REVIEW: Rigid 10" 15 amp Heavy Duty Portable Table Saw

After finally getting to use it a little bit, I was so impressed that I decided to write a review and share my thoughts.  I bought mine at Home Depot; you can look at the saw itself here.  The first and biggest issue is the price.  This is a very expensive saw.  Not Rockler Hardware-expensive, but quite a bit of money nonetheless.  And, well, if your household is anything like mine, money is at a premium.  So I felt a little crazy, and a little stupid spending so much money on a product that, at the time, I knew nothing about.

Unless you have friends with cool tools, who'll let you practice on them, buying any new tool is sort of a stab in the dark.  Lots of highly rated things suck, and lots of inexpensive, unexciting things (like the craft brushes at Michael's) actually rule.  Well, after finally getting the saw home--if you're picking it up yourself, bring a buddy; this thing's heavy--and getting it into our backyard utility area, we were faced with the challenge of actually putting it together.  Jim ended up doing it for me, which was very nice of him.

It's not actually that difficult to assemble, but the instructions are confusing.  It took Jim about an hour.  Not what you'd call "plug and play," but still not horrifying.

Almost all table saws come with a blade, but it's usually an all-purpose blade more suited to ripping plywood than doing anything interesting.  So in addition to the saw, I bought a couple of Diablo blades.  I personally like Diablo; I think their products are well-made.  And, honestly, getting the right blade is important.  I was going to be cutting a lot of MDF, so I looked for a blade specifically designed to cut MDF.  If you're trying to cut something and the motor is whining, or the piece itself is dragging, you're using the wrong blade.  The right blade should cut evenly and effortlessly.

Having said all that, here's why I like this saw:

1. A lot of portable saws are very rickety.  This one isn't.  The base (Rigid calls it a "table saw utility vehicle") is extremely sturdy, even on uneven ground.  I was using mine over peastone, and it was solid as a rock.
2. It has good functionality, and all the functions are easy to access.  I raised and lowered the blade, changed the angle of the blade, and changed the angle of the table itself quickly and painlessly.  Sometimes, changing things around can distract you and take up a lot of time, so this is important.
3. The table extenders are also sturdy, and I had no problem cutting 24" pieces.  The left rip capacity is 12", and the right rip capacity is 25".  But I cut a 48" piece down to 38" with no problem.
4. The mitre gauge slots are extremely smoothly machined.  Surprisingly, this is an issue I've had on lots of tools: my jig fits into one slot but not the other, or the slots are so burred up that my jig doesn't slide smoothly at all.  Which, well, makes for some funny-shaped pieces of wood.  Another nice feature is that there are mitre gauge slots on either side of the blade.  The only jig the saw comes with is, well, a mitre gauge but that's an important one and it's also very accurate.
5. While I don't have specifics on tolerances, I found that even cutting a long (4') piece of MDF into thin (2.5") strips, the saw handled the vibration well.  Sometimes, you can end up with one end being narrower than the other, etc, but I measured all of my pieces and they were completely uniform.
6. It comes with a nice hooked pusher that really works well.
7. There's a 2" dust port, which you NEED.  I cannot even tell you how much sawdust I accidentally blew through the living room window.  I also accidentally coated my husband in sawdust.

The one thing I really wish it had was variable speed, but so far I've actually been completely happy with the saw as-is.   All in all, it cuts like a dream.  The blade guard and anti-kickback pauls work, but don't get in the way.  Finally, too, the saw comes with an important safety feature that (surprisingly, to me at least) not all saws have: an ignition key.  You can't start the saw without it, and since the key is small and portable, it's easy to keep out of small hands.  Considering that a blade going at 4400 rpm could easily take a finger off, this is important.

All in all, I think it's worth the money.  And between this and my MicroLux, I now have the ability to make pretty much every cut in the book.  Which, well, that's a lot of versatility in not a lot of space.

The Tools I Use

I thought about going around and taking pictures of all of them, but then wondered, does anyone even want to see them?  Plus, too, my newest toy isn't yet out of its box.  Jim and Jackson went to Home Depot with me yesterday before work, and we got some MDF panels, too.  They're pretty good sports.

Jackson in his jumperoo; he turned 5 months two

London feels left out.

Yesterday, I purchased a Rigid 10" 15 amp table saw with a portable stand.  Due to my oft-discussed space issues, I'll be using it outside.  

I also have a MicroLux Tilt Arbor Table Saw, which is what I do most of my fine cuts on.  I bought this to replace the PREAC.  I had two PREAC saws for years, and was not happy with them.  My biggest issues were vibration and lack of variability.  I found it very difficult to achieve precise cuts, because the PREAC just wasn't calibrated right.  My MicroLux, however, is accurate to within 0.03 mm, which makes a huge difference to the final product.  Also, because it tilts, fits larger blades, has a variable speed motor, etc, it's much more versatile.

The only thing I miss about the PREAC is Pete Boorum's jigs, but jig making isn't that hard and you can always make your own.  Micro-Mark sells some pretty good accessories, including a nice feather board.  I also have their anti-vibration pad, which works great and is worth the comparatively small investment.  My workbenches are kind of old and warped--they came with the house, which was built in '38--and the anti-vibration pad even works in that less than ideal situation.

After experimenting with several different Dremel products over the years--I've owned an embarrassing number of tools that didn't quite work out--I settled on the Dremel 4000.  Not all Dremels are created equal, and the less expensive, less powerful ones aren't always up to the tasks I have in mind for them.  I love dremelling, and most of my projects, large and small, feature some.  I used my Dremel to create the arches in the greenhouse; I cut two arch pieces, placed them back to back, and used my Dremel to create the actual arch shape.  It's a lot easier to create a composite Gothic arch out of two pieces of wood, than try to get that perfect little point.

I have both a MicroLux electric mitre saw and a regular old box-style mitre saw.  I use the cheap one more.  Spending a lot of money on a mitre saw is, I've discovered, like spending a lot of money on a bottle of champagne or a serrated blade knife: past a point, not worth it.  Korbel tastes better than Veuve Cliquot, and our OXO serrated knives work great.  Our Shun knives, however, are worth every penny.

I love 3M sanding sponges.  The best sanding supplies are made for the automotive industry.

I don't have an airbrush, but I'm seriously considering getting one.

I like X-ACTO #11 blades, #2 pencils, and metal rulers.

I stopped using T-squares awhile ago.  Even the really expensive ones are often slightly off-angle.  But speed squares still rule--and, for some reason, are generally cheaper and better made.  Huh?

I only use Olfa self-healing cutting mats.

To be honest, my favorite brushes are the synthetic bristle ones available at Michael's.  It's all about the quality of the bristles and the actual construction of the brush, not the brand name.  A set of several costs about five bucks and, on the whole, they're better brushes than some brushes I've paid twenty times that for.  

Q-tips rule, and that is all.

Everything I make, I make with these tools. 

Why Les Chinoiseries Wallpaper Is The Best

Before you set about papering your next dollhouse, there are a few things you should know.  Mini Land is pretty much bursting at the seams with different wallpaper choices.  Some are OK.  Some are downright awful.  Here are some reasons you shouldn't use anything but Les Chinoiseries:

1. Most wallpapers are comparatively thin.  Even Les Chinoiseries' biggest competitor, Brodnax, has a very thin paper.  This isn't optimal.  Thinner papers a) are harder to attach smoothly, and b) tend to ruffle and pill.  I, personally, don't care for Brodnax paper as I'm not impressed with either the quality of the paper or the quality of the printing.  Les Chinoiseries wallpaper, on the other hand, stands up to a lot of abuse.
2. Another reason you want a thicker paper is if you're planning on wiring your house.  Wiring tape is extremely visible under poorer-quality papers.  This is a primary consideration of mine in deciding whether or not to wire; if I can't find decent period-correct papers or other wall coverings, I don't.
3. Les Chinoiseries' papers represent the most high quality printing available on the market today.  Their colors are extremely rich and vibrant; their lines are extremely crisp.  In comparison, many supposedly "expensive" papers have weak, bland colors and fuzzy lines.
4. It's EXTREMELY challenging to find historically accurate wallpaper.  I've toured a number of historic houses across America, and seen much of the original wallpaper on which Les Chinoiseries' designs are based.  There's even one particularly fine example in my hometown.  One aspect of historical colors, which modern designers, in their ignorance, often fail to reproduce is saturation.  Real antique wallpaper--and fabric--started out life bright.  Mostly, their current pastel hues are the result of fading.  In larger homes especially, many rooms--such as the formal parlor--were used only at night, and, therefore, seen only by candle or lamplight.  It was necessary to use bright colors, as even the brightest colors would appear soft and faded in dim light.  This historical tidbit is extremely useful to know when it comes to designing your dollhouse.  Most commercially available dollhouse lighting is weak, and, thus, the real life decorating problems of our ancestors are illuminating in solving those faced by us, as miniaturists, today.  Bright, busy patterns might look bizarre under fluorescent light, but they'll make the best dollhouse rooms.
5. The price is right.  It might seem like a lot, compared to, say, the bargain grab bag at your local miniatures shop, but, believe me, you're getting your money's worth.  I'd actually never had much of an opinion one way or the other about Les Chinoiseries, until I helped a friend wallpaper a house for her granddaughter.  I was so impressed--I literally couldn't get over the difference in quality.  I went home and threw all my other wallpaper out.

Do you have a company or product you really love?  Really hate?  Tell me about it!

The Most Amazing Thing I've Seen

Every once in awhile, you come across a piece that, as they say, sets the gold standard.  I've seen a handful in my time, but, unfortunately, mostly before I started writing this blog.  I wish that, now, looking back on it, I'd chronicled those experiences better.  As a miniaturist, of course, I have a professional interest in my fellow miniaturists' work...but, really, who am I kidding?  When I see something really incredible, something that utterly engages my imagination, I really just want to play with it.  Every time I see a truly beautiful miniature, I feel the same sense of wonder I did when I got my first dollhouse at age six.

Case in point: DeCave Designs' Windsor Antiques and Rare Book Shop.  This is, quite simply, the best roombox I've ever seen.  I could move right in!

Read My Tutorials In AIM!

If you haven't yet, you really need to start reading the Artisans In Miniature iMag.  It's by far the best miniatures magazine available, and you can download it in PDF form for free!  All you need is a (free) Scribd account, and directions for how to get one are on the site.  The AIM iMag comes out monthly, and is absolutely packed with interesting features.  March's issue has a Tudor theme, which is, of course, particularly interesting to me--and I'm sure to some of you as well.

Some of my favorite features in this month's magazine are several incredible features about dolls--including a realization of one family's genealogy in miniature, and an absolutely fabulous depiction of Henry VIII and his wives--and "Tudor Estate Agents", a selection of beautiful miniature properties.

As I told my husband yesterday, after I first read it, the fact of my inclusion in this magazine is highly complimentary to me.  I am, truly, the least imaginative, and the least talented member of a fabulous group. That I'm included at all helps me to take my own work more seriously, and encourages me to improve.  It's a tremendous blessing, keeping company with such excellent artisans.

There are several excellent free projects--not just by me--this month, including petit point cushions, a "pottage" recipe, printables, and directions for knitting your own (mini) monmouth cap.  And, of course, you can see my tudor brick making tutorial, and Part I of my thatched roof tutorial.  I highly recommend checking them all out!

And, speaking of which, I worked for hours--to absolutely no avail--on my thatched roof tutorial yesterday, producing quite a bit of mess and no decent results.  I really do know what I'm doing...sort of...but part of creating, sometimes, is mistaking.  I had a "brilliant" new idea that didn't pan out so wonderfully, so we're back at square one...with a beard trimmer...this morning.  

Don't despair, though...a viable tutorial really is on its way!  Stay tuned!  And now, back to work...

IT'S SO CUTE!!!

I found this bear via one of my readers, Anastasia:

Photo courtesy of Tatiana Scalozub.

You can buy either the pattern, or a full kit.  I love Etsy, I sell on Etsy, and I think some of the most talented artists in the world (I do not include myself in this group) sell on Etsy.  I am absolutely in love with this bear!  No, it's not dollhouse-related, but so what!?!  When it arrives--and here's one plug for the seller, TSminibears, shipping (from Odessa to Massachusetts) is dirt cheap--I'm going to put it together, and review the kit on this blog.

Etsy Showcase: Worth It?

As I'm sitting here writing this, I'm surrounded by the tools to make miniature bread.  Polymer clay food is just about the coolest thing on the planet.  Growing up, making it was always my favorite hobby.  Now, as an adult, I find I've somewhat lost my confidence.  So we shall see!  

At any rate, once I finish making my many mini loaves (or don't), I'll post them for sale to our Etsy shop.  We opened it at the beginning of February, and I'm still figuring everything out.  This last Monday, we bought space in one of Etsy's "showcases".  Basically, you pay 7.00 USD for 24 hours' worth of banner promotion on Etsy's site.  You can choose which sub-category sees your banner.  For example, since we sell dollhouse miniatures, we chose that one.

Etsy claims that, by purchasing a showcase, you'll gain two things:

1. Short term exposure, in that you'll sell more items.
2. Long term exposure, in that more people will learn about you, "heart" your shop (i.e. add it to their personal list of favorites) and, hopefully, buy from you in the future.

So was it worth it?  Well, it's too early, as yet, to see whether the second--and far more valuable--asset has been gained.  I can say with complete confidence, though, that we did sell a number of things during that 24 hour period.  A word of caution, though: the danger, here, is in spending more to promote your item than you'll make on selling it.  Etsy's fees are, generally, quite low--but, when amassed, can have the effect of drowning you under a ton of feathers.  Twenty cents here, another twenty cents there, and a 3.5% commission on everything you sell can add up.  Add to this an almost ten dollar surcharge, and it's doubtful whether, in certain circumstances, it would be worth it.

Everything we sold was small.  We, indeed, sold out of our cheaper items completely.  Nonesuch House, however, is still alone and sad.  The moral of this story: before purchasing a showcase, make sure you've got plenty of smaller items for sale.  I think we'll probably purchase another showcase after making some meaningful additions to our (as yet forthcoming) mini bakery.  A showcase would be, I think, a good way to debut new items, or new categories of items.

So there you have it, our review.  Etsy, like any other selling tool, has its ups and downs.  I've been making and selling miniatures off and on my entire life, starting when I was about ten, and I've found that, in this field, the personalities can sometimes be quite difficult.  I don't think filthy lucre brings out the best in anyone.  So, one advantage of selling online (apart from the obvious advantage of being able to reach so many people at once) is that the personalities are taken out of it.  Your items are judged on their individual quality, not on your individual ability to make a sale.

And, of course, compared to competing venues like eBay, Etsy is quite a bit more time and cost-effective.  You aren't reposting the same abysmally unpopular listing every ten days.  I also do like the "heart" feature.  I've "hearted" a number of items, myself.

Michelle's Miniatures Gypsy Caravan Kit: It Finally Arrived!

Over the next few months, I'll be reviewing kits as I receive them and complete them.  I love reviewing kits, probably because I love making them, and reading others' reviews about them.  Surprisingly, given how popular the hobby is, there aren't that many interesting kits out there.  Which, if you know of any good kits, or kit vendors, and they're not already listed under our "Shopping List", let us know!  Anyway, in this relative vacuum, Michelle's Miniatures is a real standout.

After the beginning of the year, I ordered her gypsy caravan kit.  I was really attracted to the kit, initially, because I like smaller dollhouses, and other dwellings--especially those with lots of personality--and because it reminded me of gypsy caravans I'd seen at the Fryeburg Fair as a child.  I'm sure we're not alone in this, but Maine's largest county fair has a really incredible transportation museum.

After a couple weeks' anticipation, it arrived yesterday--and I already have some very positive things to say about it, and Michelle's Miniatures in general.

The store was very easy to communicate with; I received a notification of my order, another email discussing its likely ship date, and delivery method, and a final email giving me the firm ship date.  The kit itself arrived (from about a thousand miles away) two days later.  I opened the box with great anticipation, and I wasn't disappointed.

The box was very well packed, and the instructions--which I immediately read through--are copious and excellent.  They're very complete, but, at the same time, written in a very encouraging tone.  Unlike a lot of directions, which make you feel bad if you mess up, these explain, clearly and concisely, what you need to do--while, at the same time, encouraging your creativity.

Each individual section is carefully packaged.  You don't have to open everything at once, to begin the kit; you can use each section as you need it.  As someone with a very small work area, who often needs to clean up craft mess quickly--and keep it away from little hands, cat teeth, etc--I appreciate this feature a lot.

Everything is very carefully labeled. 

The detail and craftsmanship of each individual piece is incredible.

I'm really looking forward to beginning this kit--which I'll be able to do soon, once I finish the bakery shell--and I'll keep you updated on my progress!