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Welcome. It will seem like everyone will have their own preferred way of sharpening. Here is my tuppence worth.. If you need a flat surface, a decent piece of glass will do it reasonably cheaply. I got a piece about A4 size. I then used a piece of 18mm thick plywood and recessed one face so...

If the picture hooks are small, then just use a sharp round point to skewer a hole in the wood, and screw the hooks directly into the hole. If the hooks are large, or the wood is thin and/or frail, or the hole location you want is near the edge of the wood, there is a risk you will split the...

I bought a cheap single pinion drill once and I broke it. I was drilling into something tough and I bent the large wheel into the place where the second pinion would have been if there had been one. The wheel would not turn any more and I could not bend it back. I had to buy another so my...

@ Cheshirechappie No need to be sorry. This is all good stuff for me. Thanks all for some interesting learning.

A man walks into a petshop. Man: I'd like to buy a blue budgie please. Shopkeeper: Sorry sir, we've only got green ones. M: That's ok, I'll take a green one and repaint it blue. S: You can't do that sir! You'll kill it! M: OK. I'll take a green one anyway. The man buys a green budgie...

As far I understand it, modern saws are soft flexible steel, electro-hardened at the teeth. Once the teeth get blunt and are ground away the rest of the blade is too soft to hold sharpness for very long. The old saws can be sharpened until the blade is practically worn out. Maybe this accounts...

Thanks for the above folks. @Phill05 Do the Garryblocks offer anything more than wet n dry on a wooden block? This is a product I have not heard of before. @ Jacob and D_W In my ignorance I assumed that the steel on the saw was the same all the way through. It seems from what you say this...

Among the tools I inherited recently were four saws, three tenon and one ripsaw. All were in a state but showed promise, so I had a go cleaning one up... The top saw is one of the group and is how this one looked. I thought I had sanded the handle properly, but the linseed oil and wax has...

I agree. It forces up the price. The only time I now do this is when I wont be near a computer at the time the bid finishes. At least this way I might have a chance, but usually not.

I was told by my mum that when I was about 3 or 4 she went into a cafe one hot summer's day with me in tow, to have a cup of tea. While she was drinking it I was playing with my toy car on the floor. I suddenly stood up and said loudly, "hey mum, that woman's got hairy legs just like my daddy!"...

lol thanks all. This was my father-in-laws, so I will try and do something with it. I also got a Paramo 10 and a Lewin combi, along with a huge box of chisels/saws/etc. He did have some nice bench planes but I don't know what happened to them.

Three workmates decide to go on holiday in Spain. For the first few days they live it up, drinking, partying and so on. But the money quickly dwindles. The day before they are due to fly home they are flat broke, so they decide to go for a stroll along a quiet part of the beach because that is...

I have a wonderful pocket watch from 1902 handed down through the family, unfortunately without a key. No matter, it's right twice a day!

I recently inherited some tools, including this Stanley 75. I read from reviews that it is awkward to use, but I shall try anyway! Is it possible to date this from the box label, the decal and/or the markings on the iron? Any tips gratefully received.

I came here to learn and talk about woodwork/metalwork. I have spent a large part of my life fighting injustice, saving the world etc etc. Now it is somebody else's turn. I would like to spend my golden years hacking at bits of wood and metal, getting pleasure from creating things instead of...

When I was a kid our sheets and blankets had three blue lines down the middle. I had no idea why until I joined up and during basic training, had to make bedpacks with the three blue lines on each item all in a single vertical column. I then knew where my dad had got them from! In the mid 60's...

Phil. I've got this bridge over the Thames I need to sell. Would you act as my sales rep for 20% commission?

I bought a Hilka 4' steel sash clamp for £21.50 two months ago. Very strong and simple. A minor hassle is the pin falls out of the tail easily if the clamp is not under pressure. A hole and a cotter pin will soon fix this. Working on a budget, I am happy to put up with the above and the...

What is the last thing that goes through a fly's mind when it hits the windscreen of a car? Its bum.

A drunk staggers out of the pub late in the evening. The cold air hits him, and he throws up all over a small dog tied to a nearby post. He looks at the dog for a moment or two and then says, "that's funny, I don't remember eating that!"