 8” high x 4” deep x 4” wide and has a convenient carrying handle and hanging loop on the top. It is bottom weighted for stability. Coastal uses a rubber over-mold on the handle for comfort and on the base to prevent it from slipping. A convenient battery life indicator is a real plus. This is a great light for emergencies or even as a regular camp light as you don’t have the smell or inconvenience of a kerosene lamp. The EAL20 sells for about $40US.
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