20 Free Cutting Board Plans + the 4 that Blew My Mind

Outside of workshop-oriented projects like workbenches and router tables, there's no simple project like the cutting board that attracts and challenges new and experienced woodworkers alike. With Christmas around the corner it's time to justify that garage full of woodworking tools... I found 7 end grain plans, 6 laminated long grain plans, 3 no-frills plans and 5 video guides... What are you waiting for?

Chop to it... Read 20 Free Cutting Board Plans + the 4 that Blew My Mind... >>

10-20-30% Cash Back on Grizzly Through eBay + Microsoft Live

I kept reading in forums about this deal between Microsoft and eBay where buyers can get up to 30% off of eBay using the "Buy it Now" button. I didn't really know what to think besides, "huh, cool" until I read that Grizzly's eBay team works directly with buyers to help them get 30% off of Grizzly power tools. There are hoops to jump through, but hey, 30% off can be hundreds off a power tool... It's not just Grizzly - I also read recently of Holbren putting products into eBay so buyers could get the 30% discount.

Learn more about saving up to 30% on Grizzly and other power tools >>

Woodworking Through the Economic Crisis: 11 Resources for Stretching Your Woodworking Budget

I've written quite a bit about routers but I haven't yet written about choosing a solid plunge router. One major decision point you'll have to make as you hunt for your plunge router is whether you want a dedicated plunger or a plunge kit router. As far as I can tell (based on opinions of Pat Warner) the plunge kit is best for the budget minded hobbyist. If you're going to be routing professionally or even a great deal then the kit is not a great choice...

Read 11 Resources for Stretching Your Woodworking Budget >>

For newbies the path to sandpaper nirvana is littered with BORG sanding supplies. Seasoned woodworkers sometimes get overly loyal to a brand without first trying some of the other options out there. For this article I researched preferred sanding supplies in 10 different forum threads, spanning hundreds of total posts to bring you the top 7 sandpaper brands on the market. Some of the suggestions come from woodturning forums, some from boat building forums and one from an Australian forum. The suggestions range across applications too, including disc sanders, hook and loop sanders, hand sanders and others.

7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown >>

Read Must Have Wood Finishing Supplies and Equipment >>

Pop Ryan on "DIY Carbide Saw Blade Sharpening + 4 Blade Sharpening Services"
Geeze I wish I would have found this info before I went and bought the sharpening tool shown at the Harbor Fright site. I couldn't resist the $60 price tag. Like most everything you buy at Harbor, the instructions leave a lot to be desired. Especially if it's been translated from Chinese to English and back again. There are no pictures to show an actual set-up, just verbal instructions. Which are lousy to say the least. Construction is fairly good though. There is no paperwork included to give you any idea of the angles needed to resharpen typical table saw or circular saw blades so you wind up like me Googling search strings to find typical numbers. Unless you've kept the original papaerwork that came with your blades or know where to find the manufactrers info you're stuck. I haven't tried anything with it yet so once I get brave and try a blade or two, I'll come back and do a better review.

sam on "Best Impact Drill/Driver?"
Stay away from the Hatachi 14 impact unless you are an occasional user, the batteries last about 10 screws before needing a recharge. Unblievablely bad.

Don Gulledge on "24 Free Sawhorse Plans in the Hunt for the Ultimate Sawhorse"
Mr Gulledge left a link to what he considers to be the "Best wood sawhorse".

Stan Szuch asked on "Crown Molding Coping Jigs and How-To's"
I am installing crown molding and have a 15-degree angle on one wall at the ceiling. How do I make an angle cut to mesh at this juncture in the ceiling? I am really struggling with this. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Bruce Murphine on "The 7 Essential Woodworking Hand Tools For the Galoot In Training"
Hello, Recently came by an old egg-beater type hand drill. After cleaning it up and getting it to work I got curious about how old it might be. The stamp/engraving on the handle says Hi-Lo Drill #1220 made in the USA. Can anyone provide any info? thanks B.Murphine

Until next time I'll see you in the comments - stop by and add your 2 cents. It really adds up here in the newsletter ;)

Garrett (GFrench@ToolCrib.com)