Rob's Editorial

Woodworking: Both Frugal and Fun

Times are tough out there. Unless you have been living under a rock (and if you are, where do you plug in your power tools?), you’ve probably heard the drumbeat of the current economic woes. As a woodworker, an almost knee-jerk response is to laugh in the face of this kind of adversity: after all, our woodworking skills are money savers in the best of times; won’t they stand us in even better stead when we’re all searching for ways to be frugal? I know personally, that I have started (but not quite completed) several money saving projects. While using our skills to save money is totally legit, what we need to guard against is letting our hobby become only about the budget, and turning it into a drudgery. Remember, hard times will pass, but woodworking is forever! In the words of Woodworker’s Journal turning columnist Betty Scarpino, “Don’t forget to have fun!” Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal P.S. Speaking of fun, for all of you Facebook users out there, we've started a Woodworker's Journal Facebook page.  Click here to check it out, and don't forget to add yourself as a Fan!

Today's Woodworker		Andy Chidwick: Sitting Pretty “I have a picture of me in a little shop apron when I was about five years old,” Andy Chidwick told me when I asked just how far back his woodworking experience actually went. “I still have the apron, which was sewn by my mom. My father was not a woodworker, but he was the do-it-yourself sort, so I grew up using tools and helping him do things, and even worked in construction as a teen.
Tool Preview		Rockler Lid-Stay Torsion Hinge: No More Slamming Lids If you have little kids, you know that whenever they close a door or a lid, they do it slowly, carefully and deliberately, with no chance whatsoever of little fingers getting pinched. Right? OK, now that you’re done with the hysterical laughter and finger-pointing, we can admit that, in actuality, little kids have a tendency to zoom around, slam doors and just generally put themselves in harm’s way. Rockler’s new Lid-Stay Torsion Hinge aims to prevent that harm.
Q & A		Table Saw Burning Wood I’m getting burning of the wood on my 10-inch table saw with both a low price 40-tooth blade and a higher priced 80-tooth blade. Any advice?
Feedback		Tools and Plans: Pricey to Free Festool “Your Tool Preview on the Festool Kapex miter saw was great. They make some really interesting tools, though their prices are just as interesting. The one thing you did not tell us is the blade size. I assume that the model 120 indicates that it is a 12-inch blade. By the way, I really like the email web version. Keep up the good work.” – John Cotten
Industry Interview		GI Woodshop: For Want of a Nail… Richard Ireland, or Reeko to his friends, runs what must certainly be the most unusual woodworking supply company in the country. Two things set it apart from other suppliers of wood and tools: it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, and it gives away all its products rather than actually selling them. Intrigued? Read on.
Web Surfer's Review		Steam and Dry Steam Cleaning Bits: from Sawmill Creek “I got my wife a steam cleaner for her jewelry and was wondering if it can it be used for router bits or even blades. Would the steam do any damage to the carbide?” – Chris
Free Plans		Coaster Set Warm mugs of cocoa, cool glasses of ice water – you don’t really want the heat or the condensation to take a direct route to the top of your table. Rout out this Coaster Set in your shop, and that problem’s nicely solved.
Calendar		View our Calendar of Events
What's In Store		Bit Flip Sets - Wiha Tools Wiha Tools has new “BitFlip” powered screwdrivers: the one-quarter-inch magnetic driver contains storage for eight bits in the flip-out handle. Versions of the tool can include Phillips, slotted, square or TORX bits, for a price of $27.98. ...
Schools		View our list of Woodworking Schools