Interested in making Don Garner's Table Saw Taper Sled?  Just checkout this PDF.

Sorry it's late being posted!

A huge thanks to Don Garner of Don Garner Custom Woodworking for submitting this month's Jig of the Month at Matt's Basement Workshop Podcast. Don submitted another great jig previously, anyone remember the really excellent shelf pin jig from a while ago? Well that was a Don Garner jig and just like that one this one is also a great shop aid that you'll find very useful in your shop too.

This month's jig of the month is another version of a taper jig. Don's taper sled is an improvement over the other style of taper jig - the hinge style taper jig. Because of it's size and it's adjustable fence and clamping system, there's quite a bit more flexibility and accuracy when making tapered cuts. You'll find this especially true when it comes to making tapered cuts in what might be odd sized and odd shaped components.

The components to make this jig are also simple, (2) pieces of 3/4" plywood - (1) 7" wide base & (1) 4" wide adjustable fence. The length should be, at minimum, equal to the depth of your table saw top or preferably longer. I'd suggest up to 1-1/2 times the depth of the top. Next you'll need (3) carriage bolts to secure the fence tightly to the base and (2) toggle clamps to secure the component being tapered to the sled itself.

Once you have the taper sled built the cuts are a matter of making simple rip cuts on the table saw. Just lay the component so that the portion to be removed overlays the edge of the sled that runs along the saw blade, clamp it in place and push the sled through like you would any other ripping cut.

Just to make it easier, a PDF complete with pictures and step by step instructions will be posted in the podcast feed so that you can print it off and make this great jig when ever you get a chance.

Benchtop tools don't always fit so well on a benchtop.  And as so, whether it's a table saw or a drill press, there needs to be a stand that holds it the right way.

Table saws sometimes do come with their own stands, but it should never be the deciding factor over another saw that is a better fit for your shop or just a better quality.

Aftermarket stands are all over the place, just do a simple internet search and I guarantee you'll find a few.  From simple roll around stands to stands that will increase the overall table size and even upgrade the fence quality...

Keep the comments, questions and feedback coming in!!!  Don't forget to take the listener survey if you haven't already and especially don't forget to get your name in for the schwag drawings!

So we can't talk about table saws without talking about accessories too.  Afterall there's more to a good saw than just the motor and the rip fence, although they are important! 

But still when I'm looking at the various models there are all sorts of things to keep in mind and to be lusted after!  Here are a few that catch my eye...let me know what catches yours.

We're back again this month with the latest installment of Router bit of the month from Woodcraft and Whiteside Manufacturing.  For the month of September the featured router bit is a tongue and groove bit.  This single bit features two cutters sandwiching a bearing that allows you to quickly and easily feed stock through and cut the tongue in a single pass and then with very little effort you can lower the bit to cut the corresponding groove also in a single pass.

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The Tongue and Groove bit is a carbide tipped, 1/2" shank bit that comes in at 1-5/8" wide, so this should only be used in a router table NEVER FREEHAND!!  The tongue that it cuts in a single pass is 3/8" deep and 1/4" thick, and it leaves a nice clean shoulder so there's little to no touchup you need to do when it comes to assemble the corresponding pieces.  For more about tongue and groove joinery check out my video on it from back in September of 2006.

 

Congratulations to our two winners this week...yes I said two!!  Linda Welsh is our winner of the Tongue and Groove bit and Bud Millis won a set of Brass Height Gages, both schwag items thanks to White Side and WoodCraft!

If you didn't win, but you're interested in taking advantage of the great discounted price for the month of September click here Woodcraft.com

We're back again this month with the latest installment of Router bit of the month from Woodcraft and Whiteside Manufacturing.  For the month of September the featured router bit, which can be found either at the online catalog store or at most stores near you, is a tongue and groove bit.  This single bit features two cutters sandwiching a bearing that allows you to quickly and easily feed stock through and cut the tongue in a single pass and then with very little effort you can lower the bit to cut the corresponding groove also in a single pass.

The Tongue and Groove bit is a carbide tipped, 1/2" shank bit that comes in at 1-5/8" wide, so this should only be used in a router table NEVER FREEHAND!!  The tongue that it cuts in a single pass is 3/8" deep and 1/4" thick, and it leaves a nice clean shoulder so there's little to no touchup you need to do when it comes to assemble the corresponding pieces.  For more about tongue and groove joinery check out my video on it from back in September of 2006. 

Congratulations to our two winners this week...yes I said two!!  Linda Welsh is our winner of the Tongue and Groove bit and Bud Millis won a set of Brass Height Gages, both schwag items thanks to White Side and WoodCraft!

If you didn't win, but you're interested in taking advantage of the great discounted price for the month of September click here Woodcraft.com

When I think of benchtop tools I can't help but think of my first table saw, a Powertech 10" Table Saw.  Although I was able to do alot with it and enjoyed the experiences I had, it opened my eyes to a few things I think you should pay attention to if a benchtop model is in your future.

This is the first part of a two part series.  Today is a discussion on what I consider to be the two most important features you need to look "at" when looking at a benchtop table saw.

Don't forget to take the survey if you haven't yet...PLEASE...and don't forget to get your name in for the free schwag drawing on Friday!!

Benchtop power tools have a lot of appeal to the home woodworker.  Their small size can be a very nice feature in a home workshop that's already tight on space.  Not to mention that the much lower price of a benchtop tool in comparison to its larger and far more expensive cousins is also a huge part of their popularity.

But do benchtop tools have the ability to perform like the larger versions?  Or are they just way too underpowered and outgunned when it comes to accessories and features?

Another thought that comes to mind with benchtop tools is whether or not they have their place in the building of decent furniture for your family and maybe even if you're lucky enough, the occassional paying customer. 

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR NAME IN FOR FREE SCHWAG, AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE SURVEY IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!

The great folks over at Lie-Nielsen were very generous and gave me a chance to check out some their DVD titles.  These are excellent instructional DVDs from some of the best woodworking instructors out there.

Today's DVD review is for Christopher Schwartz's "Coarse, Medium & Fine".  For anyone who thinks that hand tools are slow, inefficient and hard to use, after watching this video you'll start second guessing your mistaken beliefs.

Chris explains throughout the DVD that the most important thing to understand about using handtools is understanding what each one does, and then let it do that job and that job alone. 

Want to learn more or even order your own DVD or just check out more of the available titles, click here:

Just tell them that Matt's Basement Workshop sent ya!! 

 

Dan from Idaho dropped me a line just before the start of my little hiatus from the show. He had a great question regarding a feature that's frequently found on older hand planes. What's the significance of the corrugated bottoms? I'm sure you've seen them too and if you aren't familiar with their purpose or lack of purpose than hopefully I'll shed a little light on the situation with today's episode.

As usual, there's plenty of tangents for everyone to enjoy (or not). "Thank You" to all of you who have taken the survey so far, if you haven't yet...please...please take just a moment out and answer the couple of questions you'll find there. Also don't forget to get your name in for the free schwag being given away on Feature Friday this week and every week.

Interested in finding out alot about hand planes? Check out "The Superior Works" www.supertool.com a website from Patrick Leach, the source of the great little story towards the end of the show.

Keep the questions, comments and feedback rolling in!!

I'M BACK!!!!  Two weeks sure have flown by and it's time to get behind the mic again.  I hope this past two weeks have been as productive for you as they have been for me!  Finished a project and tried a couple of new things in the shop.

Today's episode is a bit of tying up of loose ends, sharing some ideas and all around tangents.  Remember, you can always reach me with any questions, comments or feedback (both complimentary and critical).

Please take the survey so I know which topics you're most interested in hearing about and for those of you interested in video only episodes I have a new feed for you to subscribe too.  Either subscribe through Feedburner using the link below or your favorite podcatcher software by adding this feed url http://mattsbasementworksh.blip.tv/rss/itunes