James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.
A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.
Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.
His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.
Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.
Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.
Black & Decker Electric Hand Saw, Metal & Wood Cutting | Reciprocating PHS550B
58 sec read
In spite of some issues with the interchangeable blade system for the Black & Decker PHS550B electric handsaw, this machine fills an important gap between chainsaw and handsaw and many people find it indispensable. The short stroke of the reciprocating handsaw style blade cuts through even 4×4 stock quickly and accurately. Switch the blade out for the metal cutting blade if you need to work on something harder.
That is the real problem with the Black & Decker PHS550B — switching blades is a tricky process requiring precise alignment of holes and screws, and some tricks the owner’s manual doesn’t teach. Keep it clean and be prepared to solve this puzzle patiently. The locking mechanism breaks if owners try to fix the issue by force.
Even with this awkward feature, the Black & Decker electric handsaw is a tool many do love. Much safer to operate and simpler to use than either a circular saw or a chainsaw, this homeowner’s machine will do much of the same work as the heavier tools. Move the saw back and forth as the blade cuts to prevent sawdust from clogging the teeth — the machine prunes tree limbs and makes accurate cuts in posts and lumber. The electric handsaw fits applications where a manual handsaw would not go, and doesn’t require the level of skill that a carpenter’s handsaw demands. The Powered Handsaw is obviously useful for those unable or unwilling to use a more powerful machine, but even experts will find it a valuable backup tool.
James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.
A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.
Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.
His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.
Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.
Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.
In spite of some issues with the interchangeable blade system for the Black & Decker PHS550B electric handsaw, this machine fills an important gap between chainsaw and handsaw and many people find it indispensable. The short stroke of the reciprocating handsaw style blade cuts through even 4×4 stock quickly and accurately. Switch the blade out for the metal cutting blade if you need to work on something harder.
