You shake a lot of hands at a big trade show like IWF. Editor-in-Chief Rob Johnstone went through both of his, and has wrist braces to prove it.

In all honesty, it’s been a challenging couple of years for the woodworking product industry, which has felt its share of bumps and bruises from a volatile economy. No surprises there. Still, we feel we’ve found plenty of new things worth getting excited about at the show—and we heard more than a few hints about promising gadgets in the pipeline for next year. We’re optimistic. It’s a good time to be a woodworker. It’s also a great time to invest in some of the best products our industry has to offer.

Catch you back in the shop,

Chris Marshall, Field Editor

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John Hunter, Haywood Community College

Jacob K. Maxfield, Brigham Young University

Will Durham, Auburn University

Jeremy Wilson, Columbus College of Art & Design

Melissa Engler, Haywood Community College

Jake Blok, Kendall College of Art & Design

Diego Moreno, University of Bridgeport

Michael Hancock, Kendall College of Art & Design

Kaila Hart, Herron School of Art & Design—Indiana University

Ash Robinson, Herron School of Art & Design—Indiana University

Joshua Janis, Haywood Community College

Matthew Ovel, Kansas State University

Ross McCoy, Kansas State University

Dustin Sweeny, Columbus College of Art & Design

Leah Kenttamaa-Squires, Purdue University Forestry & Natural Resources

Eric Warnick, Pittsburgh State University

Zhan Zhang, Auburn University

]]> http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/iwf/index.php/sampling-from-design-emphasis-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/iwf/index.php/kregs-precision-beaded-face-frame-system/ http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/iwf/index.php/kregs-precision-beaded-face-frame-system/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:35:21 +0000 Matt Becker http://woodworkersjournal.com/iwf/?p=153

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The 90-170B M1 14″ saw ($1850) has a 1 1/2HP motor and drives the blade at either 2300 or 3250 feet per minute. Its table measures 16″ x 20.” The saw will resaw up to 12″ or cut workpieces up to 13 3/4″ wide. A quick-release lever will make blades easier to de-tension and change, and the machine will accept sizes up to 3/4″ wide. An Excalibur Universal Rip Fence System and ball-bearing blade guides are also standard.

General International’s 90-290 M1 Deluxe 18″ saw ($3325) sports a 3HP single-phase motor and 24″ x 20″ table. The machine will resaw workpieces up to 12 3/8″ tall or rip to 16″ wide. It has a laser line marker and Excalibur fence to help guide cuts, plus a lever-activated short cut-off feed device to keep fingers out of harm’s way. This saw will accept blades up to 1 1/4.” Its heavy-duty blade guides consist of upper and lower dual bakelite blocks and five bearings that provide ten points of blade contact. A 3/4″ blade is included with the saw.

Or move up to the titan 90-380 MI 22″ band saw ($4275). This machine has a 5HP single-phase motor and a 30″ x 22 3/4″ table. It shares a similar cut-off feed device and blade guide system as the 290, with seven bearings instead of five. You can resaw workpieces up to 16 5/16″ or rip to 19 5/8.” Also included are a laser guide, Excalibur rip fence and a 3/4″ blade.

The 14″ model will be available in October, and the two larger saws will hit distributor showrooms in December.

Up until now, the company says preexisting large-diameter dado sets were older designs with positive hook angles that generally produced ragged edges on delicate materials like veneered plywood and melamine. Additionally, these blades lacked 3/32″ chippers that would make it easier to adjust cutting width to suit undersized plywood.

Freud’s new full-size dado sets have teeth with negative hook angles that promise to make “ultra clean” cuts in any wood or composite material. Teeth are made of TiCo™ Hi-Density Carbide that is specifically blended for long cutting life, and anti-kickback design improves safety. A Silver I.C.E. coating on the outer blades should help reduce pitch build-up and other corrosion.

Six, four-wing chippers are included with both blade sizes, including a 3/32″ chipper. A shim set is also part of the package to make fine-tuning cutting widths easier. Both the 10″ and 12″ dado sets have 1″ arbor holes. There are 32 or 36 teeth, respectively, on the outer blades.

Both blades are available now through Freud distributors. The 10″ SD510 sells for $299 and the 12″ SD512 for $329.

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Well, DeWalt and Porter-Cable are releasing two new trim routers today at IWF that are going to shake things up good. Here come the plunge bases, and I couldn’t be happier to see it happen!

You are among the first to see DeWalt’s all-new fixed-base Compact Router (Model DWP611) and fixed/plunge base combination kit (DW611PK). At the same time, say hello to Porter-Cable’s fixed-base Compact Router (Model 450) and fixed/plunge base combination kit (Model 450PK).

Alright, I know what you’re thinking, so let’s cut right to the chase—the outward differences between these two machines isn’t night and day. But this time, seeing double is a good thing. Both machines have 1 1/4 peak HP motors—a larger motor than other trim routers on the market, plus soft start and electronic feedback circuitry that helps the motor maintain torque output under load. Large spindle lock buttons and 12 internal “detents” on the motor shaft should help make it easier to engage the collet and change bits with a single wrench. Longer 1/4” collets are provided to grip larger bits better. Depth settings on the fixed bases are accomplished with twist rings. A buckle and a pair of release tabs separate the motors from their bases quickly.

The plunge bases have features you already appreciate in larger plunge routers: a sliding and locking depth stop rod, five-position, rotating depth turrets and detailed scales. Both companies include clear subbases and rubber handles on the plunge base. The trimmers weigh about 6 lbs. with their motors installed in the plunge bases; they’re a couple pounds lighter in the fixed bases.

These half pints accept template guides and other accessories, too.

DeWalt and P-C do part ways on a couple things. DeWalt’s 611 comes with two internal LED lights to help illuminate the cutting area as well as variable speed control. The P-C is single speed. DeWalt provides a D-shaped subbase on the fixed base; Porter-Cable is sticking with a square base.

DeWalt says the new Compact Router will be available in October. The fixed-base DWP611 will retail for $139 and the DWP611PK fixed/plunge combo kit will sell for $199. Porter-Cable will have the 450 on store shelves in November for $10 less than the DeWalt’s new offerings (fixed: $129; two-base kit: $189).

Way to kick the bar up a notch, guys.

Lots more to come from IWF—so stay tuned!

Chris Marshall, Field Editor

For four days—Wednesday, Aug. 25 through Saturday, Aug. 28—the Georgia World Congress Center is going to be packed wall to wall with the latest innovations in woodworking tools, hardware, wood products, finishes…you name it. Why? The International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair (IWF) is coming to town. With nearly 1000 exhibitors on display this time around, it’s the biggest woodworking show in the Western Hemisphere, and one we look forward to every other year.

Wish you could go?

You can, without ever leaving your computer screen. Woodworker’s Journal is going to take you there for a first-hand look.

Rob Johnstone and I will be waiting at the front doors Wednesday morning, bright and early, when the show opens. I’ll tell you right now that we’ve got a long list of appointments at some of the most promising booths, and we’re hunting for cool new products. We’ll be sharing it all with you in video coverage throughout each day of the show, right here on our IWF Blog. You’ll also want to check back often for text blogs on other products we find along the way, plus ongoing tweets and Facebook updates. So be sure to keep us on your social media radar.

Here’s a good reason to start plotting that next big tool purchase—or get that shot of adrenaline you need for fall and winter woodworking. Rob and I are downing the Wheaties and getting plenty of shut-eye, because it’s going to be a HUGE week! But we’re thrilled to be part of that action and bring it all back to you.

So, stay tuned, and let us know what you think! It’s gonna be fun.

Catch you from the show floor,

Chris Marshall, Field Editor

PS – If you missed our coverage of previous shows, it’s never too late to learn about great woodworking gear!

• IBS 2010 (International Builder’s Show)
• AWFS 2009 (Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers)
• IBS 2009