Canadian Woodworking Newsletter #18
December 2005

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Table of Contents

In the Next Issue of CWM
Canadian Supplier
New Products
Shop Tested
News to Know
Readers Showcase
 Sponsors


This will be the last Newsletter before Christmas, so we thought we would fill it with as many announcements of new woodworking products as we could. Remember, this is the time of year that you print out the issues of the Newsletters and Magazine that contain the products you most desire, and conveniently lay them about the house.  It can be especially effective when you circle a beautiful project, and simply note in the margin: need bandsaw! need clamps! need router!


Enjoy!

 

 

 


Slate Top Coffee Table (Michael Kampen)


Lidded Antler Horn Bowl (Paul Ross)


Cartoon Carving (David B. Johnson)

Canadian Woodworking Magazine: Issue 40 (Feb/Mar 2006)

In the next issue of Canadian Woodworking, Michael Kampen will show us how to build an oak and slate top coffee table. An intermediate level project that looks stellar.

Paul Ross turns a piece of deer antler and some African blackwood into a rather spectacular lidded bowl, while master carver David Bruce Johnson shows us that carving for fun is a great way to learn how to carve for "serious".

And, of course, we'll have our usual assortment of great projects, tool reviews, and woodworking techniques.

Subscribe online, or pick it up at your local magazine shop.

 

 

The Duck Tape Club

When I first entered this web site I though Red "Spare the Duct Tape Spoil the Job" Green. But no, this is not 'duct' tape, it's 'duck' tape. Of course its largely marketing. The site is operated by Henkel, the company that makes Loctite and LePage adhesives, and the Duck line of tapes (masking, drywall, electrical, double sided carpet, and yes, duct tape). 

Regardless, its a great site for the kids (or young at heart).

Woodweb Calculators

If you're an avid 'digital' woodworker, you probably know all about the Woodweb. If not, I highly recommend that you bookmark the site. Visually it's not a pretty site, but it certainly has a wealth of useful information.

I recently found a calculator that automatically calculates the amount of shrinkage for a wide range of wood species. All you have to do is enter the width of your stock, the initial and final moisture content, and press the 'calculate now' button. There are links to additional resources on wood shrinkage.

 

 

Lathe-Mizer

Woodmizer, is one of the leaders in small scale timber processing equipment. Their new  Lathe-Mizer is an easy way to broaden your business with a minimum investment. You can produce large scale timbers for a range of projects, including outdoor furniture, stairs, and post and beam buildings. The Lathe-mizer enables you to turn columns and posts up to 13" diameter and 8'4" long. You can make columns or posts perfectly round or with 3, 4, 6, or 8 sides, and it's as easy as running your saw.

Uvex Safety Eyewear

Uvex has introduced the new Uvex Protégé, a line of safety eyewear designed to offer workers the ultimate in lightweight comfort and sports-styling innovation while providing the protection they need.

These glasses weigh in at 27.5 grams, less than one ounce. A secure, wrap-around brow expands to accommodate a wide range of users, while Uvex's proprietary Floating Lens technology increases flexibility for a better fit. Soft temple tips and nose pad provide added comfort and ensure a secure fit.

They come in clear, gray and SCT-Reflect 50 mirrored tints with a choice of Ultra-dura anti-scratch coating or Uvextra anti-fog coating. Frames are available in gloss black or sandstone.

The Ultimate in Sawzall Blades

Milwaukee introduces the Ultimate Demolition Kit, an assortment of twelve Sawzall® demolition blades packed with a durable, reusable canvas pouch.

The 12-blade kit (model 49-22-1129) contains two 6" and two 9" AX™ blades for heavy-duty nail embedded wood demolition; two 6" Wrecker™ blades for cutting composites and mixed wood with metal; and four 6" and two 9" Torch® blades for heavy metal-cutting jobs.

The blades have a one-inch height and are made of a flexible backing material that is laser-welded to tough Matrix II bi-metal with 8% cobalt.

This bi-metal combination gives longer life and less blade breakage. Blade thickness is .042" or .062" so the blades can stand up to extreme demolition work.


Hitachi Gas Nailer

Hitachi Power Tools has a new player in the Gas Nailer market, the NR90GC. This 3-1/2” gas powered clipped head framing nailer combines cordless utility with traditional framing nailer power. Impressively well-balanced and lightweight, the NR90GC offers a cordless alternative to pneumatic tools. 

Engineered with Hitachi’s well-known precision and attention to detail, the NR90GC is an easy tool to operate. No heavy compressor that requires a power source and airline is needed, no hoses to wind and untangle saves time during set up and pack up on the jobsite. The power is generated from an interchangeable 7.2V (1.4 Ah) NiCd battery and fuel rod.

The battery recharges in only 1 hour, and drives up to 2 nails per second and 1000 nails per hour. The battery will fire over 4,000 nails per charge and each fuel rod fires 1,200 nails. A 6-nail lockout feature prevents accidental “dry fire” assuring nails are lodging securely. The NR90GC fires up to a 3-1/2” x .131 clipped head nail.

The tool features a magazine constructed of a composite material that offers exceptional strength and reduced weight; easy view of the nails; an adjustable depth of drive nose piece; low battery indicator light ; a 7.2V (1.4Ah) battery; 1-hour charger and carrying case. These gas nailers are ideal for general contractors, re-modelers, construction workers and service workers who do framing, sub flooring, fencing, sheathing, decking, truss build-up, modular housing construction, remodeling and punch out work.

 

 

Locking Pliers

Irwin has introduced a new set of locking pliers: Fast Release locking pliers; Locking C Clamps; and Long Nose Locking Pliers

The Fast Release Locking Pliers come in 5, 7 and 10" sizes. They feature a no-pinch release, and offer more finger room . The curved jaw puts tremendous pressure on four points of any style nut or bolt head. The no-slip ProTouch™ provide comfort and leverage while reducing vibrations and hand fatigue. These pliers are ideal for tightening, clamping, twisting and turning . There is a convenient turn screw to adjust pressure and fit work - and it stays adjusted for repetitive use. The Fast Release pliers are constructed of high-grade heat-treated alloy steel for maximum toughness and durability, and hardened teeth are designed to grip from any angle.

New Milwaukee Variable Speed Jig Saw

Milwaukee has a new variable speed Orbital Action Jig Saw with LED light (model 6268-21). It features: a cushion gripping surface for optimal operator comfort; a lower center of gravity and counter balance mechanism for smooth operation; 6.5 amp, variable speed 0-3,000 SPM motor; an LED light for improved sightline; all-metal gear case; 9-position dust blower that provides increased visibility to follow the cut line; a 1 inch stroke, 4-position orbital cutting action and precision roller blade guide system; and a 12 foot power cord.

The Quik-Lok™ blade clamp allows fast and easy blade changes and a keyless bevel shoe adjusts to 45 degrees in both directions. The new Jig Saw comes complete with two jig saw blades, anti-splintering device, plastic shoe cover, dust shield and an impact resistant carrying case.

It's backed by Milwaukee’s 5 Year Warranty, and a Service Plus Program that provids one year of free maintenance when shipped to a Milwaukee Branch Office/Service Center.
 

New Circa 1850 Aqua Water Based Finishes

Circa 1850 is a Canadian-based manufacturer of high quality finishing products. They now have a new line of water base stains and varnishes.  The Aqua wood stains come in a choice of 30 pre-mixed stains or 51 mixtures. These stains are made from the finest quality pigments, and provide uniform staining on all woods, while enhancing the natural grain pattern.

The Aqua varnish is a low odour, non-yellowing formula that can be re-coated in 2 hours. Its micro-formulation permits clog-fee spray application. Available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss finishes.

 

Eon Decking System

CPI Plastics Group Ltd., a Canadian-based plastics processor and makers of the eon® decking system, have entered into an exclusive agreement with Universal Forest Products Inc.  that will see eon® products distributed to big-box retailers, other independent retailers and building customers throughout the United States.

The eon® decking system is a premium, highly engineered product that includes deck boards, cladding, a wing clip fastening system, and a fast and easy-to-install railing system. It comes in six colors and provides the beauty and feel of natural wood without splitting, fading, cracking and warping.

 

 

 

2-4-1 Toolbox Level

Kapro Tools Inc. have  a new toolbox sized level that is nicely constructed. Actually it's two levels - the main torpedo level, and the snap out line level. A nice feature, as these little levels often do a 'walk about' on the job site (or around the house for that matter).

The in-line level has an aluminum body and a large enough vial that makes viewing easy. The torpedo has a durable composite body, and top and side mounted vials. The side mounted vial turns a full 360º so you can copy any angle. Magnets on the bottom allow you to attach the level to any metal  surface. Unfortunately the magnets aren't very powerful, and a slight bump can send the level flying. Nonetheless, this is a handy tool, durably constructed, and small enough to fit into any toolbox or pouch.

Push-Loc

Does the world need yet another push stick? I didn't think so; that is until I tried the new Push-Loc from Bench Dog Tools.

The clever feature on this stick is its off-set handle. As you can see in the photo to the left, it keeps your right hand well away from the blade. The handle is slightly tilted forward, which makes for comfortable use. A non-slip rubber footing on the base of the stick, along with a decent sized hook on the tail, serve to hold stock securely as you push.

Another useful feature is the 'docking station'. You can double-side tape or screw it to your fence, and use it to store your Push-Loc, along with pencils, ruler, measuring tape and the like.

This is a well made tool, and at $19.99 (House of Tools) it's a good deal.

The Real Wood Bible

by Nick Gibbs, Hardcover, spiral bound, 256 pages, 300 colour photos, ISBN: 1554070333, Firefly Books, 2005, $29.95

Every woodworker should have a few good books to help identify wood species. This new reference book from Firefly Books is one that I'm glad to have on my bookshelf.

The book is a good size, roughly 6 3/4" by 8". Small enough to tote around, but large enough to read the print and see the pictures! And spiral bound makes it easy to open up flat on my workbench.

The first 30 pages are taken up with information on sustainability, tips on buying wood, a bit on the characteristics of lumber (grain, texture, heartwood, sapwood...), how wood dries, common problems and defects with lumber, and how to store it. If you're new to woodworking this is good solid food; the more experienced lads and lasses will likely skip over this section.

The meat in this book is in the descriptions and photos of the 100 species of lumber available to woodworkers. Pretty well all the wood species that most woodworkers are likely to use are here - maple, oak, cherry, walnut and so on. The information on

each species is very good, and the photos are excellent. The bottom half of each actual size photo shows the natural, sanded wood, while the top portion shows it with an oil finish. The description page includes strengths and weaknesses of the wood, key characteristics (source, texture, colour, grain, weight, strength, etc), working characteristics, sustainability, availability and cost.

For some reason Gibbs has divided the woods into primary (woods we all want to use) and secondary (lumbers that are less popular). This seems to be a totally arbitrary division. I mean, why is Makore a secondary wood and Idigbo (really, I didn't make this name up) a primary wood?

The book ends with a 'Special Effects' section, that contains photos of lumber that most woodworkers would give their eye teeth to own - spalted maple, fiddleback sapele, curly cherry - you get the idea.

Sure, there are some species that I've never seen any of the major lumber importers carry, and occasionally the information can be obtuse, but this is still a very good resource. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting into woodworking, I think you'll get many pleasurable hours going through The Real Wood Bible.

What's That You Say

Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group has joined with The Hearing Foundation of Canada to help launch a hearing awareness program in over 3,000 Ontario grade schools in 2005-2007. The bi-lingual program uses music to educate Grade 6 students about hearing protection. The Hearing Safety Group is donating 150,000 pairs of earplugs and a quantity of new motivational/educational noise thermometers. Funding is provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which considers this one of its high-impact programs.

he Hearing Foundation of Canada is committed to eliminating the devastating effects of hearing loss on the quality of life of Canadians, by promoting prevention, early diagnosis, leading-edge medical research and successful intervention. For additional information on the Foundation or the Sound Sense Program, contact Richard Bowring at 866-432-7968, ext. 21, or visit www.hearingfoundation.ca

Wood Works Awards

A unique recycling and reuse building initiative in Manotick, Ontario (west of  Ottawa) received an  award at the 5th Annual Wood WORKS! Awards Gala, where over 300 industry and community leaders, politicians, architects and engineers celebrated Ontario’s finest wood-based construction.

Douglas A. Dawson & Associates, TSC Engineering Inc., and owners Tim and Phil Priddle accepted the Wood Design Award Commercial (sponsored by Forintek) for The Woodsource, located at 6178 Mitch Owen Rd. in Manotick, Ontario.  The Woodsource is a 6,000 square foot retail store with both new lumber and reclaimed wood divisions. The Priddles, in addition to stocking new wood and related supplies, also sell barn kits comprised of old timbers from salvaged buildings, dimensional recycled wood, and even complete antique wood buildings. They are particularly proud of their stock of white oak timber salvaged from the St. Lawrence River, east of Brockville. This wood, originally destined for the British Navy, sunk in a storm and had been on the river bottom for 300 years.   

The Manotick retail store was assembled from wood salvaged from an obsolete building on the Uplands Airbase.  They used only dimensional BC fir beams and decking.  The same material was milled for trim, window framing and tongue and groove flooring.  The building celebrates all the stages of the materials’ lifecycle  in this case, from standing forest to a 1930’s factory facility, through demolition, and then rebirth as a new facility dedicated to wood products.  

The main floor of the new building is used for retail sales and wood display.  The second floor contains offices. The building was constructed in a series of tree-like columns which support the roof canopy.  Both the physical design of the columns and the structural wood beam layout emulate the pattern of natural growth processes.

 

 

 

Jerry Veresh of Regina, started carving approximately ten years ago and has done some remarkable rocking horses and full size carousel horses. Jerry creates the patterns and customizes them to meet clients demands. Wonderful work Jerry.

Helmet C. Sakman, a frequent contributor to Canadian Woodworking, has just completed this mahogany humidor. Nice work Chico!

 

 

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