Issue 221
Issue 221
Missed Opportunity
One of the tools that I regret not buying from my father when he closed his cabinet shop “back in the day” was a radial arm saw. This may cause you to be a bit confused, I mean, a radial arm saw? (Rob, you could go out tomorrow and buy two or three at most flea markets!) You may taunt, but the picture you have in your mind of a radial arm saw likely does not do this machine justice.
This tool was a behemoth, with a 26″ diameter saw blade (featuring a 1″ arbor, if I remember rightly). It would crosscut 30″-wide panels with ease, while causing brave men to blanch with fear. It was not a perfect tool: it would, on rare occasions, slip out of square – which, if I had just completed cutting off an entire kitchen’s worth of solid wood end panels, would cause me to turn the air blue for a while.
But to speak truthfully, I blessed the tool much more often than I cursed it. And in the years that came after, I missed the oversized capabilities of that powerhouse more times than I can count. Who manufactured that seemingly steroid-enhanced cutoff saw of yore? None other than the sponsor of this issue of the eZine, the Skil Tool Corporation. It is without a doubt the biggest Skil tool that I have ever used (although I’ve used many others over the years). I mention this only to offer a bit of personal perspective to the long and hallowed history that Skil brings to the table. They are a company that I am proud to have sponsor the eZine, so I hope you have a minute to read about them and the new products they are featuring this year.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
What's In Store
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Quick Belt System Combo Kit
The Combo Kit from Quick Belt Systems includes a 3-inch padded adjustable tool belt, an 8-pocket pouch with dual hammer holders.
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Lift It TV Mounts that Move
Lift It’s 2009 Mounts that Move TV lifts come in two ascending and three in-ceiling flip-down styles which fit TVs and monitors measuring 17 to 55 inches.
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Forrest Custom Saw Blades
In addition to its standard blades, Forrest Manufacturing Companyalso makes custom saw blades for individual clients or applications, including woodworking.
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Skil Benchtop Line: Tools to Sit on the Bench
Although originally known for their handheld circular saw, some of Skil’s latest efforts have come in their benchtop line.
Tricks of the Trade
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Wheel-ey Good Magnet Broom
For those who have access to old computer harddrives; these drives contain very powerful ceramic magnets mounted on plates with holes (for fixing).
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Removing Glue from Clamps (Part 2)
Read the recent comments about removing glue from clamps. Another way to handle the situation is to save all your old aluminum foil.
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Clever Brush Cover
I like to use the little plastic bags that our newspapers are delivered in to put over paint rollers and brushes to store overnight so I dont have to clean them, or throw them out.
Today's Woodworker
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Doug Berch: Coaxing Music Out of Trees
One of the country’s foremost experts on both playing and building the unpretentious dulcimer is a modest, gentle man named Doug Berch.
Q & A
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Shop Smoke Detector
My shop is 100 feet from my house. I would like to put in a smoke detector. Will woodworking dust compromise that?
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Shop Heating
I’m converting a well-insulated garage in Montana into a shop. What kind of heating would you recommend for one working on a budget?
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Air Quality Decision
If I have to choose between air filtration and dust collection for my home shop, which should I choose?
Industry Interviews
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Skil: A Venerable and Aptly Named Tool Company
When I first got into woodworking, I was taught the names of tools, like chisels, planes, band saws and the like.
Reader's Project Gallery
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Storage Shed
I needed a storage shed for my new lawn mower, enclosed are a few pictures as it took shape. –…
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Candle Stick Table
Here is a “candle stick table” I made recently for my daughter. It is based on an antique picked up…
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Sewing Storage Cabinet
I recently finished a sewing storage cabinet for my wife. She is into embroidery so it requires a lot of…
