GRJensen

Thanks, Norm, for giving us so much.

This announcement is sad, but not unexpected. With the state of the economy, most companies are cutting anywhere they can including the dollars they budget for advertising, promotions, and sponsorships.

The New Yankee Workshop has always been a first-rate production ... too bad the sponsors can't find a way to support quality programming.

I would have two concerns with this sled. First, I don't like reaching over the blade. Second, a sled with a rear fence is, IMHO, easier to push through the blade and the rear fence can function as a backer board to minimize tearout.

pcsexpat - You are **NOT** the only one that can't get a full dado stack on the arbor. That is a major failing of benchtop saws. I had two (Delta and Jet models) and couldn't do wide dadoes on either of them. Some of the higher-priced jobsite saws may be able to take a full stack, but I got tired of folling around with them and bought a Jet contractor saw. Problem solved.

Would I buy one of the Chinese knock-offs? Probably not. I have come to value quality over price when it comes to tools, and don't mind spending a little more to get something that is of enduring quality and value. I have spent much of the past few years building my collection of hand-planes, starting with my Dad's old Stanley No 5. My collection now includes a Stanley No 3 (1898), a Stanley No 4 (1910), a Stanley No 7 (1920), a Stanley No 92 (1940's), a pre-WWII Craftsman filister plane, etc. My point here is that (with the exception of a newer Stanley block plane) I could have spent a lot less money and probably got something that 'works'. I sure woudl not have spent countless hours in the shop restoring and tuning these old planes. But I get a tremendous rush everytime Dad's old jack plane cuts shavings so thin you can read newsprint through them!

When I saw this a few days ago, my first reaction was "Naw ... this didn't really happen."

I still don't know if it was an act or not, but in my mind there is nothing either positive or humorous about it.

Speaking of tablesaw safety, the TV commercial with the board kicking back and hitting someone in the back makes me groan everytime I see it. No doubt, the folks who made that commercial thought it was funny. Apparently they don't realize how dangerous a flying missile like that is.