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Modified jig for sharpening knives on a belt grinder
The original knife sharpening jig I had wasn’t designed for use with belt grinders or, to use a more technical term, linishers. It was designed for grinding wheels, so it could take advantage of the curvature of a wheel, and it didn’t have to be so thin. A proper knife holder would be slimmer, which would be the main difference. While the jig I had worked well with sharpening wheels, it wasn’t 100% compatible with flat sanding belts and its protruding knobs were always in the way. It could only be used on one side and couldn’t be flipped over.…
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Custom L-Boxx glide tray for streamlined tool access
Over the years, my collection of L-Boxxes and Bosch tools has steadily grown. Although storage itself wasn’t an issue, the process of retrieving the right tool became increasingly time-consuming. On top of that, the repetitive bending wasn’t doing my spine any favours – safety and health should always come first. After all, we need to take care of ourselves because no one else will. A basic tray on castors seemed like the perfect solution – simple to build and cost-effective. With most of the materials already on hand and all the necessary tools, I was able to start construction immediately.…
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L-Boxx organiser
Bosch L-Boxxes theoretically provide an excellent storage solution for workshops or vans, they are durable, easily transportable, and can be stacked for storage. However, over time, one may realise that the storage space and volume of an L-Boxx can be used more efficiently. In fact, most L-Boxxes in my workshop are utilised in a manner far from efficient. The standard inserts usually hold only one or two tools, along with a charger and a battery, and perhaps have additional compartments for snugly fitting boxes and accessories. Although these inserts protect the contents during transport, they are not as effective for…
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Father’s Day tools, edition 2024
Coincidentally, all the tools in this review are from Ryobi, a brand with a reputation that may vary based on the tests conducted and the reviewers. This brief review covers three tools powered by removable and USB rechargeable 4-volt batteries. These tools – or perhaps gadgets – have performed well, and I am satisfied with their performance. Surprisingly the cutter is the most used tool – not even in the workshop, but in the kitchen. Who would have thought? One of the batteries I use, which is not 2 Ah but 3 Ah, doubles as a power bank. I couldn’t…
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3 finger joint trays and 2 jigs
I wanted those trays to be made of wood, at least their frames. Solid wood looks better and is easier to sand. The material I had in stock required some work before use, it had to be ripped to thinner pieces and planed. But that wasn’t something I was afraid of – making the jigs and cutting the finger joints was the most interesting part of the process. That was due to the fact that for the first time, those joints were cut with a dado blade. Not only did I have to make a dedicated throat plate for my…
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Leap Day tools, edition 2024
This year’s February is one day longer than usual, it’s a leap year. That extra day, the 29th, brings a bunch of useful tools that deliver excellent results quickly and easily. There are jobs that no other tools would do and even though I was very sceptical about adding them to my tool collection, I’m happy I eventually did. It’s like an investment that pays off, sooner or later. You just have to wait for the right moment, take on a relevant job, build up your skills and enjoy the results. With the right tools, some knowledge and patience everything…
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Dado stack throat plate
This insert is completely metal-free and is not adjustable. It fits perfectly and sits flush with the table saw top. It’s always ready to use and requires only a second for installation. This plate is essential when using a dado blade (I guess they’re called “grooving blades” here on the British Isles), ensuring safety when cutting rebates or box joints with the saw. As with everything in woodworking, this project too, could have been built in many other ways, but I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I also aimed to reduce the cost of materials to an…
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Heatwave tools, edition 2023
The recent heatwave pushed me away from my workshop to my garden, where I could enjoy all the benefits of sunshine and fresh air. It was also a good time to travel and to BBQ. The woodworking and workshop tools were used a little less on behalf of garden tools and garden equipment. Still, some work was done and I didn’t let my tools rust. Please let me present a few of them that joined my tool collection recently. DeWalt DWE7492 is my 3rd table saw. It is also the largest – it uses a 10″ blade, just like my…
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Soft-start module on DeWalt DWE7492
This is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that is quite easy to implement and, most importantly, significantly prolongs the saw’s lifespan. With this soft-start module installed, the saw starts slowly and gains speed gradually, which helps save the bearings and the motor. The whole process can be reversed to the factory setup, ensuring that the warranty isn’t voided. All the pictures shown below can be viewed in full size to make understanding each step even easier. Additionally, at the end of the post, I have included a short video to demonstrate the difference between before and after the module was installed.…
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Mitre saw storage rails
Due to my limited storage space, these two saws – table and new mitre saw – must be stacked when stored. That way I can squeeze out the most space possible and thanks to the rails, both saws stay securely in place, one on top of the other, even if knocked accidentally, they won’t fall. To make the rails, I reused a couple of old pallet boards from a disassembled towel rack (that explains the notches cut in them), additionally, I used a couple of bolts, wing nuts and advertisement wall fixings. The leftovers of yellow paint I used were…
