In this episode I will be trying something new - I think you will like it: I have been given permission by Leigh to post on the blog the videos they have produced for their entire product line, updated for 2008.
I will publish the entire set of videos over the next few weeks. These will thus become a full reference video library on the entire Leigh product line. So, let me know in the Comments section, or via e-mail, how well you like the series. Thanks!
This episode is the Introduction to the Leigh D4R 24-inch dovetail jig. The D4R is an update to the D4 I have in my shop, and that I use exclusively for many of my box projects - I LOVE to make boxes!
Some of you are already familiar with a little box I made with inlaid dovetails, and with what I called “bow ties” on the lid; the bow ties are inlaid end-on-end dovetails. At the request of one of the nice people at Leigh, photos of this little box found a home in the Leigh Inlaid Dovetail Gallery- the photos below reside at the Gallery:
As many of you know, Leigh Industries is one of my two new sponsors. What some people have not yet discovered is that Leigh has produced many videos on the use of their dovetails jigs; also, for the various templates used with these dovetail jigs; and for the FMT; for the router bit sets made for the jigs; for the vacuum systems used on the jigs; and for the superb User Guides they publish.
In this episode I show the two router bit sets provided by Sommerfeld Tools as the May 2008 giveaway.The deadline to register your name for this first monthly drawing is fast approaching - make sure to register by midnight of May 31, 2008. I will draw two names at random on June 1, 2008, and will post the names of the winners here on the same day.The only rules to enter the drawing are:
I encourage my readers to register, as I would like to keep the monthly drawings as a special feature of the blog. Marc Sommerfeld has provided these prizes free to the winners. Of course, shipping is always free on all our orders from Sommerfeld, excluding only a few major (large) items. Will ship only to North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico).
The more people who register for a chance to win, the better the chances we can keep this monthly drawing going. Thanks for entering, and always a huge THANKS to every one of my readers for your support!
I am proud to announce the first of what will be a monthly drawing for tools provided by one of my sponsors, Sommerfeld Tools for Wood. At this time, entries from North America only can be accepted - the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The May drawing will be for two sets of router bits, for two winners (click on the links to view the information for each set at the Sommerfeld web site):
The Starter Router Bit Set - a great way to start your router bit collection, or replace bits you already have, and
The Miniature Router Bit Set - perfect for small boxes, and all small projects requiring edge details and embellishments
Both router bit sets:
Winner #1 gets: Winner #2 gets:
Best way to view the photos above: Click on any image to open a larger image - after that you will see a navigation link near the top-right or top-left corner of the image. Clicking on either side will allow you to go to the next or the previous image (if one exists), until you have viewed all three images. To close the image window, either click outside of the image window, or click on the “Close” link at the bottom-right corner of the photo.
To enter this drawing for May, all you have to do is send me an e-mail with:
Your full name, and
Your address
I will draw names on Sunday, June 1, 2008; and I will announce the names of the winners right here on the blog the same day.
It is that simple!
Please start sending me your names and addresses to sandal_woods@bbwi.net , and read the blog to see if you won. Good luck to all!
In this episode I introduce Leigh Industries’ FMT, their flagship Frame Mortise & Tenon (M&T) jig. This is the latest tool in our shop.
Why the FMT? Because it excels at cutting mortises and tenons with high accuracy. With this jig we have the following options:
Use the FMT to cut all integral tenons and mortises for a project. The result: Perfect-fitting M&Ts.
As an alternative, cut all the mortises with the FMT, and also shape long tenons with the FMT. These tenons are then cut off on the table saw, to make loose tenons. The result: Perfect-fitting M&Ts.
A secondary alternative: Use the FMT to cut all the mortises, and cut loose tenon stock on the table saw, followed by shaping on the router table. With this option the loose tenons may require some “shaving off” and tweaking to optimize the fit.
I have confirmed that the versatility, simplicity, and the ease of use of this jig was the correct decision for me. The best way I can explain this is as follows. I need to make only one layout for the mortises, and one layout for the tenons; I then select one router bit and its matching guide, and make test cuts to confirm that my layout is OK. From this point on I can make as many tenons and matching mortises as I need for a particular project.
Enjoy the video, and let me have your Comments, either here or via e-mail (please note the e-mail tab in the menu above).
Recognition: I thank my friend and woodworking colleague John Fry (Chisel and Bit Custom Crafted Furniture) for reviewing the draft of this post, and for his feedback.
I have two new sponsors: Leigh Industries, and Sommerfeld Tools for Wood. This is exciting news for all my fellow woodworkers, as some new things are in the works.
Leigh makes the D4R, the D1600, and the Super Jigs dovetail jigs (12″, 18″, and 24″ widths), plus many templates, accessories, and attachments; and Leigh also makes the FMT Frame Mortise & Tenon jig.
Sommerfeld makes premium router bits, a router table and fence, cabinetmaking equipment, and also distributes other woodworking equipment such as Triton routers, etc.
I have been a customer of Leigh and Sommerfeld for a long time, and certainly before I started this blog. I will never take on a sponsor without knowing their products, using them, and backing them 100%. I stand behind the Leigh and Sommerfeld products.
In the future I will announce a new monthly contest, in partnership with Sommerfeld Tools. Marc Sommerfeld is very excited about this new venture; I know it will also be exciting to all of you. As soon as the new Sommerfeld web site is up and running 100%, we will announce the details.
If you get a chance, and you are not familiar with either Leigh or Sommerfeld, set aside some time and take a look to what my new sponsors have to offer. I provide below their respective logos, linked to their home page.
Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I want everyone to know that Leigh and Sommerfeld are the only two sponsors I currently have. I am an Affiliate member of Woodcraft, Rockler, and Amazon.com (the Sandal Woods Store).
My name is Al Navas, and I live in NW Missouri with my bride of many years.
We are both woodworkers who love to be in the shop together, sharing wonderful times. She is a woodturner, and also carves and does pyrography. I do what many call flat work, which includes jewelry boxes to blanket chests; armoires to entertainment centers; church altars to prayer kneelers; custom cabinets to rustic furniture.
In our “spare” time in the shop we make toys, bird houses, etc., for our granddaughters. In late 2007 we finished serving as officers for the St Joseph Woodworkers Guild.
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