Skillsaw Jig

I've been needing this for a long time!

This jig will help cut a straight line using a Skillsaw.

It is simple to make, just some plywood and a 2X4. I didn't have a 2X4 so I used a 2X6.

Using a 2X6 made the jig heavier. My Skillsaw is industrial. This Skillsaw is a lot heavier than a regular Skillsaws. It really can be a pain at times, but it cuts good. 

The extra strength of a 2X6 vrs a 2X4 will probably be better support for the weight.

I wanted the jig to be 4 foot long, so that I could easily cut the width of a standard sheet of plywood.

Again, I could have used 1/2 plywood and a 2X4. I did not have 1/2 plywood and 2X4 on hand. but I did have 3/4 plywood and a 2X6. So that is what I used.

I may make a smaller lighter weight jig in the future for smaller jobs.

Do you think that candle is big enough?

Glued and screwed a 4 foot 2X6 on a 4 foot length of plywood.

I used an old candle to wax the plywood so that that saw would glide easy.

Ran the saw on both sides so I would have a fence for both sides of the saw.

Easy, and it works great!

Tested

Cut a bunch of strips that I will be using for the Christmas Train track base that I need to finish. 

What month is this? I need to get started on making Christmas Gifts.

I also cut out some plywood shelves for a project my Wife is going to be working on.

Im pretty happy at how the jig came out. Why didn't I make one of these sooner? Easy to make. Thinking of all the times I cut plywood following a line! They never came out exact. 

Taking the time to set up the jig, it cuts a very straight line and easy to square a piece of wood.

Tips

One side of the line is the piece you measured out, that you are planing on using. The other side of the line is your waste. 

Yeah Yeah, You will be using that piece as well, but we are talking about the measurement you took to draw that line.

If the piece you are keeping is larger than the waste, most likely the jig will be attached to it, and your cutting off the waste. You just put the jig right on the line and cut. Perfect size.

Here is the point of all this - If the piece you measured out is smaller than the waste piece, the jig most likely will be attached to the waste piece. If you line the jig right on the line you measured; your piece will be short by the thickness of the saw blade.

If you already cut a piece to the right size and want to use it as a template. If you line it up to the edge draw a line, or butt the jig up to the template, you will still be short the thickness of the saw blade.

I have one of those Squares with the metal ruler. That metal ruler is just about the thickness of the blade. 

In the picture you can see that I lined up the template piece of wood to the edge, stuck the ruler between the jig and the template. Lined it all up and clamped it down. You could also line the template up with the edge, add the ruler, and draw a line.

The cuts came out exactly what I wanted.

If you do not have a template, you will just need to add the thickness of the blade to your measurement, then draw the line. You could eye ball the distance from the line for the Jig, but your cuts may not be exact.

Hope you found this informative, and helpful.

Dodge 3500 Wheel Bearing/Hub Assembly - Other Side

After replacing the drivers side front wheel bearings, I drove it a few times.

I heard another noise.

Pulled the Drivers wheel off to double checked everything; looked good.

Pulled the Passenger side wheel off, and brake assembly.
Sure enough I needed to replace that side as well.



This side was not as loud as the drivers side, but at least I took a video of it. You should not hear any noise when turning it by hand.

If you wanted to read about the Drivers Side (Click Here)

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Amendment

I parked the truck, everything looked fine.

MONDAY!

Drove it to Jury Duty, and the ABS light was on the entire time.

Got home, and checked it out. I figured it was just the connector.

unconnected and connected it back.

Turned the ignition on and the ABS light was still on. Grabbed the old hub. Plugged that sensor in and the light was STILL on when I turned the ignition on.

Called around; found a place that I could check the ABS system for codes, but as I drove the truck down the drive, the light went out.

Note To Self

If there is an ABS code registered, and you repair the problem, you need to drive it to get it to reset.

That information could have saved me anguish a number of hours.

Dodge 3500 Wheel Bearing/Hub Assembly

Heard some rubbing noise, and grinding sounds when I made turns.

Honestly I heard some small noises for a few weeks that I just thought were a little brake squeal.


The grinding is not a pleasant sound when driving a 1 ton truck or any vehicle.
LOL Stating the obvious there I suppose. I once took a speech class in college. One of the guys did a speech on martial arts. I will never forget this line from his speech. "Elbow smash to the Adam's apple, I think that would hurt very much". Most of the guys laughed.

Anyway, imagining being stuck somewhere in traffic and the cost of being towed home. Besides the cost of repair.


I was not sure what it was at first, but after thinking about it I just knew it was the front wheel bearings that have gone out. This discovery got me to thinking; Was I supposed to be maintaining these bearings by packing them on a regular basis?
No - they are sealed bearings and not something you need to repack.



I pulled The front wheel off and sure enough there was a lot of slop (in and out play, and very easy to turn) in the hub assembly. You could feel the bearings rough and grind as you turned the hub assembly. Bearings are supposed to be smooth and not any slop.



After reseacrhing and reading reviews (some bad reviews on other parts store parts) I decided to buy it at Napa Auto Parts. Hub Assemblies are not a cheap part, and if you find a really cheap part you might get just what you pay for. Not a part I wanted to gamble on.

the 3 bolts that hold the hub
on. 18mm Need a socket for
the bottom 2.

Pretty easy to replace, Pull the wheel,
Brake caliper, caliper bracket, and rotor like you were going to do a brake job.


There are only 3 big bolts in the back that hold the Hub on. You might need to Tap around the old hub with a hammer to get it off.
The new hub slid right in no problem.
Put everything back together.

Dont forget to pump your brakes before driving driving off just like doing a brake job. It takes a few pumps to get your brake pressure back up.

Hub out

Check the orientation of the
backing plate

Pretty easy job, you can do it yourself. Just a few wrenches, socket wrench, and a socket.

I wore gloves to keep the brake dust off my hands. Back when I was a mechanic I hardly ever wore gloves, There was always an easy place to wash your hands in the shop. You did not have to open and doors. I wear gloves often now manly so its easier to clean my hands, but I assume it is healthier as well, lessoning the exposure to chemicals.

I need to check the other side, and a home repair before I can work on that Fender Amp! Oh, and mow the yard before.