Recent content by bexupnorth

I'll second John Heisz Also Christopher Schwantz, Roy Underhill and Peter Sellers. Ade

Didn't get any pics (yet) but I did have a look for marks, the coarser one has none whatsoever so I'll get those pics. the other very clearly states "Oilstone" down the side so I guess a little RTFM would have saved us all some time, sorry. Will clean them both then use the thinner oil or...

Cheers guys, will look for any distinguishing marks and post pics. eBay listings were ages ago and don't appear to be active anymore. Ade.

Hi All, Can anyone help me work out if the stones I've recently bought off eBay are oil or water stones? They were bargains and streets better than the previous cheapie double sided thing I got from B&Q (though that seems to work OK for quickly getting a damaged edge back). I've used them with...

Indeed BugBear, I'll second that. I've learned to slacken the blade after use on all my tension based saws otherwise they stretch and end up floppy no matter how much I tighten them. Seems like there's something new to learn every time you use a tool provided you're willing to stay curious. I...

Made use of the three overhead cupboards left over from our eBay kitchen: Added the top, valance, some paint and handles. I'm pleased with the result, but more to the point so is our lass :) Ade

I bought a bow saw a while ago and have really struggled to cut a straight line with it, which is really frustrating when you're halfway through a chuffing great log that you want to chop up for firewood and find yourself sawing at 90 degrees to where you started off from. Doing my seasonal keep...

I bought a little 10.8 volt deWalt Impact drive and have to say I'm delighted. It's seen almost daily use for nearly 18 months (I'm an enthusiastic amateur). I was worried that 10.8 V wouldn't pack a big enough punch, but its driven 4" screws into pine no problem and I've yet to find something...

Plus one for the vac from Wickes. Works a treat

Not sure where you got Bristol from buddy, I'm in North Yorkshire. If that's close enough for you you're welcome to come and grab some :) Many thanks for all the tips, I'm going to be busy tonight by the sound of it. Sadly I have no access to turning equipment (or experience, or skill!) but...

Hi All, I spent a large part of the weekend pruning branches off some holly trees we have in the garden, which has left me with about 4 branches 4" and up in diameter and over 4 foot in length. I'd like to do something special with them, but don't know if they are big enough or worth the...

Could have been worse, you could have mentioned the boy band...

Thanks folks, Works a treat now. As suspected it was my technique, slices through knots and you can barely tell when planing aginst the grain now it's so sharp. :D

Thanks Bugbear, Some very interesting reading there (not just on sharpening) and some words of wisdom to go with them. Regards, Ade.

Well after trying not to I seem to have sparked the mother of all debates, sorry. To set the record straight, I do get reasonable and reproducible results when using a jig. However, I want to learn to do it freehand simple as that. With freehand I find myself stopping regularly to sharpen and...