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On the basis that most of the time the waste is the smallest part of a cut, the natural instinct is to stand on the waste side of a cut. With an ordinary circular saw that means you can have your right leg against the workpiece, and work from right to left. With most plunge saws in that...

I suspected it must be to do with the motor. Thanks

Yes, but you have to twist awkwardly. I just don't get it. If you were standing that way for golf or cricket you'd certainly be described as left-handed, even though some people change the position of their hands.

Does anyone know why plunge saws are all left-handed? Thanks Nick

Did anything come of this, Jimmy? We are looking at plunge saws at the moment and I'm interested to hear what happened with your Makita. Also, does anyone know why plunge saws are left handed? Thanks Nick

To be honest, we're not entirely sure yet, but it will be for using templates and jigs, mainly for routing. First we want to get hold of the most popular brands (and some that have never been heard about I expect) and see if there are any that stand out. Thanks Nick

We want to do a test of double-sided tape. Does anyone have any suggestions? We have a list of some products, but don't want to miss anything. Thanks Nick

David Stanley have an auction tomorrow, but I am only going as a trial to see how it might work having a small charity element, perhaps regularly. Their auctions happen every month or two: I think they have eight this year. My plan is to take tools up that will either be sold on the day, or kept...

Just to let people know that I'll be at the David Stanley auction at The Hermitage Leisure Centre, Whitwick, Leics LE67 5EU, to sell tools and books from our workshop to raise funds for the Help For Heroes woodworking workshop at Phoenix House, Catterick. I'm not sure what we'll be selling as...

Bizarre. I've never heard of them and yet only live 10 miles away!!!! And I was there only the other evening walking around the Enchanted Forest. I'll check them out next year. Thanks for the heads-up.

Do you have one, Mark?

Looks fantastic, but don't the handles catch you where it hurts boys most?

I've only ever glued one side of the joint. You would have thought glue makers would encourage you to slap it onto both faces, given half a chance. The answer is that you probably don't need as much glue as you expect. I've been experimenting with watered-down PVA recently, having been on a...

I wouldn't glue two surfaces together like that. It won't make them that much stronger (just heavier), and they are pretty likely to move. I'd use the better of the two, and reinforce it with battens underneath to keep it flat. 1in thick is plenty for a bench top to get going. Go for what is...

Sounds even better as the handles would be easier to select (with ID markings on the top), and there would be less risk of clasping the end of a sharp tool. Only problem is that some of my turning tools have a tendency to drop out of their tangs from time to time!!!!!! That's another story...

Hadn't thought of that. The racks look pretty tight together. Perhaps a mesh then as a safety net, or thicker boots. I just hate a build-up of dust in tool trays.

Just realised that a spokeshave isn't really a machine or powertool!!! Sorry. That said, many years ago, I was sent a report on a powered rotary spokeshave by a Cambridge Product Design undergraduate to evaluate. It may have actually made it into print: I was editing Woodworker then, but can't...

The torsion box style construction in Lathe 2 is a good idea as you can build machine stands quickly. I've used 2x1in softwood batten and 5mm thick ply to make lightweight, but for a lathe the extra weight of 15mm or 18mm ply is a good idea. Anything on the open shelf will soon get lost in...

Bandsaw or spokeshave. The first is the most versatile, but a spokeshave is the most fun and therapeutic.

I think 8x8in sycamore (or maple) sounds a bit like overkill. It will be hard work jointing I expect, and I'm not sure how easy it will be to level 8x8in legs. I'd reduce them to a bit less than 4x4in. Depending on speed v quality, you may want to consider simply screwing some form of sheet...