Chores and relocation of tools and devices today. The 1941 sewing machine is coming home and I'll see if I can measure and do a little work with a coping saw to fit it into the table of an older White. This will allow me to step down the machine from that table and also another newer one (for a friend or eBay). But as far as tools go, there is still the huge tree root to remove.

I suppose everyone here has had some task that needs a specialized tool, then either inventing that tool or figuring out what tool has already been invented to tackle the job. Prior to yesterday's power nap I was considering this 12" to 14" root removal and thought perhaps a sharp chisel that could be hammered down across the face of it (after digging to expose it). What to call that chisel and how wide should it be? I have several hammers already (and a chisel for breaking concrete but it is too dull for this.)

Not only did I find chisels that will work, there are many fine woodworking tools and it would be an offense to the woodworking community to misuse their beautiful tools. And as an aside, this site with more specialized hammers than I ever imagined.

The Big Box stores have several chisels that will work and have a solid rod through the handle to withstand hammering. But then I strayed into what looks like it would work except for the skinny rod (handle) and realized these are "scaling" chisels and go into electric rotary hammers and are for removing old thinset. Oy. A huge job I have contemplated for years - how to remove the old tile and the adhesive under it. The is an answer before I had asked that question. There are tiles I put down that have cracked over time from the shifting foundation. After I get the foundation repaired, that may be a job I'll tackle, twenty-plus years after first putting down the floors. But back to the root. I think Harbor Freight has a chisel and punch set that will work and they're meant to be hammered (with a protective handle).

Follow-up: what a busy afternoon, but the sewing machine was picked up. They lost my sturdy box and found a case to replace it; I think I can use that case (it's actually a piece of luggage!) to transport one of the machines I plan to sell or ship. The dog bed was shipped to the store free because I expected a big-honker box, but it turns out they do a vacuum pack system that compressed it down to about the size of a lopsided basketball. I opened the package at the store to be sure it was what I ordered.