Extending the 2x4 challenge deadline and more updates.

Why do I use my favourite tools least often?

On March 13 I wrote about how I rarely get to use some of my favourite tools. I certainly don’t shy away from using them, it’s just that I don’t use these tools as often as many of my other (less exciting) tools. You can read that column here.

I mentioned how my Festool Domino was one of those tools I don’t use that often. Whenever I do use it, I end up with strong joints that are produced quickly. That alone is enough for me to love using it. It’s not only fun to use, but the job goes so smoothly and efficiently, too.

I’ve been using it a fair bit this week, as I built a six-drawer chest for our bedroom. The frame is assembled using 12mm Domino floating tenons, and production is going swimmingly. Ever since writing the column a couple months ago, I’ve been consciously trying to use some of these tools more often, and it’s been a lot of fun. I regularly get into the habit of making a piece of furniture without enjoying the process as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, but I’m often so busy with so many balls in the air that I forget to enjoy it as much as I should. I’ve been trying to stop to smell the roses, as they say.

Why routers are good for nothing

Last week I wrote about our upcoming webinar on routers. It was the first of a four-part series covering all the basics about using one of the most flexible and productive tools in my workshop. The first webinar went off without a hitch this past Wednesday. I covered the four different types of routers, what to look for when you purchase one and the four categories of router bits. These events are still relatively new for us, but they’re certainly getting smoother and easier to produce. We had over 100 subscribers attend, with lots of interaction with questions before, during and after the webinar.

I think many folks know that a router can be a very handy tool to have around, though it can also be confusing to learn enough about it and to get comfortable with using one. Using a machine that works at 20,000 RPM can be nerve wracking, at times. Hopefully, after we complete the series of four webinars, we’ll have a new gang of router enthusiasts on our hands, as their knowledge and confidence will have skyrocketed. Join us in two weeks when I cover hand-held router usage. I’ll be chatting about how to chuck a bit into a router, how to use PPE to protect yourself, the basics of using a hand-held router (including climb cutting) and much more. Our webinars are free to subscribers.