Woodworking Tools

Buying Refurbished Tools

Details

Hits: 11480

Every tool manufacture gets back broken or defective tools. Sometimes they are deficient in manufacture, other times customer s actually break them ( often but claim otherwise), regardless of the reason, tools break and very often manufacturers take them back.

So, what do they do with these tools you ask?  Well, some are destroyed, others used as parts and others still are refurbished for re-sale. In the industry they are called “refurbs”, and they are often retailed at 30% - 50% less than new-in-box (NIB) tools. Depending on the manufacturer and the tool, there may or may not be a warranty with the tool and if there is it may or may not be the same as the NIB tool.

The real question for most woodworkers is “are these tools worth purchasing”?, and the quick answer is yes they are, but there are a few things to watch for.

Some refurbs come in brown packaging while others come in what looks like new original boxes. Either way, they are still refurbs and there are 5 important things to look for,  such as ...

1 – Most important – is the tool a brand name, well recognized tool brand or is it knock-off or lower quality made tool. If the tool is a brand name tool, like Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Delta, Ridgid and so on, it is probably a good buy. Walk away from brand names that look and feel cheap and are names that you don't recognize, unless you are willing to risk your investment.

Read more: Buying Refurbished Tools

Tips for Table Saw Tune Ups

Details

Hits: 10306

The table saw is one of the most important tools in your workshop but in order for it to run smoothly and efficiently, some follow-up maintenance is required. The steps below instruct and detail how to keep your table saw cutting smoothly and safely.

When is a table saw tune up required?

Your table saw will normally provide some helpful indications guiding you on just what adjustments need to be made, and how soon. If the blade cuts straight but at the very end, breaks off more stock than required, this will be accompanied by a ringing sound (as it straightens after deflection). Another sign: if the saw blade is not perfectly parallel to the fence, there will be burn marks on the wood. However, with this last sign you need to be careful since cutting too slowly will also cause burning.

Read more: Tips for Table Saw Tune Ups

Drill Doctor 350X System

Details

Hits: 8647

There is nothing worse than trying to drill through something ... and you just know that your drill bit is dull, because you are having to push too hard, and you know your drill bit is heating up and losing what sharpness it had, along with its steel temper. For me, this usually happens with smaller bits. For some reason my 1/4" bit gets the most use.

Most of the time I am drilling into wood, but once in a while I need to drill though some thicker and harder steels, sometimes even stainless steel, which is VERY hard to drill through. These are the times that I need a sharp drill, and as usual, I never have them. Oh sure I can run down to the hardware store and pick up another drill bit for only a few dollars, but for me, the closes hardware store is about 20 minutes away ... each way. Add a cup of coffee into the equation and I can easily be gone for an hour and an half, after all ... I AM going to a hardware store. No self-respecting woodworker goes into any hardware store, buys a drill bit and leaves.

A few weeks ago I finally decided that between the frustration of always seeming to have dull drill bits and the time it takes to go and get one or two replaced, now was the time invest in a tool that would save me time and frustration.

To be honest, the Drill Doctor 350x is not a deluxe tool. If you want a drill bit sharpening tool that does much more, the Drill Doctor DDSB version might be a better choice for you. The 350X only sharpens bits from 3/32" up to 1/2", but for me this is perfect. The tool is easy to use, doesn't take up much room and I can sharpen up a bit in a couple of minutes (or less). I must say, of all the sharpening tools I have, this simple little tool is one of my favorites