Lots of changes and updates with us here at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement. For one, we have a new editor for the magazine - Rob Brown. Many of you already know Rob, as he is a well-known fine woodworker from Peterborough, ON, and has been a contributing writer for us for the last 5 years. His pieces in the magazine have included: Step Tansu (Aug/Sep'05), Secretary Desk (Apr/May'07), and Dining Table (Aug/Sep'09). Rob brings a lot of practical experience to the magazine, and will be doing his part to build and connect the community of woodworkers in Canada. Rob's first issue will be the Aug/Sept'10 issue.

Another big development is that Canadian Woodworking has teamed up with Paul Moore of Stockroom Supply, to present a series of one day events that will be taking place across Canada. The event is "The Woodworkers Tool Show and Sale", and promises to be a great day of woodworking exhibitions, demonstrations, and presentations. This traveling show starts off in Oshawa, ON this month, and will work its way across Canada. Be sure to check the website to see when it will be coming to a city near you. The event is totally free, but I strongly suggest you register to ensure a seat.

Enjoy!

Paul Fulcher
Publisher

Breathing New Life Into Woodworking Shows

Stockroom Supply and Canadian Woodworking Magazine have joined forces to address the questions about wood shows that plague woodworkers everywhere:

Why do I have to pay to go shopping?
Why is the show the same as last year?
Why is the show smaller?
Why are there no new products or new vendors?
Why is no one here?
Why are there no deals?
Most importantly, why another wood show?

The duo's wood show answers those questions by establishing events that are completely free: free parking, free admission, free water and free seminars. All they want from woodworkers is some of their free time to check out cutting-edge new products never seen before and give woodworkers something to talk about. It will also be a great opportunity for manufacturers to show off their wares at special low prices and have industry experts educate woodworkers on how these special woodworking products perform.

Watch for the spring tour in Eastern Canada and the fall tour in Western Canada. For full show info, go to: The Woodworkers Tool Show and Sale

Ongoing seminars and demonstrations throughout the day.

Purchases can be made at any time, but no pressure: Woodworkers come out and enjoy!

Eaton Brings Router Expertise to Wrayco

Mark Eaton has joined Wrayco Sales & Marketing as sales representative for south central and south western Ontario. Wearing the hat of Product Specialist, he brings with him extensive knowledge of all things router-based and will support Kreg Tool Dealers nationally. Mark has been very involved with Wrayco in past years in support of Kreg Tool at Canadian woodworking tool and sale shows and at dealer in-house events.

Laguna Expands Biz in Canada With Distributor Network; Launched eBrochure

Irvine, California-based Laguna Tools has expanded into the Canadian market by introducing a new network of Canadian distributors who have been authorized to sell Laguna machines and accessories directly to Laguna's Canadian customers. Laguna Tools founder and principal Torben Helshoj, founder and principal of the 26-year-old company, says Laguna carefully selected Canadian distributors who focus on customer service and that the distribution network will be very effective for Canadian woodworkers. A complete list of Laguna's Canadian distributors is available at www.lagunatools.com by clicking the Canadian flag; craftsmen may contact the Canadian companies directly for access to the complete line of Laguna machines and accessories. And there's still room for more: Laguna is currently looking for Canadian dealers. Click here to find out more.

In addition to its expansion in Canada, Laguna is growing its footprint in the digital world with a new eBrochure for its bandsaws. Customers can flip through the pages of the brochure online just like the printed version. The new bandsaw eBrochure is part of the company's commitment to the environment while providing convenience and innovation to customers. Laguna products are available at Canadian Woodworker, Elite Tools, Federated Tool, TJV Woodworking Machinery & Tools and Rideout Tool and Machine.

Trend Unveils Circular Saw Blades, Seeks Canadian Dealers

Trend Routing Technology has introduced a 29 SKU thin kerf professional circular saw blade line designed for the framing, finish and specialty contractor markets. The Trend professional circular saw blade line ranges from 5-3/8" to 12" in diameter and cover numerous applications, including the cutting of wood and wood products, non-ferrous materials, plastics, pressure treated lumber and nail embedded material. Trend's thin kerf compound miter saw blades employ a -5° hook angle so that the saw blade will not snatch the material, a critical component for safety and for producing a clean finish on the material. Trend's products are available at Canadian Woodworker. Trend is also looking to expand in Canada and seeks Canadian dealers. Click here to find out more.

Why Buy It, If You Can Make It Yourself? Book Tells You How

Tool expert Ernie Conover's latest book is aimed at the frugal woodworker. The Frugal Woodturner teaches readers to make their own equipment and stay within budget, outlining how to get started on three different budgets: the Tight and Basic Budget in which readers learn how to make their own spring pole lathe and tools; the All-Around Budget in which readers discover how to buy quality used equipment; and, the Upscale Budget for readers who want to buy new equipment. For those experienced turners, Conover also offers advice for experienced turners on how to make their own gouges, scrapers and chisels as well as instructions for making your own faceplates, chucks and more. Conover is the author of seven best-selling woodworking books and teaches at Conover Workshops, a craft school founded by his family near their home in Cleveland, OH.

Dream In Maple

RIKON Updates Release Schedule, Seeks Canadian Dealers

RIKON Power Tools has released its schedule for CSA approvals for all of its products. New tools available at its U.S. warehouse in mid-June include a 16” Variable Speed Scroll Saw with Lamp, a 1”x 30” Belt 5” Disc Sander and a Mini Lathe Variable speed kit to convert a 70-100 mini lathe to Variable speed. RIKON will follow up in the fall with the first two units in its Dust Collector line: the 1 HP Dust Collector and the 2 HP Dust Collector. RIKON products are available at Canadian Woodworker, and is currently seeking additional Canadian dealers. Click here to find out more.

Bosch Boost Tunes at Work

Later this year, the latest evolution of the Bosch Power Box job site radio will be unveiled by Bosch Power Tools & Accessories with the Bosch Power Box 360. It features a five-speaker design with an integrated subwoofer, projecting high-quality, enriched sound in all directions. The PB360S model offers more than twice the sound power output of the previous version as well as five times more sound power output.  It also features a weather-sealed digital media bay that offers secure storage and protection from moisture, dust and debris. The digital media bay also features built-in SD memory card and USB ports so music can be played from an SD memory card or USB thumb drive device. The PB360D model even features a built-in SIRIUS Dock & Play port for connecting select SIRIUS satellite radio devices; it also serves as a power center.

Dynabrade's New Drills Will Blow You Away

Dynabrade, Inc has launched new line of Industrial Quality Air Powered Drills which come in a variety speeds and configurations. With RPM speeds of 500, 1,000, 2,400, 3,600, 5,500 and 20,000, the newly designed Pistol Grip Drills are designed with finger platforms on both sides of the tool, allowing increased stability and support.

The drills come with the following speeds and configurations:

• .4 Hp Angle Head Drills. Available in RPM speeds of 950 and 3,200, these tools are more than 11” in length, allowing for additional reach in hard-to-get areas.
• Straight Line, 7° Offset, Pistol Grip and Right Angle Models are also offered in .4, .7 and 1 Hp.  Available in a variety of RPM models and configurations, these tools are ideal for a wide variety of industrial applications.
• Vacuum Drills are also offered.  For connection to Central Vacuum Systems, these tools include a unique vacuum shroud, which compresses around the drill bit to effectively capture chips and debris.

SawGear Expands Availability Through Reseller Network

SawGear, the portable, precise, and rugged automated length measuring system for miter saws introduced last summer, is now available through reseller partners.  SawGear is now proudly distributed by leading tool suppliers: CEJ and Reparation MCL in Canada and Ace Tool Co and Riverhead Building Supply in the United States. SawGear users can attach a miter saw, enter the required dimensions, slap the material against the rugged stop and cut the part, eliminating wasted time and inaccuracies from measuring and pencil marking.

Grind Safely With A Metabo's "Deadman Switch"

Metabo Corporation now offers an electronic 6" angle grinder/cut-off machine with a non-locking paddle switch.  The WEP14-150 Quick "Deadman" increases user safety by turning off automatically when released or dropped. With a long lasting 12.2 A motor, the WEP14-150 Quick is ideal for welders, pipe fitters, plumbers, steam fitters, mechanical contractors and those in the metal fabrication and mechanical trades.  In addition to the deadman switch feature, its side handle reduces vibration up to 60 per cent, lowering the risk of white finger syndrome, while its grip design ensures secure operation at all times.The grinder also features a tool-less wheel change system that saves time and energy when replacing wheels, making the operator more efficient and dust protection.

I.D. Wood iPhone App Makes NY Times Top 20

I.D. Wood, an iPhone application featuring an encyclopedia of more than160 types of wood, has been recommended by the New York Times as 1 of 20 Smartphone Apps for the Home and Garden. The app is chock full of information about lumber, wood, architecture and woodworking. You can browse woods by colour and once you've picked your timber, find the correct cutting techniques and nails to use in your project. I.D. Wood is available for one of the most popular smartphones via iTunes as well as the iPod Touch with an iPad version coming soon.

An Eco-friendly Stain To Dye For

Sansin Corporation has introduced its new Eco-Tone Color System, a color additive for its Purity Interior 0-VOC base wood stain that delivers dye-like color with one tenth of the toxicity found in conventional, solvent-based dyes. Sansin's Eco-Tone Colors use pure pigments, ground so fine they are able to combine with the Purity 0-VOC Base for a more sustainable "green" alternative to traditional dyes. These newEco-Tone Colors are meant to be used with Sansin's new Purity Interior Zero VOC Penetrating Stain, the first water-based interior wood stain with a base free from any harmful VOCs that penetrates both soft and hard woods with consistent, uniform coverage.

Sansin's Purity Interior Zero VOC Stain also features:

• Zero VOCs
• Little to no odor
• Ease of application, with the choice of a wipe or spray stain
• Fast dry time, allowing coating with Sansin's Interior Clears after only 15 minutes
• Minimum pigment transfer upon top coating
• Excellent penetration, lapping performance and uniform appearance

In the June/July Issue:

Features:

• Making a Wooden Hand Plane
• Louvered Doors
• Bird Feeder
• Expandable Bracelet

Also:

• Shop Knives
• Card Scraper
• Bridle Joint
• Wood Finishing: Dyeing
• Veneer Trimming Jig
• Harmonious Grain
• Choosing a Six-Inch Jointer