View Profile: Thomas McCurnin - Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community

Yesterday, 8:46 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread new bandsaw wont' cut straight in General Woodworking and Power Tools

I watched a portion of the video linked by Randy, at about 51m, and he confirms that drift like the OP saw happening, occurs only when the back of...

48 replies | 3022 view(s)

Yesterday, 12:26 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Only one mortise chisel? in Neanderthal Haven

What infuriated me was the mortising chisels I bought were made in Germany, so they got be good, right? And were advertised as imperial sized, but...

37 replies | 1526 view(s)

Yesterday, 12:06 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Stihl Easy to Start - Isn't in Off Topic Forum

Stihl is a good brand. On weekends, I work for the USFS and all the forestry guys use nothing but Stihl, and using the Monomix, it extends your...

13 replies | 295 view(s)

05-27-2022, 5:01 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Only one mortise chisel? in Neanderthal Haven

I was taught that mortise chisels, except for really deep mortises more than 2" or so, are unnecessary. The thicker frame resists racking and...

37 replies | 1526 view(s)

05-27-2022, 11:50 AM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Circular saw safety in General Woodworking and Power Tools

Holding on to the Skil Mag77 with both hands? Clamping down the wood? Use a square to square your line? I would have gotten fired for any of...

17 replies | 915 view(s)

05-26-2022, 10:51 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Geometry Fail- Greene & Greene Lanterns in Neanderthal Haven

A similar lamp with an angled pyramid glass top can be found here: https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/WJ003-Prairie-Lamp.pdf

14 replies | 519 view(s)

05-26-2022, 10:40 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread new bandsaw wont' cut straight in General Woodworking and Power Tools

Agree with Mike. A properly tuned band saw will not need any drift compensation. Most drift is either table relate (loosen bolts under the trunion,...

48 replies | 3022 view(s)

05-26-2022, 10:34 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Circular saw safety in General Woodworking and Power Tools

When I was a framer, we all used Skill Worm Drive saws, which only had the motor on the right and blade on the left. If you've ever lugged one of...

17 replies | 915 view(s)

05-23-2022, 7:47 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Teach us about rasps and floats in Neanderthal Haven

Great response, Jim. You made me laugh out loud, with the only problem being the two streams of coffee spurting onto my keyboard. The bottom...

35 replies | 2574 view(s)

05-23-2022, 7:18 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Stone foundation repair question in Off Topic Forum

As the owner of a wilderness cabin with a rustic stone foundation, I agree with Jim that trying to fix that single stone is probably a fool's errand....

16 replies | 722 view(s)

05-23-2022, 5:19 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Teach us about rasps and floats in Neanderthal Haven

I got into a spirited discussion at Homestead Heritage School on the subject of rasps. Contrary to the opinions, here, there are very few tasks...

35 replies | 2574 view(s)

05-23-2022, 5:13 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Chipped chipbreaker in Neanderthal Haven

My experience with sending back an old abused Lie Neilsen plane which was physicially damaged that I stupidly bought from eBay? They repaired it for...

21 replies | 1245 view(s)

05-23-2022, 5:05 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread new bandsaw wont' cut straight in General Woodworking and Power Tools

Lots of good advice, but I disagree that a bad blade or a thin blade would cause this problem. I've been using the same 20 year old blades that came...

48 replies | 3022 view(s)

05-21-2022, 7:54 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Miter Saw Vertical Cuts not Square in General Woodworking and Power Tools

Got it. At this point, it is not a matter of adjustment, the saw is buggered. I would either sell it for parts or send to an authorized service...

26 replies | 1548 view(s)

05-21-2022, 5:51 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Miter Saw Vertical Cuts not Square in General Woodworking and Power Tools

Still very confused. Place one side of a framing square along the left fence on one side; and use the other side of the framing square against the...

26 replies | 1548 view(s)

05-21-2022, 3:08 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Solid Walnut bookshelf dados - is glue enough? in General Woodworking and Power Tools

The sides are probably bowed. While Derek's approach is better, I would not hesitate to throw a few number 8 wood screws and into the center of the...

31 replies | 2656 view(s)

05-21-2022, 2:59 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Miter Saw Vertical Cuts not Square in General Woodworking and Power Tools

I have that exact saw and liked it so much, I had it re-built. This is what I do to align it from scratch. 1. Start with a new blade, and...

26 replies | 1548 view(s)

05-16-2022, 9:57 AM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Help Me Pick a Plow Plane or Is It a Plough Plane in Neanderthal Haven

On Lee Valley's site, the naked plane shows available and ready to ship. The backorder is for the whole set, plane, large iron conversion kit, blade...

32 replies | 2921 view(s)

05-15-2022, 3:01 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Help Me Pick a Plow Plane or Is It a Plough Plane in Neanderthal Haven

Lie Neilsen's matched set of tounge and groove planes are not available anymore, with no date for delivery, and now sell for $1,500 on eBay. A...

32 replies | 2921 view(s)

05-15-2022, 2:16 AM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Help Me Pick a Plow Plane or Is It a Plough Plane in Neanderthal Haven

There is a hilarious rant about the Stanley 55 here: http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan8.htm with the author calling the plane ultimate...

32 replies | 2921 view(s)

05-14-2022, 3:17 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Help Me Pick a Plow Plane or Is It a Plough Plane in Neanderthal Haven

Thanks Steven. It seems that the Stanley 45 might be exactly what I need. Wood Wright has a nice video on what the plane can do here: ...

32 replies | 2921 view(s)

05-13-2022, 9:40 PM

Thomas McCurnin started a thread Help Me Pick a Plow Plane or Is It a Plough Plane in Neanderthal Haven

Typical use will be on 3/4 to 7/8" stock planing on edge for a a 1/4" groove about 3/8" deep for frame and panel construction. I'll also be using it...

32 replies | 2921 view(s)

05-13-2022, 9:21 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Hollow grind with cbn wheel on low speed grinder- how far do you go? in Neanderthal Haven

Grind until I see a nice strip maybe a 16th across the iron or chisel and it is sort of sharp, which usually means a burr on the other side. I stop...

26 replies | 2896 view(s)

05-13-2022, 9:16 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Water leaking under slab in Off Topic Forum

When I was a carpenter building homes, we sleeved all copper runs under slabs with a plastic foam sleeve, about a quarter inch thick. Something...

18 replies | 1751 view(s)

05-07-2022, 11:04 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Old banister and railing-architectural salvage or trash? in Off Topic Forum

I try to salvage original millwork. If the railing doesn't work, then I would still try to save it with shop made matching pieces. It's original to...

11 replies | 1053 view(s)

05-04-2022, 6:47 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Explain shooting board to me like I'm 5 years old! in Neanderthal Haven

I watched Rob Cossman fit a box lid with a shooting board, starting at about 39:58 That little 5 minute section explains the benefits of a shooting...

17 replies | 1516 view(s)

04-29-2022, 1:03 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread Seems I always have sharpening questions... in Neanderthal Haven

I had the same problem and often simply do not want to set up the grinder, adjust the tool rest and fool with it. KME makes a 100 grit diamond stone.

29 replies | 1963 view(s)

04-29-2022, 12:58 PM

Thomas McCurnin started a thread I Love Lie Neilsen in Neanderthal Haven

So, I bought a skewed block plane from eBay and while superficially beautiful, I could not lower the adjustment screw, the thread was bent or...

7 replies | 1281 view(s)

04-29-2022, 12:51 PM

Thomas McCurnin replied to a thread DeWalt 7749 Radial Arm Saw in General Woodworking and Power Tools

I have an old 12" 50's 240v DeWalt which I love for dado work and of course it excels in cross cutting. I've never attempted ripping on it, but when...

19 replies | 1463 view(s)

Thomas McCurnin
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Thomas McCurnin
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