SawBird

Until recently I never realized how many people are into intarsia. Not much to wonder about though. Intarsia doesn't cost a lot to get into, you don't need a hugh workshop, its a relatively safe hobby, and its suitable for people of all ages.

Garnet Hall, a contributor to Canadian Woodworking Magazine, operates SawBird, a good source for project plans, scroll saw blades, and shaping and sanding tools. Garnet will also provide answers to any questions you have about Intarsia woodworking or scrolling in general. If it has to do with Intarsia, SawBird has it!

Irwin ProTouch Snap Knife

Irwin's ProTouch retractable utility knife hit the market about a year ago, and it quickly became a favourite among tradesmen and DIYers. Now Irwin has introduced its cousin, the ProTouch Snap Knife.

This utility knife features a solid cast aluminum body, (that short of being run over by a truck, should last for decades); a stainless steel blade guide; auto-lock slider button; an easy open feature for quick reloading (it carries 3 blade sticks); a comfortable, and a no-slip grip.

The ProTouch Snap comes in 9mm and 18mm lengths. For shop use these are great, as they fit comfortably in a shop apron, are slim enough to get into tight places, and you always have an ultra sharp blade ready for use. I think that one of these would make an ideal marking knife. Available from most tool resellers, or contact Terry for a dealer near you.

The Thumsaver

Developed by Framing Wizard Tools Inc., the Thumbsaver is a unique product that will hold any nail, staple or screw without the risk of hitting your hand. The Thumbsaver has a
strong magnet and lightweight aluminum construction that allows the user to hold any size fastener for all kinds of projects. People with arthritis and those who have problems holding small parts will want to check this one out. $12.95 US (plus shipping and handling).

Portamate Miter Saw Work Center

The new PM7000 miter saw WorkCenter features a Quick-Mount attachment feature, supports 16 work pieces, roller supports with flip-stops, an
ergonomic work height and a four-outlet power center. It extends bench top planer capacity, provides a stable band saw work platform and includes both an adjustable work light and a quick-mount work vise for added versatility. You can even mount multiple tools for added convenience. It also features a storage compartment and is more durable and sturdier than any of its predecessors. For more information or to locate a re-seller call: 800.624.2027

Bilsom Leightning Hi-Visibility Earmuffs

While workers face the challenge of protecting themselves from noise on the job, they often face additional safety risks that require a high degree of visibility. Leightning Hi-Visibility Earmuffs offer both maximum attenuation and total visibility, especially in outdoors or in low-lighting situations. These earmuffs provide better overall protection and more consistent noise attenuation, especially at low frequencies. Convenient snap-in ear cushions can be easily replaced if they become soiled or damaged. Rugged steel wire headband construction provides needed durability while the foam padded headband relieves pressure on the head for long-wearing comfort. Leightning Hi-Visibility is available in the standard L3HV headband style [NRR 30], as well as a convenient folding design with optional belt storage case, providing protection up to NRR 27. Form more information: Bacou-Dalloz

New Lee Valley Gear

At this time of year Lee Valley can be counted on to bring us some new, interesting workshop gear. This fall is no exception. We liked these three items in particular.

The 1/2" shank counterskink bits (16J11.60 for the 7/16" diameter bit and 16J11.70 for the 1/2" diameter bit, $29.50 each) will be a real time saver. I know, cause I use this method for securing table tops. No more drilling, sawing, filing... Whoopee!

The Shark clamps (17F07.01 for a 5" - $19.50, and 17F07.02 for a 6 1/2" - $23.50) have 3" throat depths, articulating jaws, big clamping pads and exert a lot of force (250 lbs and 300 lbs respectively). 

The Wolverine Grinding Jig (made by Canada's own Oneway Manufacturing) is simply the best grinding wheel accessory money can buy (at $94.50). And not just for grinding turning tools. I've tried it with bench chisels, plane blades, knives and garden tools. A stellar product.

Check them out, or order them, at Lee Valley.

New Router Bits from Elite Tools

Elite Tools is a division of Quebec based Mercier Inc. who make and distribute industrial cutting tools for wood and metal. They have announced two new products.

The Sommerfeld Raised Panel Set (LC-003I) consists of 3 bits with 1/2" shanks, and is priced at $63.60 US. This set features:

• Raised Panel with back cutter bit: 1/2 x 3-1/2
• Stile & Rail Roman Ogee Male & Female: 1/2 x 1-3/4
• Anti-kickback design for SAFETY
• All stored in a superb aluminum case

The 66 bit set (LC-066B for 1/2" shanks and LC-066A for 1/4" shanks) sell for $155.99US and $115.99US respectively. You get a pretty wide selection of tungsten carbide bits, including 32 bits with ball bearing guides, 8 straights, 6 coves, 6 roundovers and 5 dovetails.

Irwin Work Gloves

No matter what kind of woodworking you do, having a decent pair of work gloves makes good sense, providing you with protection against splinters, grease, chemical spills and errant hammer blows. Irwin have several new gloves styles, including the InnerGrip Work gloves, shown at left. They come in standard and finger free styles. Inside grips help prevent hands from slipping inside the gloves, and padded knuckles provide added protection. There is a terry cloth thumb for quick brow wipes (and thankfully you can machine was these gloves). Available in the usual small, medium and large sizes.

Milwaukee Quik-Loc Job Saw Accessories

Milwaukee introduces a line of accessories for the popular Quik-Lok Job Saw that allows versatility for the user to cut, scrape and saw. The blades feature a ½” Universal Blade Tang and fit the Job Saw handle. The Quik-Lok blade release system allows for quick removal of the blade from the handle for storage.

Included in the blade offering are a carbide grout blade, putty blade, paint scraper, linoleum blade, straight blade, wavy blade, roofer’s blade, utility blade, hunter’s blade and a raker grout blade. They are made from stainless steel or nickel plated high carbon steel to resist rust and corrosion. The blades are available individually and in a handy 11-piece utility kit with Job Saw handle. A belt sheath is also available that attaches to a belt up to 2-1/2” wide.
Milwaukee is exclusive in offering this variety of interchangeable hand saw accessories. No other competitor has “Universal Tang” replaceable accessories. Combined with the Milwaukee Quik-Lok Job Saw, these are the most convenient and versatile hand tool accessories on the market.

Lenox Gold™ Reciprocating Saw Blades

For the record, Lenox is the company that invented the bi-metal reciprocating saw blade. Their new Gold blade should set the standard when it comes to blade cost and productivity.

The blade has a new patented tooth design and a specially formulated coating that work together to significantly increase blade life and increase blade cutting speed.  This translates into drastically reduced cost-per-cut, particularly for electricians, plumbers and carpenters, who constitute the largest group of recipro saw blade users.

The gold coloured coating along the business edge of the blade is titanium nitride - a pretty hard coating.

These blades come in every size range, from a 6" 6tpi 3/4" blade to a 12" 18tpi 1" blade.

I know it's a bit hokey, but check out Lee "Hackman" Breton cutting a car in half using a single Lenox Gold blade. In fact, he recently cut 3 cars in half with a Lenox Gold blade. Three cars, one blade. Good enough for me.

To locate a re-seller in your area, call 1-800-642-0010 or email.

New Offerings from Black and Decker

B&D have a number of new products on the shelves, three of which caught our eyes. For a lot of screw setting,  a drill/driver is a bit of overkill. Besides, for extended use they get a might tiring to use, especially the larger 18-volt jobs. B&Ds new Smart Driver (LI3000) claims 25% more torque than their 3.6-volt screwdrivers, a lithium ion battery, a spindle lock that lets you use the screwdriver manually, and a comfortable contoured handle. Not bad for $49.99.

Their dripless cord-free glue gun (GG500S) features a built in temperature indicator, ergonomic handle design, and a storage base. All for a paltry $39.99

For much of shop drilling a smaller (12 or 14.4-volt) driver is quite sufficient. The new compact GelMax (BDG1400K2) is smaller and more compact than conventional drills, so that it can fit into tight spaces. It has a textured comfort grip that is filled with solid gel to provide great feel and a firm grip, mid-handle design for improved balance, a keyless chuck and a 6 position clutch. Comes with 2 batteries and a charger for $79.99

VP60

If you've got $1500US kicking around, then you might be tempted to buy the new VP60 from Bridge City Tools.

The VP60 is the only variable pitch bench plane on the market. You can change the frog pitch from 30° to 90°, or any angle in between. It also features an adjustable front and rear throat plates; an articulated iron cap, which helps to reduce blade chatter; an A2, cyrogenically treated iron; a Norris style depth adjustor; double dovetailed brass sides and a stain less steel sole. Hurry though, only 400 of these planes are available.

Point2Point

The Point2Point measuring accessory is made by M Power, a British firm that is know for their innovative, if sometimes quirky, designs. Their mantra is 'simple solutions to age old problems'.

Point2Point (P2P) is their solution to the problem of dividing a length of material into more than one equal parts. For example, let's say you're going to join a carcass with dowels, and want to mark dowel locations on the edges and faces of your case. That would be 4 edges and 4 corresponding

faces times the number of holes you have to drill. Right away you can see that something like the P2P might come in quite handy. Well, in theory that is.  While the P2P does work, it lacks the level of precision needed in much of woodworking. The arms are easy enough to open up, but you have to fiddle with them to position them at exact distances from each other. I found this a frustrating task. In the time it took me to precisely lay out the arms and lock them in place, I could easily lay out the dowel drill holes with a ruler and pencil.

However, where precise point location is not an issue, then the P2P might be a useful tool. You could use it to mark screw hole location, where you just want the screw holes to be "about 2" apart". Priced at $24.00. Available from Thompsons Woodcarving.

Learn to Turn

by Barry Gross, Soft cover, 113 pages, over 100 color photos, ISBN: 1565232739, Fox Chapel Publishing, 2005, $20.95

The subtitle of this book, "A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning From Start to Finish", says it all. Gross's book is a classic example of how best to instruct - clear concise language; topics introduced in a logical and sequential format; critical tasks augmented with clear photos or illustrations; and new terms explained when they are first used.

There are three main sections to the book - Getting Started, in which he discusses the ever important topic of safety, along with the basic took it you need for turning, choosing wood, sharpening your tools, and sanding and finishing your turning. Start Turning begins with techniques an tips for using your tools, then moves on to basic spindle and faceplate turning. A final section covers Marketing and Selling your work. Additionally, there is a gallery of photos showing some excellent work, an excellent (but all too short) section on troubleshooting

(aka fixing your mistakes), a brief list of resources, and a glossary. I particularly like the fact that Gross doesn't try to cover every turning tool on the plant, nor every way of using each of the tools he presents. He's wise to focus on a basic set of tools and show us how to effectively use them. He follows both the spindle turning and faceplate turning sections with easy to follow projects. Again, a good choice, because these are projects that any novice turner can feel comfortable doing. Nothing to scare you aware here.

The photos in this book are top notch. Sharp, focused, and taken from an excellent perspective.

In summary: a superb book that you will thoroughly enjoy, and one that will make your initial foray into woodturning painless and productive.

Hosaluk Receives Award

Michael Hosaluk of Saskatoon Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s most highly respected wood turners, has been named the 29th recipient of the $25,000 Saidye Bronfman Award.

The award recognizes Hosaluk’s outstanding career as a pioneer in the field of woodturning and his contribution to the development of fine crafts in Canada. "Michael Hosaluk’s idiosyncratic turned-wood objects are recognized throughout the world for their inventive spirit and technical mastery. His ability to communicate his personal aesthetic and technique has made him one of the most sought after instructors in his field. In addition to teaching and writing, Michael Hosaluk was also instrumental in the formation of the American Association of Wood Turners, the Furniture Society and a five-day symposium held at Emma Lake, Saskatchewan, every two years which attracts leading artists from throughout the world."

The exhibition Saidye Bronfman Award 2005: Michael Hosluk will be on display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from September 30, 2005 to April 2, 2006. It will feature works drawn from various stages of Michael Hosaluk’s 30-year career. An additional highlight will be an exquisite video produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization that profiles Mr. Hosaluk’s at work in his studio.

21st Anniversary Sale

Morley Miller Machinery in St. George, Ontario, are holding their annual open house and Christmas sale on December 2nd and 3rd. Drop by for a visit or call 519-448-1361 for more information.

Wood Carving Competition

The OWCA is holding its 2005 Wood Carving Competition and Show from November 18 to 20, in conjunction with the Toronto Woodworking Show.

Members and carvers from other clubs will be demonstrating their skills, leading seminars and working to provide an outstanding carving competition.

The show is held at the International Centre,
6900 Airport Road, in Mississauga.

St. Paul's Hospital Seeks Your Help

St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, is holding its annual "Things Money Can't Buy" fund raising event. One of the packages in this year's auction is a selection of hand planes from Lee Valley. The event takes place Dec 8-15.

John Looser, from Brussels, ON, likes to make bird houses. Not your ordinary bird houses, mind you. These could be more aptly described as 'bird palaces'. John refers to them as 'extreme bird houses'.

He makes them from reclaimed cedar barn boards. Cool or what!

David Hykle, from Winnipeg, made his own custom mini lathe from plans in Issue 73 of ShopNotes.

He made the steady rest, shown here, from plans by J.P. Rapattoni, in Issue 36 of Canadian Woodworking.

Top notch job David.

Yaron Naor sent us photos of five chairs he made, each of a different wood: cherry, imbuya, american walnut, african walnut, and mahogany. Excellent work Yaron.

To advertise in this newsletter

click

or call: 519-449-2444