Strap Sack

Featured | 2010-12-12 | One Comment

My first reaction when I heard of this product was “holy smokes, I could have used one of those!” We all have straps … and almost all of us have straps that are tangled, mangled, and messed.  Mine lived in a 5 gallon bucket all mixed and unmatched, knotted and split.  Anytime I needed a [...]

Dremel 8200

Dremel 8200 Lithium-ion Cordless

Miscellaneous | 2010-06-27 | One Comment

For what seems like forever I’ve been using a corded Dremel rotary tool.  Though not a daily used tool in my projects, the Dremel has always been the one that I go to when none other seem to fit the job.  If you have a Dremel, then you know that one of the irritating things [...]

Metal-Made Lathe Tool Rests

Reviews | 2009-12-31 | No Comments

Wesley Graham, metalworker and owner of www.metal-made.com, sells custom-made tool rests for the lathe. Hand-crafted in Charlotte, NC each tool rest consists of a stainless steel post, 1/4″ steel support frame, and 1/4″ hardened steel runner along the top.

Trend Airshield Pro & Ear Defenders

Reviews | 2009-12-30 | No Comments

The Trend Airshield Pro is a face shield and fine dust collection system all-in-one. Add the Ear Defenders (an additional accessory) and you’ll have hearing protection too. The new Pro model is a completely redesigned take on the original. Trend obviously went back to the drawing board with everything they learned the first time around and attempted to release a superior product.

Jet Planer/Jointer Combo

Featured | 2009-12-30 | 3 Comments

Overall, I’m very pleased with the machine. It is well engineered, it has plenty of power, and the helical head tackles even the toughest grain. I think JET has found a real sweet spot here, offering features normally found on much more expensive machines, and in a very compact form at that.

Woodworking in Action

Magazines | 2009-12-29 | 5 Comments

Many of you may know of Graham Blackburn from his many books and a few videos. A few years back he started a subscription DVD called Woodworking In Action. I recently checked out whats been going on with it. A lot it turned out. Now, in addition to a quarterly DVD in the mail, you have full access to flash videos of all the previous videos.

SawStop Industrial Tablesaw

Featured | 2009-12-15 | 4 Comments

Ahhhh, the much awaited and very controversial SawStop tablesaw. There is so much good to say about this saw I’m not sure how to get it all in, but there are some complaints worth mentioning.

Bowclamp Caul

Clamps | 2009-09-20 | No Comments

What the heck is a Bowclamp you ask? It’s a caul. Okay, maybe that wasn’t enough to make the picture in your mind crystal clear (and neither will be inadequate photos now that I see them). Let’s just say the Bowclamp is one of those total unexpected surprises when you see it in action

CH Mini Air Compressor

Featured | 2009-09-10 | No Comments

Campbell Hausfeld recently began offering a 2 gallon air compressor geared towards the home/hobby user. Typically a compressor this size wouldn’t excite me, but a perfect storm of a direct need and killer deal meant one would be landing in my shop.

Oneway Stronghold Chuck

Featured | 2009-08-29 | No Comments

The monster of wood lathe chucks and arguably the best on the market is the Oneway Stronghold chuck. Weighing in at 4.5lbs, this chuck is a beast and built like a tank. The Stronghold is made for lathes with at least a 16″ swing, and while it would work on smaller lathes the Talon may be a better fit (same design, just smaller).