Workshop tinkering, ordering and an impressive post idea
Posted By RichC on August 26, 2023
Since I now have a few more featherboards to use with my table saw and router table, it seemed like a good idea to add a couple T-Tracks. Most modern woodworking workshops now seem to use these anodized aluminum tracks for a variety of purposes … they will be helpful for hold downs on my small sleds too. I realized the short ones on my drill press table are “the wrong size” to fit my new clamp gadgets, so decided to buy a couple low-cost 400mm ones online and make a couple of my own setups. Nothing pressing at the moment, but I’m looking forward to tinkering with them.
Tech Friday: The Wyze Cam struggles with person-detection
Posted By RichC on August 25, 2023
Our Wyze security cam detection continues to struggle with determining if birds are people. One would think that with artificial intelligence improving that software would be much better at detecting the difference between birds and people? But for years now (one, two, three), our friendly and curious cardinal regularly enjoys getting his photo uploaded to the cloud and triggering a “person-detection” alert. Actually I don’t really mind knowing that all is working on our bundle of cams around the house. Besides, he is a handsome cardinal!
Earl’s Sinclair Gas and Auto Service Station – Toledo Ohio #TBT
Posted By RichC on August 24, 2023
While visiting with my extended family at my Uncle Sonny’s Celebration of Life earlier this month, a few of us exchanged phone numbers so we could better stay in touch. My cousin Dan forwarded a paper that highlighted my Grandfather Corbett’s Sinclair gas station and Earl’s Auto Service in South Toledo. It was interesting to see a photo of the corner that I mention on my blog before … but “looking so much nicer.” It is depressing to see our once great American cities crumbling without many residents taking pride in their homes and communities.
Thankfully there is a revival in some areas (proud of Taylor for doing his part in Walnut Hills / Cincinnati), but without getting too “left vs right” political, it is going to continue to be a tough go without a change in government, families, enforcement of law and order … and some traditional respect and moral values that were once common traits for being an American citizen. It’s not always about more taxes and and throwing money at problems.
Back to the ThrowBack Thursday #TBT part of this blog post. The paper did not have dates on them, but it did have a few hints from some of 
the photos and events included on the pages. This did make at least the year decipherable: 1937.
The clue that attracted my attention was aviation and nautically related … of course. The Pan American Clipper III was making test flights across the Atlantic with one of the stops at Foynes, Ireland on July 6, 1937 — and here’s a photo from that day (Vanderbilt Cup Races).
This PanAm plane, a Sikorsky S-42B, eventually the Bermuda Clipper had an accident report and was removed from service on July 27, 1943.
Just filling space with a Cicada and a Couple Smiles
Posted By RichC on August 23, 2023
Just filling up some space and using these photos as excuses to post a cicada “live photo” (saved as anigif) AND a cute “smiling dogs” photo from the social network “X” … formerly known as Twitter. I’m enjoying the nice warm weather as long as it lasts — August is disappearing fast.
Our granddaughters are heading back to school and smiling!
Posted By RichC on August 23, 2023
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Workshop: So much for tinkering with my router table fence
Posted By RichC on August 22, 2023
I really did have the best of intentions to used the new knobs from Rockler to upgrade my existing router table fence, but after putzing around with my 40 year old angled
aluminum non-adjustable fence, decided that an upgrade from the Amazon Warehouse (Outlet) for $133.64 made sense — although I could be wrong?
The dust and chip collection from either the very large (original) or the very small (modified taller fence) was really never really very good. Although I have never used a width adjustable two-part fence like the PowerTec, let alone one with the ability to offset the following fence (jointer-like), it is a feature that intrigues me. Beside I’ve aways wanted to have a track to fit hold-downs, stops or feather boards and “might” even try to adopt using the finger guard (again another feature I’ve never had on the old fence that might save a finger)?
A final item that I added to my Amazon cart was a set of cam clamps to use to quickly adjust the sliding fence halves. I still intend to lockdown the fence to the router table with my new Rockler knobs, but can see how flipping the cam clamps would make sliding the two-halves of the fence back and forth easily to keep the gap for the bit as small as possible. Stay tuned.
EDIT add 8/22/2023: Well that happened fast as the parts arrived as did the fence from Amazon.com.
So I spent the evening in the workshop tinkering with the new fence and decided to drill new 3/8” holes in the aluminum fence base to use the existing bolt with the new Rockler Knobs instead of returning (PowerTec kit included 5/16” slots and wimpy knobs – a little disappointed). I then fitted the “acceptable quality” adjustable fence on my old router table while using the Rockler feather boards rather than cheaper PowerTec version. Yes, you get what you pay for. I do love the adjustable flipdown aluminum stop and the chip collection works better than my old setup. The true test will be trying to delicately tweak the setting as I really do like the idea of being able to dial in the fence with some kind of micro adjustment … still thinking about this —> see photo.
Music Monday: “Lido Shuffle” – Boz Scaggs (Silk Degrees 1976)
Posted By RichC on August 21, 2023
William Royce “Boz” Scaggs “recalled:
“Lido Shuffle” was a song that I’d been banging around. I … took the idea of the shuffle [from] a song that Fats Domino did called “The Fat Man” that had a kind of driving shuffle beat that I used to play on the piano, and I just started kind of singing along with it … (Wikipedia)
This is a great summertime song for Music Monday. “Lido Shuffle” is from the same 1976 Silk Degrees album previously mentiioned … and even more successful on the charts than the song “Georgia” mentioned last year.Take a listen below from his YouTube channel.
Woodworking thoughts: Saving a couple router table ideas
Posted By RichC on August 20, 2023
One of the frustrations in setting up tools of any kind is to get the settings precisely adjusted quickly and accurately on the first or at least close to the first try. 
For years I’ve struggled with my old questionable router table (35 years old) and dislike a few of the set up items. I continue to work on it as it is solid, but leaves me wanting when it comes to making micro-adjustments. Last month I added a Jerry Rigged lift and it works surprisingly well … 
then an inexpensive cyclone chip-collector … but now it is the fence that needs some improving.
I’ve looked at the impressive fences from Woodpecker, Rockler, JessEm, PowerTec and others but already have a fence that fits the slots on my odd-ball sized router table. Perhaps I can just modify what I have and make it easier to adjust?
With that in mind, I am going to save a couple of ideas (Photo 1 and Photo 2) and besides adding a fence T-track that would make using my existing fence, these small items would make setup a bit more accurate and easier.
EDIT add: Well so much for my patience in waiting. Rockler sent me a $10 off coupon and had one of the items at 1/2 price so I just ended up order them!
Also “looked” … but did not buy … a micro-adjustment add-on in order to adjust my current router table fence, but since I might opt for a better fence in the future, I decided it was not worth spending on my old one (although perhaps I could Jerry Rig something???).
Ordered a new pair of Sperry Harbormaster 2.0 Sneakers
Posted By RichC on August 19, 2023
Those who have spent any time with me, or reading my blog, know that I’m a big fan of Sperry Boat Shoes. I’ve been a steady buyer of their Topsiders, 
sandals, water shoes and flip-flops over the years (first post about them in 2006?).I often comment on their wear, insoles and occasional issues (all minor) and probably wear them way too long.
Earlier this year I used a discount coupon to replace a pair that I was disappointed with (see post) … but disappointed only because it was a cheaper version of my previous shoes. Over time, this cheaper Topsider “still” became my go-to slip-on boat moc, but now the newer Sea Kite Sport Moc Boat Shoe above is my favorite. I know that it will not last as long as my “less comfortable” dressier shoe, but then I wear it nearly everyday.
Fast forward to this week: Brenda and I talked shoes and are contemplating new athletic shoes this fall and I mentioned to her, “I’d rather try one of Sperry’s higher end sneakers like the Harbormaster 2.0?” She gave me the go-ahead to use my 25% coupon and an 11% back link from Capital One Savor credit card so I did … and am looking forward to updating this post when they arrive.
FYI: I only recommend the Capital One CC card linked above IF grandfathered with “no annual fee.” Also, I do not receive any referral credits from Sperry .. but should! 😉
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.