I’ve been using my folding portable welding table for about a year now; it turns out the slab inside my garage isn’t very flat. I’m always shuffling the table around to find a spot where it doesn’t rock. I decided to buy some leveling feet.
I drilled and tapped the bottom of each leg. Note that the hole is offset to allow the threaded foot to screw straight into the angled leg.
Now I can put the table anywhere I choose and adjust the feet to eliminate rocking. 
A large part of the WWII victory was because the Allies were able to move food, ammunition, and supplies quickly to the troops. Most of those supplies were moved in wooden crates.
I decided to build a WWII style crate to use for storage. I used 1 x 6 pine, glue, and nails. Study the pictures and you can see how the crate goes together. I intend to build several more (much cooler than a Rubbermaid container).
I was never really impressed with the filters that came with my Harbor Freight compressor pump. I’ve heard that some of these pumps have been damaged by dirt getting past the filters. I removed my filters and confirmed that the filter elements do not fit properly. They are too short to form a seal between the rear housing and the cover.
Compressor intake filters have two purposes. The first is to prevent dirt and foreign objects from entering the compressor pump. The second is to reduce noise.
I purchased a pair of Solberg filter/silencers from TP Tools. The clear tubes that you can see in the picture are used to reduce noise.
These high quality filters are made in the USA. My compressor was already fairly quiet, but these also reduced noise by about 50%.
I made this jig to adjust the drill press table perpendicular to the quill.
A dial indicator is bolted to the jig and it is chucked into the drill press. Zero the indicator on one side of the table. Next, rotate the chuck by hand and check the other side. If the table is perfectly adjusted, the indicator will remain at zero. If an adjustment is needed, move the table half the difference, zero the indicator, and check again. The table can also be checked front to rear, but usually this can only be adjusted with shims.
The wind finally calmed down this weekend, so I was able to continue my bandsaw restoration. Off-white general purpose masking tape has a higher adhesive strength and would have worked well for this cast iron bandsaw table. Blue painter’s tape has less adhesive strength and is designed for use over surfaces that are easily damaged. Some examples include drywall or painted areas that might be lifted by the adhesive. I was out of general purpose masking tape, so I used blue painter’s tape instead.
The white tool in the picture is designed for manipulating rubber trim around glass. I got mine from a glass shop. It’s a great tool for pressing masking tape firmly into tight edges. I used the tool to press the tape into the end of the miter slot.
I also like to use an X-Acto knife for trimming the tape.
Don’t use old newspaper to mask your project. It usually contains a lot of dust and the ink tends to get on your hands. Masking paper is available at the hardware store and is reasonably priced.
I needed a jig to adjust my jointer knives. The weather hasn’t cooperated, so I haven’t finished my wood-cutting bandsaw restoration. I used my metal-cutting bandsaw to cut this part out of oak.
I drilled four 1/2″ holes in the bottom. Using epoxy, I installed four rare earth magnets. I sanded the bottom flat with 60 grit paper on a granite surface plate.
I attached a brass base with epoxy and finish sanded the jig.
I finished the jig with three coats of Minwax “wipe on” polyurethane.
Here is a closer view of the pinch point. I cut a recess for the head of the 1/4″ brass bolt with a chisel.
To use the jig, I installed a dial indicator. I replaced the contact point of the indicator with a button tip. Then I zeroed the indicator on the outfeed table.
I moved the indicator over the knife and rotated the cutter head back and forth to find the high point. This end of the knife is about .020″ below the outfeed table. I will check both ends of the knife and adjust it until it is .001″ above the height of the outfeed table. Then I will lock the blade down and re-check the adjustment. This process is repeated for the other two knives and the job is finished.
