Ohmygod, Brent, I live in Cary. Any chance we can set up a revolving tool library? First I need to cut the wood in pieces. Then it would be really nice if I could borrow a belt sander for scarfing. Then I'd need that saw again to cut out the panels after lofting........

: Hi, my name is Brent, and I'm a tool-a-holic. (You say, "Hi Brent"
: here.) My grandfather always said that there's nothing more expensive than
: cheap tools. The money you save on a saw could easily be negated by
: chewing up nice plywood and spending a lot of your valuable time trying to
: prepare for or cleaning up a mess. So there is that compelling piece of
: logic, coupled with my motto that there are few projects that do not
: justify the purchase of another tool. I always use the tool again for
: something else so I can further rationalize it. With that in mind, I
: recently purchased the Bosch barrel-grip jig saw. $150 without case from
: Woodworker's Supply. Variable speed and orbit settings, dust blower, quick
: blade changes, anti-splinter insert, great ergonomic feel and most
: importantly, SMOOTH. I have old Craftsman and Skil jig saws and they
: promptly were given away to unsuspecting (and perhaps soon to be ex-)
: friends. This saw makes you want to just cut wood for fun. It handles like
: a dream and you can split the line with no splinters. Don't skimp on
: blades either. You wouldn't put a plastic, single-use camera lense on a
: Nikon. Now understand, I am a notorious cheapskate- I have whole pieces of
: furniture built from wood I have scrounged for nothing. For some things
: you just have to suck it and shell it out. Just one tool-a-holic's
: opinion. If anyone lives around the Triangle and wants to test drive this
: beauty, give me a buzz.

: Cheers,

: Brent in Durham