woodworknews.com

Dust extraction isn’t a very exciting subject but it sure makes the shop more comfortable and a lot safer.

If you’ve ever thought of installing a complete system, rather than rigging up that old vacuum time and again, now would be the time to do it as Woodcraft are offering 25% off a big selection dust extraction fittings including those all important blast gates.

The sale is on until 31st August. For a full list of dust extraction fittings click here.

I’m a fan of General’s tools. No silly lumps of plastic and gadgets just tough, no nonsense woodworking kit built to do a job and do it well.

The 75-550 M1 radial arm drill press is the latest new tool for woodworkers and offers almost infinitely variable drilling.

The head tilts 0-30 degree left or right and pivots 360. If you can imagie a drilling position, this can do it.

The main column is 2 7/8” steel so it’s very strong. It’s fixed to a cast iron base so it’s stable. If you thought you were short of possible angle settings the 11 3/4” square cast iron table will tilt 45 degrees either way for even more variations!

For safety you’ve got a clear chuck guard and a front mounted kill switch. Drive pulleys are cast iron to reduce vibration and there’s a 7 3/4” table extension included in the price.

Like I said, a woodworking tool to last a lifetime.

Woodcraft stock a range of General International tools. I’m not sure whether the new radial arm drill is available yet but you could drop a note to them via their website.

There’s been a lot of pre-release buzz about the new Kapex KS 120 EB Sliding Compound Miter Saw from Festool and now it’s arrived it’s easy to see why. This is some tool!

For a start, despite being a 10″ saw it has the capacity of a 12″ so you’ve got easier portability with no lack of ability.

It’s the first sliding compound mitre saw with variable speed. It has twin rails for greater precision while saving space. It has dual lasers for added accuracy, the FastFix system for quick blade changing… the list goes on.

The bevel angle guides, head adjustment and clamping system are superb. There’s even its own angle transfer device for virtually flawless copying of angles.

The best way to get a flavor of this terrific saw (if you can’t see one in the flesh) is to pop over to the Woodcraft site where they’ve not only got full details but also a nice little video.

Just at the moment Woodcraft also have free shipping for those who order more than $75 of Festool products.

I want one. Oh yes. I definitely want one of those.

Full details here: Kapex KS 120EB Sliding Compound Mitre Saw.

Woodworkers looking for power and durability from their tools will probably already know about General International. When a lot of manufacturers seem to be producing woodwork tools that are covered in plastic and starting to look a bit like space ships, General are producing tough tools that just get on with doing the job.

Their latest 14” bench top drill press is no exception and shares the same powerful 1/2 HP motor as the floor-standing version.

In fact it shares pretty much all the quality components that it’s bigger brother has including high load bearings which hold the MT2 spindle and cast iron belt pulleys to dampen out unpleasant vibration.

About the only difference is that height. It’s a convenient size for the smaller wood shop yet can stand it’s own in the corner of a pro shop. At 105 lbs it’s solid but also reasonably portable. A great all rounder.

This and other quality woodworking machinery from General is available online at Woodcraft.

Stanley Tools are continuing to add to their large and impressive FatMax range which now contains well over 200 woodworking, storage and home improvement products.

They’re all designed to be tough and long lasting, which you’d expect from a company with the heritage of Stanley Tools who have over a century of woodwork tool making behind them.

There are rugged tool bags, axes, hammers, chisels, storage boxes, wrecking bars (called a Fubar!), tapes… you name it. Great for woodworkers and with a much wider appeal too.

The best stockists we’ve managed to find are actually Amazon who carry pretty much the full range at the usual excellent prices. Click here for details.

Grizzly have just announced this new 10-inch wet grinder.

Made in Germany, the Model T10010 has a strong 1/4 hp motor running at 90 RPM. This relatively slow speed, combined with the water bath, keeps your tools cool while sharpening and so won’t take the temper out of them.

The full kit includes a universal jig, an angle guide and polishing/honing paste. Wheels supplied are the 10-inch 220 Grit aluminum oxide grinding wheel for sharpening and an 8-inch leather stropping wheel for polishing/honing.

For more information call 1-800-523-4777 or visit www.grizzly.com.

It’s not very often that I come across two consecutive offers for woodworking tools that I can thoroughly recommend from the point of view of being an owner and user. First it was the Flexcut chisels (see below) and now this Record woodturning lathe.

I can’t remember how long I’ve had mine - it’s certainly over fifteen years. Back then it was just called the DML24, now they’ve tweaked it a bit and it’s the DML24X/C. Whatever, it’s still the same great little lathe, ideal for the beginner but tough, durable and useful even when you’ve been turning for years.

It’s made in Sheffield, England, which has been making top quality tools for centuries, and comes with a five year warranty. Mine hasn’t missed a beat in three times that. Normally this lathe sells for close to $320.00 and because of its reputation is always in short supply. Just at the moment Woodcraft have very limited stocks for $199.99. I doubt you’ll ever see it at that price again so if you’re at all interested you need to act right now. Click here for full spec and to order.

Flexible shaft tools have a multitude of uses, particularly for woodcarvers but also for all kinds of other detailed woodworking. They’re convenient and easy to handle and the 1/4 hp ones are surprisingly powerful too.

Until the end of March Woodcraft have this heavy-duty power carving kit from Weecher at a saving of $25.00.

You get the powerful 1/4 hp motor (reversible or left-handed carvers) which is variable and runs to 20,000rpm. You get a lubrication-free flexible 42 inch shaft, standard rotary handpiece, 3 collets, wrench and indispensable foot control.

You also get a detail handpiece which is like a pencil and offers really fine control, and the carving handpiece which turns the rotary action into a reciprocal carving action, the following chisels: 1/4 inch 90º V, 3/8 inch #9 gouge, 3/8 inch straight, 3/8 inch round nose, 5/16 inch straight chisel and the motor hanger, all for just $139.99

When you consider the price of the competition like Foredom, that’s a remarkable bargain. For full details and to order click here.

Now here’s something for the fashion-conscious woodworker!

Only kidding. Most woodworkers I know wouldn’t necessarily be impressed by “stylish colorways” but they would be by the rugged construction and sheer durability of Stanley’s new range of soft-sided work bags and heavy duty tool boxes.

Of course it’s Stanley, so you’d expect it to stand up to a bit of punishment. The English tool company have a hundred years or so of experience behind them.

The full range is much greater than just the “Fatmax” bags shown here with 30-odd options including mobile workstations and all kinds of home and workshop storage solutions for the woodworker.

They are all available online from Amazon. Now I know you might think they’re just a book store, or somewhere to get your DVDs, but in fact I find they have excellent prices for quite a number of tools and they’re the only people I know who have the full range at the moment. Click here for all the details: Stanley Bags & Storage

General International have just announced a new multiple spindle boring machine that will be of particular interest to small and medium sized cabinet-makers.

General are known for their accurate yet robust machinery and the new 214lb baby carries on the tradition. Based on the award-winning 1″ morticer, the 75-440 spindle boring offspring ensures smooth, powerful operation with its cast iron dovetail head ways, ergonomic operator controls and hefty 1.5 HP motor.

You expect a lifetime of service from General and the new addition to the woodwork family will prove no exception. It also includes a fistful of features to ensure ease of use such as adjustable depth stop, quick-index pins, work stops at both ends of the table, fully adjustable fence in metric and inches, large work table (over 30″ x 15″)… the list goes on.

For full details and pricing visit General.ca