Search results

I suspect the value of Preston (and Record) 311's would be a higher if they still had all their bits. Not having the bull-nose front extension would reduce the value somewhat. As the Clifton 3110 (which is almost a direct copy of the Preston) comes with long front section and short bull-nose...

It's a shame that so many decent wooden ploughs have lost their irons. It can cost more to search out - or piecemeal accumulate - a set of irons than most orphaned ploughs do, even ones in really good condition. There do look to be one or two interesting bits and bats around it, too. Nothing...

Might be interesting reading for some; https://blog.lostartpress.com/2018/03/17/unto-others/

I hope this doesn't come across as 'clever' in a smart-alec sense, because it isn't intended - but could you search out another adjustable cramp head to match the £1 one? I suggest this because one cramp on it'd own is not often of much use, a pair - or better still a set of four - is much more...

I went through a phase of buying tools off our favourite interweb auction site a couple of years ago, and that included several saws. I once had a backsaw delivered in a padded envelope; the blade was bent. I don't know whether it was bent before despatch, but it looked OK in the photos (NB -...

The subscription to FW suggests a leaning towards cabinetmaking rather than (for example) home renovation, carving or woodturning. In that case, it may be worth buying a copy or two of Furniture and Cabinetmaking, which the current editor has managed to keep quite up to date with developments in...

Well, that's a point - and it rather mirrors an ongoing debate in 'heritage' circles over such things as the exact shade of locomotive and carriage liveries. There are all sorts of variables such as how much has it faded over the years, what sort of light is the paint surface being viewed in...

Whilst rummaging about for something else, I inadvertently stumbled across a source of fairly small quantities of Record blue paint. It's machinery enamel, which is quite Good Stuff from previous experience, and supplied by Paragon Paints of York; they're a spin-off company of Stationary Engine...

Well, you do sound quite switched on about these things, but it might be best not to get too steamed up about it; you could get yourself into hot water. (By the way, in my original comment I definitely wasn't referring to a 'something else'. It's worth considering that body hair can result in...

You will need to strop lightly on a very fine leather, such as the well-oiled skin of a naked Cuban virgin. The back or thighs can be used for straight edges, and other parts of their anatomy for curved edges. This is extremely effective, but is a well-kept secret because of the difficulty in...

I have a vague recollection (and I'm damned if I can remember where I saw it) of seeing that method of construction suggested as an alternative simplified method, the advantage being that the whole 'mortice' can be defined by two sawcuts, and the waste removed rather like a through housing. The...

Beech seemed to be the wood of choice when OBM chisels were made and sold extensively, but I've a chisel with a handle in ash and that has held up to my occasional bashings on it. I think our continental cousins use hornbeam quite a lot for tool handles (and plane bodies!), so that's OK too...

First thing to say is - all credit to you for sticking with it, and having a bench to work on will be worth the effort! I suspect that a lot of the problems arise from having to work at such a low height. On grip, you'll find that at bench height, your body position will put your forearm nearer...

When I first started, I tended to be too enthusiastic with the plane, and not careful enough with the testing tools. I'd take several shavings, biasing the plane where I thought the 'ups' where, then check and find that where the 'ups' had been, were now substantial hollows. More planing -...

The results of checking against a straightedge that you've posted suggest that your plane is as flat as it needs to be, and the best way to be sure is to use it for it's intended purpose. As Andy suggested above, if it'll joint two boards together closely enough for glueing, and it'll true up a...

Many moons ago I had a go at saw straightening; straightening-a-bent-sawblade-t61086.html There are a couple of other methods not mentioned in that thread. One is just to bend the saw as far as it will go (right back on itself - toe end to handle) opposite way of the curve, and see if that...

In the late 19th century, the normal working day was a bit longer than it is now. Maybe 12 hours rather than 8. You'd still need to be pretty confident with your tools and techniques to finish a door in a day. If anybody can, Richard can, though!

Indeed there is! This is a long one (two and a quarter hours :shock: ) and probably best digested in bite-sized chunks, but it's all there, including equipment, theory and demonstrations; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-_MF2Mnxwc It's also worth hunting out some of Paul Sellers' saw...

I certainly echo the comments about generosity! However, I agree with Pete; most of those tools would make decent users given a bit of love, but aren't really worth a lot individually. I'm no expert on infills, but even I know they're sought after if in decent condition, which that one looks to...

I know it's not very fashionable these days, but PVA (Evostik Resin W, in my case) seems to last a bit better in storage. However, even that develops hard, gritty bits in it after a couple of years. It still works, but getting the gritty bits off the job before closing the joint slows things...