carrera4s

That was my plan, but the customer wanted this option.

My first attempt to use tapered sliding dovetails: I used them to attach the shelves to the sides of my son's friend's "book shelve desk". The raw pine photos shows a test piece fit into one of the actual sides. The middle photo shows how far it slides in by hand. The last 25 mm needs a few light taps from a mallet. Pretty chuffed at how easy it actually is. Just a pity no-one actually sees my "master skills" in the final product.

Boardmaster. Wide variety and good prices. Unfortunately in the South. Hopefully this is the one you are looking for: http://www.boardmaster.co.za/fog-grey-counter-top.html

One can use a similar method on a Router table. Check out a few video's on Youtube.

Sorry, I probably was not clear enough. If you have a SDS drill, (I have a corded Makita), get the Hilti drill bits. I recently bought a combo pack (12 bits) from them for around R 550 - delivery included). They come with: Unique warranty feature: The drill bit will be replaced in the event of breakage - so long as the wear mark on the helix is visible https://www.hilti.co.za/3555330

Is it an SDS drill? Have you tried Hilti's?

Thanks for the tip, will go for Maple then (Poplar seems too soft - but Poplar seems the most stable). However, our seasons are a bit more moderate than yours in terms of moisture differences.

I was thinking this morning that I should rather use beech for the drawers - will look more upmarket than the ply. And it will contrast very nicely with the Rosewood.

http://www.mrwoodturner.co.za/ - They do all sorts of wood turning stuff. I buy all my pen stuff from them. You can also try these, but I never used them for pen stuff (have used them for other stuff,though): https://www.strandhardware.co.za/ http://www.hardwarecentre.co.za/ https://www.toolcraft.co.za/collections/pen-kits

See some on this old post: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/167071-handmade-pens-for-sa-track-champs/ What I like about the pens are that they are quick. Can finish one or two in an evening. And the lathe is quiet enough not to disturb the kids & neighbors.

I plan to also use the ply for the drawers - nice way to show off some dovetails. After the patio cabinets, I also have to build a TV cabinet... And then a Murphy bed & full wall cabinet / cupboard for the study / multi purpose spare bedroom. And finish a bathroom cabinet. And two more kitchens for friends. And some more pens for an orphanage... And obviously some cycling as well as soon as the torn meniscus is properly healed...

Next project is for some cabinets under and next to the built-in braai. I plan to use birch ply for the carcasses and the African Rosewood for the doors / drawer fronts & side panels. Which thickness do you suggest for the plywood? 15 mm / 18 mm? Suppliers of plywood in Pretoria / JHB? (I only used chipboard for previous cabinets but definitely need something better for this!)

I made some upgrades to my pool table over the weekend: 1. I added a drawer to store all the cues, balls & table tennis stuff; and 2. Replaced the "string" pockets with leather pockets. The drawer extends out fully, and once closed, it can swing up and away with two gas lifts.

Local one: https://www.makercnc.co.za/ https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-power-tools/eastern-pretoria/cnc-router/1002029911680910229898009 Have not even seen it though.

Templates works so well!!! Especially for high volume or precise routing. A 6 mm template should be thick enough- why do you need 9 mm? I only use 9 mm when I use a template bushing (only done it once so far). My routing "coach" glues together 2 pieces of masonite to get 6mm thick which he then uses for his frequently used templates. He said they have a longer wearing life than mdf. If you can't have screw holes in your product, you call also use double sided sellotape to attach the template to the plywood. Depending on the size of the work piece, the table router should be safer and give better results, but if it gets too big, the handheld router will be safer. If possible, you can still use the fence, or another type of guard as well - but that only works for outside routing.

Firstly get this book: Woodturning, A Foundation Course by Keith Rowley. It is very good at teaching the basics. The book has a DVD as well to demonstrate the basics. Then have a look at mrwoodturner.co.za for the Hamlet chisels, or at toolcraft.co.za and look at the Narex chisels. Robert Sorby chisels are also very good, but a bit more expensive. You can find them at strandhardware.co.za and hardwarecentre.co.za in Randburg. A set works out cheaper per chisel than loose chisels & gouges etc. But it will set you back R 3500 to R 4000. Unfortunately the very cheap Chinese sets are shaped all wrong with incorrect bevel angles etc. It is very difficult to learn with incorrect tools, so stay away. Hardware Centre sells a 'cheap' Chinese set, but at least those are shaped correctly. I think they are around R 2800 for a set, but maybe 8 chisels rather than 5 or 6 in the other sets. Or, if you have friends visiting from the UK, you can get a set of Robert Sorby for around R 2200.

Measurements should be 2100 (H) x 800 (D) and 1000 (W) with a top shelf and underneath a clothes hanger. Why do you need such a deep wardrobe? I think the standard is c 550 to 600 deep?

Jip. And still the only one like it! I will not make one like this again. I'm glad it is getting good use!

I always struggle to get the drill's cable neatly into the case, sorted it out this weekend.

PENS!!! Or Chess Pieces. PM Sent.

Nice! I also had a look at that one yesterday and that would have been my choice as well. (Even though the original Gatling gun was Hand-cranked). This one looks more like the original Gatling gun. http://www.rubberbandguns.com/gatling-gun/junior-devastator-gatling-gun Maybe consider combining the designs to put your gun on a tripod to look more like the original design? Obviously depending on what you have in mind for it... PS: I have a lot of extra Rosewood left over from the pool table - you're welcome to come fetch some if you want. They sell for around R 16 000 / m3 currently, you can have it for R 5000 to R 8000 / m3 (there are some good, and some not so good planks...). I am in Irene - send me a PM.

Are you planning a hand-crank firing mechanism version, or a motorised or fully auto one?

The Tree is watching you...

I have a few Festools and love them all, but not sure that they are that much better than Bosch Blue / Makita. Probably will not buy Festool again. I recently bought a Bosch 150 BCE jigsaw - wow what an upgrade to my previous, 30 year old Black and Decker! . I read a few reviews before deciding on it and most of the reviews rated it much better than the Festool. For a router, just make sure that you can have both a 1/4 and 1/2 inch collet for safety. (I have a Makita table mounted router that only have a 1/2 inch collet and I am always a bit nervous when using the sleeve reducer.) For basic DIY, the Bosch Green 1400W will suffice. Have a look at this website: www.routingwithdenis.co.za/. Some very good router training - he recommends the Triton for table mounted work and the Bosch for hand-held work. Also check out www.toolcraft.co.za (Although Cape Town based).

That is the plan. The photo shows it in the hall-way. I am just leaving it there for the paint to harden properly before putting it in her room.