Recent content by tophat

I can recommend http://www.regencytimberbuildings.co.uk/ They built and erected a 10x14 workshop for me 18 months ago. Its very sturdy, well finished and was reasonably priced.

Thanks for the replys folks. I only make saw dust as a hobby at the moment so will probably stick to HSS

I'd like a second set of P/T blades and was wondering whether to fork out for some Tungsten Carbide ones. They are 3 times more expensive, but at £66 they wont break the bank. I suppose what it comes down to is: How much longer they hold their edge; Whether I can re-hone them with lapping plate...

I find it easier to drill a skewed pilot hole from the end of the stud through to the side, because the angle of attack is less. So your drilling and then screwing from opposite sides. You obviously have to do it before you position the stud!

I've found the stuff from wickes to be very good and reasonably priced... http://www.wickes.co.uk/varnish-wood-st ... solvevarn/

Hi Kirk The machine was 90% assembled, all that was required was the fitting of the fence and guard. My measurements were made pretty much straight out of the crate on the tables and the unassembled fence. Hopefully this new machine will be better and i will bear in mind what you have said...

Its the axminster AW106PT2 and I've got a new one coming Thursday, they gave it the once over and reckon this ones ok. Will check it myself though before it's unloaded. I emailed axminster about the tolerances the machines were built to. They didn't know, but forwarded my email to the factory...

Thanks for the replies, I didn't mention it yesterday (because i wasn't sure whether it could be adjusted) but the tables weren't co-planar either! The in feed dipped toward the cutter in relation to out feed by 1mm+. Anyway the upshot is: its going back.

I've just bought a Planer/Thicknesser and in the process of setting it up I placed a engineers straight edge against the cast iron surfaces. The Infeed table was spot on, couldnt get a one thou gauge under it anywhere. But the Outfeed and the Fence weren't. The outfeed table was humped slightly...

Thanks Dan, thats just the sort of place i had in mind. Dozens of different timbers in all shapes and sizes, definately worth a look! All the sugestions have been really helpful, but what puzzles me is that none of them showed up in numerous google searches i did using terms like 'Timber...

Thankyou John i'll check them out

Thanks for the warm welcome folks and the info, Brooks Timber looks really promising and they have a great site. Im in Bolton btw, just out of manchester. Anything more exotic than oak and you struggle round here!

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I'm just starting out and I'd be interested to know where other folk in the NW go for their wood, the 'find my local...' didn't throw up much and the net seems to be dominated by bigger companys selling high volumes to trade. Any advice would be most...