"Brian Grimm" wrote in message
news:1120643297.9dc377098a4d7555268fe829bb996d7a@t eranews...
After dulling a couple of inexpensive circular saw blades and making a
mess
out of a couple of long cuts (I know I was weaving officer, but I'm not
drunk!) I did a little research and discovered the recommendation to use
carbide tipped blades. For occasional use, how are the inexpensive
($10-20
each) blades? Do they have enough carbide to bother having them
sharpened?
And which would be better - 24T, 40T or higher?

Circular saw blades are typically marked for the materials they are designed
to cut. Look for one specifically for particleboard and laminates. More
teeth are better, but slow the cut. Use a long straight edge to keep the saw
straight. The factory edge of your sheet goods should be good enought to use
as a straight edge on your other pieces.


Now for the router. I've got a pretty good router, and a good set of
carbide bits. However, I don't understand the difference between a
straight
cutting bit and a mortise bit. To my obviously untrained eye they look
the
same, except the straight bit is 'longer' than the mortise bit. Am I
going
to bring an end to the world by using the wrong bit?

A mortise bit has cutting edges on the bottom of the bit to smooth the
bottom of the groove. It can also be used in a plunge cut. A straight
cutting bit does not necessarily have cutters that will leave a
smooth-bottom dado. They also don't plunge very well without bottom cutters.


Finally, what is a good joint to use for the fixed shelves? I'm looking
at
the top, bottom, and one in the middle for a little stability. I've
looked
at putting a 3/8 dado in the upright, and a 3/8 x 3/8 rabbet in the shelf,
or just a 3/4 dado in the upright. Which of these would be best, or is
there a better joint?


With bullnose shelves, I would cut a 3/4 dado in the upright, but cut the
shelves long to leave the bullnose proud of the edge of the upright. You
could also cut a 1/2 dado in the upright, and 1/4 off each side of the
bullnose edge, but leave an inch or so in the front so the bullnose is not
cut.

Thanks for your time,
Brian