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I’ve added a new page to the links at the top- the Plans 3D. As the page states, “With the advent, and rapid rise of 3D printer technology, this page contains links across to downloadable designs that I have found.”
You probably don’t have a 3D printer, but as this page grows, you might become increasingly tempted!
Filed under: Blog | Tagged: 3dprinting | 1 Comment »
In the next day or so, issue 2, 2013 of ManSpace will be on the shelves
No idea how I managed to get my articles across the line for this issue – those were some hard yards! I’d just finished a major evolution at work (relocating about 550 staff and students in a major building reorganisation), and then as I was writing the articles themselves I was physically packing and moving house.
My articles in the current issue include:
Sharpening Drill Bits (3 pages), looking at the Drill Doctor vs the Tormek w DBS jig
Nova Comet II Lathe (2 pages)
6 Step Project – creating a kid’s blackboard (3 pages)
Let me know what you think of them!
For those who cannot get ManSpace, along with their Facebook page, they now have their website up and running ManSpace.
If you go into “In the Shed”, then “Tips and Tricks”, you will find 9 articles I wrote for previous issues. (The deck article is not one of mine!)
Filed under: Blog, Manufactures and Suppliers | Tagged: Drill, Drill Bit, Drill bit shank, High speed steel, Mining and Drilling | Leave a Comment »
With the shed gone, and everything in deep storage (as in 6′ deep!), it is making even simple tasks difficult- knowing what tools are still available, and knowing the majority are not.
As I had the removalists emptying their truck on Good Friday, I did choose a couple of tool positions specifically with the concept of retaining access in mind.
The Jet bandsaw, and the Nova DVR lathe.
The Jet Bandsaw is a classic, and commercially has recently been upgraded to being their Gold Series model. Not sure how that differs from the model I have- pretty close, if not the same, except mine still has the extra resaw capacity.
No question, it is an awesome bandsaw. Lots of cast iron (strength, and vibration absorption). Mine has the quick release on the blade tension, and the additional 6″ riser to give it a full 12″ resaw. That is an upgrade worth its weight in gold. Surprised the “Gold Series” model doesn’t include it automatically!
Mine also came with a mitre gauge and fence. Neither survived, as if I need a mitre gauge, I’ll use the Incra Mitre Gauge. If I need a fence, it is MagSwitch all the way!
The Jet has been in storage for a little over 2 years, so this is the first time I have used it since then. I knew I kept it for a reason. Love that bandsaw- quality stuff 
As you can see in the background, I meant it when I said everything is stored! No idea how I’m going to get organised again. One step at a time.
Filed under: Blog, Shed | 3 Comments »
A few years ago there was a new website that was starting up, called Howcast. They had short videos like “how to dance like a stripper”, “how to cook scrambled eggs” etc etc. They were looking to get some more (legitimate?) content, so amongst others (I’m sure), they contacted me on a number of occasions asking to allow them to cross-post my videos on their site.
I finally relented, and they set up an automatic method for videos I produced to also be transferred across to a “Stu’s Shed” channel on their site.
You may remember my link on the right. 
Seems that they have gotten where they want in the market, and so, without a word of acknowledgement or thanks, have dropped those who they originally approached to assist with their startup.
Nice.
No skin off my nose, just think there are better ways to do business.
Filed under: Blog | Tagged: HowCast | 3 Comments »
I was in Supercheap Auto yesterday, having a look around during their 20% off sale, and experienced quite a déjà vu moment. There was a lathe that looked surprisingly like mine. It may be Rockwell rather than GMC, and not the old GMC blue, but other than that it was very familiar.
This is where the collection and workshop began….with a basic lathe. The lathe needed a workbench, which was made from sleepers scavenged from around the property, and I needed a saw to cut them down. Bought the Triton circular saw, and the rest is history.
Back to the lathe, and a set of chisels is also in Supercheap.
At that price, they are Supercheap, and no doubt super crap, but no matter.
If you are thinking of getting into turning though, consider the Nova Comet II. May be 2-3 times the price, but you are getting 10x the lathe!
Filed under: Blog, Shed | 3 Comments »
Gas hasn’t been the problem however. Nor electricity, water, phone, Foxtel.
The only industry that cannot sort its cr@p out for when someone moves house is the ISPs (internet providers). For an industry at the forefront of technology, their service sucks big-time. Sure, they say the right things nicely when you ring them, but with that sugar on top answer “It’ll be 6-10 days for your internet to be connected”
Why???!! Oh, and it didn’t take the maximum 10 days promised. It took 14. 14 days for a straight-forward setup. Hate to see how long it’d take to do a complicated one.
Foxtel managed not only to be up and running within 24 hours of moving in, but that included a physical satellite receiver install, and cables run through the house.
All the other services also happened seamlessly, without interruption. But not the internet.
I was with Commander (once they bought out People Telecom) and moved to iPrimus (which uses Commander as their actual internet provider), so there is no issue there. And the house was connected to ADSL2 to the only exchange in the area before the previous occupants left, so I wanted to use exactly the same wires, and connections, so no problem there either.
I can only put it down to one thing. Cr@p customer service. As in they don’t actually care about their impact on the customer. I even forwarded a letter of complaint to the Red Tape Commissioner (recently set up by the state government), but no reply from their either. Must take too much red tape to reply.
Whatever the reason, whatever the lame excuse, I’m back baby, and 3x faster than before. (Yes, I should have a lot more, but I have given up caring – comes down to the telcos providing a decent service.)
The regular show can now recommence, without trying to force it through the dog of a 3G or E service of a Telstra mobile!
Filed under: Blog, Manufactures and Suppliers | Tagged: Access Providers, Australia, Computers and Internet, Customer Service, Foxtel, internet, Internet service provider, lame excuse | Leave a Comment »
Chris Schwarz is down under this month, and although I wasn’t in a position to go on one of the courses on offer, there are a lucky few that are.
There is still the Shaker Wall Cabinet course with a few vacancies if anyone is interested.
There is also a Melbourne Hand Tool Event at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking, which will have Chris in attendance. Unfortunately we don’t know when that is actually on – they forgot to put the dates in their newsletter, and their website hasn’t been updated since 2011! If I hear a current date, will let you know (check the comments).
Chris is also hosting a seminar at Eley Community Centre on the 28th March, 6-9pm. Not sure if there is a cost involved.
Filed under: Blog, Techniques | Tagged: Chris Schwarz, Fine Woodworking, Hand Tool, MSFW, Schwarz, wall cabinet | 1 Comment »
Thanks Frank
A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.
Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ‘Oh sh –’
A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.
Used to round off bolt heads.
Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.
An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.
One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle… It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race..
A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.
Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.
A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.
Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.
A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
A tool used to make hoses too short.
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit.
Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts.
Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.
Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling ‘Son of a bitch’ at the top of your lungs.
It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
Filed under: Blog | Tagged: acetylene torch, Descriptions, Jokes, Tools | 2 Comments »
Tom Iovino runs a website called Tom’s Workbench, and has done so now for about 5 years.
There are a few old hands of us around – Tom has been working closely with Marc Spagnuolo, and their Wood Talk online. The blogosphere sure has grown since there was only the podfather (Matt Vanderlist), then Marc (Wood Whisperer), then mine, and Tom’s not long after, before the place exploded! Still, I’d like to think the blogs like Tom’s, Marc’s, Matt’s and mine are still setting the standards for others to follow. You may not agree, but that is fine too – for my sake, I’d like my blog to be more than it is, but unless it was a primary income generator, it could never get the full attention it deserves.
Anyway, Tom was kind enough to post about Stu’s Shed as the link of the week – cheers mate
Filed under: Blog | Tagged: Marc, Tom, Tom Iovino, Workbench | Leave a Comment »
