Cutting & Measuring Tools
Radius Gauge R Ruler: Choosing Resolution and Range
How radius gauges are used to check fillets and corner radii, what the R numbers mean, and which set of leaves covers the work in front of you.
Long Tape Measures: Fibreglass, Frame Tapes and Site Measuring
How to measure long distances accurately: fibreglass and frame tapes, cranked disc reels, sag and tension, reading from the 1 m mark and checking a tape against a known length.
Jigsaw Cutting Technique: Pendulum Action and Clean Edges
How to cut cleanly with a jigsaw: pendulum action settings, blade choice for wood, plastic and metal, plunge cuts, clamping the work and stopping blade deflection.
Countersinks, Centre Drills and Deburring: Finishing a Drilled Hole
How to finish a drilled hole: centre drilling, countersink angles for metric and imperial screws, deburring the far side and why a countersunk head stands proud.
Inspection Gauges: Bore Checkers, Dial Probes and CNC Touch Probes
How to measure what a caliper cannot reach: blind hole bore gauges, dial probes, CNC touch probes and inspecting a groove or brake pad repeatably.
Band Saw Blades: Carbon Steel, Bi-Metal, Pitch and Tension
How to choose and run a band saw blade: carbon steel versus bi-metal, choosing tooth pitch by section thickness, tension and guide setup, and why blades fail early.
Carbide End Mills: Flutes, Corner Radius and Milling Aluminium or Steel
How to choose a carbide end mill: flute count and chip room, corner radius strength, substrate grade and coating, plus the speeds, feeds and holding practice that stop breakage.
Squares and Levels: Setting Out, Checking Square and Reading a Vial
How to use and check squares and levels: marking and testing with a try square, vial sensitivity and frame length, magnetic mini levels, and the tests that prove a tool is still true.
Jigsaw Blades: Tooth Pitch and Matching the Blade to the Material
How to choose jigsaw blades: tooth pitch for the material, HCS versus bi-metal teeth, extra-long blades for thick sections, and the setup that keeps a cut on the line.
Drill Bits: Point Angle, Coatings and Choosing by Material
How to choose a drill bit: point angle and flute geometry, HSS versus cobalt and solid carbide, the right bit for steel, tile and deep holes, and the speed rules that decide bit life.