What's A Polissoir?

A new hand tool offered by Lie Nielsen Toolworks Inc. in Warren, Maine is a rush or reed burnisher that is used to hand burnish wood, with or without wax, to achieve a low luster natural wood finish. It's hand made in the mountains of North Carolina to specs that were developed by Don Williams (a professional finisher with forty years of experience), and here's his YouTube video on it. The Lie Nielsen version is a modern take on the polissoirs used by famed Paris furniture and cabinet builder Andre Roubo (1739–1791), who included the advantages of using a polissoir in his multi-volume treatise L'Art du Menuisier. Roubo cited its ability to smooth wood while extending the wax into creases where polishes cannot go. Williams says it serves as both a smoother and a grain filling tool for wood with open pores. It's also a good way to get a little exercise...

Impact Driver

Bosch Power Tools has introduced a new impact driver that will be especially interesting to deck builders and framing carpenters. The GDX18V-1600 is an 18 Volt cordless tool that switches quickly and seamlessly from a ¼" quick-change hex shank (screwdrivers, pilot bits, etc.) to ½" square drive (sockets). It delivers up to 1,600 inch pounds of max torque, pairing a powerful motor with Bosch's hammer-and-anvil system to deliver 0-3,600 bpm (blasts per minute). The four-pole, carbon-brush motor not only makes the tool powerful, but also delivers very efficient battery usage. The tool without the battery is only 2.7 lbs, and has a head-mounted LED light built in. With this driver, a woodworker needs to haul one less tool to the jobsite. It features Bosch's exclusive Electronic Cell Protection (ECP), which protects the battery against overload, overheating and deep discharge for longer life, and Bosch's Electronic Motor Protection (EMP) that protects the motor against overload with integrated temperature management.

One Sheet Of Plywood Challenge

Get busy! The deadline for the Rockler Plywood Challenge is May 31st. The company, in partnership with The Modern Maker Podcast, is asking social media savvy woodworkers to make something using one sheet of plywood, any type, and then post it on Instagram (using the hashtag #RocklerPlywoodChallenge). Entries are eligible to win a $500 Rockler gift card, a Rockler Miter Fold dado set, or a Rockler Material Mate panel and cart shop stand. A few of Rockler’s key content partners will be judging the entries, and they have already completed some projects so that people will be inspired to enter the challenge. One is shown at left - a DIY portable folding desk by Modern Builds. The company also says makers can build their YouTube audience by making a video and posting it to YouTube using the same hashtag.

A Bandsaw Resaw Helper

The new GuidePRO bandsaw guide comes from Bow Products, the creators of the impressive FeatherPRO featherboards. This newest accessory is an easy-to-install guide that offers users a hands-free solution to getting the best performance from a bandsaw. In three simple steps, the user can gain a smoother infeed, ensure consistent pressure, reduce vibration, and deliver the perfect cut every time. The jig applies consistent pressure along the leading edge of the workpiece, ensuring even contact between the work and the saw fence for a truly square cut. It has a detachable base and a 6" silicone feather that dampens vibration. Woodworkers can add an optional 4" extension to achieve a full 10"of coverage. Plus, there's a measuring tool and a square incorporated in the base. The GuidePRO will begin shipping in May, and woodworkers can place orders now.

A Wider Range Of Blades

Tenryu America, Inc., with offices in Hebron, Kentucky, has expanded its Silencer line of circular saw blades to include a full range of tooth counts with the same features as the popular originals. Those features include a unique ATAF shear face grind for faster cuts and longer life; a dampened laser cut plate for less vibration and sound; silencer slots; and a new vibration dampening system that includes resin filled laser cut body slots. The company is also known for meticulous, hand hammered plate tensioning, for a flatter blade and truer cuts. The Silencer line is designed for sliding compound miter saws, conventional miter saws, and crosscutting on the jobsite with portable saws. Blade diameters run from 6-1/2", 7-1/2" and 8-1/2" to 10" and 12", and the company makes a signature all purpose blade to fit Festool's Kapex. That blade, the SL-26072, has a 260mm diameter, 72 teeth, a 30mm arbor hole, an ATAF grind, a 0.110" kerf and a 10 rake. Tenryu makes over 3,000 types of carbide blades.

New Screw Gun

A new gun from Ryobi Power Tools is part of the company's One+ cordless family. The 18-Volt brushless screw gun (model # P225) is built for production - it will drive 3,000 screws per charge. It has variable speeds with a lock-on feature, and delivers up to 4700 RPM. There's an adjustable and removable nose cone, and a heavy-duty clutch. The QuietDrive feature automatically starts the motor on contact, providing less noise and more battery conservation. The tool includes an LED light to illuminate the work area, and it actually stays on after the triggered is released. There's a belt clip on the top of the tool, and another removable clip that mounts to either side of the tool for convenience. The handle is Gripzone overa mold, with micro-texture for optimum grip and user comfort. The tool only (no battery) sells for $99 through The Home Depot.

Cut Really Large Holes

Big Horn Corporation, located in Vista, California, has introduced a new set of adjustable hole saw replacement blades for several of its large hole saws. The new multipurpose blades will cut plywood, laminates, composite boards, gypsum board, plastic, drywall, rubber and many other materials. They are high quality and will make smooth, accurate cuts. Available in a two-pack, they are compatible with the company's 19238 Adjustable Hole Saw (shown) that handles a range of diameters from ranging from 1-1/2" to 7-7/8" (40mm - 200mm). The new blades will also fit three other models, with a couple that cut up to 11-3/4". The new two-pack includes extra brad point drill bit for drilling in thin sheet materials, plus an Allen wrench for adjustments.

Two-Stage Handheld Jobsite Vac

There’s a new option for lightweight, convenient jobsite cleanup. The GAS18V-02 18V cordless hand-held vacuum from Bosch Power Tools is a mini two-stage collector. It uses two-stage rotational airflow technology to capture both large and fine particles. The first stage captures 90 percent of debris, while the second stage removes finer particles from the airflow to help keep the HEPA filter clog-free for longer. Weighing just 2.9 lbs, the tool has a relatively long runtime (seven minutes per battery amp hour), and its powerful motor provides up to 21.2 CFM of airflow. It comes with a slew of attachments that can transform it into a handy upright vacuum, thanks to extension pipes and a floor nozzle. The filter is washable, and the bagless dust cup is easy to empty and has a transparent shell, so users can check the fill level at any time. It holds up to 61 cubic inches of debris. Compatible with all Bosch 18V batteries, this tool will be available this summer.

New Powder-Coated Door Style Added

Integra Doors, located in Greer, South Carolina, makes powder coated custom cabinet doors. The company has announced a new addition to the catalog, which is named Mission Plus. This door joins their similar, but less detailed Mission Bead and Mission 45 door styles. The added detailing on the new door style is subtle, but owner Bern Fitzgerald says that "customers love the bit of elegance that it adds". This MDF door can be powder coated in one of Integra Doors five stock colors, or almost any custom color a client desires. Integra says its powder coated doors don't delaminate, have no unsightly cracks, no yellowing and no bacteria-laden seams. A powder coated kitchen means no more VOCs or HAPs are being emitted, and no glues or solvents are used in the coating of these doors.

Shark Queen Added to Chess Set

Next Wave Automation’s celebration of the tenth anniversary of its CNC Shark desktop CNC router continues this month with the Shark Queen chess piece. The company is offering free instructions and VCarve files for making a complete commemorative chess set, and one piece is being revealed each month. Previously posted and available on the company website (at no charge) are the chess board, Lighthouse rook, Piranha pawn, Seahorse knight and Squid bishop. Each piece can be made by taking advantage of the double-sided machining available in Vectric’s new V9 Software. Founded in 2007 by president and CEO Tim Owens, Next Wave Automation is a U.S. manufacturer of affordable CNC routing equipment and automated machinery for professional woodworkers and woodworking hobbyists of all levels. The company, which is based in Perrysburg, Ohio, manufactures a full line of CNC machines for hobbyists and small wood shops ranging from the CNC Piranha to the CNC HD4 Extended.

Bosch Bits Reach An Impressive Milestone

Bosch Power Tools introduced the Daredevil™ spade bit in November 2013 and less than five years later sales have hit... 50 million! And that's just in North America, where it has been a big hit with professional users. The bit was created for electricians, plumbers and other trades who asked for greater speed, ease of use and hole quality. Since its introduction, millions of users have turned to Bosch Daredevil for a design that’s unparalleled in its performance. The bits not only save time, but help the user reduce fatigue because the bit does the work. Bosch incorporated a full-cone threaded tip that increases not only the speed of the bit, but also the ease of drilling. Another feature is the contoured paddle. This wave-like shape facilitates chip removal, which adds to the speed of the bit. The combination of these two features in independent testing showed the Daredevil Spade Bit was ten times faster and required 53 percent less force than conventional spade bits. And while spade bits are not expected to produce anything beyond average hole quality, the spur-and-reamer design is unique because it not only scores the wood for a clean entry hole, but also has angled cutting edges that cut the hole for reduced breakout. That leaves a cleaner exit hole than competitors' bits.

Laminated Plywood For Turning

Cousineau Wood Products in North Anson, Maine supplies turners, guitar builders, gunstock makers and other artists with a rainbow of dyed multiply, including the signature brands SpectraPly and DymaLux. Now turners can try out this resource on a budget. For $9.99 plus shipping, turners can order a 3" x 3" x 12" Mystery Box that is filled with an assortment of colors and sizes ranging from pen blanks and knife scales to 3x3 pepper mill blanks (shown). This is a completely random selection of items, and two larger size boxes are also available. The 6 x 6 x 12 version runs $19.99, and the 12 x 12 x 6 version is $49.99. (Editor's note: I've ordered plywood panels several times over the years from Coustineau, up to 3" thick, and have always been very impressed with the quality.)

Adirondack Chair Plans

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has launched a new Build It with Rockler project that includes an Adirondack style bar stool and a classic deck chair with matching footstool and side table. The package includes complete plans ($14.99 each), online skill-builder videos and in-store tool demos. Each plan includes an exploded view, materials list, templates for curved pieces, and step-by-step instructions with photos. The projects incorporate steps such as routing rounded edges, plus videos showing how to cut half-lap joints, make and install wood plugs, and make tapered cuts.

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