Bad Tool Gifts and the Bandsaw That Threw Sparks | 4

Matt talks about buying a 6-inch jointer and how it might fit into his mostly hand-tool shop. Marc shares his latest project, a large assembly table built with FineWoodworking.com, and they discuss the woodworking shows available on television.

Listener questions start with choosing rough lumber and whether it is acceptable to use a block plane at the lumberyard. Marc recommends buying extra stock so you can match boards at home, while Matt suggests asking before taking a plane to the merchandise.

A bandsaw problem involving blade drift, a thrown blade, and sparks leads to a discussion of proper setup. Marc points listeners to his Bandsaw Setup/Tune-up. They also cover milling long rough-sawn boards without a jointer. Matt suggests a jig or hand plane, while Marc recommends crosscutting long boards into manageable pieces first and refers to The Jointer’s Jumpin’.

Marc then tackles a checkerboard tabletop made from red oak and mahogany. He explains that freshly sanded mahogany will darken again with time and recommends using a cabinet scraper before sanding to level uneven surfaces. Marc and Matt also offer ideas for a first workbench or shop work surface.

After a brief debate over Band-Aids, they recommend several finishing books. Matt suggests The Wood Finisher’s Handbook by Sam Allen. Marc recommends books by Jeff Jewitt, Bob Flexner, Michael Dresdner, and George Frank, along with Finishing: Methods of Work.

They also tackle the awkward problem of family members buying you duplicate, lower-quality, or unwanted woodworking tools. Their advice is simple: be clear with family that woodworkers tend to be particular about their tools.

The episode wraps with spray finishing. Marc recommends a self-contained turbine sprayer rather than relying on a compressor that cycles constantly. They discuss spraying near neighbors, respirators, goggles, shop safety, and why Matt often looks to eBay and garage sales for older hand tools.

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