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Archives for March 2011

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Layout exercise using only chalk and pencil

Try something new: Using a straight edge, your milled panels, chalk and pencil, draw the outlines of the curves and edges you want to see. Don’t use templates, but aim for a pleasing angle on the sides you want beveled, and draw nice curves using chalk. And be prepared to surprise yourself.

That is exactly what I did yesterday as I prepared to cut glued-up panels to final size prior to cutting dovetail joinery. Step-wise (follow along with the photos, which are already in sequence):

  • Mark the layout for the handles
  • Not happy with the handle position? No problem! Erase the chalk marks, and mark the handles again
  • Mark the 5° side bevels on the headboard
  • Extend the side bevels on the head board all the way to the top edge
  • Draw a pleasing curve on the headboard
  • Mark the 5° bevels on the foot board, and extend the bevels to the top edge
  • In my case, and due to OCD, I still check for board flatness after every operation. Chalk will not change flatness.

Next step: Cut the dovetail joinery.

I would love to hear from you:

  1. How do you approach making curves on your projects?
  2. Do you prepare templates for each and every curve? (Hint: I do, for many projects for clients)
  3. What other steps do you take to ensure pleasing results?

I look forward to your comments! Click on my signature below, to send me a comment via e-mail.

— Al Navas

 

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The band saw problem has been solved

The guide post alignment problem with no-name European band saw has been solved. You will remember that Joe was having very real issues with the guide post every time he moved it up or down; he was completely unable to reposition the post without having to re-adjust the position of the guide bearings. This was a total pain in the behind.

Joe found the problem. Totally frustrated, he removed the entire guide column bracket, and disassembled it. While doing this he noticed a large glob of fused powder coating in some areas, which he chiseled away. BINGO! Hidden behind these globs of paint were the set screws that allow proper alignment of the guide column. He adjusted the set screws, and noticed that the column not only moved up and down very smoothly, but now the guide bearings stayed in place relative to the back edge of the blade!

Thank you, Joe, for letting us know how you solved this bothersome issue! I am sure that some readers of the blog will also be thankful, as they find they can also adjust their band saws a little better.

For those who wonder what the guide column bracket looks like, here is a photo — if you are having similar issues with your band saw, remove the box from the band saw, and take a look inside:

Guide column bracket in the no-name band saw.

This entire episode showed me how well we can work together across long distances, connected with the common interest of woodworking and using the Internet. I look forward to helping others, no matter where in the world you might be located.

In addition to solving the guide post alignment problems, Joe also found that the band saw table was not flat. So he commissioned a local machine shop to grind it perfectly flat:

Grinding the band saw table.

Finally, he tricked out the band saw by getting a Laguna DriftMaster fence, which he will use with a power feeder:

DriftMaster fence on the no-name band saw.

Joe reports flawless resaw cuts of the premium rosewood using his band saw. Congratulations, Joe! I look forward to the results using the power feeder on this band saw and 20-inch slabs of your premium wood.

— Al Navas

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The Kansas City Woodworkers Guild is relocating

The Guild will move to a new home, effective April 1, 2011. For further details, and to stay connected, make sure to read and/or download the current Newsletter in PDF format. If you wish to contact any of the officers, send an e-mail by clicking on the links on the left-hand Sidebar of the Newsletter.

The new location is:

Kansas City Woodworkers Guild
3189 Mercier, Suite A
Kansas City, Missouri 64111

How to get there (click on Directions, and then select your point of origin to get driving directions from your location) — this is a “live” map:

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Please contact me by clicking on my signature below; it takes you to my new Contact page.

— Al Navas