Shopsmith Forums

"One of my best software engineers recently turned 40. He's way better with computers than I'll ever be. And he just recently said to me "When I use Microsoft software, I always feel like I have to trick it into doing what I want." That is the best description I've heard of Microsoft...

I see a lot of people here struggling to do a simple task on their computers. You can't expect someone else who doesn't use the same operating system to do it for you via the internet. A little bit of learning about your system will allow you to easily do these simple tasks. Remember, you chose your...

Open Windows Paint, go to the help menu, type in "resize", and follow the simple instructions.

I don't know what operating system you have on your computer, but years ago I used Windows XP, and it resizes pictures with Paint. The newer versions of Windows likely have something that can do the job too, and if you have a Mac, it likely also can do it. You shouldn't have to add any additional so...

Putting screws in hardwood is really easy. First drill a pilot hole just a bit smaller than the threads of the screw. Then put beeswax on the threads and turn them in. It doesn't matter what size screws you use if you drill the correct size hole first. I've installed hundreds of screws this way with...

I bought a house in 1976 with a Federal Pacific breaker box. In 1981, I put on a large house addition and put in a new Cutler Hammer box as the main box and retained the Federal Pacific box as a sub panel on the new CH box. I never had any problems with the FP box or its breakers. They did trip if I...

That's beautiful work. I always wanted a molder, but I never bought one because I probably wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost. Now you have me thinking again about buying one.

Ask yourself if you really want plans. I've built hundreds of projects, and only one was built from a plan. Making things fit following those plans was the most difficult project I've ever built. Building from ideas in my head is far easier than building from plans on paper or on a computer. If I bu...

That reminds me of an Old Timer I knew here 30 years ago. He was born right after the turn of the century in Minnesota and grew up there. His Dad built barns and houses for a living, so as the Sons grew old enough, they helped Dad. One year, probably in the 1920s or so, Dad got a job tearing down an...

I make canes. To attach metal handles or brass tips, I always use epoxy. None of them have come apart yet and they get a lot of stress in use.