The Woodshop Shed

adventures in woodworking and home maintenance, from my shop in an oversized backyard shed

April 2019
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Aluminum Extrusions For Woodworking

I wanted a way to temporarily attach featherboards, or a tall fence, or anything else I might think of, to my table saw fence. I saw people using aluminum extrusions clamped to their fences for this purpose, and I liked how it seemed to work really well, and it could be removed as easily as it was mounted. So I set out to find a good source for these pieces of metal convenience.

A quick google search for "aluminum extrusions", turns up dozens of companies that sell them, but I didn't want to have them shipped, because they can be bent in transit, and I wanted a six foot length, so the shipping weight and cost were prohibitive.

I ended up going with Grainger. They offer lots of different sizes and shapes, and they have retail locations all over the U.S., and I found one just 20 minutes away. If you're in the Providence, RI area, it's located at 78 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888.

I didn't want anything too tall or too heavy. After paging through their extensive online catalog, I settled on item #5JTA6. I got a six foot length, that is 3" tall, and 1" thick. The three slots it has are each just a tad over 1/4" wide. It cost $54.64 ($9.11/ft), including tax, and there was no shipping charge, because I could just go pick it up once they notified me it was ready.

After I got it home, I measured my fence, and cut an equally long piece from the six foot length using a metal cutting chop saw. It cut like butter. You will need to file the edges of the cut side to smooth them over. Then I needed a quick way to temporarily attach it to my fence. I decided to use three 3/4" flat-head screws that would slide into the middle slot on the back of the extrusion, and into a piece of nice flat PVC "board" of roughly the same size. I counterbored three holes on the back side of the board, so that the bolts just poked through, and I could get a washer and nut on each one, and they were still below the surface of the board, so that it would sit flush against the fence.

Then I used universal fence clamps to attach the pvc/extrusion combination to my table saw fence.

I couldn't be happier with the final outcome, and I'm still pondering what cool things I can do with the rest of the extrusion. I'll post anything new that I do as well.









posted at: 9:44am on 09-Apr-2019
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QD Can Holder

Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)


QD Can HolderWhen people really want to grill, but they don't really want to grill, they make kebabs.For me, when I really want to work in my shop but I don't really want to start a whole thing, I try to use up the bits and pieces of project ply kicking around.This time is was for a beer can caddy. (Most caddies aren't designed to accommodate macho pint cans.)Made three like this. Half in ply and nails! Very sturdy. Finished with chalk board paint.Still trying to identify worthy recipients of the other two I made.



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posted at: 12:00am on 09-Apr-2019
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Entry step

Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)


Entry stepMade this step for a house I no longer own. Made it in “mahogany” (sapele I think) so I would not have to maintain it.At the very moment we were leaving the house to move out of state, I yelled “Oh… WAIT!” and I ran over and grabbed the step. I plan to break it down and repurpose the wood!Still, this was a sturdy and useful piece when in use. Left outside in the weather (lake effect snow, etc.) and it always had a nice warm feel to sit on it. Finished with teak oil (whatever that is) and it held up real nice without ever needing refinishing. Used stainless screws to hold it together, but it was unnecessary because everything is still tight as a drum from the titebond III.



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Charger Station for Shop

Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)


Charger Station for ShopQuick and dirty charger station. I don't like to spend time on shop furniture.(Fun fact: that festool charger used to belong to the wood whisperer! I picked up his old Carvex.)



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posted at: 12:00am on 09-Apr-2019
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