Inlays present several challenges for digital woodworkers. CNCing them involves choices in speed, depth of cut, bit choices and offset strategies. Recently, I helped a friend on Mother of Pearl inlay project and I just uploaded the story and a YouTube video on the topic at my blog at Popular Woodworking Magazine. For the story and video, just click here
2020 Digital Woodworking Workshops
On March 14-15th, 2020 and June 20-21, 2020 I’ll hold exclusive two-day classes for 2-4 students at my shop. We’ll cover basics, beyond the basics and advanced techniques in Digital Woodworking. Whether you new to these tools and techniques, just want to learn more or more advanced, these workshops are custom designed for each student’s needs. Here are the Class Syllabus and Schedule. Contact Tim for more information.
Workshop Added: 2019 Digital Woodworking Workshop, August 23-24
Systainer Tool Tote
This Festool Systainer tool tote is designed with a focus on hand tools and includes space for a set of chisels, block plane, saw, mallet, screwdrivers, pliers, folding rule and much more. I’ve included an alternate layout that adds space for measuring calipers, but you can design your own layout, too.
Every woodworker has at least one toolbox. Many of us have several. But, when it comes time to take your tools to a woodworking class or a job site a regular toolbox isn’t as good as an open tool tote designed to display, organize and protect your tools. Several years ago, I designed a tool tote insert for a Festool/Tanos #4 Systainer. Your tools are protected during transportation and when you need them you pull out the tote for easy tool access.
This project is designed to be machined on any size CNC and for that, I’ve included Rhino3D files and DXF files. It is possible to make one without a CNC, but it’ll be challenging to accurate cut the pass-through slots. I’ve included a 1/10th scale PDF file if you want to give it a try. Speaking of which, the secret to the project is finding the perfect fit for the slots. I suggest using my Plywood Thickness Gauge or digital calipers to find the gap needed. Armed with the needed thickness, change the width of the slots on the CAD file.
The Systainer Tool Tote was designed to be made from 9mm Baltic Birch Plywood. If you develop your own tool layout, send me a picture and if you’re open to sharing your tool layout with others send me your new DXF file and I’ll post it. Before you know it, we’ll have library of knock-down Systainer Tool Totes.
To download the Systainer Tool Tote, head to the Free Download Page
Plywood Thickness Tester
There are a lot of great CNC projects that use plywood. From plywood furniture to shop projects, plywood is a great medium for CNC machining. The challenges are plywood thickness varies all over the map and getting a good fit, particularly on plywood joints is tricky. I’ve found that making a precision plywood thickness gauge solves both problems.
Popular Woodworking Magazine just published my article on making the plywood thickness tester. If you can’t wait, I’ve posted the files in my download area and published a video on YouTube. The files are free. Just visit the free download area for access.