Shop Tips

To get virtually chip free table saw cuts on plywood and veneer put a layer of tape on the bottom of the piece along the cut line before sawing. I use the blue painters tape because it peels off easily.

When making frame and panel doors and the like, you can simplify glue up by using a clamping jig. Screw two 1" by 2" strips of straight stock to a 3/4" melamine base that is a couple of inches wider and longer than your panel. Make sure that the strips meet at 90° in one corner. Glue won't stick as much to the melamine, and 1" thick strips provide a lot of meat for the clamps.

Web Resources

Bill's Cyclone Dust Collector Research

Whether you already have a dust collection system in your shop, or if you are looking to install or upgrade a system, you'll want to take a look at this site. Bill's Cyclone Dust Collector Research has a wealth of information on what you need to install a system, various equipment options, ducting, and even a section showing you how to build a cyclone from scratch. Although the site focuses on cyclones, the information is relevant for most kinds of shop systems. Bill's Cyclone Dust Collector Research.

Spotlight: Canadian Suppliers

Adria Toolworks Inc

A lot of people think that you have to look to the USA or Europe to buy decent hand tools. Not so. Canada has a number of home grown leading edge tool makers. Adria Toolworks is one. Eddie Sirotich makes what are arguably the best tenon and dovetail saws available anywhere. I've been using one of his dovetail saws for over two years, and wouldn't think of exchanging it for any other. His 2" by 8" dovetail saw has a rip tooth pattern with 15 tpi. The blade is a mere .020" thick, and makes a .025" kerf. The blade is made of spring steel and hardened to RC52. The handle is Bubinga and the back is solid brass. Eddie offers the best guarantee I've ever come across - a full one year, no hassle money back guarantee. At about $140 for the dovetail saw and $153 for the small tenon saw, these are tools you can use over a lifetime and pass a heirloom on to your offspring. You can also buy the full range of ECE hand planes from Adria. I bought the ECE 711 (Primus Improved Smoothing Plane) seven or eight years ago, and its the one I turn to most often for finish planing. www.adriatools.com

New Products

Skil has launched a new cordless palm sized drill/driver. The new iXO, weighs 10.3 oz, and measures 5 1/2" by 4 1/2". It has a 3.6-volt lithium ion battery that is supposed to hold its charge for up to 2 years. It features a forward/reverse indicator, soft grip handle and a 34-piece bit set with storage canister. Pricing is $49.99 CDN. For the majority of drilling and driving done in a small furniture shop a small unit like the iXO is ideal; a 6 pound 18-volt drill/driver is overkill -  not to mention a strain on both the wrist and the wallet. www.skil.com

Sawsandtools.com is a new on-line Canadian retailer of saw blades, drill bits and router bits. Their selection is not large, but their prices are quite low. For example, their 10" 60 tooth ATB professional saw blade is priced at $45.00. We'll be reviewing a saw blade and bits from saws and tools down the road, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check them out at: www.sawsandtools.com.

Bosch Power Tools have announced a new lineup of tools this fall. They include 6 models of 7-inch and 9-inch Angle Grinders, featuring anti-vibration handles that reduce vibration by up to 60%; a new line of segmented Diamond Blades, featuring 37 segmented, 11 turbo and 14 continuous rim blade designs available from 4" to 14" diameter; Fastening (Impact) Drivers in 9.6, 12 and 14.4-volt configurations; Construction Saw Blades in the 7 1/4" to 12" range with C3 Dyanite Carbide teeth, which hold their sharp edge 6 times longer than other blades on the market; a new Barrel Grip Jig Saw featuring a one touch blade change system and 6.4 amps of power; 3 new models of Reciprocating Saws; a Chipping Hammer with a 6.5 amp motor producing 3,500 BPM at 3.2 ft/lbs per impact; a portable stand for the popular Bosch 4000 table saw; portable a miter saw stand that features 20-feet of out feed coverage; and a router table base that allows above table adjustments. Happy shopping folks! www.boschtools.com.

Just in time for Christmas Lee Valley have come out with some well priced stocking stuffers that are bound to please any woodworker. The brass 4 1/2" 3-in-1 Marking Gauge looks really neat (we'll be reporting on it in the next issue of the newsletter), and at $19.50 looks like a great buy; Dozuki and Kugihiki (Flush Cut) saws are a favourite of mine. Lee Valley now offers a small (13 1/2") Dozuki (rip pattern) with an 18 tpi blade and .015" kerf for $28.50. Nice! Their no set flush cut saw has 17 tpi, a 6 1/4" blade and is well priced at $25.50. For the bookish crowd there are four new tombs: Classic Cowboy Cartoons, Vols 1 and 2 ($7.95 each); US Calvary Cartoons ($7.95); Sailing Ships at a Glance ($7.95); and The Sailor's Word Book ($29.95) priced higher no doubt because of the naughty bits and the 752 pages. www.leevalley.com.

I had occasion to use a laser level for the first time a few months ago, and have no plans to go back to a spirit level again. These little buggers are so darn easy to use, not to mention their convenience, flexability and foolability. Strait-Line, a world leader in electronic tools, have announced a new line-up of tools. There are 3 laser levels, including the LL120 ($49.99), which features 2-axis adjustment, 360 degree rotation, eight-degree tilt and accuracy of +/- .1875" at 20 feet and a laser light 4 times brighter than standard lasers. There are also 3 stud finders, including the Stud Finder 150 ($29.99), which can find studs behind drywall, paneling and flooring and features an auto on/off surface contact switch. Finally, there are 2 measuring lasers. The Sonic Laser Tape 50 will give you an almost exact measurement (99.5% of the distance) up to 50 feet. You can store up to 5 memory positions (metric or imperial) as well as calculate area and volume. All for $49.99. Go figure! www.strait-line.com.

Max USA Corp have announced a new 1/4” crown stapler, the SuperStapler (model TA238/18-6). This baby weighs in at 3 pounds, and features a comfortable rubber grip, durable aluminum frame, trigger lockout, rapid fire trigger, rear exhaust design and slim nose to reach tight spots. It shoots 1/4” crown staples from 3/4” to 1 1/2” in length. www.maxusacorp.com or 800-223-4293.

Shop Tested

Scribe ALL           

	If you've ever needed to scribe a line from an outside edge or inside corner, particularly one that is curved, irregular or uneven, then you'll be pleased with the Scribe ALL. This Canadian made tool is surprisingly easy and exceptionally effective to use. The arm has a curved toe and a flat heel. To scribe from an outside edge you hook the arm of the Scribe ALL over the edge and adjust the slider (the pencil holder) to the required distance, measuring from the heel to the inside edge (the left side) of the slider. For an inside corner you press the toe to the edge and adjust the slider so the required measurement appears on the outside edge (the right side) of the slider. Once you get the hang of the heel-in toe-out technique, using this tool is a real breeze. I used it recently when fitting a new countertop in the kitchen. You can also use it for a range of other tasks, including: installing moldings, laying out cabinet hardware, marking out joints and tracing curves. The tool is durable and well made from anodized aluminum, stainless steel and solid brass. And at $19.95 it's a real bargain. This tool gets a 4-star rating from us. Available from Home Hardware. www.rtatools.com (Illustrations courtesy of RTA Tools)

4 in 1 Clamp

"C" style clamps are pretty ubiquitous in workshops; no wonder, they are extremely useful. The "4 in 1" clamp is unique among C clamps, in that it offers you a range of clamping options - four to be exact. You can use it as a standard clamp; add the v-pad to create a pipe clamp (as shown in the  photo); remove the key ring and reverse the head to make a spreader; or add the extender block (at the top of the photo) to create a step-over clamp. The clamp is well made with deep threads that engage quickly. I like this style of handle - it's quicker and easier to engage or release the clamp head than with a standard wood handle. While the clamp will be of special interest to welders, mechanics and machinists, it's inexpensive enough to find room in anyone's toolbox. The 4 in 1 comes in a wide range of sizes from 4.5" to 20.5" capacity, with 3 1/4" to 5 1/2" throat depth starting at $9.50 US. It is also available in a kit including the v-pad and extender block starting at a very economical $10.85 US. For more information: www.valtrainc.com. The Canadian dealer is: Euro Ornamental, 555 Fenmar Drive, Weston, Ontario Canada M9L 2R6

Twister ezeOut™

Hole saws are great, but removing the plug can be a real pain in the buttocks. No longer, thanks to a new Canadian innovation, which makes plug removal quick and easy. The Twister ezeOut™ works like a charm. You simply drill the hole, then hold the spindle nut and reverse the drill; the plug is automatically ejected. I tried it out on single and double layers of 3/4" plywood and 3/4" hardwood - the Twister ezeOut lives up to its name! However, you might want to wear a pair of work gloves, else you risk wearing out a bit of flesh if you apply a lot of torque when reversing out the plug. This is a real time saving tool that should be in the tool kit of anyone who works in the construction trades. DIYers will appreciate the ease of use and convenience. The Twister ezeOUT™ will fit almost any hole saw, and comes in both 3/8" and 1/2" arbor sizes. It's priced at $32.95 for the 3/8" and $36.95 for the 1/2", and is available in fastener houses as well as many woodworking shops across Canada. You can also order from: www.norstarmarketing.com

Courses

The Rosewood Studio is gearing up for its 2005 schedule of courses. The first of its one-week 'Craftsmanship Series' courses begins January 31.

For more information or to register, visit www.rosewoodstudio.com.

If you offer woodworking instruction and would like to list your courses in our newsletter then contact Canadian Woodworking.

Reader's Showcase

	Pierre Pratte, from Laval, PQ, made this solid mahogany buffet inspired from the French Louis XIII style. A very nice piece. Mercie Pierre!
	Dick Carnegie of Parksville, BC, made this display/coffee table out of old growth fir from Vancouver Island. Dick also sent us pictures of a Rocking Horse that would make any child a happy Buckaroo.
	This bandsawn two drawer black walnut box is from Paul Kryskow of Sarnia, ON. It's finished with 10 coats of tung oil and 2 coats of wax.

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