First, I’ll say that I thought I would have a few more blog entries up to this point in the month, but I’m strapped for time as I try to get things done around my house. The current project is installing the pine floor in the family room and this has been pretty much a day and night thing for nearly a week. It’s a big floor and the material I used is economical (of course) and to make up for the money saved, extra labour is needed. Still, I’m coming out ahead, once you factor in all of the cost associated.

Getting that floor finished is the largest piece left in the renovation puzzle that is this house. The other tasks that are left to do are a lot smaller and are easily finished, within a reasonable amount of time. My objective is to be complete by the end of April.

Since the completion of my house will take the centre stage for the next month and a half, I won’t be doing much in that way of shop tools, jigs and machines for the next little while. My shop is in total disarray – all of the stuff that was, up until recently, stored in the family room is now out there and space is very limited. Still, I do believe I’ll have time to squeeze a minor project in. A new drill press table is needed and I’m mulling over design considerations in my head. One thing’s for sure: it will be considerably less complex than the previous version.

Something else that I will be doing before the end of this month is getting the ready-made division plate and locking blade (for the Advanced Box Joint Jig) up for sale, and these will be in the “Plans and Products” section. Cost will be reasonably low and shipping should be fairly economical as well. These parts will be fully machined and ready to use, made from 1/8″ aluminum.

I’ve also had enquiries about the UHMW plastic and if I sell it. I will be, at some point (hopefully before the end of the month) and cost for this will be comparable to what it is at other retailers. In the meantime, this plastic can be replaced with solid wood (maple, for example). A good idea is to cut the parts to size and soak them in mineral oil over night to make them slick. I have found that maple will absorb mineral oil quite readily.

I had one email regarding the spring needed in the advance lever and I will try to track down a parts source for this item. I got mine from an assortment bag of springs, but there are too few in there to be a reliable source.

Future plans for this jig involve supplying it in a complete kit form, that will be easy to assemble. Also, all of the individual parts will be available for purchase.