WOOD® Magazine Innovate Awards 2021
Gear up for drilling
Powermatic's new drill press uses gears to transfer rotation and torque from the motor to the spindle, so there are no belts to slip when the boring gets tough. This 110-volt heavyweight (336 pounds) provides infinitely variable speed in two ranges (150–870 and 600–3,600 rpm) set by a front-mounted dial. The large center section of the 151⁄4 ×201⁄2 " cast-iron table can be swapped out for optional downdraft- or gridded-dovetail-slot accessory tables.
Gear-driven 20" drill press
Powermatic
no. PM2820EVS, $1,999
800-274-6848, powermatic.com
Need more capacity? Slide it on over
This lathe outperforms its footprint, but only when needed. To double the between-centers capacity, from 20" to 40", the motorized tailstock bed extends with the push of a button. That also opens up the area below the headstock spindle to increase the swing from 237⁄32 " to 311⁄4 ". An included tool-rest extension lets you use the banjo on the lower bed, or you can buy an optional bed insert to fill the gap and skip the tool-rest extension.
30×40" wood lathe
Rikon
no. 70-3040, $3,800
877-884-5167, rikontools.com
This air filter is a real self-starter
You've probably never done this, but we sometimes forget to turn on the air scrubber until we see a fog of dust. General's new line of air-filtration systems constantly monitors air quality, turning the machine on when needed, and shutting down when the air is sufficiently clean. The ceiling-hung units (models 10-1000 and 10-2000) also help light the shop with a bottom-mounted LED panel. The floor-standing cylinder unit (model 10-1440) rolls on casters.
Air-filtration systems
General
no. 10-1000, $400
no. 10-2000, $800
no. 10-1440, $600
(all available late 2020/early 2021)
888-664-0449, generaltoolsusa.com
Who needs pneumatics?
Although battery-powered nailers are so common now that they threaten the existence of pneumatic models, most tend to be much larger than their pneumatic equivalent. This Milwaukee 23-gauge pin nailer, however, is about the same size as a pneumatic pinner. Powered by a rechargeable 12-volt lithium-ion battery, this compact nailer fires 1⁄2 –13⁄8 " pins. Milwaukee says it will shoot up to 750 pins per charge.
M12 23-gauge pin nailer
Milwaukee
no. 2540-20 (nailer only) $199; no. 2540-21 (with one battery and charger) $249
(available early 2021)
800-729-3878, milwaukeetool.com
Easy on/off holesaws
The unique quick-connect system of Extreme Quickcore holesaws lets you change saws on the mandrel in a flash. Simply pull back on the mandrel sleeve, and the three pins retract to release the holesaw. To remove a cutaway plug from the holesaw, disconnect the saw from the mandrel and use the pilot drill bit to push the plug out. This set includes the mandrel, two pilot bits, a hex wrench, and holesaws in 3⁄4 ", 7⁄8 ", 11⁄8 ", 13⁄8 ", 11⁄2 ", 13⁄4 ", 2", 21⁄8 ", and 21⁄2 " diameters.
Blue Mol Extreme Quickcore holesaws
Disston
no. 231, $100
800-446-8890, disstontools.com
Speedy clamps work on- and off-track
Tracksaw makers might claim you don't need to clamp the track to a workpiece, but we feel better when we do. And most tracksaw manufacturers sell their proprietary clamps as optional accessories. Bessey's EZR clamps fit into the clamping slot on most tracks to hold them in place from below, but the tail jaw reverses to work as regular one-hand bar clamps for day-to-day use. The EZR clamps also come with a removable 2" jaw extension that helps reach and clamp over something that might otherwise be in the way.
6" EZR one-hand table clamps
Bessey Tools
pack of 2 clamps, no. EZR-SET, $30
800-828-1004, besseytools.com
No straightedge needed for lots of slots
To create parallel shelf dadoes, rout the first dado using this jig's fence as the guide. Then, fit the fence into that dado to rout another one parallel to it. The jig lets you space slots from 1⁄8 " to 69⁄16 " apart, using bits 1⁄8 –3⁄4 " in diameter. Its plastic base comes predrilled to mount several popular routers.
Indexing dado jig
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
no. 59237, $70
800-279-4441, rockler.com
Look Ma, no handwheels!
CNC-inspired automation comes to the home woodworking shop with General's new 3-hp cabinet saw, which features a fully digital, motorized rip fence and similarly operated blade-height and -tilt controls. A touchscreen on the fence helps you program in some repeatable functions and settings, and provides the ability to add any software updates in the future. General also plans to sell the rip fence as a retrofit accessory for existing tablesaws; pricing has not been set yet.
Digital 10" tablesaw
no. NC tablesaw, 36"-rip $3,800; 52"-rip $4,000
(available late 2020/early 2021)
888-664-0449, general.ca