When I rebuilt my used Grizzly G7947 drill press, I retrofitted it with a depth-stop.  The G7947 was so old that that it was manufactured without one.  I guess it was only supposed to be used for drilling through-holes.  Here’s a shot of the standard G7947 depth-stop.

It worked fine, just slow to adjust.  Grizzly recently started carrying push-button (or quick thread) depth-stops but not in the size to fit the 12mm depth rod for the G7947.  They have models in 8mm, 10mm, 3/8-16 (about $14 including shipping) and 1/2-13 (about $16 including shipping).  Delta also has a push-button depth stop replacement part with 1/2-13 threads for about $11 including shipping.

I opted for the less expensive Delta version and picked up a piece of 1/2-13 allthread from the orange box store to use as the depth rod.  The ½” allthread was too large to fit the mounting bracket on the drill so I drilled out the bracket to fit the new stud.

After mounting the new depth rod with the new stop everything works fine except for one thing.  It is easier than I would like to overpower the spring inside the push button and cause it to jump a thread; not real easy but easier than I would like it to be. 

Now I’m on the hunt for a stiffer spring.

Has anyone used one of the Grizzly quick-thread depth-stops or have a source for small but moderately stiff springs?

Edit 8/2/11:  I found a better spring for the stop at ACE Hardware.  The button is only a little harder to push but the stop is much more secure.

Pixels & Sawdust announces its first downloadable package of shop drawings for the Small Lumber Cart.  With a footprint of only 25” X 48” and storage for lumber and sheet goods, the Small Lumber Cart is great for smaller woodworking shops.

The package includes the shop drawings, a materials list and cutting diagrams.  The downloadable document is in .pdf format.  If you do not already have it, you can download the new Adobe Reader® here free to view and print the document.

Shop Drawings Download Area

Happy Woodworking,

My SketchUp model of an adjustable assembly table is now available in the Download Area. 

I based the model on a project in a Issue #30 of ShopNotes.  I changed the legs to give it more height, the top from MDF to melamine and the adjustment pin knobs to make them easier to grab.

The assembly table consists of a main work surface and two “wings”.  The wings can be lowered to save space or raised to double the work area.  The work surface is also adjustable up or down as required to accommodate a variety of assembly projects.

The main work surface measures 36”X36”.  The “wings” are 18”X36” each.  With both “wings” raised, the work surface is 72”X36”.

The height of the work surface is adjustable from 24-1/2” to 32-1/8”.

There are high definition and low definition versions of the model available.

After completing the lumber cart, I found that it was lacking a couple of things. Right off, I found the cart difficult to move when it was fully loaded.  I could pull on a panel or shelf but it was hard to get a grip on them and I was afraid that I would end up pulling something loose. I decided to put handles under one of the shelves to make it easier to move the cart around.  The second thing missing was something to hold the sheet goods to keep them from accidentally falling off the cart while I moved it around.

I started making the handles by ripping a 2X4 that was long enough for two handles to about 2” wide.  I then rounded over the bottom two edges with a ¼” router bit. 

I ripped an 85-degree edge along the length of what would be the inside of the handle followed by routing a grove with a round-nose bit along that same edge for more finger grip.  I then cut the handles to length at an angle to match the inside of the shelf assembly, again 85 degrees.

With the handles completed, I put glue on the ends and top edge, clamped them in placed, and screwed them in through the shelf and the A-frame side panels.  This created secure handles to move the cart without pulling the cart apart.

To secure the sheet goods, I mounted two pieces chain using eye bolts to one of the shelf supports at each end of the cart and then used a carabiner to connect the two pieces of chain.  This allowed me to adjust the chain depending on the amount of sheet goods on the cart. Any number f other devices could be sued to connect the pieces of chain.

See Also:  Lumber Cart

                    Lumber Cart Build – Part 1 – Building the Base

                    Lumber Cart Build – Part 2 – Preparing the A-frame Parts

                    Lumber Cart Build – Part 3 – Assembling the Cart

                    Lumber Cart SketchUp Models

                    Lumber Cart Shop Drawings

I hope this series has been useful.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoy the wood,