Now, we’re starting to cook. We got our first reader email as a result of our new column. It was from a fellow named “Jim” and he said, “Tom, As a newbie to the area do you know if there is a local supplier that would carry a zero clearance table saw insert for a 7yr. old, 10" Ridgid table saw?”
Jim, I’ve got a good answer for you, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to use your email as a teaching moment for our other readers. I hope it’s OK with you, because I want to be able to connect with my readers and be able to help them to the best of my ability.
First off: Please send your emails to Toolsmartz@bellsouth.net This is the fastest, most trouble-free way to send me an email. Don’t send it thru the paper’s contactus address. It takes longer to get back around to me.
Second: I can assist you better if I know your tool’s Model Number. Just like in your question, Jim - I know people who might have that very insert, but without the exact Model Number I can’t pin it down for them.
Lastly: Please send me your full name. (NOTE: only the writer’s first name will be published) If I happen to refer you to one of my ‘preferred suppliers’, I want to be able to let them know you are coming so they can take good care of you.
Now, back to you Jim. I don’t know of anyone that has Ridgid inserts sitting on the shelf were you can go pick one up. It’s possible that Woodcraft in Franklin may have one that would be compatible but I’m not sure. It is also possible that a ZC Insert for a Craftsman saw would work on your saw, because Ridgid/Craftsman were made by the same company a few years ago…but again, I’m not positive. Here is what I DO know. There is a Ridgid service center in downtown Nashville that can order the very insert that you need. I know these guys. They are one of my ‘preferred suppliers’ and they will take good care of you. The shop is called “Toolserve of Nashville” and you should call Roger at 242-7500. Tell him that Tom at ToolSmartz sent you to him and he will do you right.
Thanks for your question Jim and since you were the first - you get the famous ‘no-prize’ from ToolSmartz. See ya’ll next week.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Toolsmartz -Column #3- motor voltage and planer tips
ToolSmartz
____________________________
What to write about this week? Maybe ‘ramble’ some more...or maybe not.
Let’s do this: “Tips and Techniques”. Once upon a time, I was in charge of reviewing Tips & Techniques that were submitted to our (Delta’s) website by people who visited our website and signed up to submit them. I’m here to tell you that there were some very good items sent in to us - there is a wealth of knowledge out there on things woodworking. Believe it or not, I’m not a woodworker. People often find that hard to believe but I explain it this way: Artists paint some absolutely beautiful pictures, but they may have no idea how to make a paint brush or an easel, or the paint. That’s where I come in. The woodworkers are ‘artists’ and I (and guys like me) make sure their tools work properly and will do what they need them to do.
Anyway, I digress…here are a couple of Tips for you to ponder:
1: If you have a shop machine that has a motor that can be wired for 2 different voltages (for example; 120volt or 240volt) AND you have the proper electrical circuit, it is better to wire your motor for, and run it on, the higher voltage. This one of the ‘black holes’ that tool guys can get caught up in. There are some who would say that it makes no difference which voltage a motor uses and yes, electrically, I can agree with them; however, I have talked to far too many ‘real world’ woodworkers who know it has made a difference, to go along with them. I know the theory-I have a degree in Electronics- but I also have experience that ‘theory only’, will not explain. Tools and stuff seem to be odd that way.
2: If your stationary wood planer has seemed to be planing wood just fine and then you begin to notice that the wood is getting harder and harder to get through the machine; the first thing to do is clean the planer’s bed and make sure it’s not caked up with pitch. If it’s good and clean, change your planer knives. The knives you’re using may be beating the boards instead of cutting them.
Tune in next week for more rambling thoughts or hopefully, some answers for readers. Send your questions or comments to:
Toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
_______________________________________________________________
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper. Neither the author, nor this newspaper, accepts any liability for the content of this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
____________________________
What to write about this week? Maybe ‘ramble’ some more...or maybe not.
Let’s do this: “Tips and Techniques”. Once upon a time, I was in charge of reviewing Tips & Techniques that were submitted to our (Delta’s) website by people who visited our website and signed up to submit them. I’m here to tell you that there were some very good items sent in to us - there is a wealth of knowledge out there on things woodworking. Believe it or not, I’m not a woodworker. People often find that hard to believe but I explain it this way: Artists paint some absolutely beautiful pictures, but they may have no idea how to make a paint brush or an easel, or the paint. That’s where I come in. The woodworkers are ‘artists’ and I (and guys like me) make sure their tools work properly and will do what they need them to do.
Anyway, I digress…here are a couple of Tips for you to ponder:
1: If you have a shop machine that has a motor that can be wired for 2 different voltages (for example; 120volt or 240volt) AND you have the proper electrical circuit, it is better to wire your motor for, and run it on, the higher voltage. This one of the ‘black holes’ that tool guys can get caught up in. There are some who would say that it makes no difference which voltage a motor uses and yes, electrically, I can agree with them; however, I have talked to far too many ‘real world’ woodworkers who know it has made a difference, to go along with them. I know the theory-I have a degree in Electronics- but I also have experience that ‘theory only’, will not explain. Tools and stuff seem to be odd that way.
2: If your stationary wood planer has seemed to be planing wood just fine and then you begin to notice that the wood is getting harder and harder to get through the machine; the first thing to do is clean the planer’s bed and make sure it’s not caked up with pitch. If it’s good and clean, change your planer knives. The knives you’re using may be beating the boards instead of cutting them.
Tune in next week for more rambling thoughts or hopefully, some answers for readers. Send your questions or comments to:
Toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
_______________________________________________________________
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper. Neither the author, nor this newspaper, accepts any liability for the content of this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Toolsmartz -Column #2 - From the D-files
ToolSmartz
________
Until we start getting some emailed responses or questions, I’ve decided to just sort of go into a ‘ramble’ mode. You may read more about me, you may hear a goofy joke, you might see some serious advice or I might even break out some episodes of “The D-Files”...which is a takeoff on the old TV show, “The X-files”. That show had some of the oddest episodes. It was the 90’s version of “The Twilight Zone” and I loved it.
Anyway, back to The D-Files. These would be tales of some of the odd incidents that I encountered in my 24 years with Delta and I might even throw in some of the later oddballs too.
Several years ago, during my time as a Technical Service Specialist for Delta, I got a phone call from a fellow who wanted to know if our 14" woodcutting bandsaw would cut asparagus stalks. I had never been asked that before, but I told him that it was doubtful because the water/juices in the stalks would make the blade wet and it would probably slip off the rubber tires. Fairly logical answer I thought. Well, about 2 days later, I got a call from a fellow who basically asked the same question, but this time, it was about deer meat. Oh, boy, here we go again... Well, I told him that I thought the grease, blood and such would cause the blade to slip off the wheels... it wasn't really practical - I says. Well, believe it or not, a couple of days later I get another 14" bandsaw call...from a lady. She was very evasive in what she was trying to ask- so I finally told her to just 'spit it out'. She said "Do you have a weak stomach?" 'Well, not really, especially over the phone'. So, she says "Well, I work for the LA (CA) county morgue and we have homeless people who have died and we need to cut the top of their head off and remove their brain to be able to check the brain base for signs of communicable diseases and we are wondering if your bandsaw can do that".
Well, due to the 2 previous calls, I was well prepared for this one. I told her to leave our bandsaw out of her plans and to call Hobart since they specialize in meat cutting saws.
Just one of the more odd tales from the D-files. I KNOW you don’t want to read too many of these, so send your questions or comments in to:
Toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
________
Until we start getting some emailed responses or questions, I’ve decided to just sort of go into a ‘ramble’ mode. You may read more about me, you may hear a goofy joke, you might see some serious advice or I might even break out some episodes of “The D-Files”...which is a takeoff on the old TV show, “The X-files”. That show had some of the oddest episodes. It was the 90’s version of “The Twilight Zone” and I loved it.
Anyway, back to The D-Files. These would be tales of some of the odd incidents that I encountered in my 24 years with Delta and I might even throw in some of the later oddballs too.
Several years ago, during my time as a Technical Service Specialist for Delta, I got a phone call from a fellow who wanted to know if our 14" woodcutting bandsaw would cut asparagus stalks. I had never been asked that before, but I told him that it was doubtful because the water/juices in the stalks would make the blade wet and it would probably slip off the rubber tires. Fairly logical answer I thought. Well, about 2 days later, I got a call from a fellow who basically asked the same question, but this time, it was about deer meat. Oh, boy, here we go again... Well, I told him that I thought the grease, blood and such would cause the blade to slip off the wheels... it wasn't really practical - I says. Well, believe it or not, a couple of days later I get another 14" bandsaw call...from a lady. She was very evasive in what she was trying to ask- so I finally told her to just 'spit it out'. She said "Do you have a weak stomach?" 'Well, not really, especially over the phone'. So, she says "Well, I work for the LA (CA) county morgue and we have homeless people who have died and we need to cut the top of their head off and remove their brain to be able to check the brain base for signs of communicable diseases and we are wondering if your bandsaw can do that".
Well, due to the 2 previous calls, I was well prepared for this one. I told her to leave our bandsaw out of her plans and to call Hobart since they specialize in meat cutting saws.
Just one of the more odd tales from the D-files. I KNOW you don’t want to read too many of these, so send your questions or comments in to:
Toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Toolsmartz- Column #1 - Intro
A couple of weeks ago, I reached an agreement to write a 'tool advisory' article for a local weekly paper http://www.rutherfordreader.com/ . It took a bit to get their layout arranged, but we made our debut today...on page 13
(wouldn't you just know it?) That's an inside joke - 13 is MY number - I used it on all of my dirt track race cars, back in the day.
Anyway, I decided to get this blog a little more active by posting each article as they are published. If you've read some of my previous posts, some of the stories may sound familier, but I'll be recycling stories until the questions start coming in.
INTRO ARTICLE: Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2010 issue:
ToolSmartz
Welcome to our introductory announcement of our new feature: “ToolSmartz”. My name is Tom Murrah and I will be your columnist. My idea for this is to be a ‘Dear Abby’ for power tools and the folks who use them.
The basic idea for this column came as a result of sitting home watching the DIY, TLC and Discovery channels and noticing that they have many old car ‘how to’ shows, ‘how to flip houses’ shows, even cooking shows and driving trucks across ice roads for crying out loud. There’s almost a show for everything…but not much just for us tool guys. Maybe we’ll get there someday, but for now, I just want to hear what sort of problem you’re having with your power tool and I’ll do my best to get you an answer to help you solve it.
It’s probably good for you to know a bit about me and my background. I have been in the woodworking power tool and machine industry for over 28 years and have been specifically involved in the Technical Service arena for over 25 years. In 1981 I was hired by Rockwell International to be their SCMI Technician in Memphis, TN. SCMI had some rather large machines and dealing with them being imported from Italy presented a real challenge. A few months after I was hired, SCMI removed their machines from Rockwell’s inventory and I converted to working on US made machines, such as Unisaws, bandsaws, planers and jointers. In 1984, Rockwell sold off our division and the new owners brought back the old name of Delta and that was who I worked for the majority of my career.
I have had many different assignments during my career and will list just a few: I’ve rebuilt gearedhead drilling machines and all sorts of woodworking machines. I’ve written training manuals and been the Technical advisor on instructional repair DVD’s. In 1991, I wrote the woodworking machine Frequently Asked Questions that Delta uses on their current website. I’ve done phone-in troubleshooting of machine problems for over 25 years and managed the Technical Service Departments of two of the major players in the woodworking machine industry. In other words, I have a wealth of knowledge and industry contacts to help me assist you with answers that you might not easily find elsewhere.
So, give it a try. Send me an email at toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and tell me your trouble. I’ll select a few issues to answer and have them in the next column. See ya’ll then.
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper. Neither the author, nor this newspaper, accepts any liability for the content of this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
(wouldn't you just know it?) That's an inside joke - 13 is MY number - I used it on all of my dirt track race cars, back in the day.
Anyway, I decided to get this blog a little more active by posting each article as they are published. If you've read some of my previous posts, some of the stories may sound familier, but I'll be recycling stories until the questions start coming in.
INTRO ARTICLE: Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2010 issue:
ToolSmartz
Welcome to our introductory announcement of our new feature: “ToolSmartz”. My name is Tom Murrah and I will be your columnist. My idea for this is to be a ‘Dear Abby’ for power tools and the folks who use them.
The basic idea for this column came as a result of sitting home watching the DIY, TLC and Discovery channels and noticing that they have many old car ‘how to’ shows, ‘how to flip houses’ shows, even cooking shows and driving trucks across ice roads for crying out loud. There’s almost a show for everything…but not much just for us tool guys. Maybe we’ll get there someday, but for now, I just want to hear what sort of problem you’re having with your power tool and I’ll do my best to get you an answer to help you solve it.
It’s probably good for you to know a bit about me and my background. I have been in the woodworking power tool and machine industry for over 28 years and have been specifically involved in the Technical Service arena for over 25 years. In 1981 I was hired by Rockwell International to be their SCMI Technician in Memphis, TN. SCMI had some rather large machines and dealing with them being imported from Italy presented a real challenge. A few months after I was hired, SCMI removed their machines from Rockwell’s inventory and I converted to working on US made machines, such as Unisaws, bandsaws, planers and jointers. In 1984, Rockwell sold off our division and the new owners brought back the old name of Delta and that was who I worked for the majority of my career.
I have had many different assignments during my career and will list just a few: I’ve rebuilt gearedhead drilling machines and all sorts of woodworking machines. I’ve written training manuals and been the Technical advisor on instructional repair DVD’s. In 1991, I wrote the woodworking machine Frequently Asked Questions that Delta uses on their current website. I’ve done phone-in troubleshooting of machine problems for over 25 years and managed the Technical Service Departments of two of the major players in the woodworking machine industry. In other words, I have a wealth of knowledge and industry contacts to help me assist you with answers that you might not easily find elsewhere.
So, give it a try. Send me an email at toolsmartz@bellsouth.net and tell me your trouble. I’ll select a few issues to answer and have them in the next column. See ya’ll then.
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper. Neither the author, nor this newspaper, accepts any liability for the content of this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my Darling Daughter
and her wonderful husband.
I really have no idea as to how I could be more pleased, or happier, than I am with these two.
They have far surpassed any hopes that I, as a dad, had for my girl offspring.
They've been married for 9 years, but have 'been together' for like , 15! That's right at half their lives that they have been stuck...uh... been 'in love' with each other.
HA to 'Boo-Boo' and 'Geek'.
I really have no idea as to how I could be more pleased, or happier, than I am with these two.
They have far surpassed any hopes that I, as a dad, had for my girl offspring.
They've been married for 9 years, but have 'been together' for like , 15! That's right at half their lives that they have been stuck...uh... been 'in love' with each other.
HA to 'Boo-Boo' and 'Geek'.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Cutterhead Distortion
On one of the forums that I contribute to, there was an interesting discussion about the effect of removing all of the cutterhead knives (from a jointer specifically) at the same time- thinking it might allow the cutterhead to distort.
The original poster said: “Re-reading Duginske's "Mastering Woodworking Machines" on the procedure he mentions that removing all the knives at once can de-stress the cutterhead to the point that it loses its cylindrical shape and becomes distorted.”
The “Duginske” he is referring to is Mark Duginske, who has authored many books on woodworking tools.
My reply to him was: “Personally, I have NEVER seen, or heard, of a cutterhead distorting 'because all of the knives were taken out at the same time'...so I guess I have to go on record as disagreeing with Mr. Duginske.”
The ‘cutterhead distortion’ possibility comes into play when the knives are put back in.
When you re-install your knives, put one knife in place and only tighten it enough to hold it in place, do NOT fully tighten it in the slot.Then install the next knife (assuming it is a 3-knife cutterhead) and again, only tighten it enough to hold it in place.Then install the 3rd knife, but this one you can go ahead and fully tighten it when you have it set right.Then go back and fully tighten the other 2 knives.The point I'm making is that if you fully tighten a knife when the other 2 slots are empty, you WILL be causing the cutterhead to distort, possibly to the point that you won't be able to get knife/lockbar #3 in place because the slot will be squeezed.
One of the more experienced fellow had never heard of this happening, so I brought him up to speed: “If I hadn't had PO'd customers who actually did this, I wouldn't have thought so either. It got so routine that when they called complaining about not being able to get their knife/lockbar into the slot- our FIRST question was, 'did you take ALL the knives out'? An affirmative answer got them the instructions I gave above.I understand what you're saying, but think of it this way- if you look at a cross-section of the cutterhead, what do you 'really' have? Not a 'big iron hunk of a cylinder', but basically three 'wings' that CAN be wedged apart by using those 5 or 6 "small screws".I've also seen guys chase their tails trying to figure out why one knife is always higher than the others...and it was also a result of the wedging effect.I've got to stand by my advice- either remove, replace one knife at a time OR be very gentle reinstalling them until all slots are full.
As another fellow said- this possibility also exists on planers and it is even more imperative that it is accounted for.
The original poster said: “Re-reading Duginske's "Mastering Woodworking Machines" on the procedure he mentions that removing all the knives at once can de-stress the cutterhead to the point that it loses its cylindrical shape and becomes distorted.”
The “Duginske” he is referring to is Mark Duginske, who has authored many books on woodworking tools.
My reply to him was: “Personally, I have NEVER seen, or heard, of a cutterhead distorting 'because all of the knives were taken out at the same time'...so I guess I have to go on record as disagreeing with Mr. Duginske.”
The ‘cutterhead distortion’ possibility comes into play when the knives are put back in.
When you re-install your knives, put one knife in place and only tighten it enough to hold it in place, do NOT fully tighten it in the slot.Then install the next knife (assuming it is a 3-knife cutterhead) and again, only tighten it enough to hold it in place.Then install the 3rd knife, but this one you can go ahead and fully tighten it when you have it set right.Then go back and fully tighten the other 2 knives.The point I'm making is that if you fully tighten a knife when the other 2 slots are empty, you WILL be causing the cutterhead to distort, possibly to the point that you won't be able to get knife/lockbar #3 in place because the slot will be squeezed.
One of the more experienced fellow had never heard of this happening, so I brought him up to speed: “If I hadn't had PO'd customers who actually did this, I wouldn't have thought so either. It got so routine that when they called complaining about not being able to get their knife/lockbar into the slot- our FIRST question was, 'did you take ALL the knives out'? An affirmative answer got them the instructions I gave above.I understand what you're saying, but think of it this way- if you look at a cross-section of the cutterhead, what do you 'really' have? Not a 'big iron hunk of a cylinder', but basically three 'wings' that CAN be wedged apart by using those 5 or 6 "small screws".I've also seen guys chase their tails trying to figure out why one knife is always higher than the others...and it was also a result of the wedging effect.I've got to stand by my advice- either remove, replace one knife at a time OR be very gentle reinstalling them until all slots are full.
As another fellow said- this possibility also exists on planers and it is even more imperative that it is accounted for.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Birthday, Darling Daughter
Groundhog Day, 1978... a day that will live in my mind, when a red-haired little girl showed up. Little did I realize what a pain she was gonna be. :-)
She was a cute a s a bug's ear and usually did what she was asked to do, well except for getting ready for church- then it was time to "get it on"...
"I can't find any clothes" Ask her about it. haha
I must say that she turned out to be a daughter that any dad would be proud of...but it wasn't really due to her. God protected her and kept her on the straight path, with only a couple of major bumps in the road.
She's a great mom and smarter than she has any right to be and God provided a perfect husband just for her.
All in all, she's got her act together and I'm extremely proud of her.
Love ya, baby girl.
Dad
PS- enjoy the pics of the youngster...
Got to wash that red head!
Attacking that first year Birthday cake...
Yep, always a talkin and drivin...
What a little cutie-pie....
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