Ron Benson

Better give that croc a Covid test...

My thoughts are with you too.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/bench-router-table-woodriver?via=573621bd69702d0676000002%2C573621df69702d0676000ec7%2C5764004269702d6582000e8d%2C5b17dc4b776f6f4cfa001ea0

When I started setting up my wood shop last year I pulled my Dad's old drill press out of the unheated shed where it had been since '92. It was much smaller than I remembered and covered in a thick layer of rust. Since my goal was to do wood working, (and an occasional knife), I decided to buy a new one, so off to Lowes I went. I brought one home and assembled it. Turned it on and it worked, but the speed was a bit low. However, the bit ran true so I was satisfied. Fast forward to a few days ago and I read something about drill speed being more important than I thought, (speed was set low enough for metal, and that's too low for wood). So I decided to change the speed. However, the tension adjustment lever would not move. I opened the top and the first thing I noticed was the belt from the spindle to the middle pulley went to the wrong step on the middle pulley. Also, the motor was tight against the housing, but the belts were still too tight. I spent a little time over several days before deciding to get serious today. The result of my research was that the two belts were different sizes and they were reversed on the pulleys at the factory. After forcing one of the belts off it's pulley I was able to switch the belts and can now adjust the speed when I want to. When I told my wife what happened, all I got was a blank stare, so I decided to post my rant here... Thanx - I feel better now.

Please be quick about it. I used to turn bowls and other things. Logs check and crack from the ends - especially if untreated on the ends, (paint or stuff made to prevent damage). In firewood lengths it was difficult to get blocks big enough to turn bowls, but you should have an easier time with handle size blocks. I would go for it, but cut into blocks and dip the ends in melted wax or cover with a thick paint asap.

These are super!

The last leather work I did was a holster in the mid '70s, but the link should give you an idea or two: https://www.google.com/search?q=horizontal+knife+sheath&sxsrf=ALeKk01Xxw8Hz-Bb-yduxtuiXG8aT-EoPQ:1590514425690&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1sun6h9LpAhVGh-AKHd_zABYQ_AUoAnoECA4QBA&biw=1920&bih=1057

Just about any wood large enough to make a handle will work. Try to avoid the pith, (center), of the wood. 5" or 6" branches should be good. If you can't find any, try contacting a tree service or two. Offer to make a knife for them and they will probably give you the wood. You can dry blanks in your microwave, but I'd cut them oversize so you can remove any checking. Here's a link to youtube videos on using a microwave to dry wood: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=drying+wood+with+microwave

I wish I could "like" it more than once...

Wow!

I didn't realize "States" was Sicilian...

Thanx Joshua - the white line is maple, and, of course, the other two are cherry and walnut.

This was supposed to be a knife, but my wife interrupted me with a request for a napkin holder. She doesn't ask for much, so I went ahead and did it...

Wow!

It looks like they are having a ball...