POTD- PROJECT OF THE DAY: What Did You Make In Your Shop Today?

[dkemppai]

Over a few days, built a top for the newest HF tool box. This one houses all the grinding wheels, parts, pieces, hubs for the surface grinders and the shars tool and cutter grinder. The tool and cutter grinder will sit on top of this box. The worry was the seams in the box would let grit and junk fall into the box over time. Snagged a chunk of counter top a while ago, but it was just too narrow. Glued and screwed a little strip on the front, routed the edge round. Sawed some grooves so the top lip of the box fit into it, and trimmed the wood front to catch little gussets on the front.
The wood and edges of the counter top were sealed with about 5 coats of poly.


But, before that the new to me table saw needed some work. Ended doing a whole tear down to clean/lubricate sliding parts, etc. First step was removing the top from the saw. Had an "Oh Duuuh" moment about how to do it...


Once In, found the lift mechanism was getting stuck. One of the guide rods had something sticky on it. Very thin layer, couldn't scrape it with a thumbnail, but tacky. Wiped off with brake clean on a paper towel like cleaning a dry erase board! What ever it was, was completely disappeared with brake cleaner.


Then there's the bevel gear box. Why on earth anyone would think a grease lubricated gear box, in a environment full of sawdust, that isn't sealed on the TOP SIDE... Just dumb. Opened that out, cleaned it up, and regreased it. Then SEALED that stupid box form the top side.


The saw has a really nice spindle, with ground surfaces and even the nut is a square or acme thread. The previous owner put a little too much gronk on the blade nut. Flattened the cupped washer out. Had to press that back to shape with the hydraulic press. Next ground the small side, flipped it and ground the large side. Took quite a bit to get it to run at least true.



And, for anyone who made it this far, that little block on top of the tool box... That's a whole different story for later...

 

[woodchucker]

the blade only needs to be snugged. It will tighten on its own. It's not going to get loose.

Powermatic made good tablesaws. Even that contractor tablesaw was pretty decent, and left tilt.
I always wanted a left tilt, but now I would be lost on one. As I change blades of different thickness and use dados it would mess with my sled, and incra miter gauge. So I guess I don't need it.

I use liquid teflon it dries when the carrier dissipates to lube some things that need it on the saw, I also use wax, butcher wax, I put it on and wipe it off. It leaves a very light coating.

 

[dkemppai]

the blade only needs to be snugged. It will tighten on its own. It's not going to get loose.

Yeah, tell that to the previous owner!

Powermatic made good tablesaws. Even that contractor tablesaw was pretty decent, and left tilt.

This one is replacing an old Craftsman 10' saw. This is a world of difference over that 25 yr old Craftsman. The old owner bought an umpteen horsepower $8K Sawstop cabinet saw, so this 'inferior' unit had to go. I'm happy to have it. (Price was really good.)

I use liquid teflon it dries when the carrier dissipates to lube some things that need it on the saw, I also use wax, butcher wax, I put it on and wipe it off. It leaves a very light coating.

I do generally wax the tables on this type stuff with Johnson's paste wax. Seems to keep rust/discoloration off them. I'm guessing the butcher's wax is about the same???

I might have to get some liquid Teflon. Haven't used that before.

 

[AGCB97]

I do generally wax the tables on this type stuff with Johnson's paste wax.

In the summer, I too keep all tables waxed with JPW. It works great. I don't know if other waxes would be as good.
Aaron

 

[Janderso]

oXpho blue for bluing metal
View attachment 438380

I bought the creme formula by mistake. Does the liquid work better?

 

[ChazzC]

I bought the creme formula by mistake. Does the liquid work better?

The liquids (Oxpho & others) work better for me. The creme seems to be geared to touchups on previously blued items.

 

[dkemppai]

In the summer, I too keep all tables waxed with JPW. It works great. I don't know if other waxes would be as good.
Aaron

I think you're far enough north to get those warm spring days, when the shop is still frozen. Open a door or window up, and the water just pools on everything. Those are horrible up here.

Someone left a shop door open for me once, walked in to find a literal puddle from condensation on the old table saw table. That was not a happy day. Fortunately caught it early enough to wipe it down and dry it off. At least now, the new shop is insulated, keeps the temp stable and moisture under control. I also run a dehumidifier, just to be sure...

 

[Janderso]

The liquids (Oxpho & others) work better for me. The creme seems to be geared to touchups on previously blued items.

Dang, I‘ll have to order some of the other stuff.

 

[pontiac428]

I bought the creme formula by mistake. Does the liquid work better?

Dang, I‘ll have to order some of the other stuff.

Give it a try, I prefer the creme myself.

 

[Janderso]

Give it a try, I prefer the creme myself.

I've been using it with mixed results.
Do you heat up your parts to 120? or so??