Canadian Woodworking Magazine eNewsletter


General Pneumatic Over-arm Router
Available at tool and equipment suppliers across Canada or call 888-949-1161	General International has announced the new model 40-850 pneumatic over-arm router. Designed as an affordable introduction to production routing for most small to mid-sized shops, the 40-850 includes 4 different sized adapters to fit most 1 ½ to 3 ½ HP portable routers. The foot pedal activated, adjustable pneumatic down feed control lowers the router, leaving hands free to control the work piece. The head is equipped with six adjustable depth stops for repeatable precision depth settings. The 40-850 is supported on a sturdy open base steel stand and has a large 23" x 30" table with phenolic coating for long life and friction free performance. The unit is supplied with a guide pin for template routing and a removable fence for in-line routing making it a versatile option for many shops. Regularly $1,500; on sale now for $1,090. Portable router and compressed air source required.

Craftex 13" Drum Sander
Order online or call 800-461-2879	The new CT125 is the perfect drum sander for the small shop. This machine may look small, but it is loaded with features and the power that rival much larger equipment. It will handle stock up to 13" wide, as short at 7" long, and from 1/8" to 4" thick. Features a 1HP motor and 90W, 110V variable speed conveyor, 1-22 FPM belt speed, 1720 RPM (2258 FPM) drum speed, 2 1/2" dust port, thickness scale, and a 2 year warranty. Weighs 83 kg (185 lbs). Priced at $999.

Veritas Metric Wheel Marking Gauges
Order online or call 800-267-8767	Veritas marking gauges, which use a hardened steel wheel cutter rather than a pin, are very popular among woodworkers. Both the standard and micro-adjust gauges are now available with a metric scale etched on the rod. $34.50 (std) and $39.50 (micro-adjust).

Craftsman Digital Miter Gauge
Click here to view a PDF spec sheet	The Craftsman Digital Miter Gauge (sku 73800) with 15" aluminum fence eliminates the guess work of reading and calculating angles. A rotary encoder determines angles for miter, bevel and blade pitch. Simply square/pair the miter gauge and the blade at 90˚. The miter gauge works with and can be adjusted to fit any 3/4" slotted table. Once squared the large back-lit 2-inch digital LCD screen quickly displays and measures the angle of the tool. The LCD screen can be read either right side up or upside down, and is accurate to +/- .1˚ for miter, bevel and blade pitch up to 50˚ to both the left and right of the blade. Available June 2008 at Sears. $79.99

Irwin Strait-Line Chalk Reels
Mach 6 Chalk Reel Available at tool and equipment suppliers across Canada	Irwin's new Strait-Line chalk reels feature a 6:1 gear ratio and EZ access door, while a reinforced line resists fraying and breaking. 8 models to choose from. The Mack 6 reel features an aluminum housing, metal drive gear, metal handle, wide pronged hook and 100' of nylon/polyester braided line.

Saw Blade Dampeners Eliminate Noise and Reduce Vibration
Order online or call 800-733-7111	According to Jay Forrest, vice president, Forrest Manufacturing, dampener disks can actually improve the cut of any blade and reduce noise by 50 percent. A dampening disk is designed to be mounted next to the saw blade on a saw’s arbor, or shaft. It holds the saw blade rigid so that vibrations are not transmitted to the rim of the teeth. The result is a better cut, a truer running blade, and significantly less whistling noise. The disks are precision ground from the same steel as its award-winning saw blades, and straightened by hand to ensure flatness and to keep side-to-side wobble to within .001 inch. Only one disk dampener is necessary because of the physics of how it works. They’re not recommended for chop saws since a chop saw’s arbor is short and can usually accommodate only the thickness of the blade. Also, they are usually unnecessary for dado sets since the multiple blades naturally help to minimize vibration. Dampener disks are available in 4" to 10" diameters in 5/8" and 1" sizes.

EZ-Clean Spray System
Order online or call 800-279-4441	Rockler has partnered with 3M™ to release the EZ-Clean Spray System, a time-saving, hassle-free approach to spray finishing. This system uses innovative disposable cup liners and lids. The liner removes easily and cleanly when you’re done, making cleanup a breeze. You use a clean liner with an integrated filter every time, which eliminates outside contamination. You’ll use up to 70% less cleaning solvent than you would with traditional cup systems. The system also comes with lid plugs so you can store unused finish for short time periods while multiple finishes are used on one project. The unique design creates a perfect seal during use, so you can spray at any angle—even upside down—without risking a leak. Starter Kits for either gravity-fed, siphon-fed or pressure-fed spray systems include a hard plastic cup and threaded ring, a slip-in measuring transparency, 3 disposable liners, 3 disposable lids with integral filters and 3 lid plugs. They are available in 3 capacity sizes, starting at $22.99.

Gorilla Wood Glue
Available at tool and equipment suppliers across Canada	Gorilla's new Gorilla Wood Glue is a product designed specifically with woodworkers in mind. It works on hardwoods, softwoods and composite material, and it dries to a natural color: no yellow lines or orange afterglow if you don't get your glue line lined up perfectly. The drying time to achieve this natural look is about 24 hours, following 20 to 30 minutes of clamp time. Gorilla Wood Glue is water based, nontoxic and solvent-free. It's also appropriate for use on indoor or outdoor projects.

Milwaukee Rotary Hammer and Grinder
Compact SDS Rotary Hammer 4 1/2" Grinder Available at tool and equipment suppliers across Canada or call 800-729-3878	Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation introduces a new 7/8" compact SDS Rotary Hammer and a 4 1/2" Grinder. Powered by Milwaukee’s V18™ lithium-ion technology, the SDS Rotary Hammer provides consistent fade free power and superior run time. With three modes of operation – rotary hammer, drill only and chipping – contractors can use the tool for concrete drilling, wood and steel drilling and light chiseling applications. Features 9,450 ft/lbs of impact energy per minute, 11 1/8" grip to check length, super premium 25A/36V switch, 0-1,200 RPM and 8.8 lbs weight. The V28 TM Grinder (0725-20) provides the power, durability and portability needed to handle a wide range of applications including cutting bolt, pipe, angle iron and grinding weld beam. Features 5/8" spindle, 8,000 RPM, 3 Ah lithium-ion battery and 6.8 lbs weight.

Accessory Kits from Dremel
	Dremel has announced two new kits for its popular rotary tools. The 75-Piece Accessory Kit (model 707-01) features 75 accessories in an embossed accessory storage tin. Included are: an assortment of cutting, cleaning, polishing, grinding, sharpening, sanding, carving and engraving accessories. The kit also includes a storage box with snap-tight lid to organize the accessories. The EZ Lock Cutting Kit (model EZ688-01) is an 11-piece set, which features three different cutting wheels, along with the EZ402 EZ Lock Mandrel. The kit contains four EZ456 Metal Cut-off Wheels that last twice as long compared to the previous No. 426 Reinforced Cut-off Wheel. Also included are three EZ409 Thin Cut Wheels and three EZ476 Plastic Cutting Wheels.

LED Lighting Kits
	The new lighting kits from Innovative Lighting can be used to brighten decks, docks, walkways, landscapes and retaining walls. Operating on 12V DC, the lighting kit contains an AC/DC transformer with 60' of wire, a UL-listed junction box, 4 step lights each housing 3 LEDs, 12 single LED accent lights and all necessary hardware for installation. It is available in amber, blue or white LED models with a black or white case. Each individual step light measures 1.71" x .65" x .4" and each accent light measures 1.57" x .82" x .57". An optional wireless remote system is available for handy control. Starting retail price of $99.99.

Wood Objects Juried Woodwork Exhibition
	The Ottawa Woodworkers Association is pleased to announce WoodObjects, a juried woodwork exhibition that will be held November 28-30 at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa. The deadline for applications is September 30. There will be 3 categories of entrants: woodworkers under 18 years of age; those with less than 10 years of woodworking experience; and those with more than 10 years experience. Prizes will be awarded for: Best of Show; 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of the three categories; and, the public will select the “Peoples Choice” award entry. This event is designed to foster excellence in the design and crafting of wood objects, create an opportunity for the public to experience finely crafted objects, and to encourage aspiring artisans.

Butterfly Chair Plans
	This Butterfly Chair from Gold Country Woodworks is easy to build. So easy in fact, that novice woodworkers have no problems in construction. This is the first in a series of six Adirondack Butterfly Chairs that will brighten up any garden. The Butterfly Chair design enables you to, “Relax in Comfort”, because of the lower back support and the deep angled contoured seat. The extra wide arm rests give excellent support for your arms, while accommodating your favorite beverage. The woodworking plans (#5820) contain Step-by-Step Instructions, Detailed Illustrations, and best of all, Full Size Templates, so you won’t have to redraw the plans. $14.95

Trades Training Program Looking for Apprenticeship Placements
email for more information or call James Crozier at 905-251-5514	Georgina Trades Training Inc. (GTTI) is a not-for-profit community organization that provides trades related training to people in the communities of York and Durham Region. They host a Carpentry pre-apprenticeship training program in partnership with George Brown College. This pre-apprenticeship training program is funded by the government of Ontario. GTTI is seeking apprenticeship placements for the participants A wage subsidy to the amount of $1,300 per participant for a paid 8 week.

PHSP: Private Health Services Plan
Read the Canada Revenue Agency document here or Contact Richard Lepinsky by email or at: 250-889-3784	Self-employed woodworkers often envy salaried employees who have access to company health care and dental plans. I recently signed up for a PHSP - and I wish that I had known about it years ago. A Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) is an approved Canada Revenue Agency method for self-employed business people "to tax deduct 100% of their medical, health and dental expenses." These expenses can be tax deductible from the gross business income. If you are self-employed I highly recommend that you investigate the PHSP option.