Replies

1. 
   ring | May 15, 2010 12:36am | #1

   Take it easy

   I've got a sign in the middle of my bulletin board that says "Assume Nothing".

   Like Bret said, you're being too hard on yourself.  I'll bet that you'll never make the same mistake again, and that's the best anyone can hope for.  Not stupid at all.  I'm twice your age and I've got a lifetime of shop mistakes in my repertoire, some of them I've repeated to my eternal embarassment.  Some have cost me body parts.  Take it with humor and keep going.  

2. 
   bduffin104 | May 15, 2010 08:03am | #2

   A, You're too hard on yourself

   As one who installs a few cabinets I can tell you that a perfectly level floor is rare indeed, especially concrete ones. Before I set cabinets in a room I first use a laser level and find the highest spot on the floor and then shim everything up to that point with cedar shims. That is also why appliances come with adjustable threaded leveling legs which might work well on your miter station.

   Bret 

3. 
   agewon | May 15, 2010 01:12pm | #3

   Thanks guys, and like you both said, you can learn ALOT from mistakes.  David, your cabinets and kitchens are beautiful, and hopefully one day, after MANY mistakes, I can get to that level. 

   I think what I may do is take the casters off and level the bases on the wall intended and just keep her stationary. 

1. 
   AZMO | May 15, 2010 04:49pm | #4

   Level

   If you are on casters it does not have to be perfectly level. My shop is the same and I move most of my tools around. The only thing you need is for the blade to be square to the top that you rest the wood on. I have leveling feet on my bench so I can adjust it as needed. Sometimes I use for outfeed from the table saw and I lower it, sometimes I want it level in the shop so my dang tools don't roll off!  No harm no foul for making a simple mistake and now you have a better knowlege of your shop floor...;>)

   Unlike David Ring, I have never made a mistake.... Ha!! I need more fingers and toes to count the mistakes I make in a day it seems. Post a pic of your chop saw setup.

   AZMO

1. 
   agewon | May 15, 2010 08:41pm | #5

   Persuit of perfection

   Maybe the only reason I ever undertake new hobbies is 1) why pay someone when I am fully capable and 2) I enjoy learning and researching new things, like woodworking.  I literally sat and read books and probably read every article on FWW before I ever built my first cabinet. Although learning from mistakes is key, I like being prepared.  Knowledge is also key, and since I have no-one to learn from, it has been a read-do-learn-fix approach.  I am very confident in my trim work, but wifey wants built-ins and wainscoting, and a bigger toy box, and she wants, and wants, and wants :-). 

    

   Here are some pics.  The stretcher in the center 30" cabinet is to hold it square until I mount the miter saw shelf.  All boxes will have simple plywood drawers and fronts.  I’m thinking about Azmo's post and pitting leveling "outriggers" on the ends to help level and keep the unit from shifting.

   
1. 
   AZMO | May 15, 2010 09:09pm | #6

   Center shelf

   Be sure to do your shelf for the chop saw so you can level it into the base cabinet. I used a bolt system to raise and lower the shelf that the saw mounts to. Gives you a way to fine tune it. I elected in my shop to have mobil systems that move independently. Works for me, but lots of ways to do things. Your base cabinet goes up against the wall, any plans for some dust control later?

4. 
   agewon | May 15, 2010 09:44pm | #7

   I figured i would mount the top before I set the miter saw so i could get it flush, but the leveling screw idea is perfect, thanks.  The second cabinet from the left is wide enough for my bench drill press (Or future Mortise machine) and I plan on using my shelf pin jig to be able to adjust the height of the press, while having an insert for either the press, or just a blank for whatever else.For the dust control, i am going bore holes through the cabinet walls and run some central vac piping I have left over, and plumb them to the saw/ router with come flex hose.  The first cabinet from the left is large enough to house my Shop Vac untill I get a DC.  My biggest issue is going to be Blast gates to cut off the unused line.  Thinking of just making some round dowels on the lathe the diameter of the hose and about 3" long and mounting them to the top so I can just plug the hose on that when not in use.  I also have plans on wiring in a current sensor to activate the vac automaticly when either saw is in use. 

   Any Ideas on an outrigger leveling system?  If you look at the photos, I made the teo-kick around the front and sides.  I thought ablut using the screws from a C-clamp but the t-handle would require too much room.