Recent content by Howie

Hi Silas It has a graduated controller. On the lowest setting it is just a fan. The heat comes in as you advance the controller clockwise. On full heat I can hold my hand about 5 to 10 cm away from the grill and feel a slight burn on my flesh. Anything beyond is just a bit of slightly warm air...

I purchased a new SIP fireball 3kw electric fan heater from Toolstation yesterday. http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=35961 It does not seem to push out as much heat as I expected when on full. At 3 kw & at over 10,000 BTU this not a small fan heater and am pretty sure a cheap household 2...

Hi Phil I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to workshop tidy up and organization. So look forward to more posts. Can't say I have ever mopped my concrete floor though! My concrete floor is a real PITA, bumpy and not particularly level, however I did find a couple of coats of watered down PVA...

Hi I have just spent a reasonably productive weekend in the shop and thought that I would post up a few things that I find useful in my workshop. First up is my Crosscut Buddy jig. I have found that since getting my Festool TS55 track saw and guide rails last year my table saw is being used...

Hi Murdoch I really like the site workbench on wheels, seems a better way to do it instead of too many toolboxes and workmate. I'm going to think about whether I would find one usable and practical to take to site. I also like the quick release handles for pushing it around. Or did you run out...

Hi Thanks for the comments chaps. Yes it all does look a bit sanitary doesn't it? SWMBO almost fell over when she popped in to see what I had been doing all week. :D Halo, you would think the zero clearance would prevent the slivers, but I had one get in the slot just today. Steve...

Hi Halo To be honest with all the alterations I have made to improve the dust extraction it still isn't something I would rave about, however I will do a description of what I have done. The zero clearance plate is a piece of veneered MDF which I thicknessed down to somewhere between 4.5 to 5...

Hi Richard The brackets are very sturdy. I am pretty sure you won't have any vertical movement when they are locked into the upright position. You might find a small amount of lateral movement on them, but I don't think that will be an issue. Regarding the tipping issue, you could always put a...

Hi Richard These brackets from Screwfix (also available from other good ironmongery suppliers) are possibly suitable for your needs. They lift up and lock and are rated at 200kgs per bracket. I have used them in the past to solve similar space problems in my small workshop...

I too find it difficult to stop getting the dust layer, the Jet air filter has definately helped. I plan on adding some 4 inch pipe around the shop and a cyclone or thien seperator into the mix in the future. I used to use the conservatory as an assembly/finishing room for big projects when I...

Hi I have just had the luxury of a week off and have spent most of that time reorganizing my two car garage workshop. Sad, but true. I had a one car garage previously and was always tweaking it to get the best use of the available space. When I moved my equipment into the new two car garage I...

I have a record DX4000 and it is noisy, especially as I run both motors simultaneously. I put mine in a ventilated box with a timer bathroom fan to help keep it a 'bit' cooler. Whenever I turn on the DX4000 the bathroom fan will run for 15 minutes afterwards. It has been in a box for about 4...

Hi Vala I live about 5 miles north of Milton Keynes and have been meaning to pay these guys a visit since moving here a few months ago. Can't vouch personally for them but they certainly seem to have lot's of nice hardwoods to choose from. Nether Heyford is just off junction 16 on the M1...

I assume you mean the Rutlands offer? Looks like a bargain. Beware of the woodworkers apron though, I bought the same one years ago and the family thought I was wearing Lederhosen. The dog didn't like it either, kept barking at me when I came into the house from the workshop. I ended up cutting...

Hi Pete I got the Jet AFS500 for my birthday a few months ago and am very happy with it. I picked it over the Microclene due to its lower noise level. I can have it on top speed and still listen to the cricket on the radio. (I'm an expat Aussie so perhaps I should have picked the noisier...