How to Restore a Vintage Chisel

Unless you're a millionaire, I always recommend going with used hand tools when getting started in woodworking. (To be fair, however, no millionaires have yet to ask my advice.) They're plentiful, much less expensive, and depending on their age, usually a better, longer-lasting tool than you can buy at your local big box store. Vintage tools are more likely to be made in the USA or Europe, and are crafted from higher quality steels than modern tools from the home improvement center. 

Over the weekend, I found this nice, broad 1 1/2" chisel at a favorite antique mall, with a mere $7.50 on the price tag hanging from the handle. It was in mostly great condition. The top and back had been coarsely ground a few times, and the bevel wasn't square to the sides, but the steel was in beautiful shape and the handle looks like it's never been pounded on.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4705-how-to-restore-a-vintage-chisel

How to Make: Crazy Tasty Spiced Pumpkin Butter in Your Slow Cooker

You know those little pumpkins you practically trip over in the supermarket this time of year? It turns out: they're good for more than just Instagram props. With, like, no work, they make a really tasty pumpkin butter you’ll want to have in the fridge all year long. I’m talking about pumpkin butter with the magical spice flavor of pumpkin pie, but simple, less sweet and much more, well, pumpkin-y. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/3923-how-to-make-crazy-tasty-spiced-pumpkin-butter-in-your-slow-cooker

Hey, Do You Want to Work with ManMade? We're Hiring!

Hello to all our favorite people out there in ManMade land. We have a pretty exciting announcement to share:

ManMade is currently looking for new contributors. Kaboom.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4704-hey-do-you-want-to-work-with-manmade-we-re-hiring

If You Have Any of These 11 Items in Your Closet or Dresser, You Should Probably Get Rid of Them

Spring had traditionally been the time for deep cleaning and purging, but we say fall is better suited. It's the one time of year when all your layers are on display. You've pulled out your wool sweaters and heavy coats for the season, but your short sleeves are still viable options. Every single item you own is in the same place. Only then can you truly assess what you have, and to what you can say goodbye.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4703-if-you-have-any-of-these-11-items-in-your-closet-or-dresser-you-should-probably-get-rid-of-them

NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer Reviewed!

There are some tools you’ll keep in the workshop and rarely use. These are your specialist tools that aren’t going to be that practical on a daily basis, but which are rather specialist tools that you bring out for particular purposes.

The nailer is no such tool. This is something you’re going to be bringing out on a highly regular frequency if you’re a professional and for a range of tasks. Hobbyists may use these a little less often but will still find they have a surprising number of applications. So, it needs to be good! Is the NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer up to the task?

Product Description: Nailed It!

If you’re looking for a powerful and capable framing nailer, then this is it! A framing nailer of course will save your arm when it comes to firing lots of nails and is far easier to use for long stretches when compared with something like a framing hammer. It’s also very useful when you need to get into tight spaces and can be used in a surprisingly wide variety of scenarios when you’re tightening up furniture etc.

This specific device has a range of useful features. It has an adjustable depth for instance, which makes it easy to switch between different sized nails. There’s also a very useful jam removal hole, which will make it easy for you to quickly solve any jams and get right back to work! But it is well made enough that this isn’t much of an issue anyway, as it hardly ever jams! You’re also unlikely to experience misfires.

The nailer may be a little heavy for some but it is very well made and very durable. It is light and dark grey with a comfortable handle and a rather large head. It looks like a quality piece of equipment for the price.

Pros and Cons: Not the Best but Not Bad!

This is a great framing nailer for many reasons. The price is very welcome for instance, the power is good and the system is easy to use. You can adjust the pressure and it goes plenty high enough for the vast majority of applications.

But there are downsides too. There’s no bump fire switch and rather you need to swap the trigger out (the bump fire trigger is included). That’s not a big deal but could take a little more time for production nailing. The depth adjuster is a little stiff at times and there’s no specific jam removal tool. This again isn’t the end of the world but it is a bit of a disappointment considering that most of the biggest brand names do include a jam tool for this price. But this is less of a problem than you might think, seeing as it hardly ever jams. We have run a good few hundred nails through it in our testing and found that it hasn’t jammed once – so that’s very positive.

It’s also important to consider that there’s no belt hook or ladder hook and that the tool can be occasionally inconsistent depending on the hardness of the wood and how you hold it.

One more odd and annoying feature we found is that the magazine would stop when it gets down to three nails. Of course, that isn’t the end of the world, it essentially means that the nailer has a slightly (3 nails) smaller capacity in practice.

But while it’s not a deal breaker, it’s certainly an odd choice and would be better were that not the case. Who knows what is going on there!

Conclusion: A Great Purchase

In short, this is a great purchase for those looking to save money but who still want some good power and performance from their framing nailer. This won’t jam on you, won’t misfire and will be powerful enough to handle the vast majority of jobs. Nevertheless, it is also very affordable and not too heavy. There might seem like a lot of negative points in this review but these are small niggles rather than serious issues. On the whole, you’re getting something that is powerful, reliable and that never misses a beat. That is really what matters and for the price, we really were very impressed with this nailer!

How does it compare? Read this!

Source: http://www.toolerant.com/numax-sfr2190-21-degree-framing-nailer-reviewed/

source https://toolerantcom.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/numax-sfr2190-21-degree-framing-nailer-reviewed/

ManMade Essential Toolbox: Why Every Man Should Own a Speed Square

I always like a tool whose name indicates its purpose. Oh, what's a screwdriver do? A citrus squeezer? How about a box cutter? The function is all right there in the name. 

In many ways, a speed square falls right into the category. It tells helps you determine "square" - that is, when one edge or line is exactly 90° to another, and it helps you do it quickly. Done. Right? Wrong. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/3450-manmade-essential-toolbox-why-every-man-should-own-a-speed-square

How to: Build a DIY Knife Sharpening Jig

Sharpening a blade at home - whether a pocket knife, a chisel, a kitchen knife, a hand plane blade, a pair of scissors - is a relatively simple process. In theory. In practice, it can be a bit difficult, since the essence of sharpening a blade is less about the ability to remove material and create/straighten a new edge. Rather - the trick is removing that material at the right angle to create the bevel that makes up a blade's sharp edge. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/2755-how-to-build-a-diy-knife-sharpening-jig