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I only have the Schwartz book but really liked the way he describes operations that you need a bench for and what tool/accessory/method works best for each. This helped me decide what compromises to make on mine when I designed my new workshop. He only gives two full designs, but lots of ideas...

Thanks for the reminder DW :) Boz

I'd only used that cutlist on single sheet projects before, and it seemed OK. But once the number of parts and sheets goes up it can't cope. I think this does reinforce how good the human eye is at pattern matching for this sort of thing. Boz (mostly human)

It is a metalwork one so does have a solid table with coolant grooves and T slots. I've made a very crude ply table with fixed fence for woody stuff, they slide together back and fore, clamped at the edge underneath. I always use a scrap backer on it which, with the effective depth stop, saves...

I thought I'd add a correction to my earlier post. I've just done a "3 sheet" cutting list with 22 parts using the free Cutlist program I've already mentioned. It was pitifully slow (maybe running under Wine didn't help) but more importantly was not terribly accurate. In the end I got a far...

Last year I upgraded from the Wickes version of that drill (and it had all the problems Roger says!) to the Axminster ED16SB and I couldn't be happier. It is still a budget drill, so don't expect Rolls Royce quality, but is has none of the faults of the £50 drills and all in all, I think it is...

I have on occasion used my Myford ML2 for some crude wood turning. The problem is that you need to thoroughly wipe everything down then wash your hands before even looking at your piece of wood, then do a similar thorough clear up and re-oil everything afterwards. I admit that the Myford is...

Oh goody, another big workshop build to watch :). Fascinating. I always wondered how they cleaned the pipes out! With those hefty I beams in place, you've got somewhere to anchor a winch to drag the machinery up the hill :wink: Boz

Ooooh yes. That's useful to know. Thankyou. I think that's appeared since I bought the "Orginal" Extend. Looks like Axminster don't have it yet, but Rutlands do. Boz

I used Titebond Extend when laminating a worktop, with success. The specs for it show that you get 5 - 10 mins more than a "standard" PVA for spreading the glue and getting the clamps tightened. Beware that on large areas it has significant grab, so once mated, parts need a hefty thump if you...

I use the free Cutlist (Windows but works well in Wine under Linux). It does allow for grain direction. Bit clunky. I find it "adequate" but tend to print out then do a bit of further optimisation by hand to suit my own eccentricities... Boz

If you need a simple bodge while you're sorting it out, and if you have rear/side access, you can drop a steel plate with a bend in the end behind the spring. The bend stops it dropping through. On mine I can then jam it with a ply offcut to make sure it can't be jiggled from outside. This is a...

They must have been a hurry to get to the pub when they got to my village - they missed my Close :) Boz

I use Liberon Lubricating wax. Looks expensive but lasts for ages and great on all hand tools and also cast iron machine beds. It dries, and does leave a nice slippy surface. For small areas I smear it on with a finger, for larger areas a small brush. Boz

The only time I've had a blade break was in the days when I did release the tension every time after use. Now I leave it tensioned all the time, despite irregular use, and have not had any more problems. Boz

I compromised and lined my single garage walls with 2" Rockwool batts, heavier than glass fibre roll or Kingspan so better sound deadening, and 11mm OSB. The ceiling had 3" Rockwool between the rafters and 6mm ply (easier to lift). So not too much space lost. This has proved to be surprisingly...

Here. Lots of pages :) Boz

I like the idea but the cost puts me off :oops:. Has anyone used the new Axminster ones that use ER20 collets. Cheaper, and the collets are standard metalworking ones. Boz

Be a little wary of Gumtree - they do auto cross-posting from ebay (who own them) and don't get the location/price/date correct at times. I've had bad experiences here and don't trust it now - it just wastes my time and the seller's :evil:. Boz

A credit to you Sir :). Very very nice. Ticks all the right boxes for me. Boz