Shop Update for January 6, 2016

I have shot my first video for 2016. Even though it is only an ACW Shop Update video, it marks a very special occasion as I have quit working as a contractor, and I am now focusing on launching my online woodworking classes.

I could go on with this post, but why type out what I have already said in a video;)

Stay tuned and stay safe in the shop!

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love - Share the Knowledge


My New YouTube Channel Has Officially Launched!

The new American Craftsman Workshop channel has officially launched and it is off to a running start!

I posted the following video at my old YouTube channel this afternoon informing everyone to head over to the new channel and the response has been great!

In 7 hours I got 300 subscribers. That was just from the exposure on Google +, I had not posted anywhere else like the woodworking communities or here, at my own site at that point. 

The real goal is to strengthen the American Craftsman Workshop brand. Remembering my name, or spelling my last name to find my content is more difficult than "The American Craftsman Workshop."

This name came to be since I run my local business as Todd A. Clippinger - American Craftsman. The American Craftsman Workshop was a natural extension from that. 


I tried to change the name on my YouTube account, but that just was not working. It seemed that the issue was because I was going from a personal name to a business name and they would not allow it. So I just decided it was easier to start over. 

I had just over 6,000 subscribers and about 785,000+ views at my old channel when I launched the ACW channel, but I did not care. In the long run this will be better for my brand. 6,000 subscribers is pretty much chicken scratch and I did not deserve that for the sporadic posts that I made. 

People will watch, some will subscribe, some will like it, and some will not. But none of that matters, I just need to share, I just need to get it out of me. I have 18 years of experience bottled up inside of me and sharing is what makes me feel better. 

When I started as a carpenter, and even as I moved toward fine woodworking, I was self-motivated and self-taught. But there were people along the way that shared freely with me. I was impressed with the generosity of those craftsmen, and now it is my turn to pass it on.

That is why my motto is Share the Love - Share the Knowledge. You can go back through my earliest entries here at my site, or even way before that, check out my entries at LumberJocks. My motto is at the closing of each blog.

I would love it if you check out the new ACW Channel and show your support by subscribing. The comments and show of support is really energizing and gives strong motivation to get out more video. 

That's all for now. I still have some sanding to do on a project so I gotta head out. 

Your friend in the shop-

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love-Share the Knowledge 




Viewer Question on Jointer

Monte from Virginia asked about what kind of jointer I used and what I thought of it. I tried to email him back with an answer but the email service was rejecting the address, so I thought that I would just post the answer publicly.

G0543My jointer is a Grizzly G0543. It is an 8" jointer with a 75" long bed and it has the Grizzly Spiral Head cutter. The motor is a 2hp 110/220v single phase motor. I have it wired as 220v.

My experience with the jointer has been a very positive one. The carbide cutters have 4 edges and they give a high quality cut that seems to last forever on a single edge. Because the spiral head provides a shearing angle cut compared to the straight knife cut, I am able to joint highly figured woods more easily and with little to no tear-out.G0593

In short - I love this jointer and have no regrets purchasing it. This particular model is no longer sold at Grizzly, but I took a look to see what may have replaced it. What I found was the Grizzly G0593. The G0593 Jointer has the same specs and price point as my G0543.

The only feature difference I see is that the On/Off switch is placed up high on a post for easy access. This seems like it would be a desirable feature in my mind. The On/Off switch on my jointer is down on the base, under the infeed table. It doesn't kill me but it would be more convenient to have it located up higher.

Other than the location of the switch, the color scheme is a bit different.

The 2hp motor is substantial and never seems to be burdened with the work of material removal, even when face jointing large stock. Remember, the jointer only should be removing small amounts at a time anyway. I have never felt that I needed a 3hp motor for a jointer of this size, but if that is what they come with, that is fine too. The point here is that a 2hp motor is, without a doubt, quite sufficient on an 8" jointer.

A taller fence would be helpful here.If there is anything that I would recommend an improvement on, since they already raised the power switch, is that it should have a slightly taller fence. Usually the taller fences are found on jointers above the 8" class. One notable exception to this is that Delta had a tall fence on a jointer in this size (not sure of the model) and I have to say that I had a bit of fence envy when I saw it.

I have the need to move my jointer once in a while, so I have placed it on a ShopFox mobile base. This has proved to work out well and fulfills my "flexibility through mobility" mindset.

I hope that this information helps with your decision Monte. Sorry, I did not get the email back to you, the system just rejected your address.

Your friend in the shop, Todd A. Clippinger.

Share the Love~Share the Knowledge