As I said before, I have been very busy with work (aka: my job) lately and this has kept me out of my workshop and away from projects that I’d like to get started on. It has also left me with no real time to work on my house renovations, and that very important work has fallen behind as well. Ironic that the spring and summer bring the kind of weather that make it more comfortable to work in my shop (and around the house), yet I can’t take full advantage of it, since this is the time (generally) when my yearly work load peaks.

In spite of this shortage of free time, I did manage to get the router lift plans finished and posted last week. Project plans can be done in the evening and really don’t require much in the way of physical effort, just the occasional trip out to my shop to take a measurement. Up until recently, a lack of motivation has stopped me from completing the ones I’ve started – it’s a lot more fun to work on the actual project than to draw up plans.

This week I wanted to have the quick release vise plans to add to the others, but have not been able to get it finished just yet. I’m very close, and should have it within the next day or two. Like the others, this has a lot of detail, showing each part and all of the assembly steps in order. Here’s a preview:

I made a small change from the original – I added a yoke to link the ends of the vise screw and guide bars. Otherwise, it is exactly the same as the one I made.

lid for a DIY smoker can (coffee can cut in half) for my gas grill. I have a hunk of maple in there smouldering.
For those curious about how to do this, start the grill, put the wood right on the baffle (flavourizer bars, for some) until it’s burning – flames. Put the flaming wood chunk in the can and cover it with the blade. Reduce heat.
Smoking!