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You're right to be concerned about the hazards of MDF dust and, as you've already discovered - it literally does get everywhere! If you could afford one, a vacuum-type dust extractor (connected to each power tool) would greatly help to keep a lot of the dust under control. It would still be...

Thanks, James. I agree about the "interpreter"! :-D

A spiral-fluted cutter might give you cleaner edges but, you'd still be restricted to completing the depth of cut in several shallow passes. Instead, I think you would be better off looking at a grooving or slot cutter set, if it's at all practical for your application. The main difference here...

While the Triton Wood Rack is supposed to be very good and easy to install, I've had a lot of success (as have others) with simple Twinslot Shelving (Toolstation have some of the best prices around and there's bound to be one near you). If you do use this 'system' then, make sure you buy all the...

I really like the design and, in particular, the fact that the drawers all vary in width. It reminds me of Michael Wainwright's Brick Chair, which I saw at an exhibition last July. The only 'exciting' feature about that though, was that you can open and close the small window! :-D (No drawers...

Yep, it's looking very good indeed. That top looks interesting and you've done a good job of matching the grain for it. It will be interesting to see how the drawer sides work, given that they'll be darker than the fronts. But, with all the sapwood you have [don't tell Rob!! ;-)], it might work...

I used to own a Bosch GCM 12 SD and never found it to be that reliable. If you pulled the 'head' of the saw forwards, it would wobble or wiggle from side to side by a good couple of millimetres. By comparison, my Makita LS1013 (a 10in saw) wouldn't do this and feels very solid. Maybe I just had...

You never know - someone may now ask Alan to make another mirror but with a pair of doors instead of the window!! :-D ;-) Could we also use these to make our workshops look bigger, I wonder? :-D

A nice job. I like the details you have used on the front edges of the shelves. I agree with Chems' comment on the potential use of tongue and groove boards for the back and also, some of the other comments on use of stopped grooves at the front (so it looks as though the shelf ends butt up...

Rob - were SIP also at Yandles this year? I've seen them there in the past. Maybe you could 'barter' a deal out between Charnwood and them, if they're both in attendance in September... ;-) Looking again, I can't really see anything between them, bar the brand name and the colour. Roger -...

I'd also favour the suggestion of making a template/jig for your router though, you may still want to hog out the bulk of the waste with a jigsaw, in order to prevent burn marks.

Nice job. I once worked with someone who made a similar pair of gates, also in green oak. After cutting some mortises, he removed one of the head rails from the mortiser only to find that the steel or iron on the clamp face had reacted with the tannin and moisture, leaving a large black...

Have you found a supply of sawn boards and timber or, are you proposing to purchase it in large sections (ie. sleepers) and cut it up yourself? I don't know much about this species but, cutting in to a thick, wide lump of any wood is likely to have some consequences as the inner tension is...

Beech is 'affordable' and machines quite well but, it isn't as stable as maple or oak. Creating the top by gluing up a number of narrow staves (as the manufacturers commonly do) might help to improve matters, though.

That does sound very expensive to me! :? I'd expect to pay £3 or £4 per blade with 10in knives (plus the cost of postage, where applicable). Don't know of anywhere local to you but there are plenty of firms around offering a service if you're prepared to post them. If the edges aren't too bad...

I'm sure there are members here who've successfully used van dyke crystals to stain the walnut sapwood to match the heartwood. I imagine that a few scraps for samples may be required to ensure you get the right mix? I've never done it myself but, I think I read in one of the American magazines...

That does look sturdier and probably more rigid than any of the "cheap" workbenches that are available commercially. That MDF surface will certainly be very useful for assembly work, among many other things. Have you thought about adding dog holes for work-holding and clamping capabilities? Now...

Really like the design although, I'm not sure why you decided to run the curve on the front rails to the full length but, on the end rails, the curve stops short of each leg? I'd have kept them similar on all four rails. I understand why you went for the hinges. You might have wanted to...

I've had the same problem with the very same sander. Mine's still under warranty but, as I've suspected it would only break again (and, it sounds as though I may be right!), I've never bothered to get it repaired. Not that I use it much now, anyway. I haven't looked far for velcro-backed...

I'd recommend the Makita LS1013, which I've had for over a year now and, honestly, it's the best saw that I've used. They're now ridiculously over-priced (considering that newer models are also available, now) but, you should be able to pick one up second hand for less than £300 (...I did! ;-))...