Smitty
JAN/FEB
2002
Volume 45/Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
9-Drawer Workshop Toolbox
• Child's Desk and Chairs
• Candle Sconce and Desktop Pencil Holder
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
Academy Notes
Finishing
Touches - Pt.3 Applying a Natural Finish
Service Pointers
Speed
Changer
Safety Tips
Safety
Is
Your Decision
What's
New
The
Standard Anniversary Model Shopsmith MARK V
EDUCATION
• Find
A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
• National
Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH
ONLINE
CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
• Request
Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online
Replacement Parts Catalog
MARK
V INFORMATION
• Find
A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
• Request
MARK V Information Package
LINKS
•
Links Worth Visiting
•
Free Woodworking
Tips
FEEDBACK
Contacting
Shopsmith
Copyright
2002.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ASK
SMITTY!
Here
are the questions . . .
and SMITTY’S answers for this issue!
Applying
a buble-free polyurethane finish
From Bill Antalek, via e-mail:
I remember receiving a woodshop tip about eliminating bubbles when applying
polyurethane. I don't remember exactly what it was, and there's no way to
search the tip database. Do you know a good way to eliminate the bubbles?
Use a pair of discarded nylons or pantyhose. Wad it up into a ball and use it to wipe on your finish. This approach works particularly well on turnings and other curved or contoured surfaces.
Here
are two more tips....1): Try NOT to stir the finish too aggressively or shake
the can...as either of these will cause bubbles. and 2): Don't apply a polyurethane
finish on a hot, humid day.
Poor
cuts with a router bit set
Question via e-mail:
I purchased a Stile & Rail Router Bit Set and attached it my MARK V headstock
using the Router Chuck. However, experimenting on some pine, using low (800
or so) rpm, the cutters don't seem to cut at all through the stock. Against
the grain it chips the wood to shreds...with the grain it pulls and throws
it through. What am I doing wrong?
Router bits are designed to cut most efficiently and smoothly when running FAST. Hand-held routers run at 18,000 to 20,000 RPM's. With the MARK V, "Fast" means full speed (5,700 Rpm's)..NOT 800 rpm.
Start by setting your MARK V speed dial on "Rout/Shape FAST". You'll get a much smoother cut. Adjust your table/fence depth-of-cut to take about half your cut in the first pass. After you make the first pass cut, re-adjust for the final depth-of-cut and make your second and final pass.
ALWAYS feed your workpiece AGAINST the rotation of the bit and NEVER with the direction of rotation, as this will grab and "throw" your workpiece. These techniques should solve your problem.
