A Bench Hook for Burls

Large pieces of wood that need to be broken down with a chain saw can be hard and dangerous to hold.

This version of a bench hook is easy to make and might save your fingers. The stem can be of heavy reinforcing rod and if the hole in the bench is a reasonable fit, you don't need to use any fixing underneath.

Bow Saw

This compact bow saw can be kept in the car where it doesn't take up space, the blade is well covered and is easily assembled when you see that piece of wood that you could not live without.

Blades are available in many sizes eg 21" - 36".

The "handle" should be long enough and wide enough to contain all the bits.

A Centre Finder

Use an old school set square and a right angle to make a centre finder.

How to draw an egg.

Any chook would be proud of a perfect egg and it is very simple. Draw it out and make a template.

1. Draw a right angled cross.

2. Draw a circle with the centre at the intersection. An average diameter is about 45 mm.

3. Draw the chords BX and CX and extend them out to B* and C*

4. With Centre B, radius BC draw arc CB*.

5. Centre C draw arc BC*.

6. Centre X, radius XC* draw arc B*C*

 ..

How to hold an Egg

A drill Guide

Drill a few different sized holes through the end of your tool rest , and in conjunction with an indexing head, drill symmetrical holes around the circumference for such things as decoration or leg holes.

Swivel the tool rest for angles and use a spade or Forstner bit threaded through the guide hole before inserting the bit in the drill.

Your Own Kiln

This simple kiln works well and is simple to make from an old drum, a 15 watt globe, plenty of ventilation holes and an old wire mesh cake cooler to hold the wood .

Leave the lid off and run for days to weeks until the article reaches a constant weight.

It doesn't usually get hot but be aware of fire danger.

Clean Paint Tins

Keep an old paint tin lid with a square hole punched in it and with the edges rolled under and smooth. Put it on before you start painting.

Use it to wipe excess paint off your brush. The top of the tin and in particular, the rim, stays clean .

Gentle Jaws

Extend your 3 or 4 jaw chuck by adding soft MDF pieces to the jaws and then drill out a centre hole to take the article you want to work on.

Number the jaws so that they can always go back in the same position and retain a perfect centre.

The Morse Taper

Sometimes it is handy to work a morse taper, usually a No.2 for our lathes, and then jam it. into the headstock shaft. No special chucks and it works well for small spindle work.

When we asked for dimensions we found that there is a lot of confusion.

There are 7 -8 "Morse" tapers that are all a bit different but average around 5/8 " per foot.

The above dimensions will give a very close fit and can be used to make a gauge if you are going to use this method often. A simple way to do it is to make two slots for the gauge close to these measurements and then try them on the taper that fits your lathe and note how far apart they should be.

It works.

Make a batch of Tenons

Using the same drill that you will use for the mortice holes, drill a hole in a bit of scrap and place it over the tailstock before mounting the spindle. To check the fit, try it for size as you turn .