lumber storage

Toolcrib had a post recently about lumber storage that I thought I would pass along. You can check it out at:

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2008/09/17/wood-storage-101-14-lumber-storage-plans-and-7-storage-tips/

The post has photos and rough plans of multiple storage solutions. I also thought that the rack / panel saw could be a potential space saver for my shop in the garage. Though, I would be wary of the wheels.It would have to have a very positive locking mechanism for me to think the cart safe and practical to use in that manner.

Updates

I wanted to post a couple of updates.

First, for the custom tool chests, I have updated the blog to show the company and link to their site. The company is Matco.

Also, I have enabled comments. I have always intended comments to be available, but evidently there was a second place I had to enable to get them to work correctly.

Lastly a few additional comments on drafting and autocad, picking up from my last post.

-When I taught AutoCAD there were two things I always told my students. There are numerous ways to do every command, and theatrical use of AutoCAD barely scratches the surface of the programs true capabilities. Following that was that AutoCAD builds on itself in every version. While a button or a pull down menu may be different from one version to the next, or one users set up to the next, text entry hasn't failed me yet. The downfall, is that sometimes you can take or leave the added features.

-More directly to the last post, I have a little better understanding of life before paperspace. I started on R14, but really got into the groove in 2000, and soon after, the 2002 version. Paperspace was introduced in R11. From then to R14 annotating in Paperspace was very different. You can take a look at a tutorial here.

Since I learned the more in the newer versions, I am used to the ease of those versions. And, I have if from other users that date back to R13, that annotating in paperspace is the way to go (He doesn't have much choice either way - its the drafting standard where I work). So if you haven't done it, you should try!

AutoCad Text

Beth Powell on Bethscadblog (9/19/08 post) wrote an entry on writing text in model space versus paper space. She acknowledges the controversy, but I was very surprised by her opinion. First, she says that most people use model space unless the info goes on all layouts. I do the opposite (depending on 2D or 3D) mostly, though if it was project specific text that would apply to all title block I would use other options.

Secondly, she allows that scaling text is easier than it used to be, as is controlling what you see in each viewport in paper space with the freeze function.

Finally, I think the telltale line is "While I have always dimensioned my model in model space". For those who put text in model space she says that "it turns out that users may have just been taught to dimension in paper space or to have simply not known any other way due to lack of more formal training."

My thoughts:
-Despite who easy rescaling your text is, why go to the extra work. If you do your text in paper space its always the right size. i can't tell you how many times I can look at a printed drawing and tell that the text and annotations where done in model space because they are different sizes when different scales have been applied on the same page.
-One of the beautiful things about paper space and good layer control is that you can draft items on top of each other. Your maso floor line can be under your flats. When you do your layouts you freeze or thaw the correct layers, and everything separates out correctly. If you dimension in model space you have to either create multiple layers of dimensions (which when in model space would end up getting turned off instead of frozen for clarity) so that you can turn on the right ones on paper space. This adds confusion in model space, demands more careful layer control, and/or turned off layers.
-Third, frankly, I can't really fathom putting text on a 3-D drawing in model space, and expecting it to transfer correctly to the inevitable multiple layout views.
-Yet, in interest of being completely honest, I will admit that on a quick, simple, "napkin sketch" I will put text and dimensions in model space. But for those drawings I don't usually bother with a title block at all, or use paper space.

While I hate to disagree with Beth because her blog has lots of great stuff on it, I can't be convinced of her arguments against paper space.

Opinions? Let me know!

Shims

Toolmonger (can you tell I like this blog?) had another product that I really like. This time the product is Speed Shims: http://www.speedshims.com/

The shims come in a book and you can shim 1/32" to 1/2" with each book. Even better, they are adhesive backed, so they will stick where you need them.

Speeder Ratchet

Over on the Evolv Tools website they sell a unique ratchet. You can use it normally, or in tight locations the handle can be reconfigured by pulling it out and allowing it to spin (like a hand drill). It caught my eye (through Toolmonger) because I thought it would be particularly useful for casters.

http://www.evolvtools.com/products/sockets-ratchets/3-8-in-drive-speeder-ratchet/

Magnetic Catches

I have been browsing the website for Magswitch. They have a variety of products that would be useful in our industry. Of particular are their magnetic switches which can be activated by engaging and damaging the magnet.

Their product line also contains a variety of material handling options - lifting, hooks, magnetic clamps and such.

Take a look at what they have to offer at:
http://www.magswitch.com.au/cabinet-latches/cabinet-latches-2.html

Custom Tool Chests

Ever wish you could design your own tool chest. One of the nice steel ones (though some of the wooden chest types are pretty amazing too), with multiple drawers, and cabinets? You can at Matco


You can select from a number of colors, black or chrome trim, drawer configuration, sizes, and additional compartments. The result of my custom box was cool - but I won't be purchasing it soon with a $18,000 price tag.

Of course if you need to fill the new tool box up, Matco also sells a variety of tools.

Check out the site and see what you would dream up!

Cut List Programs

I was browsing Toolcrib this evening and found a blog entry about cut list programs (see link below). I thought it was worthwhile for a couple of reasons. First, while probably too time consuming for general shop use, it could be useful when using critical resources. Like for special prop piece that needs a $100 a sheet material.... Second it reminded me of our cnc machine that does this automatically (I learned this after I spent several hours arranging an entire job into 4x8 squares since the machines I had used in the past didn't have that feature). Third, it is actually an interesting thought process, both in the thought required to layout the materials in order to reduce scrap, and in cutting the material. For instance in the article I refer to below, there is a definite order in which you would want to cut the materials to ensure straight cuts.

Two concerns - one, which is compensated for within the program, is cutting thickness. Secondly, in critical applications I would be concerned about grain orientation. While this wouldn't matter in some situations, it can be critical in others.

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2008/11/15/2-free-cutlist-programs-that-minimize-scrap-for-woodworkers/

I-Shovel

The past couple of days, with almost a 1' of snow, makes me appreciate the I-Shovel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGwcCaz-MpA

I think that I may prefer remote control over the randomness (like the vacuum). While it wouldn't matter to me what path a vacuum cleaner takes, it does matter to me where the pile of now ends up, so having additional control would be appreciated. On the other hand, I wonder if it could be done through sensors - allowing the machine to know a "home" spot that is where the snow should end up.

The other thought I have when I see stuff like this is that theatre technicians should be doing more of this wacky, fun stuff. We have the capability to design and build automated pieces. Perhaps not fully robotic or with as many axis of motion, but experimenting with fun, non-theatre specific ideas can free us from a rigid set of technical design constraints. Plus, having experimented with other technologies we can extrapolate the knowledge gained into more effective technical design solutions.

M12 Hackzall

Milwaukee has a new tool out that would make a great shop tool. It's a battery operated sawzall. But even better than that is that it is shaped in a way that allows it to be easily handled and get into tight spaces. Its 11" long and with the battery it weighs 2.6 pounds.

You can check it out for yourself at:
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_748104_200137_192137#