I would encourage you to login to / become a member of Fine Woodworking and using their current discount code of FLASH 50, sign up for their online courses at a 50% discount. The Essential Table Saw Jigs with Bob Van Dyke is incredible and will provide you with great instructions for a crosscut sled (lesson 1) and stops, a Multi-Use Rip Fence, an L-Fence and a Tenon Jig. Lessons 5, 6, and 7 go through how to use these jigs.
Bob has run the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking in Manchester, CT for 30+ years and is a highly skilled and experienced woodworker.
Another great course is Mike Pecovich's Foundations of Woodworking. Incredible talent and instructor.
All easy to do from the comfort of your own home. Hope this information is useful.
Thanks, Ken, for that information. I'll have to check out the Fine Woodworking classes.
This is good info, Ken. I'm learning to enjoy making my own jigs almost as much as the projects themselves, and this sounds like a good place to learn how. Will definitely check this out.
I agree with Ken. I used the Fine Woodworking article (August, 2021, issue 290) authored by Bob Van Dyke to make his L-fence. It is extremely handy, especially when ripping narrow stock on the table saw. The L-fence allows me to easily use narrow push sticks because it gives a much wider space for hand clearance to the table saw fence. I was a little skeptical until I used it and discovered what a brilliant idea it is. I may bring it to the January meeting so members can see how it works.
As far as other tools and jigs I recommend, it would be a very sturdy, heavy work bench. I built my own and incorporated multiple features for work-holding, etc. I can't imagine building any project without that bench - it's the heart of my shop and essential for hand tool work.
I love my Kreg K2 jig. I inherited the all metal one from dad. My go to for quick, strong joints for making a project. I have a fancy mortiser machine that makes stronger, better looking joints. Rarely use it due to the time it takes. I tend to build functional stuff for around the house. With a young family time is extremely limited. More important that the kid bookshelf gets build this weekend than taking 3 weekends to mortise and tenon fancy joinery. Look forward to building heirloom quality furniture in the future.
I'm looking for manufacturer/product recommendations (and sources) for the following: router bits and accessories (e.g. router lift, jigs, etc.); drill bits; chisels; hand planes; design software/applications (PC or IOS, pls; I don't speak Mac). Whose stuff do you regularly use in your shop, what makes it your preference, and where do you source your choices? Thanks!
I would encourage you to login to / become a member of Fine Woodworking and using their current discount code of FLASH 50, sign up for their online courses at a 50% discount. The Essential Table Saw Jigs with Bob Van Dyke is incredible and will provide you with great instructions for a crosscut sled (lesson 1) and stops, a Multi-Use Rip Fence, an L-Fence and a Tenon Jig. Lessons 5, 6, and 7 go through how to use these jigs.
Bob has run the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking in Manchester, CT for 30+ years and is a highly skilled and experienced woodworker.
Another great course is Mike Pecovich's Foundations of Woodworking. Incredible talent and instructor.
All easy to do from the comfort of your own home. Hope this information is useful.
Thanks, Ken, for that information. I'll have to check out the Fine Woodworking classes.
This is good info, Ken. I'm learning to enjoy making my own jigs almost as much as the projects themselves, and this sounds like a good place to learn how. Will definitely check this out.
I agree with Ken. I used the Fine Woodworking article (August, 2021, issue 290) authored by Bob Van Dyke to make his L-fence. It is extremely handy, especially when ripping narrow stock on the table saw. The L-fence allows me to easily use narrow push sticks because it gives a much wider space for hand clearance to the table saw fence. I was a little skeptical until I used it and discovered what a brilliant idea it is. I may bring it to the January meeting so members can see how it works.
As far as other tools and jigs I recommend, it would be a very sturdy, heavy work bench. I built my own and incorporated multiple features for work-holding, etc. I can't imagine building any project without that bench - it's the heart of my shop and essential for hand tool work.
I love my Kreg K2 jig. I inherited the all metal one from dad. My go to for quick, strong joints for making a project. I have a fancy mortiser machine that makes stronger, better looking joints. Rarely use it due to the time it takes. I tend to build functional stuff for around the house. With a young family time is extremely limited. More important that the kid bookshelf gets build this weekend than taking 3 weekends to mortise and tenon fancy joinery. Look forward to building heirloom quality furniture in the future.
I'm looking for manufacturer/product recommendations (and sources) for the following: router bits and accessories (e.g. router lift, jigs, etc.); drill bits; chisels; hand planes; design software/applications (PC or IOS, pls; I don't speak Mac). Whose stuff do you regularly use in your shop, what makes it your preference, and where do you source your choices? Thanks!