The Woodshop

This is my studio - which is a place of sawdust... and some music.  It was originally used for several cars, some lawn and garden tools, camping gear and whatever else one might store in a typical garage.  Now it's the Dream Shop.

My tools are old and, by "Norm's" standards, are probably deemed outdated.  But, they are somewhat unusual, which I'm use to. 

Elu 3380 Plate Jointer/Spliner

My biscuit joiner is an old Elu from the 1980s, like the one Norm once used.  One of my sanders is a rare Skil Sandcat 2½ x 16 belt sander.  I currently have no Sears power tools.  I mostly have garage sale finds i.e. a B&D 1960s drill.

I also have lots of old hand tools handed down from my father and several uncles.  I doubt there's anything of any antique value. 

 
Shop Furniture

The jigs I have are all home made.  The box joint jig, the sliding panel cutter for the table saw, and the router table (similar to Norm's) are what I've constructed.

Home Made Cyclone

The dust collection system is all home made including the automated Rube Goldberg blast gates.  These are powered by 25lbs of compressed air and are actuated by a two way solenoid refrigeration valve. The actuator is a 3/4" air piston.  The blast gate itself is a 4" from the Penn State tool catalog. The springs were from a flea market. The valves and pistons were from Mendelsons Surplus.  

I installed a relay in each stationary tool so when powered up, it closes the circuit and opens the refrigeration valve which allows air to pull open the blast gate.  After the gate is fully opened, a small micro switch closes a circuit that energizes a relay that sends power to the dust collection motor.  As the gate is de-energized the residual air is passed back into the other side of the piston keeping dust from getting into the piston.  I found that if it weren't for the automated blast gates, the dust collection system would never get used. 

This is a fun woodshop.  The real ordeal happens in the finishing room.  This is also where the real miracles occur.  

My Viewpoint on
Pigmented Stains