Happy new year to you all, may this year bring you everything your mind can conceive.

In case you missed, last week (xmas day) the newsletter contained free plans, and an ebook. 

You can read that issue here.

Saw blade review

Recently while using my track saw, I noticed some burn marks on my material, and so I thought, it can't be the sharpness of the blade, the blade was new with the tracksaw, and should still be good.

So I then thought it must be a build up of pitch, and proceeded to remove the blade to clean it, only to find 2 teeth missing, and a couple damaged.

Now i have to say, i was very surprised considering this was an original festool, and the money they ask for such a blade, in my mind this should not have happened.

No, i have not used the saw with reclaimed wood, nor have I had it near any metals.

I also purposely take my time with the saw, when cutting materials, because the bloody thing cost so much money.

Could it have been metal in the tree, was it my misuse of the saw, or was this a one off bad festool blade?

Upon checking the price of a festool saw blade, and being discouraged from the damage of the one I already had, I decided to go with an alternative.

Reading some reviews i decided to get a saxton blade, in fact i got a 3 pack for £26 (36, 48 & 60 teeth), now compare that to 1 festool blade (£52), i did think maybe this is too good to be true.

However, the blade has been in use for a month now, and is just as good, if not better than the original festool blade.

My first cuts were 48mm thick beech (rip cuts), and it was like butter, leaving a nearly glueable edge.

Many crosscuts have been made with the same blade (36 teeth), in oak, and plywood with excellent results, so much so, that I haven't felt the need to swap it out for a higher teethed blade.

Yesterday I ripped multiple lengths of European oak (25mm x 600mm), to make dowels, and it was effortless to cut.

Even after a month of moderate use, the blade isnt showing signs of dulling, and most importantly, it still has all its teeth 😬

Sometimes you get what you pay for, but in this case you'll get a bargain.

I have no problem at all recommending these blades, which you can get here.

Wood porn

This weeks visual candy is brought to you by dejong woodcreations. The above is (as Brian says) a once in a lifetime find, some beautiful spalted and book matched material.

I'd love to use it as a door panel, it would look awesome in a cabinet etc. Click the image above and check out some of the excellent work Brian, and his family carry out 👌

I see a little terrier dog, what do you guys see?

What impressed me

dave_things

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The above is a tool stool, I seen this some time ago, and was designed by Dave.

Its very functional, obviously you’re sitting on it, but the cleaver part is that you are able to store tools under the seat, and the seat also swivels! I think this could be very useful for people that sit as they work.

Click the image to see the stool in action.

Woodwork ponder

Why is there not a simple way to make good, consistent dowels, without a lathe, no £100 gizmo etc.

Dowels this week have had my life 🫠

Podcast

In case you missed it, the last podcast it is available to those who are interested.

You can also listen on Spotify here, and Apple Podcasts  here.

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Thats it for this one guys, see you next week!

Regards 

David