Q A's Revenge

No problem Mike, I'm sure you know what you need. Just thought one of those linked might do the job.

This looks nice as well. All you need is a cheap router for it. Screwfix have one on offer for £30 at the moment.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-premier-benchtop-router-table-prod833056/?src=froogle&gclid=cn_v8llwu7ocfqrjtaod-yiaaw

What about this?

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworking-whats-hot-best-sellers-best-sellers-in-woodworking-powered-router-table-with-height-adjustment-dakota+dk2080

Bit bigger but probably more durable if you can find the space for it?

The Proxxon is only 100W, the Rutlands machine is 1500W.

I've read that some folks add ammonia to water to aid in plank bending. I already have a litre of household ammonia somewhere but was wondering how much you need to add to the water for best effect?

Thanks for that Sarge. If you want some more blocks these are pretty good and have Metric threads instead of those funny UNC things or whatever they used to use ... :-)

I have both the 10-20-40 and 20-40-80 blocks (in addition to some Moore & Wright 1,2,3's.

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Workholding/Vee-Blocks-Angle-Plates

Thanks for that John!

That's a great picture John that really shows off your technique well. I must remember it for future use!

I've looked at lots of different Launch/Pinnace builds on the net and apart from one example (painted white) the rest of them had the inside of the hull stained a brownish colour. Would most boats of this type have had a painted finish inside or just weathered (greyish coloured) wood?

So, what's the best way of getting a grey finish on pale woods like basswood?

I think I already know the answer to this question but it doesn't hurt to ask! Are there any shops in the UK that import Model Shipways kits apart from Cornall Model Boats? They only import two kits and don't seem interested in any others. :-(

All the other clamps in the book use conventional threads so are straightforward to make. The author even explains how to make them without a thread Tap.

I'm guessing what John is saying is that he temporarily fits the margin (your term, Edging) plank first without cutting the inner edge. He then runs the conventional planks forward having cut the ends to shape, joggling as he calls it. He then traces round the "joggled" end onto the margin plank for cutting. That's the way I read it anyway and it seems to make sense!

I've also discovered this book, which has clear instructions on making many types of clamps including the Jorgensen type. Lots of other useful stuff in the book as well.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Resourceful-Woodworker-Techniques-Tricks/dp/0713464852/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382864241&sr=8-1&keywords=The+resourceful+woodworker

I bought a very good used copy for 1p, plus postage of course!

A drill press is many folks first machine tool as it is so useful.

If you have a drill press you could also fit a sanding drum in lieu of a spindle sander. I've even seen a sanding drum in a drill press used for thickness sanding. Just a thought.

I don't think X-acto make them any more.

Forgot to mention, I bought a box of mixed 1" abrasive rolls a while back so made this. It's a copy of an old X-acto type.

I like the depth of colour you get with Enamel paint like Humbrol but there's no arguing with the easy clean up you get with Acrylics like Tamiya.

Hard to say which type I'm going to use next time!

I bought this Mic checking set very cheap a while back. Can't say it gets much use though! :-)

For most jobs Digital calipers are pretty good and easy to read but if you want accuracy a Micrometer is hard to beat. Bear in mind though Mic's only have a small measuring range.

I bought a pair of 4" calipers to use in tight spaces, particularly on my milling machine. For normal use though 6" ones are much easier to handle IMO.

These seem reasonably priced, anyone got a set? Interested to know how good they are!

http://www.xacto.com/products/cutting-solutions/knife-sets/knife-sets/Carving-Tool-Set.aspx

Thanks for that. Might give one of these a try then as it can be adjusted for temperature. Need to get my lathe running so I can make a large tip for it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121100126972?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D121100126972%26_rdc%3D1

It really is a shame we don't celebrate this as a nation here in England. Bit late as I'm retired now but it would would make a good excuse for an additional bank holiday! :-)

Are these units really that much different, apart from the large cylinder at the end, from an ordinary soldering iron? Any idea of the Wattage is at 240 volt?