Recent content by Dai

Thanks for the suggestion, certainly lots of eye candy on there. Though by the looks of what is shared I wouldn't be saving any money nor would I be shopping locally, I stick to the top half of Wales if I can help it ;). I will keep an eye on the secondhand possibilities and as covid complicated...

Progress has been slow, more stop than start really but the axe head is cleaned up and on a handle. Just need to find the time to put a decent edge on it. I made a bit of a mess with the handle so may put another on sooner rather than later, on the plus side the head seems to be in as good...

Thank you Broch, I cannot see any cracks - I had a good look before buying - and that was my reason for cleaning it up first in case some damage is hidden by the rust. Or are cracks from misuse normally more obvious? Anyhow if it gets too shiny I will oil it then let nature return it to a darker...

The long and short of it is I've wanted a quality axe for years, spent the last month thinking more seriously about what size/model and what brand, made a decision (GB Scandinavian). Then during the day I was going to go pick one out after work I decided to try to find a good vintage axe, or...

If it keeps me out of the gym it will be well worth it! Plus I've figured out how to attach the auxiliary handle, so next time will take half the effort :p. With regards to the auxiliary handle have you done anything to prevent the loss of the locating pin? Seems destined to disappear when the...

My saw arrived on Friday after a bit of a mix up where the Great American Tooth version arrived first time round. All sorted now, the GAT looked good too but I have no need for two 3ft saws. Tried out for the 1st time today cutting through 30cm diameter (green) birch which it made easy work of...

A replacement handle can be purchased for £16 should you find a good second hand saw without. Naming the saw sounds like a trap; if I name it after the OH then she may not be too impressed, if I don't answering “where have you been the last 3 hours?” with “in the garage fettling _____” will get...

Thanks; this is the design I found https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm02232324/index.htm does it seem reasonable? For the jointer I will cut a slot to friction fit a file in a block of wood until a bought one can be sourced (or not if the makeshift one works). I'm hoping to get away with...

Thanks, couldn't have wished for a better 1st response. Will order the file too, may have to make a jointer for now as they don't seem to be in ready supply. As for the saw set, that may need making too (I found plans, just need to find a friendly metal worker…)

Looking for an alternative to a chainsaw when a bow saw won't cut it anymore. I haven't got time to restore an old saw nor hunt through the dross to find one worth spending time on. I have found this...

Is it worth getting a cheap knife to risk sacrificing in the process of learning? Until recently I would have classed my knife sharpening as hit and miss, but after reading through some of the sticky threads in here and watching a few (read loads of...) youtube videos my consistency has improved...

Thanks for the input, and sorry for not returning sooner - it's report writing time :banghead2:. I used it as is with my class today, the children got on quite well with it, and it seems a little easier to use for light work than the mora safe (maybe the thinner blade?). So I think for now I...

image Having seen that others have personalised their Opinel knives in various ways including re-profiling the blades, I got thinking about the knife above. I've had it 20 years+ and used it very little in the last 10 or so (I have a no.8 carbone and a cheap mora that I prefer). My options as I...

Thanks again for the input. I am now closing in on a decision (do nothing in haste...) to get a Ray Iles small draw knife www.workshopheaven.com/ray-iles-small-drawknife.html I am thinking the smaller size will suit as I don't plan to use it on anything too big, it will be slightly easier to...

Thanks both. Robson Valley do you know which Stubai it is? They seem to be £20 and up here with the 'more refined' looking ones starting at about £35-40.