In August at the IWF show in Atlanta, Freud will introduce a 90-tooth saw blade with a new tooth grind that will produce almost glass-smooth crosscuts. I got to see the blade and look it over at the end of a tour of Freud’s carbide production and blade manufacturing facilities in Udine (OO-din-ay) in northeast Italy, where the company was founded. More about the plants in a moment, but first here’s the scoop on the new blade.

Designed for smooth, clean cuts in trimwork and sheetgoods, the blade debuts Freud’s alternate shear face grind. In a nutshell, the top of each tooth is ground at a 30-degree angle, with the angle alternating with each tooth – like the alternating top bevel seen on other blades. What’s really new is that the face of each tooth, as viewed from the top, is ground at a 5-degree angle, with that angle alternating from left to right on successive teeth. With this face grind, the entire width of the tooth doesn’t enter the workpiece at once, but gradually as the blade rotates. This reduces the entry angle into the wood, much like skewing a plane blade provides a smoother cut when a straight-on angle of attack causes tear-out. At 2.5mm thick the mitersaw blade is thinner than standard blades. Freud says the thinner kerf combined with this new grind will help underpowered saws cut more easily. The blade will first roll out for 10” and 12” mitersaws, then for tablesaws. As soon as we can get our  hands on some, we’ll let you know our impressions.

Freud produces 16 varieties of  carbide in Udine, each with a different balance of cutter hardness and durability. They ship completed teeth to their saw blade manufacturing plant on the other side of the city. Seeing what’s behind the curtain at both plants was pretty amazing. But because Freud doesn’t allow photos inside (ok, I managed to coerce them into one), I’ll just have to describe a bit of what goes on.

The carbide-making process is amazingly technical. (Our tour guide has a PhD. in carbide. Who even knew that was possible?) Powdered cobalt, titanium, and tungsten get blended in vats with alcohol (the light odor of alcohol accents one end of the plant), swirled through a nitrogen-filled cyclone, heated, mixed with paraffin, pressed to shape, and heated again. By manufacturing their own carbide, Freud maintains close control of the quality at every step in the operation. They make between 6,000,000-7,000,000 saw teeth, router-bit edges, and shaper cutters per week here, pressing them to near-finished size, instead of grinding them from larger blanks, which reduces waste. The saw blade teeth make their way across town in plastic bottles about the size of a Sam’s-Club bottle of Rolaids.

At the blade plant, which is shaped like a giant U, raw steel plates come in one end and packaged blades ship out the other. Since Bosch’s purchase of Freud a few years back, German efficiency has improved  control and quality checks throughout. According to Technical Plant Manager Stefano Polito, who moved here from an Italian Bosch division, processes that used to take 6-7 weeks, now take 3-4 weeks…and they hope to eventually have it down to one week.

A bar-coded document accompanies every batch of laser-cut blade blanks. Codes are scanned at each step to ensure quality checks are met. Scanning the bar code even identifies which bottle contains the teeth that should be brazed to that batch of blades. A dozen brazing machines run automatically, under the supervision of one operator. Same with the sharpening machines. And one big impression: they make a LOT of saw blades. Thousands upon thousands, from 7¼” circular-saw blades to 32” monsters stacked neatly on spindles, some awaiting balancing, some ready for coating, some in line for packaging. Here’s PART of a stack of chippers for their Super Dado blade:

It was an educational trip, showing the numerous interconnected details that go into manufacturing saw blades, tranforming them from jagged steel discs into precision cutting devices.

The 2011-2012 Woodworking Shows season closed in Katy, Texas this last weekend, March 30-April 1 and I have to admit to being somewhat conflicted. As much as I enjoy meeting some of the nicest people from across the country and talking to them about our mutual love of the craft, I find that after 12 straight weekends on the road I’m really looking forward to the break in travel.  Katy was the perfect venue to end on.

Though I like being “in the action” on the show floor, the educational areas for Roland Johnson and I  were in an adjacent hall in classrooms  off the floor proper. This afforded us the chance to speak without microphones and we both found the attendees very engaged and relaxed. So relaxed, actually, that I felt as though I had been taken hostage by my audience. On Saturday alone, I spoke from 11AM until 530PM without leaving the room.  Truth be told, I enjoyed every minute of it.

There were a couple of clubs in that hallway also. The Woodworkers Club of Houston drew some nice attention to the projects they had on display. The club proudly displays a poster saying that they have donated over 6000 toys to Houston charities in 2010. Club member Jeremy Grubb brought a veneer and marquetry table for display and Steve Wavro showed his Intarsia talent. The Golf Coast Wood Turners had a number of unique pieces on the table in front of their booth.  

The first place project of the Show Off Showcase this last weekend turned out to be something very befitting of the area and it was a “Wood Hat” by Don Fluker, a very nice soft spoken man who wore his entry proudly.

 Second place went to another of Steve Wavro’s projects, the “Intarsia Lions Head”. Third place was a “Wooden Geared Clock” by Dennis Muras. Each winner chose a tool from the Bosch Tool Company. Bosch has been graciously donating tools all season long.  Don’s hat will take its place with the other national entrants and a grand prize winner will be chosen shortly by a group of educators. You can see the results on the Woodworking Shows Facebook page soon.

Inspired by the PGA Houston this last weekend, I arrived on Thursday eager to get a quick round in at a local course only to find all but torrential rain the better part of the day. I decided to take in a movie instead. There is a point here, I promise. The movie was really lousy and, as I left, I realized that I had spent $8.50  (Senior discount) for less than 2 hours of “entertainment”. It got me thinking that, for a couple of dollars more, a woodworker could spend an entire three days at a woodworking show in free classes covering almost every facet of the craft. That attendee would have unlimited access to an educator more than willing to find an answer to any woodworking dilemma. Corporate tool representatives are at these shows and are ready to answer questions about their products or help with repair issues. Tool vendors, eager to sell their products, also care about your satisfaction and, in some cases, provide personal cell phone numbers if a question about usage or a problem arises after the show. An attendee stands a better than even chance of getting a free show tee shirt or show premium to take home. Early entrants could get a free blade sharpening or bring home a pen that they turned themselves.  I know that I may be just a bit biased, but can’t imagine there being a better bargain for a woodworker than attending one of our shows. Even the food is better (and many times even cheaper) than at your local theater.

Having said all that (please excuse the venting), the 2012-2013 show season will be staring up again in the Fall. The educators I have talked to are planning new seminars and content and I know that there will be some new tools out then too. I know that I speak for all of us allied with the show when I thank you for coming out to see us and that we hope that you’ll find some time next year to see us again. I know that we have a great product and we provide some pretty nice “entertainment” too. Stay safe in your shop and healthy this Summer.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

The Woodworking Shows moved to Charlotte this last weekend, March 23-25. For those who haven’t been there, this part of North Carolina is very nice in the Spring. Charlotte is a mix of beautiful antebellum homes in almost pastoral settings to new construction starting in the downtown and spreading to the outskirts of the city. I spent a bit of time in complete quiet in the McDowell Nature Preserve about 20 minutes from the venue. The two hours there would be a great change from the upcoming three hectic days lecturing on the show floor.

I have to admit that I had mixed emotions about this show. The woodworkers in this part of the country are some of the nicest I think I’ll see almost anywhere. Talk flows easily and is very genuine. There just weren’t a lot of attendees to talk to in spite of the fact that this area was one of the premier furniture factory areas in the country. The passion for the craft is still very much evident in those I spoke to. I just wish that I had seen more of them. I enjoyed spending time with Mike Smith, President of the Charlotte Woodworkers Association. He talked about the club and the things that they were currently involved with and told me that he had a chance to sit in on my presentations as well of those taught by Roland Johnson. He was very appreciative of the effort put forth by both the educators and all those involved with putting on a show of this size and complexity. The conversation I had with him was very similar to the ones of all the attendees I spoke with.

I also got a chance to learn a little more about two of our other show personalities,  Bob Settich and Bradley McCalister while we ate dinner at the Cajun Queen down the block from the venue. Bob teaches cabinet making to “guys who don’t think that they can make cabinets”. A very soft spoken guy with a degree in English, Bob has worked as a writer and has done technical drawings and uses a very common sense approach to encourage “guys” to try their hand at building that perfect cabinet.

I’m not sure how having been a rock band bass player in a previous life fits in with his teaching philosophy but Bradley’s dye finished turnings have garnered him a spot in some leading specialty furniture exhibitions. This is his second year at the show and, judging by the quality of his work and the crowd he draws, I would expect to see a lot more of him there.  

The “Learn to Turn” area was busy this last weekend also. Kirk, from Craft Supply, uses a truely hands on approach to help budding pen turners.

There were only three entrants in the Show Off Showcase this last weekend but each of the projects were well done and distinctly different from each other. The winner was this “Floating Top Table”  by John Bregan. The choice of spalted poplar and oak and his skill made this the top vote getter. Second place went to John Ferousen for his “Desk Box”. This was built and finished beautifully, Third place went to the “Lamp” by Blaine Johnsten. What a difference with the light off then on! Again, each of these winners chose a tool from the Bosch Tool Company and received a bag of goodies from some of the show’s vendors and the show.

The Charlotte show closed its doors on Sunday and the show crew would be on their way to Texas that evening. Their drive across nearly the entire country will end in Katy, a suburb of Houston, on Thursday to begin the set up for the show there on March 30-April 1. This will be the last show of the 2011-2012 season and the culmination of a very productive woodworking show circuit.

I hope that if you’re in the Houston area you will come out and take part in what I believe is a great woodworking experience. This is free education  in almost every discipline of the craft and the chance to get in on some of those end of the season tool and supply bargains. You’ll definitely want to preregister to avoid the lines at the gate and also take advantage of the discount on your admission. You can do all that at www.thewoodworkingshows.com. And try to make a stop  at the WOOD Magazine booth while you’re there. I’ll show you how to add just the right amount of embellishment to that special project you’re working on.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

On Friday, a nice crowd awaited the starting bell at noon and attendance stayed fairly consistent until about 4PM. Saturday was definitely the busiest day of the weekend with packed aisles and good sales reported by the vendors. Sunday started light but the crowd grew all day right up to the free bandsaw giveaway at 3PM. Attendance at the educational seminars seemed pretty strong throughout the weekend and those who came to my classes spent the entire day in the booth. I think that we all enjoyed each other’s company.

I also had a great weekend. I had the chance to spend some quality time with a couple of good friends. I was invited out to the home of Mark Hensley. Mark was well known to show goers when he sold Leigh jigs and later as a lecturer teaching finishing and model building. The “professor” and his wife provided great company at their home in the country. Though he misses the show circuit, he said that he is really enjoying his retirement. I also had a chance to sit for an hour and have a cup of coffee with a very prolific blogger and WOOD Magazine contributor, Tom Iorvino. As the “Shop Monkey”, Tom has a unique perspective on the interests and motivation of the average woodworker and writes about it with a very engaging touch of humor.

I was impressed by the interests of a local woodworking club. The Florida West Coast Woodworkers Club has partnered with PET FL-Tampa. The PET group produces hand carts to enable those with ambulatory difficulties. Hundreds of these carts have been sent to all parts of the globe with the help of the volunteers at the Florida Woodworkers Club. To get more information about this very worthy cause, you can visit www.pettampa.org.

The Show Off Showcase had some very nice entries this last weekend. The overall winning vote getter was the “Turning Block Sofa Table” by Terry Sanchez. Second place went to Charles Kested”s “23^rd Psalm” and finally, third place was awarded to Philip R Aalli’s “Toward The Sunrise”. Each winner chose a tool from the Bosch Tool Company. There was a nice crowd at the award presentation and they were encouraged to submit one of their own efforts for next year’s show.

I apologize that there are no images with this week’s post. I did not go home on Sunday as I usually do and I’ve had some issues getting my traveling computer to do as I’ve asked. You can find images of the weekend at www.thewoodworkingshows.com and also on their Facebook page.

All in all, the Tampa show was a good and it will be on the schedule for the 2012-2013 season.  And, with the current season quickly coming to an end, I hope that you’ll get a chance to see us at one of the last two shows. We will be in Charlotte at The Park on Briar Creek the week of March 23-25 and finally in the Houston area in Katy’s Leonard Merrell Center March 30-April 1. Make sure you preregister to beat the lines at the door and, while you’re there, check out the coupon to save $2 off the admission price. When you come to the show, make sure to stop in at the WOOD Magazine booth. And when you do, plan on staying a while. I’ve got a lot to show you. Besides, I like some good conversation.

The Woodworking Shows is very proud of the product that they have created and promise to add even more to next year. Your feedback is very important to those of us involved in planning for an enjoyable experience. Feel free to offer suggestions at www. thewoodworkingshows.com.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

This last weekend, March 9-11, the Woodworking Shows came to the Atlanta area and opened its  doors in Norcross, Georgia. The nearly ideal weather would set the stage for an equally ideal show.  I arrived later in the day than I usually due during the show season, so my time was somewhat limited to explore the local attractions. I did find time though to have a late lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Southern hospitality and down home cooking have made this a destination stop for well over 60 years and my roasted turkey, collard greens and black eyed peas would be the best meal I had that weekend. Add to all of this the first real signs of Spring and you’ve got the beginnings of a great weekend.

The show was very well attended and the local woodworkers had plenty of opportunities to sit in on the free education and make tool purchases from a nice array of vendors. What made this show more interesting for me was the time I spent in the Woodworkers Guild of Georgia. This very diverse club seems to have experts in nearly every facet of the craft. The guild’s members ran impromptu seminars of their own all day long. Each one of these people was a pleasure to talk to and each had interesting stories to accompany their work. A retired gentleman has made hundreds of boxes ( he loves the WOOD Magazine design) that a company uses as special gifts for clients and staff. The chip carved boxes were the pride of another member. A marquetry table top was very well done as was a lidded box made of dyed maple. Another member displayed a free form scroll sawn hanging and showed me a turned bowl made by a fellow woodworker. What was nice to see is that the focus was on the breadth of club’s knowledge and not on any particular individual’s work.

I also spent some very pleasant time with Chris Adkins who represents the Modern Woodworkers Association. In addition to local members, this association has an online following as well. We talked about his love of the craft and the Greene and Greene styled planes he had on display. We even talked about taking  a road trip to an area tool collector when the show is in town next year. How could I not want to do that?

After seeing all this very impressive work, I felt the need to create something too. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do with it yet but I found this spectacular piece of what I was told is Zircote burl. With the live edge, it may almost be a work of art on its own.

The “Cabinet Makers Tool Chest” took first place in the Show Off Showcase this last weekend. The joinery, marquetry and imagination of the maker, Kenneth Fline, really impressed the attendees. Second place went to Mickey Hudspeth for the “Thomas Wood Clock”. This was just a classic beauty. Lastly, George North’s “Last Supper” took third. The winners chose gifts from Bosch Tools and the tool chest will go on to the finals in a couple of weeks in Houston.

All in all, I think that the Atlanta show lived up to its reputation as a solid part of the Woodworking  Show series. If you weren’t able to get to that show you missed a good one but I know that we will have something even better next year. There are only three venues left this season. Next week, March 16-18, we travel to Tampa and the Florida State Fairgrounds on US Highway 301. From there we go to Charlotte, North Carolina and finally Houston in the Lone Star state.  Between talking to attendees and reading online reviews,  I know that the show has been well received. I know that you’ll enjoy it if you come out and see us. Make sure to preregister on line to avoid the lines and take advantage of the discount coupon by following this link.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD $2 OFF COUPON

I lot of work has gone on this year to provide you with a great woodworking experience. Let us prove it too you. And when you get to the show, stop by the WOOD Magazine booth and plan on staying a while. I always enjoy a good story.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

If you went looking to find an interesting and historic part of the country to do a bit of sightseeing and learn a little more about your favorite hobby of woodworking, I think that you would have  enjoyed our show venue this last weekend, March 2-4 in Fredericksburg, VA. Located about half way between Washington, DC and Richmond, this area played many key roles in the battles of the  Civil War.  As I drove the area last Thursday, the names of the small towns and burgs conjured up recollections of stories I read about the internal struggles our nation underwent so long ago. The normal one hour drive turned into almost five as I stopped numerous times along the way to get out and walk the sites. As I got to the Quantico area, I took a tour of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. With full sized combat vignettes inside, this museum explained the full breadth of this branch of the military. Add all this to the fact that it was 72 degrees and sunny that day and you can see why I enjoy this part of travel.

As has been the case since January, the Woodworking Shows attracted a very good and enthusiastic crowd of attendees throughout the three days. Most vendors stated that sales were slightly less than they had hoped for but all still had a good weekend. It wasn’t for lack of offerings, however. Heavy metal buyers found a complete display of stationary tools in the General booth and many other vendors had great pricing on nearly every range of portable tools.

What I found impressive, and I’m sure that attendees did too, was the number of free, truly educational opportunities there were. Headliners like Tommy Mac saw full seats at each presentation. Almost every facet of woodworking was covered by the likes of Bob Settich, Paul Moore, Bradley McCallister and Paul Sellers in addition to the presentations that we “regulars” give each weekend. In particular, the bowl finishing techniques that Bradley taught were impressive.

The Annapolis Woodworks school displayed some of the  projects and techniques that are taught at the school.

The Show Off Showcase first place project this last weekend was Terry Clore’s “Dusensonberry” car on a cedar box. Local woodworker, Mark Hicks, took second with this very well done “The Challenge” game table. Third place went to the “Chess Table” by Tim Jackson. I was encouraged to see that the entries were nicely varied and I hope to see many more when the show returns next year. The winners enjoyed their choice of tools donated by Bosch.

The show in Fredericksburg seemed to have something for everyone and the only complaint I heard (aside from it being a rather loud hall) was that an attendee just didn’t have time to take in all the offerings. I think that the show’s owner would take that as a complement. I see no reason to think that next week’s show in Atlanta will be anything less than great. We will be in Norcross at the North Atlanta Trade Center, 1700 Jeurgens on March 9-11 with what is being billed as a “Turning Extravaganza”. Let your mind wander! As I have said, and maybe even more this coming weekend, do yourself a favor and preregister for the show and go to this link to save $2 off your admission.http://thewoodworkingshows.com/styled-6/index.html.

There are only four shows left this season: Atlanta, Tampa, Charlotte and Houston. Time is running out. Try and get out to a show in your area. And stop in to the WOOD Magazine booth and let me show you a way to make the time you spend in your shop even more pleasant. I love company and I’ll make you feel right at home.

‘Till then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

The only surviving tree, a Callery Pear, was found severely damaged in the rubble and, after some rehabilitation, returned to the site 10 years later. Its “rebirth” is a tribute to our resilience with both life and commerce getting stronger each year. Just a short walk from the site is Battery Park and the view across the Hudson onto Ellis Island and Lady Liberty.

The show at the Somerset venue was well attended with plenty for the attendees to see. Delta and Jet had large tool displays to the delight of local woodworkers.

Local clubs had great examples of the work by their members. The Garden State Marquetry club had examples on display and a member teaching the art to any interested observer.

The Pen Jersey Scrollers had a number of very intricate works in their booth and the Atlantic Shore Woodturners displayed a really nice live edged bowl.

This week, Frank Klausz, noted artisan, ran educational classes that were very well received. It only took a minute to get through the heavy Hungarian accent and you knew that you were in for a treat. His take on woodworking and his techniques had to be seen to be appreciated. I accepted an invitation for dinner and we were joined by a great group of craftsmen and editors spending a couple of hours telling stories at each other’s expense. The following morning, Frank brought in of his prized guitars and a couple of the group put on an impromptu jam session before the doors opened on the show floor.

One of the more unique sales booths this last weekend was that of the Shaving Horse Antiques. Their specialty is old hand tools and the selection of planes took up the majority of their booth space. In spite of the age of these vintage tools, they were sharpened and adjusted to be put into service immediately. If you were looking for some beautiful lumber to plane or rout, you could have found it at Alderfer Lumber Co. This piece of Osage Orange would make for one great project!

The first two Show Off Showcase winners this week had something in common. First place went to Dan Peterson for his pair of “Big Rigs”. Every detail was well crafted and visible.

Likewise, second place was a “Road Grader” by Glenn Peterson and he had even more pieces to his offering. Lastly, the Intarsia “Rocky Racoon” by Larry Morgan rounded out the top three. Each of the finalists received a tool from Bosh and Dan’s big rigs will be competing with past winners at our last show in Houston for the grand prize. You’ll be able to see the ultimate winner on the Woodworking Shows web site sometime in April.

Next week, March 2-4, we will be opening up shop in Virginia with the Woodworking Shows at the Fredericksburg Expo, 2371 Carl D Silver Pkwy in Fredericksburg. This is replacing the Chantilly Venue that is now a Kmart super store. This is another of the Big Ten and should bring all that you would expect of a show dedicated to those who love wood and tools. This is a large venue and we hope to see it filled with woodworkers eager to learn a new technique, maybe purchase a new tool or accessory, and find the renewed enthusiasm to put those two things together.

If you come out to the show, be sure to preregister. Some of the few complaints we’ve heard is the wait at the ticket booth. And follow this link to get another $2 off your admission. http://thewoodworkingshows.com/styled-6/index.html. If you get the chance, please stop into the WOOD Magazine booth and let me show you ways to add that very personal touch to your next project. I’ll also show you how to sign up for our $5000 cash giveaway and you’ll get free downloads for plans of the projects I’m demonstrating. I really think that this is a win win.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

On a very personal note, I was entrusted with a really special gift on Sunday and completely taken aback by the thoughtfulness of a fellow woodworker, Tom Aimone.  His son, Ken,  is on active duty in Afghanistan and a pilot. I was presented with an American flag flown over the war zone by an Air Force fighter jet and dedicated to me. This was done on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011. I don’t think that I’ve ever been so moved and hope that the case I will build to house both it and the certificate will reflect the honor I feel having been given such a unique and powerfully symbolic treasure. I can only hope to one day find a way to repay the kindness of those who have taken an interest in me.

I was able to stop at the Pabst Mansion in downtown Milwaukee. This residence, with views of the lake and a place on a street known for its opulent homes,  was built in the late eighteen hundreds by Captain Pabst. The woodwork in the home was amazing and each room seemed to outdo the last. The built in cabinetry, coffered ceilings, and attention to even the smallest detail made it the perfect tour for any one admiring woodworking. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take any pictures indoors.

 I also spent a bit of time in the pavilion that was attached to the side of the home and which now serves as the gift shop. This was once part of the great Columbian Exposition in Chicago and was used to display Pabst beer products during the fair. It was dismantled and moved to Milwaukee and added to the home in 1895. It also had use as a chapel for a time and the stain glass added to its charm.

As has been the case since January, this last weekend was a great success. The aisles were filled during the majority of each day and the comments from attendees were very positive. Every vendor I talked to reported strong sales. The Kreg people had a nice selection of their products and reps there to provide demonstrations of the tool’s versatility. Delta had a good bit of heavy iron there and some very good pricing besides. Super Max had a number of larger sanders on hand and Franmar Chemicals showed how they were the best strippers at the show.

I stopped by the Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild and saw examples of some of the work that their members had brought in. The free form project was interesting and very well done.

The Kettle Moraine Hardwood display drew a lot of buyers with their great choice of lumber species and sizes and the booth seemed to be busy all weekend. I will probably regret not buying that piece of figured Cocobolo. I don’t think that I’ve seen color and grain so outstanding.

The large slice of Redwood got an updating. The show owner, Joe Strong, added some date tags that make you realize just how old that tree was. Well over half the distance from the center is a tag showing the date 800 and it denotes the time when Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The outer most tag is from 1984 when the first woodworking show was held in Pasadena.

The Show Off Showcase winners this last week were extremely varied. First place went to a scroll sawn project by Dawn Baltz. The stark contrast in the woods that she used really made this work standout. Jeff Baemen took second with a jewelry box. Actually a series of boxes, this project had to be disassembled to appreciate how well crafted it was. Lastly, the “Old Man in the Chair” by Steve Klein rounded out the top three. Dawn’s project will go on to the final judging in Houston in April and all received a tool from Bosch tools. We didn’t have a lot of projects this weekend and I  hope I was able to convince others to bring in their work.

There was a slight diversion this weekend at the hall opposite our woodworking show. I snuck into the classic car show next door to see what was there. The jet engine semi tractor was pretty interesting especially when I found out that it had burned a hole in the parking lot when the owners cranked it up. And this motor cycle would have been the ultimate answer to my prayers though probably not my wife’s. Done by woodgrain “hydro dipping”, would this make a statement or what?

It’s back to the east coast for a while for the Woodworking shows. We will be in New Jersey at the Garden State Exhibit Center on Atrium Drive in Somerset.  The show will open February 24-26.  This is always a very nice show and we have a number of vendors and educators unique to this area of the country. The hall is one we’ve used for years and is easy to get to with free parking. Save an additional $2 off your admission by following this link. http://thewoodworkingshows.com/styled-6/index.html. And please preregister. You’ll save a lot of time at the door.

Join the people who share your passion for woodworking. You won’t be disappointed. And stop by the WOOD Magazine booth when you’re there. I promise to make it worth your while.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador

This new impact driver comes out less than a year after DeWalt debuted the 20V Max line—which included an impact driver and several drill/drivers—featuring standard carbon-brush motors. The brushless motor powers the tool more efficiently, creating less heat and friction, and resulting in a 57% increase in battery run time compared to the 20V Max driver with carbon-brush motor. With a brushless motor, energy is transferred from the armature to the drive train electronically, whereas with the other system that energy transfers through the brushes by rubbing directly on the armature.

This new impacter has a three-speed gear system and variable-speed trigger for precise control in three speed ranges. This allows you to set the driver in the best range to match the fastener you’re using. Also new is a push-button chuck, replacing the quick-connect chuck tool-makers have been using for years. With this new chuck, you slide a driver bit into the chuck and it locks into place automatically. To release it, you push a yellow button beneath the chuck and pull the bit out. It also has three LED lights around the chuck for optimal visibility while driving fasteners, with a 20-second delay shut-off.

Also new on this impact driver is a fuel gauge for the battery packs: Just push a button on the pack and the three-bar gauge tells you how much charge remains. Going forward, all DeWalt 20V Max battery packs with 3-Ah capacity will have this gauge. The 1.5-Ah packs with fueld gauges will be available as options, but not standard. (All brushless tools launched in the future will have fuel-gauge packs, regardless of amp-hour rating.)

In addition, DeWalt announced five new tools coming this summer to the 20V Max line:

• 3/8” impact wrench, $269 as a kit (two batteries and charger) or $129 for the bare tool (for use with battery packs bought with other tools).

• 1/2” impact wrench, $329 for the kit, $179 for the bare tool.

• Wood-cutting jigsaw, $279 for the kit, $149 for the tool.

• 4-1/2” diameter cut-off tool (DeWalt’s reps stopped short of calling this an angle grinder, but a guard change could make it one), $299 for the kit, $119 for the tool.

• 5-1/2” diameter metal-cutting circular saw, $359 for a kit, $199 for the saw alone.

Other new tools coming from DeWalt:

• An 18-volt version of the metal-cutting circular saw, to work with all 18-volt lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium battery packs, $329 for the kit.

• A dual-port battery charger that will charge both stem-packs (7-18 volts) and slide-packs (12 and 20 volts) simultaneously. This charger will sell for $99 as an accessory only; it will not come with any tool kits.

• A 12V Max pivoting reciprocating saw, which uses standard blades, for $149 as a kit. (DeWalt does not sell 12V Max tools as bare tools.)

• A corded 7-1/4” circular saw with 2-9/16” depth of cut, 57° beveling capacity, a built-in dust blower to clear the cut line, and an 8.8-lb weight. It will sell for $129 and come out later in 2012.

• A corded compact reciprocating saw with four-position blade clamp (think North, South, East, West) for $129.

• Beginning in June 2012, all 12V Max battery packs will have 1.5-Ah capacity rather than 1.3. All will fit existing tools in that line.

If there was any wonder whether the Woodworking Shows’ Big Ten series would continue to provide another great weekend experience for attendees and vendors, ring up the Columbus venue this last weekend as a winner. The show opened on Friday, February 2nd, to a packed house and it stayed busy until the early afternoon on Sunday. I think that it’s pretty encouraging to hear people complaining that they had trouble navigating the crowded aisles and they just didn’t have time to take in all the educational opportunities. A couple of the vendors were upset that they had run out of stock and had to ship purchases. Not a bad weekend, all in all.

For me, one of the highlights was the return of the Columbus Idea Foundry. With the promise of a much larger exhibit space, Alex and Company brought examples of the many disciplines that the community workshop both teaches and encourages. Adhering to their motto of “Knowledge, Talent and Mischief”,  they had something to interest everyone. The scorpion circular saw racer was something that every serious tool freak should have. OK, maybe not. There was even a smithy’s furnace there and attendees watched a demonstration on metal forming.  A project car, the “Inhaler”, is a collaboration of the foundry and Todd Perkins Design and it garnered a great deal of attention. Information on this very interesting group and concept can be found at www.columbusideafoundry.com.

in an attempt to service those woodworkers without a full complement of tools or lacking the space to build their project, the Build More Workshop people were on hand to answer questions about this somewhat unique enterprise. Hourly and monthly rates are available to use this complete workshop that is open to the general public. President Brian Blum told me that both woodworkers and metal workers have access to the tools, advise and space they’ll need for almost any project. You can get any additional information from them at www.buildmoreworkshop.com.

If you came out to the show, hopefully you got a chance to spend some time with Ralph Jones, the host of one of our most popular forums. Ralph has a lot of knowledge and was more than willing to share it.

The winner of the Show Off Showcase in Columbus was John Haywood’s “Rustic yet elegant log dresser”. This was one of the most uniquely compelling projects this season and the construction and finish were very well executed. John claimed a Bosch Power Box  shop radio as his prize. His project will be entered in the final judging in Houston this coming April.

 Second place went to Anthony Stineburg for his cherry “Entertainment cabinet.  And finally, the third place entry was a “Canister set” by Philip Davis. Each of these two entries received a Bosch tool also.

I can all but bet that St Louis, the sixth venue in the Woodworking Show’s Big Ten series, will be as big a success as the previous five have been. We don’t call ‘em the Big Ten for nothin. The venue at the Gateway Center in Collinsville has always been a favorite of local woodworking enthusiasts and when we arrive on February 10-12, I expect that a record number will have made the annual pilgrimage once again. If you are planning to attend, and I hope that you will, you should preregister to avoid the inevitable lines at the door. And follow this link to save two bucks off your admission.    http://thewoodworkingshows.com/styled-6/index.html. There is a lot to see and do and you’ll be glad you made the trip. I will be in the WOOD Magazine booth in the hallway just off the show floor. Come out and see how a little “Embellishment” can add interest and a personal touch to that special project.

‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.

Jim Heavey

WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador