Making New Ball Bearing Blade Guides For My Old Bandsaw

[@aksela6912]

Matthias Wandel has made a few videos on band saw blade guide design. This one discussing the orientation of the back ball bearing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJDFhnaKeLOIo9E This one comparing four different designs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoK9imOYe6mcrZo

[@UnderDunnOfficial]

That's exactly the info I was looking for. I should've known the wood elf would have a video or five about this.

[@broken_font1881]

@@UnderDunnOfficial bruh but it's Matthias Wandel were talking about here. The man knows about the topic as much as you and me 😂 Regardless Matthias makes some great machines

[@fer662]

He uses wood blocks on the sides instead of bearings. I designed and printed blade guide for my saw that used bearings, and later ended up switching to hardwood side blocks. I now agree with him they are better.

[@yvesladouceur9203]

That des it... I Quick before i Saw you loosing fingers....

[@igorbaldo]

@@broken_font1881 Matthias is an engineer.

[@mauserkk98]

I'm just thrilled you've still got all your fingers .

[@browndog9402]

I know right, i am so impressed he has all his fingers

[@Ryan-ke5km]

Sometimes you just got to roll the dice. 😜

[@CsongorHalmai]

Just compare his left pointer finger between 6:57 and 6:58. Suddenly, it gets a sticker somehow. I wonder what Robert was hiding from us. HAHA

[@paulwalsh1710]

My heart is my mouth watching this lad.Its only a matter of time.

[@jerryhuber3653]

Hopefully he discovers hold down clamps before it’s too late

[@laserspaceninja]

Came for the cars, stayed for the wood. Thanks for the good content!

[@treymoore6901]

That’s what she said?

[@LeglessWonder]

Sound like my ex

[@laserspaceninja]

@@treymoore6901😁 😉

[@kimberlyjacobsen4148]

Men 😬

[@THESLlCK]

@@kimberlyjacobsen4148 alone

[@marcberm]

Needs a purpleheart throat plate!!!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Saw this pop up. I’m ready for dry humor and sharp wit. Delightful. Even had a great mechanical problem solving project.

[@robbin763]

If this is what Robert can do with wood working tools , imagine what he could do with a lathe and a mill. Truly a talented person. Keep up the great work.

[@peternachname8362]

If he wanted to buy these tools i would donate him some money.

[@rpavlik1]

He has a wood-turning lathe he has badly abused which makes a very brief cameo in this video (used with a metal cutting portable band saw to cut some tubing). I agree, he could probably make some lovely things with a proper lathe and mill

[@pacmaniacc9682]

@@peternachname8362 He has a patreon

[@EmyrDerfel]

He could make some PARENTAL ADVISORY "Power Tool Safety with Robert" videos.

[@kkrolf2782]

God in heaven be praised!! R.D.’s Guardian Angel must totally collapse of exhaustion by the time this dude hits the sack at night!!! Lord knows she (he, it?) puts forth effort above and beyond!!! Phew!!!

[@questioner1596]

I'm glad to see you're not afraid of "boring" content. Your story telling is full of "holes," but it has (purple) heart.

[@frankfreeman1444]

Sir: Two suggestions. 1. Buy a fairly cheap set of center-cutting end mills for your slotting and carving operations if you are going to use a drill press to accomplish them. 2. If you MUST put screw threads directly into wood, use Helicoils or similar thread repair inserts. They will last much longer and be stronger as well. By the way, 2 flute cutters, like drill bits, cut triangular holes. 4 flutes cut rectangular holes, etc. The number of flutes in the cutter, plus one, is the number of "corners" in the resulting hole. A framed with 6 or 8 flutes cuts a founder hole with smoother walls and more accurate and consistent diameter. I know you didn't ask, but I am an old fart, I envy your having that workshop and I just love to poke the bear. 🙏

[@illiteratebeef]

Robert: goes and gets a full imperial drill bit set Me, who often has bad ideas: why not just wiggle the 10mm around until it bores it out enough to fit?

[@AM-os4ty]

Honestly that was my first thought. 🙂

[@AlexSwavely]

or, wrap sandpaper around the slightly smaller 3/8" bit

[@rescdsk]

Yeah it looked like about 1.2 imperial wallers to me

[@ferrumignis]

Because wiggling the drill around gives you two back to back cone shapes rather than a cylinder.

[@LeglessWonder]

Yep. I was like “aight just wallow it out a bit”

[@greavous93]

if you need to tap threads into a softer wood, try drilling and tapping as normal but then saturate the newly cut threads with super glue. Once the glue is cured run the tap through the threads again and Robert is your fathers brother.

[@AgentTasmania]

Robert is him

[@scholztec]

@@AgentTasmania *woosh* 😛

[@mshine5]

I see a continuing series happening with "Power Tool Safety with Robert"

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

Well, only if he is dumber than he seems. I have had a few of those "enlightening" moments myself, and I can tell you that almost losing a piece of your body to a machine is one of the things that makes most people want to NOT do that same thing again! Also, Robert, if you see this comment, look at Fastcap's Million Dollar Hand (something like that). It lets you hold small parts like those, but keeps you hand far away from the blade.

[@kkrolf2782]

MAY BE A VERY FEW NUMBER OF EPISODES AT. THE. RATE. HE’S. GOING!!!

[@alexbrown1050]

Thank you for showing us when it doesn't go right. Makes me feel a lot better about my own failings, they're human.

[@AgentJayZ]

3:25: Based on the splatters on the wall behind the drill press, it looks like you've learned a few hard lessons... 10:09: Yup. No big deal... Your videos are instructive, fun, and inspirational.

[@R41N80WSCR4TCH]

No, this used to be a paint shed for an automotive shop. Granted your point still stands

[@madziar160]

@@R41N80WSCR4TCH No, this used to be the set for Dexter.

[@zapa1pnt]

@@madziar160: Maybe Rob was the inspiration.

[@blkmgk16]

We need a whole power tool safety video ow my sides! So good to see it happen to someone else too lol

[@christophermorin9036]

I freaking love band saws. They are pretty much the only power wood working tool I will use without fear lol. You can't PAY ME to get close to a table saw lol.

[@scottgerstenberg9551]

I'm just here for the best hair on KZbin, the tool safety is icing.

[@joannaatkins822]

Robert, thank you for sharing your "Oopsies" so we don't lose our fingers like you have so far avoided doing

[@holman4343]

I aquired this exact saw on Facebook for 30 bucks last year. Not only is this the best upgrade video I have seen, and will be doing myself, but it is basically the ONLY video about this saw. Thank you!

[@TheBudliner]

keep the blade just off the bearings, its ok if they touch when your cutting but not when its jus running. great job I need this for my vintage Delta 785

[@S7tronic]

I didn't expect you to have enough fingers left at the end of the video to operate the damn bandsaw 😂

[@daleshewchuk3523]

I've been wedged under my woodworking bench for a couple of years,so this was my first exposure to your channel. It's obvious that you come from a gene pool containing talent, entertainment and ingenuity. Sold, one new subscription! Not to mention that we have questionable drill press skills in common. LMAO.

[@joevalente8957]

I almost cut my thumb off on a table saw..when I was young.. .. You sir are an inspiration...

[@BearPasWoodShop]

The part with the drill press breaking. I was taking a drink and then the lights go out! I almost spit my drink out all over my laptop! I laugh because I've had days like this. Great video! A bad day in the shop is still a good day.

[@AXNJXN1]

I'm behind the times apparently in seeing your vids; but glad I came across them. I'm nowhere near your skill and ingenuity but with your humor and spirit, think I'll try and tackle some 'issues' I need to clear up on my tools too, LOL. Thanks for the fun vid Robert! P.S. The 'Tool Safety' moments are priceless. Keep 'em!

[@zapa1pnt]

As you create things, try not to let humor override your sense of self preservation and safety, as he does.

[@scottiniowa1]

Just bought a $10 craftsman band saw that needs these - thanks for the video!

[@RonLeedy]

I inherited an imperial drill set from my grandfather. Haven’t used half of them but it’s amazing when I’ve needed that one size it’s there.

[@SueBobChicVid]

I am not a woodworker. That is some impressive "machining" you did on that wood. It's pretty impressive wood too.

[@billybobjoe198]

You didn't need to say that you're not a wood worker, we could tell when you said that his work was "impressive".

[@WoodworkJourney]

Awesome upgrade! Plus the ‘I hate everything’ comments killed me 😂😂😂

[@stevel9353]

Great work! Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@Jeff1Jeff2Jeff3Jeff]

Your enthusiasm is unlimited, and infectious. Keep it going!

[@georgequalls5043]

Look forward to a future project for making prosthetic fingers.

[@erikthomas9599]

I admire your patience to rebiuld old tools. Great work man..

[@muneer24]

When you sneezed and said unrelated....I actually laughed out loud. I am totally using this

[@travishein]

The zip tie on the drill press is true to my heart for fixing things!

[@scott8351]

Adding this to my old delta. bearings and quick adjustments, simple and brilliant design. thanks

[@scott8351]

finished adding this, works well. good alternative to carter bearings or if you dont want the fuss just get those. thanks again for the video.

[@stargazer79]

*stares, jaw agape at threaded holes in wood.* As an engineer, I am both impressed and appalled. I'm am Impalled.. But really, pretty nifty. Keep up the good (if mildly sketchy) work ;3

[@richardhenry5961]

I got to say this, that is impressive in what you did... I have a Band Saw CARTER Guide System. 3-bearing wheels top & bottom. I had blocks, yet gave me a lot of issues. It was an investment $150.00 for the new Carter Guides. The funny part is that my BAND-SAW was $189.00 Penn State Industries 1992. Did the Carter Guides in 2010. I changed the tires on the wheels, better quality for blade control and the Carter Guides made it a completely different & a better band-saw. Blades last for yrs instead months. It was worth the investment just in saving blades.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Really does not deserve to be called “under dunn” - it’s a great piece of engineering, addressing the need. I have to admit that I have never seen wood tapped to take a metal bolt, that is cool!

[@DarkFiber23]

Harbor Freight's obscure drill bits save the day!

[@cbsos4u52]

That black piece you removed is where I squeezed my dust extraction brush in its purpose was to remove the dust before it got onto the rubber Tyre on the lower wheel, secondly it also sucked the dust through the blade insert which I drill 3/16 holes in to assist with downward dust removal.

[@Crewsy]

Using a bandsaw to make parts for a different bandsaw isn’t so odd. Using your tablesaw after reassembling it to make parts for the new tablesaw you’re making out of it is. 😉 I love that tablesaw.

[@ForgeofSouls]

Your mind is very impressive, a true engineer if there ever was one. I really enjoy your channel, keep up the great work.

[@zapa1pnt]

And he is just as dumb, about safety, as most engineers.

[@ssskids123]

Very cool project! Fwiw, clamping a board across my drill press table (and later building at t-slot base with a fence) transformed my drill press for me. I now had a way to support what I was drilling and haven’t had any more cases where the item I was drilling got bound to the bit. Plus it is now very easy to clamp items to a stable surface (the fence) and keep my hands well away.

[@AverageRobloxCarReviews]

"Gunna make 'em out of purpleheart... Cause it's the densest hardwood I had on hand... And cause it's pretty!" absolutely love how wholesome he is

[@dvjvbv]

Purty

[@Gazzaalmighty]

For the nut coming loose on the pillar drill, you could double nut the thread which will stop it coming loose. Great vids and please look after your fingers!!!

[@polleyjw]

Coming soon: Official Robert Dunn™️ branded Power Tool Safety Equipment.

[@InstrucTube]

@Santa Clause Order now and receive Genuine Blood Splatter as a bonus item. A $30 value, absolutely free!

[@EthanSeville]

Everytime i see him drill something and he's holding it i wait for that to happen cause ive learned for the same experience lol

[@kanedNunable]

i l;ove the fact you have so many little incidents too, just like my workshop.

[@zapa1pnt]

In that case, you need to make some changes, before you start losing parts. That's projecting parts, not project parts. 😱😱😱

[@fellipec]

That imperial drill bit set is crazy!!!

[@zapa1pnt]

In the US, you Need it.

[@codysmith1915]

you are my new favorite woodworking/shop channel. Keep it up my dude

[@briantorsell]

"I am the warranty." I've subscribed to the right channel, haha

[@Andy-sj2hl]

I can’t see why a man with your natural instinct for tool safety would need that blade guard anyway.

[@MRrwmac]

Robert, I dont think there are very many woodworkers who have made their own blocks w/bearings from scratch. Definetly none that have done as nice a job (minus the common mishaps we all have…haha). Congratulations!

[@zapa1pnt]

"minus the common mishaps we all have…haha" Sure, if you keep your head in a sunless place.

[@Pauken11]

Nice job! One reason for the thrust bearing to be 90 degrees to the blade is more surface area contacting the back of the blade, rather than a single point with a parallel bearing. I’d fix the upper blade guard sooner rather than later. Keeping your hands away from the exposed part of the blade isn’t enough. If and when the blade breaks, the loose blade can nastily cut you. I’d make this my very next project.

[@raimundoferreira7626]

And that's the problem , the thrust bearing is the one that does most of the work to keep the blade in place , more contact area will only increase the friction between the blade and the bearing , therefore creating / generation more HEAT when the saw in at work , thats the last thing you want to do That heat will damage the blade and it loose it's sharp edge quicker than you expected

[@mtyquinn6]

I agree with you @jim Gott. to spread the load of the contact of the back of the blade helps prevent it from buckling and binding on the side guide rollers (or blocks).

[@spunkydan09]

I do so enjoy watching you make stuff. It's really nice to see someone who works the same way that I do

[@pnwRC.]

AWESOME project! Purple Heart, that's some EXPENSIVE lumber right there! I know that stuff's tough, but I would not have thought it would be strong enough to serve in the capacity that you fabricated it to do. Great work!

[@thanemakes5377]

Randomly in 2 videos unrelated, I have learned about machinist drill bits.... now off to buy a set

[@wavetrader742]

Probably the most entertaining DIY video I've seen. Cleaver design as well.

[@mikejefferson1284]

Brilliant , cheered up my dull evening, subscribed

[@rodv7779]

Let's start off by saying I really enjoy your videos and your sense of humour. I gotta say something tho ... About 4.5 years ago, while building a cross cut safety sled for my table saw, I took a shortcut to speed up squaring the back fence. I now have NO LEFT THUMB! I, too, thought this would never happen to me! Watching your videos, there have been several shortcuts that, lucky for you, have not resulted in an injury. Boy, it's a matter of time, and I had to say something. I wish this type of injury on NO ONE! It will change your life forever! Please BE CAREFUL!

[@acidxero]

I really enjoy the videos you post on Under Dunn. Don't get me wrong, your Aging Wheels content is great, but every time you post something on here it motivates me to get out in the shop and solve a problem or make something cool. And your sense of humor has a direct tap into my funny bone. It's almost eerie how on point your comedic stylings are when it comes to my sense of humor. Yeah, comedic stylings. I said it. Keep up the good work.

[@mazchen]

5:30 so glad that I'm living in Europe and don't have to understand what you're trying to explain!

[@petergamache5368]

Sorry to hear about your misadventures with knockdown nuts (aka dowel nuts). That's a frustrating way to spend the day! After more than a few wasted days of my own, I've finally given in and started buying specialty hardware from McMaster Carr. It's not as cheap as Amazon/eBay but last time I was making knockdown furniture, I bought a few different sizes of dowel nuts. The few I checked were within -.002 / +.000 tolerance. At least to me, that's totally worth a few extra cents apiece!

[@heystarfish100]

Gonna put Snodgoose on the food assistance program once these start rolling. Nice job Robert! Well except for all the goof ups. 👍🤣🤣🤣👍

[@jatflash]

Very well done young man. Your creative efforts almost inspire me to overcome my procrastination.

[@ELCADAROSA]

... almost.

[@matthewsmith5883]

Thanks for the power tool safety guide! I'm going to amputate all of my fingers now.

[@creepycrawlything]

Strangely fascinating viewing. An anomaly in the normative continuum. Respect to you.

[@egbluesuede1220]

I'm impressed with the blade guides, but no joking....please be more careful Robert. I truly enjoy your channel and admire your ambition, and I seriously want to see you keep all your fingers!

[@samcoote9653]

I came for the Power Tool Safety with Robert segment, it didn't disappoint lol

[@samcoote9653]

Oh it was a two part series! exquisite!

[@kaeverens]

I am *LOVING* the catastrophes around the 15 minute mark.

[@Locane256]

That was great! I love seeing upgrade projects, this was delightful to watch.

[@phantomcorsair8476]

10:09 Funniest sound ever!!! I have made that same sound myself while working on machinery many times too. Never gets old😂

[@JeepinMaxx]

Thanks for the great explanation about the imperial drill set!

[@joewilliams5057]

I'm amazed that you can tap a thread directly into wood!

[@nynexman4464]

I wouldn't have thought so either but Matthias Wandel does it all the time

[@patrickkrenz515]

Before using helicoils on a cylinder head I actually practiced installing them in a 2x4 and it worked great.

[@radiohirsch]

Guess it really needs to be hard wood to have a chance of holding any force. Also UNC probably works better than metric or UNF due to the coarser thread pitch

[@akbychoice]

Purple Heart wood is extremely hard and hard on the cutting tools as well.

[@alandesgrange9703]

Hitting it with thin super glue, will also harden the threads up.

[@rchavez5056]

Great job Robert.

[@garybeasley4885]

I put the old guide set off my G055 Grizzly onto an old bandsaw looked identical to yours when I put a Carter set on mine. It didnt even have a place for bottom guides, I had to drill mounting holes in the frame. Worked great after the refit.

[@mmgross144]

Now that is impressive! I think that I would probably soak the tp threads with some thin CA glue to harden that purple heart into a prurple heart of stone, Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[@zapa1pnt]

I have done that. It works well. PS: Rock on, dude.

[@sirsteele]

Robert, I love your videos, and my only complaint is that there isn't a new one every day! Always entertaining... usually informative... never boring! Happy Holidays, my friend!

[@mikefunnell4294]

Hi Robert ,a great video again. A point for you, drill shanks are smaller in diameter than the flanks normally around 4 thousandths of an inch so you always measure the flanks . This was done so you can drill deeper than the flute length.Keep up the good work and thank you for making me laugh.

[@treymoore6901]

Nice build, Robert! I wanted to caution you on how you held the piece at 10:15. The direction of force of your appendages should never be towards the blade, within maybe 8 inches or so. The workpiece can always unexpectedly kick out, and reaction times are far too slow. Always factor in the slim possibility because it just takes once. I speak from experience, but thankfully my accident didn’t cut through bone and is mostly healed.

[@ProjectsandThings]

I’ve been fiddling with alignment and bearigns on my old Bandsaw as well, I think you have me given me some good ideas. Thanks dude!

[@alberttibbets6567]

I love the camera work, the creativity, and the persistence. Some great safety tips too. Thanks!

[@P010010010100101]

I didn't expect it to work out so well! Great job!

[@jackdehaan2267]

Excellent workmanship, explanation, and video quality. Great project. I did a bit of a "yikes" when the finger part played, but the project was overall great.

[@billpflug6692]

Hi, i enjoy your channel and unapologetic delivery. I do not know if this was mentioned in the comments, but just a thought... Alex Snodgrass has a great bandsaw set up procedure. He suggests that instead of centering the saw blade on the wheels we ahould be centering the back of the gullets. This keeps the blade straighter duringncuts and eliminates additional adjustment of the side guides once set. I have done this and it reduces drift considerably. Thanks for what you do!

[@ZGryphon]

Ah, that drill index brings back fond memories. My undergraduate work study gig was as a tool crib attendant in my university's mechanical engineering tech program's machine tool laboratory. Over those four years, I spent a lot of quality time handing out, taking back, and replacing the No. 7 drills out of sets exactly like that one. (Sharp-eyed viewers can probably deduce something about the projects they did in those classes by the fact that the No. 7 wore out or got broken long before anything else in the set!) The punch line: I was a liberal arts student! Mostly. I did take some MET courses, so I knew what I was doing in the tool crib, but my degree is in history. :)

[@alex4alexn]

why the No. 7s?

[@ZGryphon]

​@@alex4alexn 'Cause it's the drill you need to make the pilot hole for a ¼"-20 threaded hole (that is, a hole with a quarter-inch major diameter and 20 threads per inch), and the student project pieces, for whatever reason, had a _lot_ of ¼"-20 threaded holes. For the more advanced of the two courses, where the students would be building something they designed themselves instead of following provided plans, we used to encourage them to use fine thread (28 TPI, in the case of a quarter-inch hole) instead, just to spread the wear and tear out a little, since you use a different-size drill to make the pilot for one of those. :)

[@peterjansen4894]

I like the bloody wall behind the drill press. Nice touch.

[@CsongorHalmai]

The answer for the question related to the orientation of the ball bearing is simple. If the spinning plane of the ball bearing would be parallel to the plane of the blade then the blade would run on the same perimeter every time and would cut a trench into the surface of the ball bearing very quickly. By contrast, if it is perpendicular then the blade continuously turns the ball bearing and it always scratches a new part of the surface of the ball bearing. Therefore it wears out more slowly. This is what I think the correct answer is. :)

[@GrumpysWorkshop4]

Always enjoy your videos. The level of humour & info is spot on. Great job

[@vanmanmarc]

I have been wondering why the bearings contact the blade with the side of the bearings. I intend to do the same modification to my old DeWalt table top band saw. This video has given me some tips on what I need to take into consideration. One thing I have learnt.....the hard way, is when you measured your barrel nut and then used your chart to find which drill bit you needed. I have found it is a good idea to measure the drill bit to check the accuracy of the chart. I googled what drill to use with a particular tap and it barely had any material left to tap into. Especially as you had the calipers already in your hand. Great job on your mods.

[@tuckleberryfinn5271]

Oh man this video brightened my day real quick. I hope the KZbin gig is going well for you Robert, because your videos are very good. Thanks!

[@cdigames]

Welp, you are already on your way to making your own bandsaw from wood!

[@martykorn9266]

I did and it was the most educational and enjoyable build I’ve ever done.

[@b3ardedbarbarian]

As always I love your videos. You mix woodworking and hilarity seamlessly. Thank you sir may I have another 😂

[@merrickbibens6514]

Hi, I'm not a schooled Engineer but have worked with several over the years, I think if you put the rear bearings at an angle, the blade won't create a groove as the bearing surface is always different. All in all a good video fixing a problem with you saw!

[@BorgDrone01]

As a German my head hurts from the drill situation

[@pandasdreamlygon]

was hat das mit deutsch sein zu tun

[@7_7_5]

@@pandasdreamlygon im metrischen system hat man mm und z.b. 1-10mm oder kleinere größen wie 4,2mm und nicht 0.177 zoll oder 5/64 zoll oder generell größen wo in zoll mit verschiedensten einteilungen zu tun hat

[@HerbaceousM8]

As a Canadian my head hurts from the drill situation

[@7_7_5]

​@@HerbaceousM8 my head hurts too

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Do you have fractions of millimeter bits? I know we have 4.5 and more commonly 5.5 mm bits and wrenches in the US. No idea how you’d manage finite drill sizes smaller than half a mm.

[@iainwalker8701]

Just a note that many drills have a slightly undersize shank for clearance. Two useful alternatives to buying more drills would have been to sand out the hole- take a length of 1/4 rod and cut a slot in it lengthways, slot in a bit of sandpaper ,wrap it round the rod then mount in a drill. Personally I would have held the dowel nut in the drill chuck and sanded them down to size, then repeated for the other ends.

[@zapa1pnt]

Those things may have worked but now he has a full set of imperial drill bits. Nothing wrong with that.

[@lorenkaysing7600]

I've heard that the side-mounted thrust bearing is used because a "proper" orientation results in only a single point of contact with the blade, which tends to cause the blade to twist to one side under load. A thrust plate in contrast supports a span of the blade (or two small spans for a bearing) and causes much less blade twist (the opposing directions of the top and bottom try to twist it vertically instead, and tension keeps it straight). Also, when done "properly" it doesn't use a normal bearing, but instead a thrust bearing which has conical tracks designed to support axial forces. Though I think the forces in a bandsaw are usually small enough that decent normal bearings can handle the load.

[@ArniVidar]

I've never thought about the stability (or lack thereof) of band-saw blades, but now that I've seen this, I can't imagine why any band-saw would exist and not have ball bearings on all three sides, top and bottom. I've never used one that's this stable and thus this accurate!

[@Lysporster]

Awesome build!

[@steveman223]

this is definitely one of my fav channels...the only problem is not enough videos :-) keep up the good work

[@JThyroid]

I was just reading up on Purpleheart yesterday, and overheating it causes it to exude a resin that sticks to your tools. That can then cause your tools to dull even more. Purpleheart needs nice and sharp tools that are touched up often because Purpleheart is hard on tools before it exudes resin.

[@Witty..UserName]

Metal guy getting into woodworking - thanks for that. Would have taken a few years to notice that on my own I bet.

[@christianburke3106]

Many exotic hardwoods are like that. I removed a 1000 sq. ft. bulletwood deck from by backyard and have been working with that stuff all year. Luckily it's old and dry, but so dense and hard, you can't even get a nail into it without drilling a hole first. Screws don't work well either, because the screw threads don't cut the wood. If the pilot hole is too small the screw will split the wood or break off. If the pilot hole is big enough for the screw to fit without binding, the threads won't catch very well. I have to use dowels or threaded inserts for any joints that requires strength. That wood destroys drill bits and saw blades - anything less than carbide doesn't stand a chance. I can only plane a half dozen boards before my HSS planer blades need changing. :D