Recent content by RobNichols

It has happened - the itch has been scratched and I bought Melbourne low angle smoother at the Wood Workers Workshop open day. I've only had a shortish play with it. It's easy to set up. I was a little concerned that there wasn't much capacity in the adjustment screw. I seemed to be almost...

Interesting reading through page 2 of this thread and @D_W comments regarding a lack of content about moving from basic skills to creating well designed furniture. There's a lot of content on YouTube from people whose pinnacle of design is a kitchen cabinet box. I think the person I enjoy most...

I've taken to planing taper legs for chairs and tables I've been making recently. I think it works well and is easy to control. I mark the line I want to cut down to, get down to about 2-3mm from the line with a scrub plane (Rapier 500 with a blade cut with a curved edge), then switch to a jack...

On getting a Yankee screwdriver I was pleasantly surprised at just how good they are are screwing slotted screws.

Welcome to the forum. I think we'll all feel your pain somewhat.

My leg vice goes all the way to the floor. To be honest, I need to trim it, but the fact that it's one of those jobs that hasn't got done, shows that it's not really a problem. It does drag a little, and I do need to give it an occasional kick, but it's not the end of the world. I'd also...

Love the details of the tail vice in Plate 279 ..... but how about that sliding vice in the middle of the workbench. I've seen a sliding deadman in that position a lot, but not a sliding vice!

Let's start with my wife's vase I knocked off a window sill yesterday

The bench looks fine. Having a solid platform makes such a difference to most woodworking tasks. As with most things, your preferred finish is a personal choice, and I think trying out something on your workshop projects is a good idea.

Love the use of curves

A Record number 3 is the most recent plane I've added to my collection, and I really like it. I set it really fine and use it for finessing small areas. I also have a GTL brass plane which is the same size. When I'm doing a lot of planing I'll have three or four planes set up. A scrub plane to...

I was planning to come along to the open day so that's another reason to attend.

Interesting. Nice to see a variety of blades available for the router planes. I'll have to scratch my low angle plane itch one day but I'm resisting for now :)

Hard to fault that advice, though I'd add the caveat ""with a plunge base" as many of the big name good quality ones have that option. Whereas some of the cheap 1/4" routers that look like 1/2" routers don't have the flexibility of either a 1/2" router or a 1/4" with multiple base options.

My experience: Multitool - Not used a lot but when you need it, it's usually needed to do something in an awkward spot so having a cordless one is a real boon. Orbital sander - Using it with a vacuum is essential IMO - it makes sanding so much more comfortable and the sander works better if...