Thread: What are you working on?

Went by Woodcraft with the wife while we were out shopping. I showed her some of the cool woods they had. And she picked out a nice piece for me to make into scales. It had a label on it saying "Certified Authentic Bethlehem Olivewood". I asked the guys at the store if they could cut it up for me and what they would charge. They said they are not allowed to do it. Bummer!

So I went home, and hated to do it, but used my table saw to cut it into 1/8" thick blanks.



I think these will make for some very nice looking scales.

While I was at Woodcraft, I found a pen blank that was see-thru in Orange with streaks of brown like the scales I had just made and bought it to cut up and make a wedge for the orange scales I just made. Got it sanded and pinned up just a bit ago. Here is what it looks like now. Just needs a trip across the stones...

The wedge turned out being a little yellow after thinning it down, but it's see-thru to match the scales. And I think I did a nice job on the wedge.

I've got two sets of wood scales in the finishing stage. Trying to do a bit of grain filling. Then to the many coats of Tru-oil for the last. Maybe in a week or two, I should have them ready.

A couple of thoughts on ripping with a bandsaw. A blade designed to rip helps a lot. They all have a certain amount of drift. To calculate and compensate for that, take a random piece of wood and draw a straight line on it. Start to free hand it through the bandsaw, adjusting your push left and right until you can rip straight, one
Ce you have the angle that you need to push the wood through established, with the wood about half way through the saw, shut the saw off, mark the edge of the wood on the table. Set your rip fence at the same angle as the line you just drew. Your next piece of scrap should push right through along the fence nice and straight.

Thanks, Shaun. I was trying a few things along those lines. I think it was too small of a blade for ripping. And to buy another blade, I was afraid it might not help. Wasn't worth the effort and money if it was wasted. T
I think if I buy another band saw, I'll get something a bit better and a larger blade. I'm not trying to scroll cut! Just rip. I was having cuts that would be straight on the top of the wood and popping out the side at the bottom. Really tweaking the blade. Not sure why it was happening. I'm not woodcutting pro and the blade looked pretty new. I mean it had no rust. I hate buying used stuff when I don't have the experience to know what is going on. Plus I tried to find a manual on it and couldn't come up with one anywhere. I think they stopped making it in the late 90's.

Still, I'm happy to have this info. It might help when the time comes I blow the money on a real saw. But I only use it for this reason. Maybe I'll get lucky and find someone that has one and can cut up my blanks for me in the future. Locally! Ha.

Come on over Jerry we can get that cut up in No time.
:-)

Be right there Shaun. Hold the door for me. I'll bring the beer. Ha.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Come on over Jerry we can get that cut up in No time.
:-)

Now THAT'S FUNNY!! Oh God, that just tickled the Hell out of me!!!

Originally Posted by Gasman

Be right there Shaun. Hold the door for me. I'll bring the beer. Ha.

I'd buy the beer once you get there Jerry! I don't think you have an ice chest that would hold enough ice to keep the beer cold that long!

Who says we never have any fun around here?

Fun is always good. I talked to Shaun about a visit when I went to Washington. He said the boat don't run but a couple times a week. So I guess a short visit was out of the question. Would still be cool if I had the time. And if you're buying the beer, I bet Shaun and I could drink a lot before the boat came to pick me up.

Good night all you night owls. Go to bed Roy. Your too old to be up this late! Ha.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Good night all you night owls. Go to bed Roy. Your too old to be up this late! Ha.

....

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I expect that runs 1750 RPM? Take the guard off and find some 3-inch wheels.
It will work better with less heat.

Hope this opens some eyes and not brings up too many more questions, But...

With the help of a friend of a friend.

A standard buffer runs at 1750rpm.
Mine and his run at 3450rpm.
A standard buffer with 6" wheels (standard) runs at 2748.8 Feet per Minute.

Mine with 4" wheels and 3450rpm runs at 3612.8 FPM.
IF we used 3" wheels on a buffer at 3450RPM, we would then be at 2709.6 FPM.
Just a touch under the standard FPM.

Hope this helps someone. I burned up a lot of brain cells figuring this stuff out so I hope its somewhat correct.
So to CMA, I'll say YMMV? Ha.

And so that someone can double check my math...
Revolutions per minute X Circumference / 12
and
Circumference is dia X Pi. (3.1416)
Equals FPM.

Ta-Da.