Making a crazy gyroscope spinning top out of mahogany

 Tools and materials I propose:LatheWood turning tools setBandsawChuck kitTormek T8 Sharpening SystemTormek Woodturner’s KitMineral oilIn this video I make a gyroscope spinning top. Because of it's strange shape and the forces created from the gyroscopic effect, this top has the ability to spin off centre really crazy. I made it out mahogany and an old ball bearing.I...

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Lear Blowers and Vacs: Love 'Em or Hate Them

 TOOL TIMEBlower Vacs: Leaf Blowers: You Know You Hate them.For many years I resisted buying a blower or blower vac because not only the noise emitted by these devices is deafening, but I felt that sweeping leaves would be more productive, not to mention quiet.You can just imagine the 'swoosh, swoosh' of the rake as it sweeps up piles of leaves.  But do you...

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Bountiful Bananas for Your Kitchen Garden

KITCHEN GARDENBanana Growing parts 1 & 2Did you know that bananas are the world's largest herb. Have you ever wondered if it would be possible to grow your own bananas? You may have seen the plants for sale in a couple of plant catalogues and thought to give it a try, but never got around to it. Would it help if I told you that a number of gardeners around Australia...

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DIY plywood bicycle rack

 Tools and materials:Chisel setGougeForstner bit setCorner clampsBelt sanderBandsawRouterRouter bitsCentre drill countersink bitTable sawCordless drillCordless Impact DriverAir compressor, nail and staple gun kitLatheWood turning tools setIn this video I make a bicycle rack out of 15 plywood. This way I can hang my bicycle on the wall and out of the way. I begun...

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Woodcarving wall art - "One face of nature"

 Tools and materials I propose:LatheWood turning tools setBandsawChuck kitTormek T8 Sharpening SystemTormek Woodturner’s KitNo4 hand planeMineral oilSpeed squareCircular sawTrim routerCabinet Scraper setFlexcut starter carving setPFEIL Carving SetIn this video I carve a drawing I had in my mind on a piece of basswood. Before carving I turned the disc on the lathe. It's...

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This Month's Plants: Correas, Blue Hibiscus, Winter Grevilleas, and Two Beaut Banksias

 PLANT OF THE WEEKCorrea glabra and other correas.Scientific name: Correa species- Correa Glabra, Correa reflexa, Correa alba, Correa nummularifoliaCommon name: Native FuchsiaFamily: RutaceaeDistribution: Mainly eastern Australia  from southeast South Australia, through Victoria to eastern New South Wales and continues into south-east Queensland; it includes...

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Ginger and Galangal: What's the Difference? Plus Grow Broccoli

 GINGER AND GALANGALWhat's the difference?Are you into Asian cooking? Not with the pre-made pastes but starting from scratch. Even if it’s just a stir fry, you may be wondering about two items you can buy in the supermarket. Both are used in Asian cooking but one is a more reddish brown colour and the other a sort of light brown.Both are rhizomes,and both are members...

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