Russ Morash is no fool. More importantly -since that video is hosted on a public space (YouTube) that will not have the requisite safety warning in print, all its going to take is one DIYer to put out an eye or cut off a finger and youll have a personal injury attorney knocking at your door. Honestly, I just posted it there because it was to large a file to send via all my available methods. Ah Jim, to true. I still have to make some time to come to RI & take a hand carved volute class. Needless to say, ever since that day I like a my shirts with short sleeves & tucked in. Gary, Matt, I like your approach. - User Information Legal Enquiry Guide, 1999-2022 Alibaba.com. Action, Check your saw before attaching. Dont believe me, take a circular saw and lay it down on a rag, drop sheet etc. The gloves & the no safety glasses issues made me very uncomfortable too. When you've spent more than half your lifetime working in construction, you're bound to see a few of these: Good comment. To build the jig, the first step is to cut a piece of 26 to about 13 long: This length can be changed for longer shims, if needed. Another good thing is that theyre 18 long. Humidity changes and it swells and contracts. Time will tell. Did with the grain,since I have Fien tool for trimming shims and such. Great video too! Copyright 2022 IBUILDIT.CA. Im shootin for the same number & so far so good. Not a pretty site. But I was once told that spruce shims (or shims cut from framing material) will cause shifting due to the expansion of the shims more than cedar shims. Thanx again. Please dont try anything you see in THISisCarpentry, or anywhere else for that matter, unless youre completely certain that you can do it safely. We all need to strive to work efficiently, but also as safely as possible. As for technique, I take my shim stock (which is usually a 9-in. Im trying to wrap my mind around how that could happen if your jig was over a portion of the throat plate. We all know that woodworking can be dangerous. The shims I like are edge grain, 9 in. Anything that suits your needs is the way to go, especially if you dont have to travel to tablesaw to cut them. IMO it relies too much on expert-level two-handed control of the piece. The OP requests info on hardwood shims, so that's what he wants, at the moment. Please note: Your first comment will be held for moderation/review by our staff before it appears. off-cut of 2 x 6 framing lumber) and nest it against the front of my jig and into either of the notches. shims that taper to 1/2 in., the process is still the same regardless of dimension. This acts as a hold down, and will keep your shims from becoming missiles (see drawing below for more detail). They usually disappear quickly. B2-20120091-4. I whole-heartedly agree Rob. Thanx for taking the time to post. Theres a reason Norm starts every show with the no more important safety tip than thesesafety glasses schpeil. Haha, thanx David. Ditto for the missing bladeguard. Ive updated that video and included the stuff you suggested! If you like a shim that is 8 in. Please, please do not use a table saw to cut shims!! Not trying to be a smart alek here, or disputing your years of success & professionalism, just saying that even with my 30+ years working a table saw I would not be sanguine with this technique just my 2. Matt also finds time to volunteer in his community. Also, you can raise the riving knife to where it extends over the top of the blade as an added bit of safety. The holddown also seems skimpy and misplaced. I use a similar jig to cut wedges for housed stringer stairs, except mine screws down to the plywood sled I made for my Delta 10contractors saw. Im usually there about 3 times a week picking up supplies anyway, so I always grab a few on the way out. Once you select a file, it will be uploaded and attached to the end of your comment. Since the lumber has those silly rounded corners, they should be cut off next, leaving the stock 5 wide: I want shims that are 10 long, so I mark that along one edge. Its a good discussion to be having, and always like when TIC authors respond to the comments posted. If a lathe is bolted through the feet to the floor it can have metal or other shims under the feet (e.g. Can this be doneof course it can. Hi Don. Budding woodworkers? Just make sure your handle is at a comfortable working height, that it is far enough from the blade for your safety, and that the angle of your grip allows you to press down and forward in the same motion (you can see why I just copied my push shoe). Really like the last line of your comment Patrick. Too many variables too much 2 hand dancing over & around the saw blade. Also would make end-grain shims easier/safer. This allows you to cut shims that are either tapered to 3/8 in. For the handle, I grabbed my shop-made push shoe and traced it on another piece of 3/4 ply. Sorry to throw cold water on this one This goes for bandsaws, drill presses, and every other tool you can think of. Matt is committed to constantly learning about our ever-changing profession and how to share his knowledge with others. Some older machines have plain bolt holes that you can tap for jack screws. You are using an out of date browser. | That channel is Vat19 and, among other things, they make a series of videos called "Let's, Unlike many of my recent projects, I really didn't have this planned. line to my first mark 1/2 in. I attached the piece parallel to one side, roughly 6 in. Oh, & Im also with you on Todd Murdock. No compression then. It gives me goosebumps just looking at the last two pictures. Now youve got shims of quality material that can shim most anything. In the time he was here we spent a few hours in my shop and recorded much of what, Making The Apple Mac Pro Grill From Cherry, First, I need to explain why I'm doing this. I cut my shims, then I remember looking over at the chop saw and one of the students was trying to buck through 5 26s staked on top of each other and told my buddy that guy is going to chop a finger off.. this guy proceeded to the table saw, and cut a couple of shims and said this is too slow and pulled the stock back with the jig, and the blade bit the 26 and pulled his hand right across the blade, he was lucky enough that he only grazed his hand and all of his digits were intact but what a mess. Although my biggest issue with hand cut shims is that I usually cut them from KD fir & they certainly dont cut nearly as easy as cedar or pine shims. I especially like the 3/4 Wink wink.. One can never have too many jigs. At $1.50 for a 14 pack thats just a little over .10 per shim. I appreciate all the comments here on safety. He has been fortunate to have met and worked with many craftsmen in the field who have been generous enough to share their insight with up-and-coming carpenters. And as far as turning the piece 90 to make end-grain shims I think that would be even more likely to shatter if there was a void behind the piece. It fits in the notch cut in the jig and running it through the saw cuts the shim: I will get several shims from this one piece of wood. Just make the shims fairly flat so you have a good bearing surface under the machine.. As others have said, a threaded support provides the easiest to adjust and most secure leveling. Luckily he only lost one finger but I can guarantee he has never worn gloves around machinery ever again. - I have a fein but I just use a pullsaw. Joe, Is anybody out there using a sled to cut shims? Now the edge of the jig is exactly square with the guide. I would NEVER do this! All you need is for the base to ride in the miter slot, and for enough of the base to hang past your table saw blade. When you get to the finishing stages of a home renovation project, youll need shims for various tasks. YIKES! Finally, a word on safety. Hardwood Wedges | Mobile Home Parts Store. line, I make another line that is 3/8 in., parallel to the side of the jig and pointed towards the front, then another line that is 3/8 in. Theres still a hole in the wall of my old shop where a small piece I was ripping got away from me and was hurled completely through the wall. The Fein (or any of the current knock offs) is a good idea. It wont interfere with the function of the jig; youll just have to take off the anti-kickback mechanism. I thought about making my own but one thing is for sure- Never try to cut wood if you have been machining because you will try to hold impossible tolerances and will only frustrate yourself. After you cut out your handle, round over the edges. Thanks for the inspiration. Yes I made them. I will say that the wider the blank, the more awkward the feel. We made shims on a table saw with a jig that is existentially identical to the one in the article. Thanx again. So, cutting shims, at least for me, is a waste of time and money. It's a leveling By definition, these toys do not serve much of a real purpose. Yikes, yikes & more yikes. Do I do itno, doesnt feel comfortable, pure & simple. Thanx for posting your story & especially your last line. and square to edge like the first. from my first. Thats the best option Ive found. (Speaking from experience!) Ive cut my own shims for years as a stair builder and cabinet installer, but here lately I just grab several packs of edge grain pine shims at Lowes. dimension to 5 1/2 in. Hes also participated in community building projects such as parks and a community boardwalk. x 3/4-in. They often come in handy when doing shop projects as well, and the ability to quickly make ones to the size needed from scrap wood can be a real time (and money) saver. (Click to enlarge) The small hold-down at the rear of the sled is a critical safety feature and prevents the shim from slipping into the saw blade after it's cut. Gary, Im glad to see Todd Murdocks name on the masthead. Ive tried spliting left over shingles as I usually work in new construction, but they are always so rough & random. This may seem like an exercise in the mundane, but the cost of high-quality shims became prohibitive, and fumbling with poorly-cut cedar shims finally became too much trouble. Sometimes Ill stop by a site where theyre being removed from the exterior and discarded.and theyre usually free for the taking. | Affiliate, Product Listing Policy I know our chosen profession is inherently dangerous but we shouldnt make it any easier to hurt ourselves. Onetouch 1688.com Thanks for the article! Your comment concerning YouTube is definitely taken to heart. It has the added benefit of covering the blade to increase safety. The sled concept has merit. Which material for engine valve spring locators and spring base shims ? I then make another mark 9 in. We all need to be cognizant that what we do can be dangerous, but with proper respect for the tools we weild, using techniques that maximize safe practice & being attentive to the task at hand, we can be safe, productive & even possibly enjoy the work we are doing. That sums up nearly every concern about safety in our profession. It was more or less a spur of the moment idea that developed after I found a suitable motor to power it while, My shop is not very big, just 13 feet wide and 27 feet long (4 meters x 8 meters), and an ongoing problem that I've had to deal with is lumber storage. I figure my hands could look like that or the gloves. square to the edge of the jig. I quickly put together this jig the morning after seeing the article to cut some wedges for the project Im doing. To use it, I have another piece of lumber cut to 10 long. If you connect the end of the 3/8-in. I simply tweaked the design to be a little bit easier to operate and, in my opinion, a bit safer, too. I cut mine on the miter saw with 1x scrap usually, but I love the jig, Ill have to try that. these are invaluable. I really appreciate your feedback. This is worth noting because the next step sets up your desired length and amount of taper. You could use metal to make the shims. Now imagine if your hand was in that piece of fabric. All I can think of is as the jig and material is being pushed through with both hands, a slight skew or inward pressure on the material with the left hand, and the blade is pinched and pieces start launching.