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The new XP series of Quick-Grip clamps are essentially the standard clamps on steroids. They differ from the standard clamps in a couple of ways. A reinforced I-beam bar provides much better resistance to twisting and bowing, and the revamped power lock delivers more clamping pressure (550 lbs of force versus 250 lbs) for the same amount of trigger pressure. You also get a slightly deeper throat (3" versus 2 3/8"), but a somewhat smaller clamping pad (1 7/8" versus 2 7/16"). The XP line come in 6 sizes, from 6" to 50".

The 12" sample I tried showed no flex in use. The quick release trigger takes more force to release than on the standard model. This isn't a big deal unless you happen to have a touch of arthritis in your clamping hand. In the sample I tested the jaws didn't go flat when pressed together. Apparently, the units I received were the first batch off the pre-production run, and the folks at Irwin assure me that they have resolved the problem in the production run. So, if you need a lot of clamping power, then XP it!

Quick-Grip XP

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The way that the Zems work is that the hollow tubes, in conjunction with the ear cuffs, create a vacuum that filters out high level sound. Lover decibel sound, such as from human speech, remains clear. The noise reduction rating is 26 dB, and they  weigh less than 2 ounces.

Do they work? Yes, surprisingly well. The most annoying noise in my shop is from the universal motor on my DeWalt planer. With the Zems on there is a marked reduction in noise level, and I can still hear the radio on in the background.

I do find that if I leave the Zems on for longer than an hour or so, my ear canals get a little sore. Putting the Zems on takes more time than my conventional ear muffs, as you have to follow a specific sequence of steps (outlined in their instruction leaflet) to get full benefit from them. But, I'm willing to put up with these minor hassles while I'm using machines with universal motors. At other times I can revert back to my standard ear muffs.

  
Cuffs are replaceable
($2.40/pair)

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I've had the same 6' wooden ladder for a decade. Serves me well. Except when I need to get to the gutters on the house, or change the fluorescent bulbs in the shop. Moving it in the car to a work site is a bit of a pain, and it always seems to be at the very back of half a dozen hefty planks when I most need it.

The new Telesteps anodized aluminum ladder might just be the ticket to my far reaching woes. Basically, its a telescoping ladder. In 'diminished' mode it's only 30" high, but extends out to 12 1/2'. And it weighs a pithy 22 pounds.

There are 12 steps on the ladder, and a top bar, not meant for standing on. In fact, I would be reluctant to stand on the topmost two steps.

This ladder is rated for up to 150 kg. The company states that it should always be used at an angle of approximately 75º, and that it should always rest on a flat, firm level surface.

In the photo at left the ladder is shown in its full extension mode. To extend the ladder you simply place a foot on the bottom most step, and then extend the top step until it locks into place. You then continue to extend the ladder section by section. 

The Telesteps in compact mode

This is the view from the bottom showing the telescopic tubes. The walls are just under 1/8" thick.

There are two pull rings on the 2nd step from the bottom. To close the ladder you pull on each of these rings.

Beneath each step are a pair of locking pins. When in the position as show in the photo they indicate that the step is securely locked in position.

The plastic end caps not only prevent debris from getting into the telescopic tubes and causing damage, but they also stabilize the ladder in use.

Over-molded rubber pads on the top of the ladder protect the surface against which the ladder is placed.

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The newest member of the Dremel family is the 400 series XPR high performance rotary tool. It comes in several kit formats, including the 3/51 shown at right.

You can purchase a huge number of accessories for the Dremel, including cut off wheels, drill bits, high speed cutters, and grinding stones. Additionally there are some pretty neat attachments, including flex shafts, a planer (for removing up to 1/64" per pass on material up to 2 1/4" wide), a multi saw (for precision cuts in hard to reach places), a mini saw (for making precision straight cuts in stock up to 1/4" thick), and attachments for turning your Dremel into a mini plunge router and for mounting for use as a mini shaper.

NOTE: Always wear safety glasses when using the Dremel. The tool spins at very high speeds, and many of the accessories are very small. Cutting wheels in particular have a tendency to break, especially after they have begun to wear down.

Key Facts:

•  2 amps

• 120 volts

• 5,000 - 35,000 rpm

• permanent magnet motor

• 18.8 oz weight

• ergonomic design

•  Separate on/off switch and speed control dial

•  Lock-out collet button

• comfort grip

• 6' power cord

• 5 year warranty

400 3/51 kit includes: flex shaft, circle cutter, lawn mower and garden tool sharpener, 51 accessories in two mini cases, book and large storage case.

There are two mini cases that attach to the top of the storage box. Each contains a selection of various Dremel accessories.

They make for convenient storage of the small bits and pieces.

The tool itself is a model of simplicity. Controls are well laid out, and the design of the tool makes it comfortable to hold, even for longish periods of time.

Accessories attach to the Dremel tool via a collet that is inserted into the threaded shaft at the top of the tool. A collet nut then holds the collet in place. There are 5 sizes of collets, so that you can use accessories with different sized shanks, from 1/32" to 1/8".

Once the right sized collet is inserted, the collet nut is screwed on lightly.

The accessory (in this case a grinding wheel) is inserted into the end of the collet, and then the collet nut is tightened. I found that I had to hold the collet lock down securely; if not, the collet nut has a tendency to slip when you torque it with the wrench.

The Dremel is very easy to use. For aggressive work you hold it as you would a golf club. However, I found that the 'pencil' grip worked best for me.

The flex shaft is a great accessory that attaches quickly and easily to the Dremel. The hand piece is much smaller than the Dremel body, so it's lighter and more comfortable to use.

In fact, I tend to leave the flex shaft attached all the time. There is a hook on the end of the Dremel so you can high it up. The 36" length of the flex shaft makes it easy to use it anywhere on my bench.

If you are into model making, toys or you construct small things, then the planer attachment will be of interest to you. Like any accessory, it fits on the end of the Dremel. It has a 2 1/4" blade that takes off 1/64" of wood in each pass. Each blade is good for about 500 linear feet of planing. A cool tool.

The plunge router kit is my favourite Dremel option. It converts the tool into a mini plunge router. It has a clear base that makes it easy to see your work, two depth stops, and an edge guide and circle guide. I've used it to rout string inlay in small table tops, and its much easier to use than my trim router. I've also tried it routing out recesses for knife hinges, for  butterfly keys and wasting out dovetails. A real time saver!

For around $140 you can't really get a better all purpose tool. The Dremel XPR is great for a wide range of small work, and the accessories are versatile time savers.

 

"Luck of the Draw" Big leaf maple and ebony, 6"	"Dancing Pair" Big leaf maple, 12", from a series called "Terpsichorean Muse"
"Looking for a Party" Big leaf maple, 11"	"Uplifting" Big leaf maple and ebony, 5"

Intarsia
Mike Girling, Calgary

Mike started doing intarsia a year and a half ago for therapy after a terrible accident. During his 5 year recovery period he read about Judy Gale Roberts in a woodworking book. Even though Mike could barely walk, he felt a strong desire to try intarsia. He bought a used scrollsaw, and made a fish, then another, and before long his walls were filled up. Mike has gotten  help and instruction from Garnet Hall, a fine intarsia artist, and occasional contributor to Canadian Woodworking. Mike now sells his work, says that "woodworking is the best form of therapy that I've seen."