Robert Coles

I am divided between the two approaches

Some dust and shavings in your shop, Ben… but more glitter in his boy’s eyes 🙂
I have been working on a box for my Leigh D4 jig. It is a weird “stair” shape and it is a challenge to keep it as mall as possible, functional and light…
I have a challenge to join the plywood sides: the Kregg system is not good in 1/2″. Therefore, I rout a groove in the adjoining planks which are 3/4″ cherry. But then, it reduces the inside dimensions and the storage box get tighter… I just drew a 1:1 shop plan, but the jig is home and I am isolating in Westchester…not able to confirm the exact outside dimensions of the jig. This drives me crazy.
Actually, I don’t really know how to justify that project: I have the jig for 5 years. I used it once and it took me more time to adjust it than to cut the dovetails by hand. However, this was for a strange project where the sides were 12 degrees canted from the top, like a trapeze…
I might just ebay the whole stuff once done …

Thanks Joe. It is a brand new puppy. The old one was 38 yrs old and was falling apart last summer, causing me to abort the season in August!!! It was working like a charm… but all accessories were failing at Volvo Penta prices! Heat exchanger, water pump, recirculation pump, aluminum transmission/sail drive, alternator…
This one is built around a Kubota tractor engine, engineered in Great Britain, with many Italian parts.
I just received the bronze folding propeller: as beautiful as Gina Lolo Brigida. Let’s hope she also propels!!!
The first challenge was to adapt the motor mount: white oak blocks… OK at least this was some woodworking lol

Thank you, Mike and Joe. I will see. Else, I have to unbolt the whole assembly from the bottom of the bench.

I have another question regarding my very very old bench. It has a wood vise with a wood screw. It seems that the screw is not aligned because it never clamp the moveable jaw parallel to the bench.
I don’t understand how to disconnect the outside how so that I could make a new one. Can anyone help me with some idea ?

In the shop, I try to preserve my lungs and yesterday, I made a dust collection system based on the ClearView cyclone. It fits my Festool vacuum.
It seems I collect some dust in the receptacle. I thought I would see more, but I only used machines that make fine dust, comparatively to a planner, a router table, my jointer or even the lathe.
Interestingly enough, when I connect my Delta 1725 cfm, the air flow is increased but it seems that the vacuum is not as efficient. I will have to take measurements with a scale and an anemometer.
What did YOU all do in your shop ?

Thank you for asking how we are doing. I live alone and I am very lucky to have a garden, a studio, and a boat. The latter one is on land, in solitary confinement. Therefore, I can go and do all sorts of stuff which would have been done under pressure.
I just completed the installation and testing of the new engine… 130 hours! I now have to take water heating, general plumbing and some painting… maybe if they can’t launch. Otherwise, a lot of maintenance which was postponed for many year.