Once again December is upon us. If you're like me, you are feverishly working in your shop to get all those handmade presents out to the wrapping and labelling department. Hopefully you find yourself on the 'nice' list this year because there are many new tools available again this month to put on your gift list. Notably, Porter Cable has just released many new corded and cordless tools while Bosch brings out a new line of portable air compressors that are sure to please. I'm currently testing one of the compressors in my shop and I can tell you that I'm impressed with what Bosch has come up with. Stay tuned for a full review to come out soon.

2010 promises to be a year of new and wonderful things here at Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement. The New Year will bring more interesting articles, useful tips and tricks and fine projects to build in your shop. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyous and safe holiday season from all of us here at CWHI.

Vic Tesolin
Editor, CWHI Magazine

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Welded Cutting Edge Doubles Life of Ship
Auger Bits

Irwin Speedbore launches new WeldTec Ship Auger Bit. Professional contractors often encounter nails when drilling holes with ship auger bits.  Irwin Speedbore has invented a new line of ship auger bits with a welded cutting edge for two times the nail cutting life of previous bits. A secondary alloy is welded to the cutting edge of the bit, helping to give the new bit its increased durability.  This fully forged bit has wide flutes for maximum chip removal and an aggressive screw pitch for faster cutting.  The result is a bit that drills 40% more holes versus competitive ship auger bits. 
Irwin Speedbor with WeldTec ship auger bits are available at Rona and industrial supply outlets across Canada and are priced from $27 to $42.

Find Angles Instantly with New Pro-ANGLE Digital Protractor

This high-performance digital instrument displays absolute and relative angle measurements in a large, easy-to-read LCD window, making it the perfect tool for installing crown mouldings, cabinetry, counters, staircases, roofs, windows or flooring.  One-button zero calibration ensures accurate readings every time. Effortlessly calculate angles by simply swinging open the 6-inch stainless steel pivoting arm, which can be locked in any position.  For user convenience and comfort, the display offers a “hold” function and is easily inverted, or flipped, 180 degrees for reading upside down.

Angles in any plane can be measured with accuracy to 0.1 degree and 0.05 degree resolution anywhere within a 0.00 to 180 degree range, making this tool useful for many applications. Professionals and technicians in the woodworking, automotive, industrial, aerospace and medical industries will find the Pro-ANGLE Digital Protractor especially helpful.

The Pro-Angle Digital Protractor with case (model 1701) will list for $39.96 and is available at select hardware stores and home centers or may be ordered direct from the General Tools website, generaltools.com/proangle.

Store Your Lumber Safely and Reliably

The “Lumber Store” 6-level multipurpose shelving and lumber storage system is designed for easy installation for use in garages, workshops, storage sheds on walls or on fences. Featuring sturdy steel construction, it is ideal for storing lumber, pipes, tubing or any long narrow objects. Simply assemble and secure the system to any vertical structural member, such as wall beams or studs, or fence posts to create instant wall mounted storage and free up valuable shop floor or bench space.

The system can be installed indoors or outdoors and has a load capacity of 110 LBS (50kg) per level. Vertical spacing between the brackets is 6 ½-inches, and each bracket is long enough to hold and fully support pieces up to 12-inches in width. For best results the Lumber Store should be installed keeping the spacing between the two vertical brackets between 4 and 6 feet apart.

The 99-300 is currently retailing for $57.00 and can be ordered from most General/General International retail distributors – a complete list of distributors can be found on our website at general.ca

Note:  Attached photos show an example of a typical installation. Lumber is not included with the 99-300 storage system.

Lots of New Tools Have Been Released

PORTER-CABLE has expanded its popular professional-grade 18-volt cordless tool line with seven new tools, and three new lithium-ion combination kits developed with direct feedback from the tradesmen who use them.
They also announced two new additions to its corded line of professional-grade power tools. Engineered with the tradesman in mind, the new 3/8-inch drill and 6.0 amp jigsaw are designed with high-performance motors and provide reliable power and durability for longer run-time.
Finally PORTER-CABLE introduces two new battery options and a multi-chemistry charger (PCXMVC) for its expanding line of professional-grade 18-volt cordless power tools.
To check out all of these new additions to the PORTER-CABLE line, visit deltaportercable.com.

Bosch Introduces Five Compressors to Ground Breaking Pneumatic Fastening Lineup

Bosch Power Tools & Accessories this week is expanding its family of Full Force Technology™-equipped pneumatic fastening tools with the addition of a family of compressors. The lineup includes three hand-carry compressors and two wheelbarrow compressors.

Bosch’s twin-tank hand-carry compressors employ an innovative vertical tank configuration that addresses some of the most common user complaints associated with previous compressor designs. The most notable new feature is Bosch’s EZ Drain system. The vertical tank design allows moisture to collect at the bottom of the tanks and also enabled Bosch’s engineers to design a control panel that gives users unprecedented access to the drain valve. With pressure in the tanks, users can use a single valve to easily drain both tanks as often as needed, which enhances the life of the compressor and increases productivity.

Another major benefit of the new design is optimized ergonomics. The vertical tank configuration condenses the center of gravity and improves balance, enabling users to carry the compressors closer to their bodies. Bosch’s design also reduces the footprint of the compressors, enhancing maneuverability and storage capabilities. A sturdy roll cage protects the pump/motor, pressure switch and safety valve from jobsite conditions, improving the durability of these components.

Other key features include a recessed control panel to fully protect the regulator, gauges, couplers and the drain valve, a 4-pole induction motor (2-pole induction motor on the CET4-20 and CET4-20W) to reduce noise and distraction on the jobsite and a contractor grade oil-lubricated pump for long life and reliable service.

Like the hand-carry compressors, Bosch’s new twin-tank wheelbarrow style compressors are designed with user comfort, ease of use and durability in mind. For example, these compressors also employ the EZ Drain system and enable users to drain both tanks using a single ball valve accessible from the control panel.

Another intelligent feature unique to Bosch’s wheelbarrow compressors is the handle design. The handles are specially shaped to give users multiple hand positions when transporting the compressor. When it’s time to load up at the end of the day, the handles double as skids, significantly easing the process of loading the compressors into the back of a truck and minimizing user fatigue.

New Versitile Drill Accesory

Visionary Technology Inc. is pleased to announce Scruzol’s debut in Canadian Tire stores across Canada.  Scruzol is a multi-bit screwdriver and drill accessory. The key to this invention is its reversible shape which, together with its internal magnet, provide a unique tool with seven useful functions.  
Scruzol’s 12 stored bits slide freely in and out of the open-sided storage slots and how each bit is retained in place by a large central magnet.  This storage system enables each bit to dispense with a gentle push of the thumb or to snap magnetically back into place.  It’s much easier to use than the friction storage used in conventional multi-bit screwdrivers.

In the middle, the big magnet embedded in a Scruzol’s handle also enables it to be stored onto any metal surface.  A Scruzol can even be stored onto the metal in a drywall corner.  This “fridge-magnet” function makes a Scruzol much easier to find than typical hand tools.  A Scruzol can also be conveniently stored close to where it’s being used: for example, snapped onto the muffler while working underneath your car.

Scruzol’s dual sockets enable a screwdriver bit to be inserted into both ends.  When the bit is inserted in the shaft end, Scruzol is a handheld screwdriver.  When the bit is inserted in the handle end and the shaft is gripped in an electric drill, Scruzol becomes a power-driver.

All seven of its functions are equally useful and they’re all demonstrated in a video posted at scruzol.com.  Watch it and you’ll see why Scruzol is truly the most versatile drill accessory ever!

Diamond Machining Technology (DMT), unveiled its Magna-Disc System, an abrasive disc system compatible with Work Sharp machines' Model's WS2000 and WS3000.  In the past, these machines had to utilize paper discs to sharpen and hone tools.  However, by utilizing DMT's Magna-Discs, sharpening on these machines can be more precise while also saving money on replacement discs. With DMT's Magna-Disc System, there is no longer a danger of excessive heat or sparks, providing a cooler, safer and cleaner working environment. 

The Magna-Disc System conducts heat away from the machine eliminating the risk of harming the temper of tools from the serious damage heat can cause.  Paper discs can heat tools up to 210° F and even higher, while DMT's diamond discs do not exceed 90° F.  The Magna-Discs are also available in multiple grits (45 micron, 325 grit coarse; 25 micron, 600 grit fine; and 9 micron, 1200 grit extra fine.) and can be changed much faster than traditional paper discs due to the innovative magnetic mounting system.

The Magna-Disc system includes a Sharpening Kit and a Honing Kit - which are available for a suggested retail price of $94.99 and $74.99 respectively at Woodcraft Supply on February 1, 2010.For more information, check out dmtsharp.com or call (800) 666-4DMT (4368).

General International Unveils a Midi Lathe Duplicator

General International introduces the new model 25-024 Mini-Lathe Duplicator. With a maximum duplicating length of 17 7/8” the 25-024 From General International is designed specifically to fit mini style lathes or lathes with shorter bedways.

Featuring a high speed steel cutter, cast mounting brackets, a sturdy extruded aluminum frame and carriage, and a smooth hand wheel controlled chain drive system; this duplicator fits most 6”-14” benchtop or mini lathes that have cast bedways.

The 25-024 helps create perfectly matching spindles with ease, duplicating from either an original sample spindle having a maximum diameter of 3” (76 mm) or a user made template having a maximum width of 2”. The maximum duplicating diameter is 7” – depending on the capacity of the lathe, with a total maximum duplicating depth of cut of 3” and a maximum depth of cut per pass of 1/8”.

The 25-024 is currently retailing for $224.99 CDN and can be ordered from most General/General International retail distributors – a complete list of distributors can be found on their website at general.ca