c/workshop-talk

Walked into my local Makerspace and saw someone using a $3000 bandsaw to cut a single piece of pine for a birdhouse

I swear, I walked into the Portland Makerspace last Saturday and this guy was firing up the big Laguna bandsaw just to cut a 2x4 into a rough birdhouse shape. It was like watching someone take a semi truck to pick up a loaf of bread. Meanwhile, I'm over here trying to figure out how to sharpen my dad's old hand plane without wrecking the blade, and he's got the machine running at full speed for maybe 3 seconds of actual cutting. I get that it's there to use, but maybe grab a handsaw or a jigsaw for small stuff? The noise was ridiculous too, and the dust cloud settled all over my workbench. Has anyone else noticed people at shared workshops going way overkill on tool choices, or am I just being grumpy about it lol.

2 comments

shane_wilson•11d ago

Finally picked a hammer drill after weeks of debating

I was stuck between getting a corded rotary hammer for my basement foundation or a cheaper hammer drill for general use. Talked to a guy at the local True Value who said if I'm drilling into concrete more than once a month, go big. So I picked up a Bosch Bulldog for around $180 and it punched through my wall in about 30 seconds flat. Anybody else find that cheaper hammer drills just bounce too much to be worth it?

3 comments

graym49•11d ago

Appreciation post: Took a class at Rockler and realized my chisel angle was way too steep

I've been sharpening chisels for like 15 years and never understood why they chipped so fast, then the instructor said try 25 degrees instead of 30 and it cut through oak like butter. Has anyone else had a basic tool habit that you just never questioned until someone showed you different?

3 comments

terry_barnes•11d ago

I finally believe in those fancy dust collection systems

Always thought they were overpriced until I spent 3 hours cleaning fine sawdust out of every tool in my garage last weekend. What finally made you switch on something you used to doubt?

3 comments

paulw63•15d ago

Dropped $300 on a heated driveway pad and it paid off in one storm

I live in upstate NY near Albany and got tired of shoveling our steep driveway every winter. Found a plug in heated mat from a local hardware store for around $300. First big snow came last January and I just rolled it out before the storm. Woke up to clear concrete while my neighbor was out there for 2 hours with a shovel. Probably saved my back more than money but still felt like a win. Anyone else try one of these or do you just stick with salt and elbow grease?

2 comments

anthonykelly•3mo ago

Husky vs Ace Garage Storage for bike hoists?

I'm trying to get our family's mountain bikes off the ground. I'm looking at ceiling hoist sets. Husky is everywhere, but Ace Garage Storage popped up in my feed and looks a lot more heavy-duty. Which one is better?

3 comments