Thread: New Workshop and Machines for Christmas

Originally Posted by Handyjack

You may want to consider having suspended Power points to reduce running leads across the floor.

My son-in-law is a sparky ... he has wired the circuits for 15amp, although we will only be installing 10amp plugs at this stage, and can convert later if required.

I like the idea of overhead power supply to get away from cords on the bench and floor.

While I have lights at the moment ... there are no GPO's at present as I have not yet lined the workshop. I intend to run all power in ducts on the face of the walls (no wiring inside the walls) with a 4 double GPOs on each of 3 walls.

No work on the project for the next few days ans the Grandchildren are visiting from FNQ

Regards

Rob

Tahlee, good stuff. Plenty of pics!

That's some serious dosh all at once.

Unfortunately when we unpacked the Fusion 36 today we found that it was damaged in transit ... broken wheel and dented side ..... sent a few pictures to Frank and Wanita at Wookworking Warehouse ... they came back within the hour and offered to replace it next week ... no problems ... they are really nice people to deal with and have given me great service.

So I took time out today to assemble the bandsaw. Good instructions and clear pics to guide the way.
folding it up ... got that down pat ... then cleaned down the blade and table top

Setting the blocks was straight forward. Laguna use no tool settings. Set the sides and back .... and then I set the placement of the blade on the wheel (set ithe gullet at the centre of the tyre)... so had to redo the settings for its new position.

Set the fence and blade angles. Checked and rechecked all bolts and nuts ... connected the DC and plugged it in.

Ran the blade for a few minutes rounding the back with an emery stone.

Did a few first cuts ... I was surprised what a good cut result can be had. Did a 3mm slice, some jigsaw type pieces, and did the set up tests for drift and trueness.... all good.

After half an hour of playing around I opened the wheel housing doors ... no dust in the top one ... a few specs in the bottom one ... and a couple of spoonsfull of sawdust on the table ..

Very pleased with the Laguna 14/12 .... just need the mobility kit to move it around.

So the project goes on .... searched out some overhead GPO's for install next week ...thanks for the tip

Regards

Rob

I am very happy with my 14/12 never had or used a bandsaw that has been so easy to setup, change blades and use in so short a time the least mucking about.as to the mobility kit I went with a $90 generic from Carbatec works beaut. Sorry to hear the TS was damaged but as you say Wanita and Frank provide first class service or at the least the best available at the time. As previously posted an engine lifter allows you to lift the units safely to put the bases on and makes taking heavy stuff off trailers a breeze.

Today I went to Carba-tec to return a square that couldn't use because it was out of square, and to return a $70 square that was true but the ruler was out by 1.2mm all the way along the blade.

So I got an Groz engineering square ... use for setups and calibrations ... and a Carba-Tec Combination Square Set (recommended by C-t) for daily use.

Got home and tested the Carbatec one against the Groz .......and wouldn't you know ... the Carba-tec Combination Square set is so poorly made that it is useless as a square.

Here are the pictures of the new "squares" and the inaccuracy of the Carba-tec brand

photo 3.JPGphoto 4.JPGphoto 2.JPGphoto 1.JPG

The Carbatec brand one is rubbish .... the quality control (?) system must have fallen over ...In the last photo you can see how the seat for the blade is not properly milled and lifts the blade so you get at an angle less than 90 degrees

The protractor seems to work OK ... but the third piece in the set, a 90 degree angle piece has a poorly machined surface which left raised section near the corner so it can't be relied on to give a true 90 or 45 degree reading ... also the blade wont fit in it because the screw mechanism is set at such an angle that it does not provide enough room for the blade to pass.

Am I annoyed ... yes I am ..... 60km each return trip .... and a third trip is now required

Grumpy Rob

Bet you won't get home before you check the next one. Frustrating isn't it when it's so hard to find anything of quality locally, and then we rely on the recommendation of the sales person who offers something second rate!!

Rob, look up Professional Woodworkers Supplies (PWS) at Patterson's Lakes (Vic) and look at the Woodpeckers gear.

A bit more expensive than what you have, but in terms of quality, it's a quantum leap.

Hi Rob,
If you are buying squares only for woodwork then I highly recommend that you look at the squares made IN AUSTRALIA by Colen Clenton. Not only are they beautifully made but they are adjustable. Even if you do eventually get a square square (!) from CT, one drop to the floor and it is curtains while Colen's squares are correctable. They are more pricey but it's a lifetime purchase!
fletty

I have to agree with the comments above. Although I did have to return one Woodpecker square, the replacement is fine.

You can buy Colen Clenton I have heard good things about his or one from Chris Vesper. I have seen how Chris tests his and he is anal about it. Both of those are beautiful but expensive options. The other way to go is to buy a reputable brand engineering squares the same types as you have but from Starett, Mitoyo or Brown & Sharpe (just beware of fakes on ebay).

Those items from Crapitec are the lowest of low quality, what you would expect from a $2 shop in my opinion.

Originally Posted by fletty

Hi Rob,
If you are buying squares only for woodwork then I highly recommend that you look at the squares made IN AUSTRALIA by Colen Clenton. Not only are they beautifully made but they are adjustable. Even if you do eventually get a square square (!) from CT, one drop to the floor and it is curtains while Colen's squares are correctable. They are more pricey but it's a lifetime purchase!
fletty

I have to also agree with the above regarding squares.

I have had my Colen Clenton square for about 5 years and it is one of my prized woodworking possessions. Nice to look at too.

I regularly check it against my engineer's square and it's always spot-on.

Steven.

Thanks all for the suggestions ... it does seem that there is no such thing as a cheap and accurate square ... those Colens Squares are works of art ... I am really tempted.

Spend the day dialing in the jointer/planer ... because when the infeeed table was square with the fence the outfeed table was out by 3 degrees ....

So after hours of measuring and adjusting I got the tables level ...only to end up with snipe .... raised the outfeed table and no more snipe ... all good.

Fitted new blades to a small electric hand held planer so that I can take the paint off some recycled timber prior to finishing on the jointer ... I was given some 10X3 jarah that had once been a park table ... but it was pained brown over white over green, etc. Nice timber now ready to put to use for the legs, breadboard edge and handle of a a blanket chest.

Having fun

Regards

Rob

I hope the blades are cheap for the hand planer as old paint will take the edge off them very quickly.