Cash for clunkers? Huh? If the Obama administration can use my tax dollars to subsidize other folk’s new car purchases, why can’t they buy me a new table saw? Or drill press?

I mean, if we are going to redistribute the wealth, let’s do it right! Personally, I would like to see some of this stimulus money making its way to the woodworking and DIY community. After all, my favorite vendor is doing their part. Free Freight on Jet and Powermatic tools at Rockler!

That’s what I think.

Sure, I know the car companies are suffering. But why is that? Because of mismanagement and outrageous union deals. I know; hard-working, blue-collar, yada, yada, yada. Bull feces and bollocks. The auto workers have become another entitlement program.

And when the big three couldn’t afford to pay their extortion any more, the government took over (our money). When the government couldn’t make people buy cars from them, they came up with Cash for Clunkers (our money).

The health care thing is going nowhere fast. People are starting to understand that socialized medical care is not really the right way to go. Do you want a government proctologist? Do we really want the people that run the post office running our health care? Check the price of stamps lately? They’re even trying to sell them on the Internet now. Unsuccessfully. Nuff’ said.

So if Obama is going to redistribute the wealth, why not throw some my way? I don’t want a new car, I want tools! Anybody want to organize a DIY union? It’s a great idea; I think I’ll do it. UWDIY. United Workers of Do It Yourself.

OK, I hereby establish UWDIY local #1 right here. To sign up, email me at admin@icanfixupmyhome.com. Get the ball rolling and I’ll come up with t-shirts and bumper stickers.

You’re probably familiar with many different wood joinery techniques like as tongue in groove, biscuits, dowels, dovetail joints, etc. The more complex the joinery technique is, the snugger the joining pieces of wood will interlock. In almost all cases, woodworking glue is used to further strengthen the joint.

One interesting exception to the glue step is some forms of Japanese joinery. I like to think that the complexity of these joints reflects patience, artistry, and respect for technique. But, the flip side is that the time it takes can make its application impractical for many craftsmen (and women).

But when you’re using glued techniques, he strength of the finished joint depends on the degree of contact on open grain surfaces.

I guess it goes without saying that it’s important to always dry-fit your project before even cracking the cap on your glue bottle. True, no matter how confident you are, grasshopper.

In many cases, it’s simple enough to get a good spread because the surfaces are narrow. Just squiggle a bit of glue on both pieces, mate them, and that act will naturally distribute the glue evenly. Then just wipe off the squeeze-out.

But what if the pieces are wider? This is a bit more problematic. But a tip I read in Woodworker’s Journal illustrates a very slick method to remedy the situation. Simply apply the glue in the typical snake pattern, and then use a threaded rod to roll it out to evenly coat the entire piece of stock evenly. Then mate, clamp it up, and let it dry.

Looking to beef up your shop? Get free freight on Jet and Powermatic tools at Rockler!

Father’s day is one of my favorite holidays to be a dad. With just the one kid, it makes it all that much more special. It’s not so much getting the gift; it’s what the gift represents. Tool gifts are really symbolic of Father’s Day. Let me explain…

In these modern times with an incredible number of single-parent families or “domestic units” with same-gender partners, society is missing the picture. By giving a wink and a nod to social equivalence and a philosophical extension to the term equality, kids are getting short-changed in their upbringing.

No, this is not a diatribe against same gender marriage. Not my call to make. But it takes a family of an opposite gender couple to raise a kid. Women provide qualities such as nurturing and care-giving while men provide the qualities of discipline and building/fixing.

Hence, Mother’s Day = flowers and perfume; Father’s Day = tools and fishing gear. Like I said, it’s symbolic.

Types of Gift Tools

So, what kind of tools are appropriate? It depends on what the old man likes to tinker with. If he’s a woodworker that has everything, a Rockler gift card can’t be beat.

Rockler Gift Card For the woodworker that has everything.Give the gift of choice with a Rockler Gift Card. Let your favorite woodworker choose from thousands of products from Rockler. Rockler Gift Card

If he’s into fixing up the exterior of the home with painting, fixing the siding, cleaning out the
rain gutters and such, the one thing that can’t be beat is a Little Giant ladder. You’ve probably seen them on TV.

They’re super versatile, have multiple accessories, and are like Transformers you played with as a kid. Free shipping too.

Let’s not leave anyone out though. If tools just aren’t in the picture, but he’s a runner or into any other type of sport, why not get him a Road ID? This is awesome; I just got one myself. See, I’m a kayaker, fly fisherman and a long-distance runner and I don’t always run with a group.

They make several models but I bought the wrist band. It’s a velcro strap with an engraved metal tag. Mine has my name, the town I live in, two phone numbers, and the fact that I take meds for high blood pressure.

If I get hit by a car on the road, or mauled by a bear during a trail run, at least there won’t be any confusion about who I am.

As I always say, “It’s so they know where to send the body.” Gallows humor? Perhaps. But I’m also an organ doner and time is of the essence, as they say…