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From the Publisher
Paul Fulcher
 If
you're concerned about dust in your shop, and looking for a practical and
affordable solution, be sure to check out our review of the Dust Deputy
in this Newsletter. Oneida Air Systems’ new mini-cyclone, might be just the
thing for your workshop.
Also in this Newsletter, we take a look at some great new Stanley products, and
put together a handy Home Tool Box for you. The tool box contains a basic
set of hand tools that will enable you to tackle a lot of the carpentry-type
tasks around the home, cottage or office.
Pictured in the right hand column of the Newsletter is our Aug/Sept cover. That
issue doesn’t get mailed until the end of July, but I wanted to draw your
attention to the featured Game Box project. If you don’t already subscribe to
Canadian Woodworking, the Aug/Sept issue itself is worth the price of a
subscription. The game is called “Liar’s Dice” and if you don’t already know
about it, you soon will. It takes the popular game of poker, and adds a fun
twist that makes it a great party game. Be sure to pick up that issue and be the
first one to take a game box to your next party or get-together.
Thanks, and enjoy!
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Flexaust Flx-Thane® Polyurethane Hose
 A
highly abrasion resistant and flexible wire-reinforced polyurethane hose that is
ideally suited for evacuating wood chips, shavings, and similar waste is
available from The Flexaust Company
Flexaust hose is reinforced with a coated spring steel wire helix and is
designed to provide excellent compressibility (4:1 ratio) with the optimum
combination of flexibility and abrasion resistance. Ideally suited for
evacuating wood chips and shavings, it comes in light-, medium-, and heavy
constructions in 2” to 24” (60 mm to 300 mm) I.D. sizes.
Available in standard clear and black colours in standard 25 and 50 ft. lengths,
this hose has a smooth inner surface to provide efficient flow and operates over
a -65ºF to 225ºF temperature range. It resists cuts, gouges, and chemicals and a
static dissipative version with 108-1010 Ohms/sq. surface resistivity is
offered. You can get Flexaust products through: I.R.P. Industrial Rubber, Ltd in
Mississauga or Port Coquitlam (800-527-1200) and
Forestube, Inc. in Montreal
(514-729-3255).
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Hitachi M12V2 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router
 The
Hitachi M12V2 is an upgraded version of Hitachi’s established M12V that has been
selling for 17 years. The newly redesigned model offers a powerful 15 amp motor,
a variable speed dial on the handle for easy speed adjustments, and a quick &
fine adjustment knob that combines both functionalities without the need for
accessories. Features include soft start, 8,000 – 22,000 RPM, easy
conversion for above table use, 5 year warranty.
The variable speed dial is conveniently located on the handle so that the user
can finely adjust the rotation speed without removing their hand from the tool
or eyes from the work piece. Most routers come equipped with a quick adjustment
knob and some feature a separate fine adjustment mechanism. Hitachi’s new router
combines both functionalities into the same mechanism without the need for
additional accessories to set up the features. The M12V2 is equipped with a
lever on the back of one of the plunge columns. When the lever is turned
counterclockwise- the knob above can be used to quickly adjust the plunge depth.
When the lever is turned in the clockwise direction- the user can finely adjust
the knob atop- loosening it counterclockwise for a shallower cut or clockwise to
get a deeper cut allowing for more control and less manipulating of the machine
to achieve a desired plunge depth result. A new feature of the M12V2 is a dust
guide that diverts dust and debris away from the work piece and user. This
hefty router weighs 13.9 lbs. comes complete with an exclusive accessory pack
that includes a straight guide, centering gauge, dust adapter, guide bar, wing
bolt, wrench and ½” & ¼” collet chucks.
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Irwin Fastener Drive Sets
Irwin has four new industrial grade high
quality steel drive bit sets available (16, 24, 33 and 40 piece sets). They come
is a rugged storage case with rubber over-mold for added impact resistance.
Conveniently marked slots help keep the bits organized.
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Great Neck Saw 18-Volt Cordless Drill with Keyless
Chuck (80125)
 Great
Neck’s 18V Cordless Drill with Keyless Chuck features a keyless 3/8" chuck
that can be rotated by hand for quick bit changes. Also included is a
20-position torque dial for maximum control. The tool is designed with
convenient storage of double ended screwdriver bits and a Ni-Cad battery that
fully charges in three to five hours.
Great Neck also has a 10" Random Orbital Buffer (80055) that features a 120V-60Hz
.75 amp heavy duty motor and 3200 rpm for smooth polishing action. The large
handles are equipped with contour grips for improved control. With a disc size of
9 1/2" and weighing 4.6 pounds, the new buffer includes a polishing bonnet,
application bonnet, and terrycloth bonnet.
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Bit Boy 8 in 1 Screwdriver
 Bondhus,
through its German marketing partner - FELO, introduces a unique line of FELO
brand multi-bit screwdrivers. The handle magnetically holds eight different bits
- easily accessible with a simple push/twist of the cap. Three models in the
"Bit Boy" 370 series cover a wide assortment including fixed blade with magnetic
holder, ratcheting blade and removable blade versions. All models feature the
exclusive push/twist cap which pops up to allow easy access to the bits, without
disconnecting the cap from the handle. No more lost caps! No more lost bits!
Competitor bit holders suffer both lost caps and lost bits.
For more information on Bondhus products and the name of a
retailer in your area, contact the Canadian distributor for the company:
IMS Canada, 905-453-7470.
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| Handy Home Tool Box |
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| Price: |
various pricing |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
Stanley tools are available from building supply
outlets across Canada |
One of the recurring queries we get at Canadian
Woodworking has to do with the venerable toolbox. First time home-buyers,
do-it-yourselfers, newcomers to woodworking, and those simply wanting to have a
set of 'just in case' tools, are faced with a bewildering array of products to
choose from.
With the help of the folks at Stanley Canada, we've put together a toolbox that
contains a basic set of hand tools that will enable you to tackle a lot of the
'carpentry-type' tasks around the home, cottage or office. Over time, and as
your skills and enthusiasm grow, you can add to this tool kit, turning it into
your personal 'ultimate tool box'. |
Stanley 26" Professional Box
 We
don't recommend putting your tools into a cardboard box. A proper tool box,
whether store bought or user made, will make storing, finding, transporting,
protecting and keeping your tools a lot easier. You'll be surprised at how
quickly tools left lying around vanish into thin air. Look for a box that is
large enough to store the tools you already have, along with future purchases.
Choose a box like the Stanley 26" Professional Tool box ($29.99) that has: a
good hinge that can withstand a lot of opening and closing without coming apart;
strong metal latches that are lockable; one that is large enough to hold a
compact sized saw and level (at least 24" inside width); and a comfortable
handle that tilts forward closing flush with the top of the lid. A removable
full-size storage tray is also a useful feature. A sturdy toolbox will also
serve as a portable workhorse (albeit a small one), and, in a pinch, a step
stool. |
FatMax Hand Saw (20-046)
 This
15" saw has a composite coating that reduces friction and helps prevent rust.
Its thick blade makes for straighter cuts and the SharpTooth styled teeth (8
tpi) cut very quickly. You can use the back of the saw to mark out 90° and 45°
angles. This saw excels at crosscutting and ripping wood, it can also be used to
cut tenons and other joints. |
FatMax High Tension Hacksaw (20-531)
 Made
from one piece for durability, it features a quick and easy blade change system
with pre-tensioning. There is a thumb dial adjustable tension mechanism, so you
don't have to re-set after blade changes. The ergonomically designed frame makes
for excellent control. It comes with a 24 tpi bi-metal blade. This saw is
essential for cutting copper piping, cutting lengths of angle iron, shortening
bolts, and a host of metal cutting tasks. |
Block Plane (12-920)
 The
Stanley standard angle block plane is probably the most common plane on the
planet. The 6" cast iron plane has precision-ground sides and sole, an
adjustable mouth, a fully adjustable cutter, quick release cam lock for easy
blade removal, and a durable epoxy coating. Use it for planing with the grain or
to trim end grain. A swipe of paraffin across the sole makes it glide more
easily. |
FatMax Short Blade Chisels (16-970)
 This
set of 1/2", 3/4" and 1" chisels have hardened and tempered high chrome carbon
steel precision ground blades, and break resistant handles with a metal strike
cap, so you can strike them with a hammer. Use them to cut (pare) with the grain
or to chop across the grain. Treat them with care and they'll last a lifetime
(as with all your quality tools). |
Combination Square (46-028)
 This
12" square has a die cast handle and chrome plated steel ruler, with crisp and
easy to read etchings. Use it to lay out accurate 90° and 45° angles for cutting
and to check that finished cuts are square. You can also use it as a depth
gauge. Remove the blade from the handle and you have an accurate ruler. |
FatMax Utility Knife (10-788) and Tape
(33-725)
 The
utility knife features quick blade change; a storage bay in the handle for up to
seven blades; and a padded curved handle for superior control and comfort. Use
it for a wide range of cutting tasks, and to score lines before sawing or
chiseling. The 25 foot tape is one of the best I've used. It will extend a full
11 feet before falling. The scale is easy to read, coated for long life, and
retracts smoothly. The impact resistant ABS case gives maximum protection. |
Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver (68-010)
 Gone
are the days when you needed to have 14 different screwdrivers in your kit. This
driver is a real gem. The bits store easily in the handle, bit access is quick,
and the bits never fall out. The bit holder at the tip of the tool is magnetic
and it holds the bits securely. The 3 position ratcheting mechanism (clockwise,
counterclockwise, and fixed) is easy to position and doesn't disengage
prematurely. You can apply considerable torque with minimal effort. You'll be
surprised at how much quicker you can insert or remove screws with a ratcheting
driver – for one-off jobs its more convenient and almost as speedy as your power
drill. And it has a very comfortable handle to boot. |
10" MaxGrip Locking Adjustable Wrench
(85-610), and FatMax 8" MaxEdge Pliers (84-820)
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Invariably you'll need pliers or a wrench, and these two
fit the bill nicely. The 10" wrench incorporates a conventional adjustable
wrench with a locking arm. The 8" pliers feature bi-metal blades that easily
cut through wires, nails, and small bolts, and machined teeth that grip securely. |
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Plus….
 Into
our tool box we've also put a 24" FatMax level (43-500), FatMax Pry Bar
(55-101), FatMax Antivibe Hammer (51-941), a cushion grip nail set (58-930),
FatMax Chalk Line Reel (47-140), and Intellilaser Pro Line level/stud finder
(77-260). |
Other Accessories
Even with all this gear we still have room for some accessories: a heavy-duty,
25’ grounded extension cord; a circuit tester; several sheets of 100 to 180 grit
sandpaper, and a sanding block (optionally you could select sanding pads); a
small plastic container with some #8 screws in various lengths, and a container
with a selection of common and finish nails; a couple of 6" C clamps or Quick
Grip clamps; a combination file/rasp; and a couple of pencils. No more excuses
for not having the right tool for the job at hand! |
| Oneida Dust Deputy |
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| Price: |
$220 plus shipping |
Rating: |
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| Source: |
Order direct from
Oneida |
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Protecting yourself from the
dust in your work shop should be a top priority. The big chips that come out
of the jointer and planer are easily manageable. Most of the conventional
dust collectors do a pretty good job of picking up this 'big dust'. It's the
finer dust, the stuff that's measured in microns that is more difficult to
manage.
Most of us probably have our portable power tools (sander,
router, circular saw, biscuit joiner...) connected to a shop vac. I have one vac
permanently connected to my ROS, the second gets used interchangeably with
other shop tools. Both of these vacs have HEPA filters that capture the fine
dust. The heavy dust particles flop to the bottom of the canister.
Unfortunately, the filters get caked up with dust pretty quickly, especially
if you're doing a lot of sanding. Letting the filters cake up too much
reduces their effectiveness. However, I never seem to remember to clean the
filter until I open the vac to empty it. |
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Oneida Air Systems, the folks that brought the dust
cyclone to the workshop, have a new product that effectively removes the
bulk of dust before it enters the shop vac, thus reducing the frequency of
cleaning the vac filter. The Dust Deputy is essentially a mini
cyclone. Oneida claims that the Dust Deputy filters out 99% of the fine
dust, sending only 1% of the dust to your shop vac. Two models of the Dust
Deputy are available. The 'deluxe' version (shown here) comes with a 10
gallon barrel and the cyclone. There are optional 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2"
static dissipating wire reinforced hoses in 10' lengths available ($33
each), or you can use your own hose. The top outlet, which is connected to
the shop vac, takes a 2" hose and the side port, which is connected to your
power tool, takes a 1 1/2" hose. You can also buy a 'DIY' version that is
just the cyclone (the blue part). It comes with 3 clips that you can use to
attach it to a 10 gallon bucket. |
| So you're wondering, "Does this thing work?". Well, the
answer is unequivocally, yes. The Dust Deputy certainly filters out quite a
bit of the dust. More so when you're using a tool that generates a lot of
fine dust, like the ROS. Better than it going into my lungs. |
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Al Rutherford
Riverworks Studio
Nestled in the quaint town of New Germany, Nova
Scotia, on the banks of the LaHave River, you'll find the Riverworks Studio run
by accomplished furniture maker Al Rutherford. His work
is influenced by the Mission style (aka 'Craftsman style') furniture of the
early 1900s, made popular by Stickley, Wright and Green & Green.
Al's work features traditional joinery techniques
and an uncompromising attention to detail. One of his latest pieces is a tribute
to the classic Nova Scotia fishing skiff.
Visit his
web site to see more of his work.
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Nova Scotia Skiff Boat Shelf
White Pine, Ash, Cherry |
Side Table
Quartersawn Oak & Italian Porcelain Tile |
Harvey Ellis Bookcase
Quartersawn White Oak, stained |
Mission Style Deacon's Bench
Oak, Walnut |
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Cradle
Ed Speers, Elmira, ON
Ed built this cradle from white oak for his
first grandchild, who made a much anticipated appearance in March 2006. Overall
dimensions are about 38" high by 36" long and 20" wide. The bed fits a mattress
30" X 15".
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Rocking Horse
Will Richards, Winnipeg
Will is a busy woodworker, and sent us a number
of photos of his work, including this spiffy solid birch rocking horse with wood
saddle and leather tail and mane.
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Storage Chest/Bench
Robert Johns, Ottawa
Robert is an editor at Canadian Woodworking,
and an avid woodworker. He used No 1 pine and biscuit joinery for
this chest/bench of his own design. The finish is cedar stain and semi-gloss
polyurethane. The piece measures 36"H x 29"W x 16"D. The 15" deep box provides
ample storage space for boots, gloves, and the other paraphernalia of daily
living. The box lid is attached by a full length piano hinge.
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Labyrinth
Dick Carnegie, Parksville, BC
This project is a 12" diameter model of the
famous eleven-circuit labyrinth in the floor of the 13th century Chartres
cathedral in France. It is made of padauk, cut entirely with a router and a
home-made jig.
Quite different from a maze, the labyrinth path is continuous and not intended
to confuse. Find the entrance at about "3-o'clock" in the photo and trace a
continuous path to the central area where the rosettes are. In the background of
the photo are several plywood test patterns that led to this final,
one-of-a-kind labyrinth. |
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If you would like to see your work in
this newsletter, send us an image along with information about your
project. Images look best with an uncluttered background. Use the highest
setting on your digital camera - we will reduce the image to fit in the
newsletter.
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Issue #25
July 2006
Visit our web site
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