ShopNotes #68 2003-03-01

March 2003
Issue 68

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Table of Contents

Readers' Tips4

Shop-tested tips to solve common woodworking problems.

Benchtop Tool Organizer6

Does a cluttered workbench keep you from doing your best work? Not anymore. With our tool organizer you'll have all your tools within easy reach -- and a cleaner benchtop too.

Jig Saw Blades10

Don't give jig saw blades a lot of thought? Well, maybe you should. We'll show you how to pick the right blade for the job.

Horizontal Mortising Machine12

Our all-new, shop-built mortising machine lets you rout perfect mortises every time. A table that moves in two directions and a carriage that slides in and out allow you to set up and cut a mortise in less than a minute.

  • Page 15: Figure 4 detail a
    Measurement in upper portion of drawing should be 5/8", not 3/8" as originally printed.
  • Page 15: Figure 5
    Measurement in upper portion of drawing should be 5/8" diameter, not 3/8" as originally printed.

Online Extras

  • Horizontal Mortising Machine
    What makes this mortising machine so fantastic is the fact that it can create perfect mortises quickly and easily. The way it works is simple. The workpiece is clamped to a sliding table, and the router is mounted to a carriage that travels on a pair of drawer slides. By pulling the lever arm forward, the router bit is plunged into the workpiece. Then you just slide the table back and forth to rout the mortise. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds.

Materials & Hardware for Shop Jigs22

A shop-made jig can make your woodworking easier, faster, and more precise. Learn what materials and hardware we use day in and day out when we build our jigs.

Roll-Around Shop Cart26

Moving a pile of workpieces around the shop can be a hassle. Or if you're working at one tool, it's nice to have an extra worksurface to help keep everything organized. With our roll-around shop cart, both problems are solved.

Online Extras

  • Roll-Around Shop Cart
    Moving a pile of workpieces around the shop can be a hassle. Or if you’re working at one tool, it’s nice to have an extra worksurface to help keep everything organized. With our rollaround shop cart, both problems are solved.

Shop Talk32

For only $20 you can dramatically improve the accuracy of your shop tools. Here's what you need to know about dial indicators.

Tool Chest34

Porter Cable's 690 router has been a workhorse in our shop for years. Find out what makes their updated model an even better choice for your workshop.

Scenes from the Shop36