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Lose the shims: Häfele America Co. have devised a clever new way to level kitchen, office and other cabinetry. The Axilo™ Plinth Adjusting System is a tool that reaches under casework and allows the installer to adjust the legs up or down using a manual handle, or a cordless drill. The adjusting tool acts like an extension of one's arm. It can reach the rear feet of the plinth as easily as the front ones when an extender is added, and the installer (who is no longer lying flat on the floor) can see a level laid on top of the casework at all times - which makes easy work of micro-adjustments. Adjustments can be made using a cordless screwdriver, thanks to a ¼" bit holder build into the handle of the tool. The Axilo can be applied and operated from nearly any angle, and it works with special Axilo brand Adjustment Feet. It can be used for plinth heights of 50 to 220 mm (about 2" to a little over 8-1/2"). Woodworkers can see the system in action here. And technical information can be found here, or in Häfele's digital catalog here. |
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The Vacuum Clamp Pod Kit (item 53418) from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is designed to be used with a vacuum pump (sold separately) to hold a workpiece firmly in place with unobstructed access to the edges and top. The kit, which is listed at $59.99, secures a workpiece from the bottom face, eliminating the need for clamps that can get in the way of sanding, routing and planing. It works on nearly any workpiece with at least one flat face, all the way down to about 4'' square. It's ideal for benchtop CNC projects such as routed signs and plaques, small workpieces, carvings and more. The kit includes two pods, 8' of hose, T-bolts and fold-down knobs that slide into a T-track table or slotted CNC table. Pods may also be screwed to a traditional work table or workbench with the included brackets. Again, the company notes that a vacuum pump, which must be able to generate suction of at least 25'' of mercury (Hg), is not included. The company does sell a pump (item 57519, $399.99). |
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Brown Wood's new Modern Farmhouse collection includes shiplap, hood decor, flat and floating shelves, table pedestals... and x-panels. These have cross pieces that resemble heavy timber frames and they give the impression of strong hidden construction. The company says they can be used to cap the end of an island (shown), create a table extension, or even be used to create a wall panel or a cabinet door. One face is recessed (that is, the X isn't quite as thick as the surrounding frame), while the other remains flush. That means a woodshop can use either or both sides in designs. The panels come in 1-1/2" and 3" thickneses, and in 25" x 30" or 25" x 34-1/2" outside dimensions (they can be rotated). Available species are alder, cherry, hard maple, red oak, white oak and walnut. Brown Wood Inc. is headquartered in Lincolnwood, Illinois, and has branches in Yarmouth, Maine and New Philadelphia, Ohio. |
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It being St. Patrick's Day on March 17, the editors thought it would be appropriate to invite you to drop in on one of the foremost young Irish woodworkers and see what he has been up to lately. Joseph Walsh was born in 1979 and founded his studio and workshop at age twenty in Co. Cork, Ireland. An exquisite technician, he also has the heart of an artist - as is evinced by works such as his Canopy Bed, shown here. "Walsh’s creative approach," his online bio says, "reflects his appreciation of nature and also his desire to engage the user with visual and tactile forms. The great understanding and sympathetic use of the material, the intimate relationship between the process of finding forms and creating structures, and the continuity and resolve from the concept stage to the making process define his studio and work today." He has been awarded an honorary doctorate in design by University College Cork, and his work can be found in many significant international museum and private collections, and is regularly exhibited at major art and design fairs. |
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The new 2018 version of Stanley's venerable 25-foot Fatmax® tape measure comes with several upgrades. It now delivers 13 feet of straighter standout to help woodworkers measure confidently from a distance. The baseball-inspired grip has been refined so it's easier to hold and the tape is now equipped with the company's patented Twin-Core™ technology for a more compact case design, so it takes up less space on a tool belt. Plus, it has new longevity built in, with the longest-lasting blade coating ever applied to a Fatmax tape measure, and two times the BladeArmor® coating (a full six inches) to reinforce the hook end and help reduce breakage at the hook. The upgrades are designed to ensure that the tape can survive a fifty-foot fall, and the easy locking feature engages and disengages with ease, and holds strong when locked. A new, screw-free belt clip design also allows for easier fastening and removal. |
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Replacing countertops, or even installing casework often requires a little jobsite demo. With that in mind, Rockwell has added a new 1-3/8" carbide-tipped oscillating blade (RW8963) to its arsenal. Designed to be compatible with most brands of multi-tools (using the included adapter), it makes heavy-duty cuts in hardwoods, metal, tile, screws, rebar, cementboard and similar materials. The blade runs about $20, works well for plunge cuts - and because of the T-shape on the business end, it can be used to flush cut close to existing cabinets, trim and other obstacles. If you need something to run this blade, Rockwell also makes the workhorse Sonicrafter F80, which is a 4.2 Amp oscillating multi-tool. |
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A 24-Volt, 6-1/2" diameter cordless circular saw from Greenworks (Model 32042) comes with a 2-year battery warranty and a 4-year tool warranty. It has a built-in laser guide for the cut line, and bevels to 45 degrees. A 5/8" arbor carbide tipped blade is included, and the saw (tool only, no battery) sells for $99.99 on the company's website. The battery runs $79.99 and the charger is $24.99. The 24-Volt battery will also run the company's 1/2 gallon cordless air compressor, a 2-speed hammer drill, a 10" chainsaw, a handheld vacuum (it looks a little bit like a Black & Decker DustBuster™), and a variety of trimmers and blowers for landscaping. Greenworks North American is headquartered in the historic Cotton Mills complex in downtown Mooresville, North Carolina and also produces lawnmowers, snowblowers and a range of other outdoor tools including a 60-Volt, 16" chainsaw. |
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West Virginia is breathtakingly beautiful in the fall, and just before the leaves explode there's another treat in store for the senses. On September first and second, the Oglebay Woodcarvers will host their 39th annual show and sale at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, which is about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh. The event takes place from 10 to 5 each day and the venue is air conditioned, with free admission and parking. There will be demonstrations and vendor booths in addition to a great selection of carved work to admire, and perhaps even purchase. Click here to see some of the pieces from last year's show. The club, which was founded in 1976, meets twice a week at the Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling and draws members from WV, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It's named after the Oglebay Institute (home of the Stifel) for that body's generous offer of a meeting place for the original 19 members of the Guild. Today, the group has grown to five times that number. |
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Richelieu Hardware has announced the addition of a new wood divider system combining trays, dividers, boxes and holders that's designed to deliver highly functional and stylish drawer interiors. Offered in birch and walnut tones with an elegant woodgrain texture, the Straightline modular wood divider system makes quick work of drawer organization and customization. A woodshop can create custom configurations for different needs, and each component can be arranged to accommodate a specific application. Simply unclip and move the boxes, trays and dividers into new positions for a completely new arrangement. The system can be used in any sized drawer or pull-out shelf. |
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Many woodshops are familiar with Minnesota based La-Man Corporation, which provides filtration and lubrication products to the pneumatic industry. The company has been delivering its US made products since 1979, and now distributes through some 2,000 dealers. Its patented Extractor/Dryer® and Superstar .01 micron filter are designed to treat compressed air by removing water, oil and contaminates, and deliver clean, dry compressed air. The company now offers a series of refrigerated air dryers to provide reduced dewpoint temperatures and air line filtration, for a wide variety of compressed air applications. This machine uses a unique 3-in-1 heat exchanger to first pre-cool the air, then to refrigerate it to condense out all liquid vapors, and finally to return heat to the air to prevent pipe sweating and condensation. The dryer features a power on light, a dewpoint indicator, a programmable timed solenoid drain, quite operation and a compact footprint. The maximum inlet pressure is 232 PSI. |
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Carving Competition and Show in New York State The Genesee Valley Woodcarvers' thirty-fourth annual show and competition will take place in Rochester, New York on April 7th from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. The venue is the Eisenhart Auditorium on the campus of the Rochester Museum and Science Center at 657 East Avenue. Admission is free. Registration for carvers who wish to show and compete is on Friday the 6th (3:30 to 5:30 PM) for all, and on Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 AM for out-of-town competitors. Divisions include birds - waterfowl, sea, shore, and wading birds, prey and upland game, songbirds, all other birds, decorative smoothie, primitive or antique smoothie, interpretive sculpture, miniatures and miscellaneous carving; and a general division that includes caricatures, human figures, animals, marine life, holiday and mythical, bark, relief, miniature, and miscellaneous. Skill levels are novice, intermediate, and advanced. Prize money will be awarded to 1st in Class in Bird and General Divisions as well as Best in Show and People's Choice. There will also be a Working Decoy, Bench, Youth, and Special Division (Floating Rubber Ducky this year). |
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This month, Ohio based Next Wave Automation continues celebrating the tenth anniversary of the introduction of its CNC Shark. In March, the company is giving woodworkers free instructions and VCarve files for another new piece in its maritime themed chess set. (Woodworkers can build the entire commemorative chess set one piece a month.) The March piece is the squid shaped bishop. Over the past few months, plans have been released for the chess board, a lighthouse shaped rook, a piranha pawn and a seahorse knight. All of these files are available on the company's website. Next Wave Automation has introduced an entire line of desktop CNC machines and accessories over the past ten years, and has won several industry awards for innovation. Its machines for hobbyists and small wood shops range from the CNC Piranha to the CNC HD4 Extended. |
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Wyoming Artist Mixes Wood and Beads The finials are African blackwood, and the wave-like frame is an organic carving in solid cherry (click here for a closer look). The piece, Tsunami, is the latest work by Sundance, Wyoming beader and turner Anna Achtziger - who says she is "a lifelong rockaholic who brings a passion for beadwork to turned wood". Working in the studio of WoodEzine editor John English, she has created dozens of inspired pieces that add the color, texture and shape of thousands of tiny beads to vessels, vases and abstract turnings. Click on the Sculpture and Beaded Turnings links on her site to see more woodworking. All of the turning has been done with carbide insert tools (from Easy Wood Tools) on a benchtop 12" JET lathe, proving that one doesn't need to invest a fortune in equipment to produce exquisite work. Achtziger exhibits and sells her pieces in galleries in the Black Hills, and also in a number of venues in Wyoming including Jackson Hole. |
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Minnesota based Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has launched another project in its "Build It with Rockler" series. The relatively easy to build End Table features tapered legs with decorative corner beading. The company offers a free downloadable plan, online skill-builder videos, and in-store tool demonstrations in many of its 37 retail locations nationwide. Skill development for beginning woodworkers includes cutting lumber to size with a miter or radial arm saw, gluing, clamping and Beadlock® joinery. Once the table is assembled, users can customize it by choosing a paint, stain or sealer to complement their decor. (The plan suggests either a chalk style paint or a Danish oil finish.) The complete plan and additional project information are available at rockler.com/build. The free downloadable plan includes an exploded view of the project, a list of materials required, and step-by-step instructions that are punctuated by several photos to aid in the assembly process. Skillbuilder videos showing how to install table top fasteners, how to create strong joinery with the Beadlock system and how to cut tapered legs are also available on the site. |
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Click HERE to see articles from the last few months...
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The Small Print... 1. Liability Waiver: woodworking can be dangerous, so before you explore this website, you must first agree that the publishers will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any physical injuries, monetary losses, or any other negative consequences of your shop-related activities. Clicking on any of the links signifies your agreement to this liability waiver. |
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