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From the Publisher
Paul Fulcher
In this months newsletter you'll read about some new, innovative products from a
number of manufacturers.
Be sure to check out the video link to General's newest product
offering, the Hover Pad. You'll be amazed at what a bit of compressed air can
do! Rather than placing your shop machinery on wheels, General has come up with
a pad that sits under your machinery, and when activated, lifts your machinery
on a cushion of air. You can then push your machinery easily, as it glides over
the floor's surface.
Next, there is Skil's new power tool: the iXO2. You just have to pick one of
these puppies up to know why it has become the biggest seller in the world.
That's right, they've sold over 3 million units with no signs of slowing down.
Why so popular? Pick one up and you'll know instantly. We tell you more below.
There is also a new line of guides for Canada's most popular mortise and tenon
jig, the Leigh FMT. If you already own a Leigh FMT, these are great add-ons. If
you don't already own one, this just may be the incentive that you've been
waiting for.
There's lots more news, so keep reading.
Thanks, and enjoy!
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Hover Pad™ from General
International
 One
of the more innovative and interesting products featured at the 2006
International Woodworking Fair was the
General International Hover Pad, a pneumatic mobile base. The Hover Pad
is a flat base (less than 1" thick) onto which any load, including
woodworking machinery can be installed and then at the turn of a valve,
easily moved around the shop on a cushion of air. You'll need a compressor
to inflate the Hover Pad (as little as 100 psi, at less than 8 CFM). Once
you twist the "fly/park" valve, the machine rises anywhere from 1/8" to 1/2"
off the floor, and floats on a cushion of air. Heavy loads can easily be
moved in any direction with no rollback or creep, and with very little noise
or dust disturbance. Loads can be parked, without rocking, on all but the
most uneven or out-of-plane flooring.
The Hover Pad will fly on smooth, hard, airtight surfaces only. A standard
smooth-finished concrete slab is ideal, as is smooth textured vinyl and
epoxy coated concrete floors. The company suggests testing the floor with a
suction cup – if it sticks even slightly, it will work. To improve
performance, cracks or expansion gaps in floors, can be filled, or simply
taped over. The Hover Pad is available in 2 sizes - the model #10-824
measures 18" x 24", can easily lift loads in excess of 600 lbs and will
retail for around C$195, while the model #10-929 measures 29" x 29", handles
loads in excess of 1200 lbs and will retail for around C$296. The Hover Pad
can also be cut to size on a table saw or band saw to custom fit to the
exact footprint of most square or rectangular based machines of up to 29".
It's expected to be in stores this fall.
Check out the video on the Hover
Pad.
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New Skil Power Tools
 Skil
recently announced a number of new power tools, including the
#2346 iXO2 Lithium-Ion Screwdriver. The iXO2 holds its charge for up to 18
months of non-use, so it's always ready to go, whether you need it for an
unexpected repair or a small project around the house, cottage or shop. It
has a built-in work light to illuminate dimly lit areas. and provides
convenient built-in bit storage. This user-friendly design has a
conveniently located forward/reverse indicator and ergonomic soft grip
handle that makes it conformable in use.
Other Skil tools include a new circular saw, belt sander,
reciprocating saw, grinder and miter saw.
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New Products from Lee Valley
 Lee
Valley has a number of new, interesting products available, including
the Norton Turing Stone (see our
review in
Canadian Woodworking Magazine, Apr/May 2006, Issue 41), a nice set of lumber storage racks from Triton, a
multi purpose marking tool that looks to be a real 'pencil killer', a
carvers apron, and a lovely set of Japanese shaping planes.
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Triple Blade Planer
 Global
Machinery Company is an Australian company that has the world's first
full range of Magnesium power tools. Magnesium tools are stronger, more
durable, lighter and more easy to control compared to tools made with other
metals.
The new 3BP triple blade wood planer provides a higher rate of material
removal for superior cutting action, reduced vibration, and gives a smoother
finish when compared to the traditional 2 blade design. The innovative
Vertical Centre of Gravity (VCG) design offers improved balance during
operation, making planing easier and allowing chips to flow freely to the
dust extraction port. For added convenience the adjustable dust/shavings
extraction guide allows chips to be directed to either the left or right
side of the work piece. An adjustable planing depth of 1/8" allows more
material to be removed in one pass therefore improving productivity. It’s
48,000 cuts per minute ensures a smoother finish and faster cut, especially
in hard woods.
The powerful 6 Amp motor enables heavy duty use, including the planing of
hard woods. The rubber grip handles, switch and depth adjustment knob
provide greater comfort and control. The fully cast base ensures flatness
and increases accuracy of cut. The triple blade planer comes in a convenient
carrying case and also includes 2 sets of planer blades, vacuum adapter,
dust bag and a parallel fence. The 3BP is available fro $89.69 from Reno
Depot and Rona (under their respective corporate names).
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Ridgid's Fuego 6 1/2" Compact Framing Saw
The new RIDGID Fuego 6-1/2" Compact
Framing Saw (Model R3203), is the fastest and lightest corded framing saw in
the world, weighing in at only 8 lbs - 25% less than the competition.
This new compact saw is built with Mg™ Magnesium upper and lower blade
guards for lighter weight and endurance. The high-strength, ultra light
composite shoe is designed to endure hard falls and accidental drops of up
to one story.
This saw is built for daily job site use. It features an ergonomic
wrap-around soft grip handle that decreases vibration and lessens user
fatigue. The special shock absorbent pommel handle design minimizes “wrist
arch" when making bevel cuts. Its f.a.s.t™ dust blower clears the cut line
thereby improving accuracy of cut. The full length front and rear kerf
indicators add to cutting precision, and its plywood ID system easily
locates common thicknesses for fast adjustment. The Fuego features a 12 amp
motor running at 6100 RPM, 2 1/8 depth of cut at 90º and 1 5/8" at 45º , and
a 12-foot all rubber power cord.
The Fuego compact Framing Saw comes with an 18-tooth thin kerf
carbide-tipped blade, heavy duty contractor bag, and a lifetime service
agreement on parts and service.
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New Hitachi Product Offerings
 Hitachi
announced the launch of its new line of Lithium Ion cordless products, that
are powered by HXP Li-ion batteries and feature extended run time, fade free
power, 40% less weight and 3 times the power capacity of standard Ni-Cd/Ni-Mh
batteries. There is an 18V hammer drill, 18V drill/driver, an 18V kit
(hammer drill, reciprocating saw, and lantern), and 3.6V mini screwdriver
(shown), in the offerings.
The 3.6V screwdriver provides woodworkers, installers, electricians and
other professionals superior power-to-weight ratio for a variety of
fastening applications. Equipped with a 1/4" quick-change chuck to make
quick and easy bit changes, and a two position pivoting 90º handle to reach
tight spaces. With a lightweight and compact design at less than a pound,
the 1.5 Ah HXP Li-ion battery guarantees the battery charge even after
months of inactivity. An integrated LED light can be used to illuminate the
workspace for better visibility in dark spaces. It also offers two speeds
(200/600 rpm) for better control based on the application. The Mini Driver
comes packed in a durable molded plastic carrying case that includes a quick
charger, two HXP Li-ion 1.5 Ah batteries, and driver bit.
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Porter Cable Compact Sanders
 Porter
Cable has three new compact sanders on the market. The Model 371K Compact
Belt Sander weighs only five pounds with a belt measuring 2 ½" by 14".
Its flush sides enable users to sand next to perpendicular surfaces and in
tight areas.
Created with a low center-of-gravity, the 371K feels balanced at various
orientations, and the low rear-housing minimizes material gouges. The 5 amp,
500 maximum wattage output motor and 1100 surface-feet per minute belt speed
give enough power to easily remove material from the hardest of woods. The
Sander has metal components to provide durability; a dust-sealed, recessed
switch offering accessibility while minimizing unintended turn-offs; a
removable dust port for a cleaner workspace; and a rubber grip for a
comfortable, non-slip surface. $149.
 The
Palm-Grip Quarter Sheet Sanders and Palm-Grip Random Orbit Sanders are
designed for professional users. They feature a top-cap design that is
easily removed to service and clean the unit without completely
disassembling the sander. The improved ergonomics allow for comfortable
body- and top-gripping while the rubber grip dampens vibration. All the
palm-grip sanders have a dust canister, that exceeds the durability of cloth
dust bags, and dual dust-ports that accept 1" to 1 ½" vacuum hoses to
maximize dust removal. The Palm-Grip Quarter Sheet Sanders, models 342 and
342K, are currently available for $59 and $69 respectively.
 The
Palm-Grip Random Orbit Sanders, models 343, 343K, 344 and 343VSK, have 3-amp
motors. The 343VSK offers variable speeds, 7,000 to 12,000 orbits per
minute, to enable users to adjust the speed for various applications. The
343, 343K and 343VSK random orbit sanders use standard eight-hole, hook and
loop sanding pads, and the 343K and 343VSK come with kit boxes. The 344
random orbit sander uses a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) pad. From $74
to $99.
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New Guides for the Leigh FMT Jig
 The
Leigh FMT Jig is one of the most
precise and easy to use jigs for milling mortises and tenons.
Leigh now has three new sets of guides to expand the jigs
functionality. The square guides (shown) come in four sizes: 1/4" x 2 1/2",
5/16" x 2 1/2", 3/8" x 3" and 1/2" x 3". The table limit stops of the FMT
can be used to shorten or lengthen the tenon in the same manner as tenons
with a normal radius. For example, all square tenon guides can produce
tenons as small as 3/4" or as large as 5" with the same ease and precision.
Each guide uses a 1/2" diameter bit to rout the tenon and the corresponding
guide size bit to cut the matching mortise. Using a 1/2" bit allows faster
smoother routing of all sizes of square tenons. Mortises must be square
chiseled by hand or by a square chisel mortise machine, to accept the square
tenon. The set of four guides costs $99.95, or $27.95 each. There are also
sets for routing louver door mortises and "Y" axis mortises.
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DESA Propane Forced Air Heater
 DESAs
propane forced air heaters provide an instant, efficient heat source for
indoor/outdoor jobs, or wherever heat is needed during the cold working
months. While older heaters operate discernibly louder, in small workspaces,
they can be almost deafening. DESA’s new Pro-Tough propane forced air models
are equipped with a high-capacity fan to quickly circulate directional heat.
These new models integrate an adjustable-height footing to angle heat
upwards for specific spot heating. To add ease in heater operation, the
control panel is mounted on the top of the heater, which also allows for
ease of operation and serviceability.
DESA incorporated a rugged roll-cage design that is manufactured to
withstand hard use and harsh work environments. Molded plastic end-caps
protect the heater should it ever be dropped or knocked over. This new
design also allows the heater to be stacked vertically and even several
stacked together can be tightly fit into a corner of the work area. To
improve portability, a large, comfortable handle was mounted to the top of
the unit as well. There are several models to choose from. Model TB100 heats
up to 1,265 sq ft, while the TB101 heats up to 2,900 sq ft.
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New Elite Tools Catalogue
 Elite
Tools is proud to announce the arrival of their Fall 2006 catalogue, in
which you will find a large selection of wood tools such as router bits,
shaper cutters, planer knives and accessories.
They've included several new products at competitive prices. Visit their
web site to order a
free copy of the catalogue.
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Lowes In Canada
Lowes recently announced that the company
is on track in regard to its expansion into Canada, with the opening of its
first stores in the Greater Toronto Area planned for the second half of
2007.
"Today, we’re breaking ground on our first location in Hamilton, have
identified additional locations in Brantford, South Brampton and Toronto and
have another nine locations approved through our real estate committee
process," said Doug Robinson, president of Lowe’s Canada during a media
briefing at the company’s Toronto offices. "We have begun the search for
potential store employees with home improvement know-how and a passion for
customer service."
The initial stores are projected to open in the second half of 2007, each
creating up to 175 jobs. Each store represents an average investment of
C$20.5 million. |
Burke's 16th Annual Western & Wildlife Art Workshop
 Mark
your calendars for July 22-27, 2007. The 16th annual Western & Wildlife Art
Workshop will be held in Crete, Nebraska at Doane College.
You'll enjoy wood carving and sculpting with 11 top artist
instructors. The photo shows John Burke and Dave Steson, instructors at the
2006 workshop.
John is one of the pioneer's of teaching woodcarving in the United States
and has been holding an annual workshop in Crete Nebraska for the past 16
years. Dave Stetson is a very talented caricature carver who teaches in the
Emil Janel style. For information contact Warren J. Blessing Jr., at 309
Woodbridge Rd. Coventry, CT 06238, or call 860-742-3253. You can also
email him. The Canadian contact
is: Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach. |
| Norton 3X Premium Ceramic Grinding
Wheels |
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| Item: |
46 to 100 grit in 6", 7" & 8"
diameters and 3/4" & 1" widths. |
Price: |
from $38.49 |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
European Hand Tools |
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Norton 3X Grinding Wheels
Replacing wheels on a grinder is a
piece of cake |
Sharpening your tools just got a lot easier
thanks to
Norton Abrasives!
We’ve been using Norton 3X sandpaper since it hit the market, and when we heard
they had released a version of the 3X product in the form of a grinding wheel
for use on bench grinders we had to try them.
These wheels are made of Norton’s patented SG (ceramic alumina), which has been
formulated to provide a constant supply of fresh, sharp cutting edges. The way
it achieves this is by controlled micro-fracturing of the grain, and with the
resulting constant supply of fresh cutting edges you get a cool, burn-free cut.
No kidding.
Every woodworker I know has turned at least one tool blue on the grinder while
trying to touch up an edge. It doesn’t take much when using a high speed grinder
with standard wheels. We have several grinders in the shop, all of them rated at
3450 rpm. Just to experience the ultimate in cool grinding we tried the Norton
3X wheels on a low rpm grinder we borrowed from
General Canada
for the occasion.
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| The Norton 3X wheels are available in several
different grits (46, 60, 80 and 100), three diameters (6", 7", 8" ) and two
widths (3/4" and 1") and ship with a set of bushings allowing them to be mounted
on any grinder. Before mounting the wheels on the grinder, I took an old chisel and gave it a 5
second grind on the standard wheels just to get an idea of how hot the steel
would become. I then mounted the Norton 3X wheels on the high-speed grinder and
gave the same chisel another 5 seconds on the grinder (the chisel was cold by
then). I then moved the wheels to the low speed grinder. The difference in temperature between the two
sets of wheels was almost hard to believe.
The chisel quickly got hot and began to turn blue when the original wheels were
used. When I tried them on the standard 3450 rpm grinder, they still got warm,
but not anywhere near as hot as with the standard wheels. After an equal grind
time it was still possible to touch the edge, and although it was warm it was in
no danger of turning the steel blue. After letting the chisel cool to room
temperature we tried the Norton 3X wheels on the low speed grinder, giving them
a similar grind as with the high-speed version. Using the slow speed grinder,
the edge of the chisel barely got warm at all!
The Norton 3X grinding wheels will run cooler no matter what type of grinder you
use them on, but when paired with a low rpm grinder they provide a cool dry
grind without the mess of a wet system. Like all grinding wheels, they should be
dressed after mounting them on a grinder to eliminate any eccentricity and
reduce vibration as the wheels spin. Norton makes a diamond tipped tool
specifically for this purpose. It looks like a screwdriver but has a bar on the
end impregnated with diamonds. Holding this against the edge of the wheel as it
spins quickly trues up the wheel and restores a square face.
With the new Norton 3X wheels and the diamond dressing tool, keeping your edge
won’t be the same old grind any more. These wheels turn in one cool performance
that won’t turn your tools blue. |
| General Low RPM Bench Grinder |
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| Item: |
15-625 |
Price: |
from $99 |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
Tool supply outlets across Canada |
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The General 15-625 equipped with a new set of Norton 3X wheels
Tool rest |
Sharpening tools is something every woodworker
must contend with at some point or another and there are several options to
choose from. One of the most common is the bench grinder and one can be found in
almost every shop. These machines are great for sharpening everything from
lawnmower blades to woodworking tools, but most are best left to the coarser
tasks. Typically these grinders run at 3450 rpm and come with grinding wheels in
two different grits.
The General 15-625 bench grinder is a low rpm grinder designed for 'low risk'
sharpening. The lower rpm of the motor translates into a lower surface speed
when the wheel contacts the tool being sharpened and this naturally results in
less heat build up. By reducing the speed and resulting heat build up you’ll
significantly reduce the chances of turning your tools blue, and once the edge
has turned blue you’ve altered the edge holding ability of the tool.
The 15-625 comes equipped with a work light to provide additional illumination
at the grinding wheel and come on automatically when the machine is turned on.
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The housing for the motor also is somewhat
unique. It has two recessed areas machined into it, which allow a greater range
of movement of the object being sharpened - long tools and their handles are
less likely to conflict with the motor housing.
With most grinders, the tool rests are usually not designed for working with
fine woodworking tools and often come up short. The tool rests on the 15-625 are
better than average, and will be fine for most operations, but if you spend a
lot of time sharpening fine chisels and plane blades a specialized after-market
tool rest might be a good investment.
The 15-625 is a great little grinder for the majority of sharpening tasks that
most woodworker will need. |
| Collins Complete Woodworking
Manual |
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| Item: |
ISBN: 0007164424
352 pages, hardcover, 2005, 9" x 11 1/2" |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
Order through your local bookseller or
here |
Price: |
$37.50 |
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Drawer Design, page 101 
Hammers, page 145
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If you are a student in a woodworking program or
new to the discipline of woodworking, then you won't regret purchasing Albert
Jackson and David Day's revised edition of the "Collins Complete Woodworker's
Manual". This comprehensive, illustrated manual is an excellent reference to the
basic tools and techniques of the craft.
The book begins with an overview of wood - its
properties, issues in drying wood, profiles of over 70 of the species commonly
used in woodworking, how veneers are made, the common types of veneer available,
and characteristics of sheet goods.
The next section talks about the design process
and the interplay between form and function. It discusses important design
features for chairs, tables, shelving, cabinets and drawers. The discussions are
amplified with copious illustrations.
The third section covers the majority of hand
tools likely to be found in a modern workshop. It provides information on the
function of the tools gives practical tips on their application.
Chapter four covers power tools and their
accessories. There are no reviews of tools, rather a focus on what the various
tools are used for. Again the authors provide numerous practical tips on tool
usage.
Stationary machines are covered in the fifth
chapter. The authors are British, so a lot of the machinery photos are of
products that are not available in Canada. This doesn't pose a problem because
the information here is completely transferable - what they are conveying is the
purpose and function of a generic machine, not specific model characteristics.
The following section talks about what to look
for in setting up a home workshop. This section is, in my view much too short,
being only 5 pages long.
Chapter seven, joint making, covers all the basic
joinery techniques and has a handy reference chart that shows the suitability of
various joints for different sheet stock.
The next three chapters cover topics that are
perhaps a bit more suited to the intermediate woodworker - bending,
veneering/marquetry, and carving. Nonetheless they do provide a good overview to
these topics.
The section on finishing is pretty well done,
considering there is so much to cover. But after reading this section you should
have a good understanding of the importance and basic |
techniques involved in surface preparation and finishing. I'm a
big fan of shellac and was glad to see ample coverage of French polishing.
The book ends with a quick tour through adhesives and hardware.
Again, good practical stuff here, such as how to install a butt hinge.
In summary, this is a good general introduction to the craft
of woodworking, ideally suited to the novice woodworker or DIYer. It is well
written, amply illustrated with drawings and photos, and contains a lot of
practical information. |
| Oak - The Frame of Civilization |
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| Item: |
ISBN: 0-393-32778-7
336 pages, softcover, 2006, 5 1/2" x 8" |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
Order through your local bookseller |
Price: |
$21.00 |
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If you're looking for a 'good read', then buy or
borrow Logan's new book, "Oak - The Frame of Civilization". Professional
arborist and award-winning nature writer William Bryant Logan has written a
fabulous book that will change the way you look at Quercus Rubra.
In short, the book is about the relationship
between humans and oak trees since ancient times. Acorns and lumber. It's
amazing how extensively, and for how long our civilization has been impacted by
a single genus. "Since glaciers last retreated and since humans began to build
and settle down," writes Logan, "there have been but two versions of the world:
the world made with wood and the world made with coal and oil. One lasted twelve
to fifteen millennia; the other has lasted about 250 years so far." And the wood
that has sustained humanity for well over 12,000 years - oak. And yes, the
distribution of oak trees has the same boundaries as ancient settled
civilizations.
The first part of the book looks at oak as a food
- balanoculture. Logan discusses the overriding |
importance of acorns as the major dietary staple of our ancestors. The next, and
major part of the book talks about the role of oak in heating, housing and
hauling. There are all sorts of interesting anecdotes here. For example, between
the 4th and 18th centuries in northern Europe, 95% of all building were made
from oak. The roof of Westminster Hall, constructed between 1393 and 1397 (and
still standing today) has an oak timber framed roof weighing 660 tons. It spans
68 feet without any aisles. Did I mention it's still standing? Until the middle
of the 19th century the shipyards of America and Europe represented the largest
industry in the world. And ships they did produce, thousands upon thousands, all
from oak. Logan describes the mind boggling process of making a wooden ship,
which was much less the product of an assembly line than an assembly of crafts.
Dozens of crafts (wrights, stem smiths, hewers, pit sawyers, riggers, plankers,
daubers) involving hundreds of workers over periods of several months to several
years. Virtually by hand.The age of oak is now gone -
however you can capture the breath and scope of it through "Oak - The Frame of
Civilization". |
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Penblanks.ca
Penblanks.ca
is the online store of William Wood-Write, located in Cambridge, Ontario. Bill
and his wife Lilian supply pen blanks from over 100 species of exotic woods from
all around the world. These premium pen blanks are the best of the best: Bill
and Lilian select only the most highly figured, colourful and unusual woods
available. And with their premium blanks, what you see is what you get.
Penblanks.ca offers nine different styles of pen kits in a
variety of finishes. They are also the exclusive distributors for Baron pen kits
in Canada. In addition to standard wood blanks they sell a wide range of
stabilized and dyed blanks and acrylic blanks.
You can also get all your pen tooling, including drills,
bushings, mandrels, arbors and pen mills. |
Thuya Burl pen blanks |
Stabilized Cross Cut Spalted Maple pen blanks |
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Ethereal Earth
Brian McEvoy, Edmonton
Brian is one of Canada's leading woodturners.
Ethereal Earth is a twelve inch diameter sphere only 1/8" thick. The countries
of the world are carved and hand painted to proper scale. The oceans are then
pierced to give a fragile look that Brian so strongly believes represents the
state of the Earth today. The globe sits on a cocobolo stand, and is
mounted at its proper axis of 22 1/2º.
With a ball bearing mount the globe can be rotated to any desired position.
Turned from Alaskan Yellow Cedar and finished with acrylic ink and lacquer, this
sculpture measures twenty inches high. To highlight the oceans, the inside of
the sphere has been airbrushed with iridescent paints so you catch a glimmer of
aquatic blue through the piercing. A truly remarkable turning.
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Pool table
Gilbert Tremblay, Gatineau, PQ
Gilbert built this pool table out of solid red
oak, 3/4" oak plywood and topped it with a felt.
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Living Room Set
Dave Graore, Kitchener, ON
Dave made this 3 piece Mission style
living room set from oak and finished it with a cherry oil stain and top coat.
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Dale Earnhardt Sr
Wilson Decker, Ottawa
This is Wilson's scrollsaw homage to Dale
Earnhardt Sr. Its done on 1/8" birch ply and the frame is made of MDF. |
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If you would like to see your work in
this newsletter, send us an image along with information about your
project. Images look best with an uncluttered background. Use the highest
setting on your digital camera - we will reduce the image to fit in the
newsletter.
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Issue #28
October 2006
Visit our web site
by clicking
here
Contact
our Marketing Manager
for information about advertising in this newsletter
Advertising Sponsors
Click on a logo to visit their web site. |
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