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Sawdust Sessions
Twice a month, the Shopsmith National Woodworking Academy webcasts a live "Sawdust Session" from our workshop in Dayton, Ohio, USA to your computer. Each session covers a variety of woodworking topics and unlike other woodworking videos on television and the Internet, you can participate in these presentations and demonstrations, asking questions and contributing comments. These sessions are completely FREE, but you must register to participate and attendance is limited -- so register as soon as you can. To register for our next session, click HERE.
The Shopsmith "Webshop."
Next Sawdust Session:  May 24, 2008

Times: 9:00 am EST and 9:00 am MST
Topics:  How to rip bevels along the length of a board, including FREE plans for an adaption of the Shopsmith Outfeed Table that raises, lowers, and tilts with the main table. Plus how to assemble and clamp unusual shapes, setting the thickness planer knives, and Drew's Interludes (which goes without saying -- but he wants us to say it anyway).
1. Super Outfeed Table -- Our version of the Shopsmith Outfeed Table not only raises, lowers and tilts with the main table, it extends the fence and provides a second outboard riving knife for long angled bevels and rips. 2. Ripping Bevels -- Ripping bevels in the edges of boards also require that you tilt the table. Here's how to use our Super Outfeed Table provide additional support during the cut.
3. Clamping Unusual Shapes -- Assembling the diamond-shaped shadow box that we introduced in Sawdust Session #19 presents an entire series of clamping challenges. Here's how we met them. 4. Setting Planer Knives -- Changing and setting the knives in the Thickness Planer is surprisingly simple and straightforward once you know a few secrets.
And, of course, Drew's Interludes!
How to View: First, register for this session. (Click HERE.) Attendance is limited and we'll let you know immediately if the session is full. If your registration is accepted, come back to Hands Online! just before the session, click on the Classroom Door (in the navigation column) and enter your name and e-mail address.

If you missed our last Sawdust Session, you can catch it here:
Previous Sawdust Session:  May 10, 2008 -- Just posted in our archives!
Topics: ALL about sawing and dadoing with a table tilted. Nick shows how to rip bevels along the length of a board, how to make bevel-miters across a board, how to make compound miters, and how to make angled dadoes. Includes FREE plans for (1) an "Anti-Gravity Uphill Miter Jig" that makes tilted table operations simple and safe; (2) a miter gauge extension"; and (3) a unique, elegant diamond-shaped shadow box. Plus a FREE Compound Miter Calculator and Drew's Interludes.
1. Cutting Bevel-Miters -- You make a "bevel-miter" by cutting a bevel in the end of board with the table tilted. Here's a unique jig that defies gravity and keeps your cut-offs from sliding downhill. 2. Making Angled Dadoes -- Cutting a dado, groove, or rabbet at an angle in a board requires the you tilt the table and, on occasion, make a special table insert.
3. Making Compound Miters -- To make a compound miter,  you must tilt the table and angle the miter gauge. You can find the angles needed with our FREE Compound Miter Calculator. 4. Drew's Interludes -- First, the Drewmeister shows us how to extend the Shopsmith's capabilities and cut beveled miters smaller than 45 degrees. Second, he reveals two tricks to keep stock from blowing out when using a dado cutter.

Archived Sawdust Sessions
To see the topics that were covered in each session, click on the arrows (►). To access an archived Sawdust Session, click on the session number.
bullet Sawdust Session #18:  April 26, 2008
  • Making a Laptop Desk with a "breadboard" lid
  • Routing finger joints with a shopmade jig,
  • Routing stopped or "blind" joints.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #17:  April 12, 2008
  • Making curved turnings with the Ringmaster
  • Types of mortises and tenons and how to make them
  • Routing stopped or "blind" joints on the router table.
  • Replacing the Mark V Speed Control.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #16:  March 22, 2008
  • Installing Doors and Drawers in a built-in cabinet.
  • Making wooden drawer slides.
  • Applying plastic laminate.
  • Using and sharpening cabinet scrapers.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #15:  March 15, 2008
  • Making band saw boxes.
  • Choosing and using band saw blades.
  • Setting up and using the Shopsmith molder head.
  • Installing a Lift Assist to the Mark V.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #14:  February 23, 2008
  • Making "segmented" bowls with the Ringmaster
  • Thickness sanding with the Shopsmith Conical Disc.
  • Preventing and Removing Rust
  • Plus Drew's Interludes
bullet Sawdust Session #13:  February 9, 2008
  • Laminate wood bending
  • Coping-and-sticking joints for curved cabinet doors.
  • Aligning the auxiliary tables on you Mark V.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #12:  January 26, 2008
  • Handling and cutting sheet materials.
  • Cutting joinery in plywood.
  • Tuning up the Shopsmith Belt Sander
  • Making a roll-around Clamp Caddy.
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #11:  January 12, 2008
  • Turning bowls from single boards with the Ringmaster.
  • Making finger joints on the band saw.
  • Cleaning and lubricating the Mark V.
  • Making a "Wind Harp."
  • Plus Drew's Interludes.
bullet Sawdust Session #10:  December 29, 2007
  • Sharpening hand tools with the Strip Sander.
  • Making "turned cabriole" legs.
  • Thickness Planer tune-up
  • Applying wipe-on finishes.
bullet Sawdust Session #9:  December 8, 2007
  • Designing a dustcolection system.
  • Making decorative turnings from laminated stock.
  • Creating holiday ornament of the Scrollsaw.
  • Choosing the proper saw blade.
bullet Sawdust Session #8:  November 24, 2007
  • Routing and shaping turned work on the Overarm Router.
  • Turning pens and pencils.
  • Making decorative splined joints.
  • Using the magnetic rules of the Shopsmith Model 520.
bullet Sawdust Session #7:  November 10, 2007
  • Replacing and tensioning the Mark V quill
  • Pin routing with the Overarm Router.
  • Sanding inside shapes with the Strip Sander.
  • Mounting and turning burls.
bullet Sawdust Session #6:  October 27, 2007
  • An overview of the Sand Flee finish sander
  • Sanding test, comparing the Sand Flee with other finish sanders.
  • Basic marquetry techniques.
  • A knife-setting jig for the Jointer.
bullet Sawdust Session #5:  October 13, 2007
  • Thickness planing tips and tricks.
  • Cutting decorative shapes with the Overarm Router.
  • Sanding three-dimensional shapes and curves.
  • Turning precise tapers.
bullet Sawdust Session #4:  September 29, 2007
  • Replacing and tensioning the belts in the Mark V headstock.
  • Making simple joinery with the Overarm Router.
  • Sharpening lathe chisels with the Sharpening Guide.
  • An introduction to veneering techniques.
bullet Sawdust Session #3:  September 15, 2007
  • Replacing the switch in the Mark V headstock.
  • An overview of the Overarm Router.
  • Making compound cuts on the band saw.
  • Using nitric acid to stain wood.
bullet Sawdust Session #2:  August 25, 2007
  • Making small part with precision.
  • Routing dadoes and grooves.
  • Making small finger joints with a Dado Cutter.
  • Resawing and bookmatching panels.
bullet Premiere Sawdust Session:  August 11, 2007
  • Two methods of making mortises.
  • Aligning the Mark V table.
  • Using the conical disc sander.
  • Choosing and using drill bits.

To locate a Sawdust Session on a specific topic, see the Video Archive Index.
 
Webcasting a Sawdust Session.
Nick and Liberty.

About Shopsmith Sawdust Sessions
Our "Sawdust Sessions" are hosted by Nick Engler and Drew Achtermann and are webcast FREE to woodworkers. Each session is an interactive seminar about a variety of woodworking topics:
  • Woodworking Techniques
  • Wood Technology
  • Tool Maintenance
  • Jigs and Fixtures
  • Wood and Woodworking Materials
  • Finishing
  • Woodworking Resources
  • Accomplished Craftsmen and Their Designs

We choose three to four of these topics for each session, then create short presentations and demonstrations around each topic. After each presentation, we have a question and answer period. Our participants can ask questions or make comments, and Nick or Drew respond. Normally, these sessions run between 80 and 90 minutes for all of the presentations, demonstrations, and question and answer periods.
The cast and crew of Shopsmith's Sawdust Sessions --
(Clockwise, from top) Drew, Nick, Buddy, Katie, Liberty.

We invite you to participate. To keep these sessions intimate, we limit the number of participants, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as we post the topics for the next session. However, don't be disappointed if a Sawdust Session is full when you attempt to sign up. After each session, we post the presentations in our archives and make them available as FREE on-demand videos. Later, we add more information and collect the presentations into VBooks on DVD discs.
 
Drew and Buddy.

Attending a Sawdust Session
If you would like to attend one of our Sawdust Sessions, follow these instructions:

SIGNING UP
1. Decide which of the two Saturday sessions you'd like to attend -- 9:00 am EST or 9:00 am MST. Choose the appropriate Sign-Up Page and enter the required information -- first name, last name, and e-mail address.
Drew and Nick.
Registration for the May 24, 2008 Sawdust Session #20 is NOT YET Open .
Attendance for each session is limited to 50 participants each.

      • Sign-Up for 9:00 am EST Sawdust Session.
      • Sign-Up for 9:00 am MST Sawdust Session.

Note: The sign-up for each session will not be available until Tuesday, 11 to 18 days before the webcast.

2. When you submit this information, you will be immediately notified whether or not the session is full. If you're accepted, make a note of the time and date. In most months (but not every month), the Sawdust Sessions occur on the second and fourth Saturdays.

SOMETIME BEFORE THE SESSION
 3. Visit our Test Page and follow the instructions to make sure that your browser is compatible with our streaming software and that you have the necessary plug-ins to take advantage of the classroom's features.

ATTENDING THE SESSION
 4. Go to our Classroom Door when the date and time for the Sawdust Session rolls around. You can reach this door from any of our HANDS ONLINE! pages; it's also listed in our navigation column to the left.

5. Enter your first name, last name, and e-mail address just as you did when you signed up, and you will be admitted to the Classroom.

TROUBLESHOOTING
6. See our FAQ Page if you have trouble with any of these steps or need more information.

Notice: The videos included and embedded in this web site are the copyrighted property of Shopsmith, Inc. and may not be copied, downloaded, traded, sold, or shared without written permission of the copyright owner. This includes copying and downloading for personal use -- see our FAQ for more info.

 © 2008 Shopsmith Inc. All rights reserved.