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How to Make Acrylic & Glass Block Window Installations Easier & Improve Quality at the Same Time
11/05/2008, 01:35 | Wood Shutters
"I'm really scared to do this glass block window installation" a customer recently said. "Don't you have a way to make it easier, lighter, and maybe even cut down the mess for my window project?" Fortunately the answer is yes - it's by using vinyl or aluminum framed windows built with acrylic and glass blocks. In this article you'll learn the following:
1. Why framed windows systems can make your project easier
2. What products and sizes are available
3. What rooms a vinyl framed window system will work best in
4. Where to use both glass windows vs. acrylic block windows systems
5. Cool and unique projects ideas.
1) Why framed windows systems can make your life easier
Let's face it mortared block window installations are messy. Getting the right mortar mix is not easy, and there is always the concern of the pre-fabricated window assembly breaking just as you go to set it into the opening. Framed window systems take much of the guess-work, weight, and worries away.
Framed windows are pre-assembled with silicone joints between the blocks (getting rid of the need to mix mortar) and are usually made with 2" thick glass or acrylic units (reducing the weight by as much 1/3 to vs. traditional block units made of 3" and 4" thick block).
With integral nailing fins the windows are installed like standard vinyl windows (they are nailed into the opening for new construction or built without the fins for a replacement window application) without the mess usually associated with a mortared glass window. Since the windows are siliconed together inside a vinyl frame they can be shipped nationwide and have been used in states with varied weather patterns - from Florida to Minnesota to California to Maine.
2) What product and size options are available?
Factory assembled framed block windows systems can be made of with vinyl or aluminum frames using either glass or acrylic blocks inside the windows. Glass block sizes used most often are 8" x 8" x 2" (for the reduced weight), 6" x 6" x 3", and 8" x 8" x 4" in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Acrylic block sizes used most frequently are 8" x 8", 6" x 6" and occasionally 9" x 9" and are usually 1 " to 2" thick. Frame colors can vary with white and almond being the most common.
3) What rooms should you use a vinyl framed window system
The main reasons to choose a block window system are where you want privacy, a cool clean look, style, and privacy all wrapped in one window solution. Since these windows meet tempered window standards they are stronger and harder to break than standard glass windows which make them safe to use in bathroom and other higher risk areas of a home or business.
Acrylic or glass block windows are being used in bathrooms as either transom windows above tub surrounds or above soaking and Jacuzzi tubs on the side of the home for privacy. Kitchen and den backsplashes are becoming a more popular application to get natural light underneath cabinetry.
These windows are being used in stairwells in commercial buildings and for churches who want light, security, and color with their windows (a church in New Mexico is looking to put in green, purple, red, and orange colored glass blocks into one framed window assembly). Sidelites around front doors and closets are using block windows to get security and light without compromising privacy.
For most basement windows considering using block windows without frames - it is usually better to mortar these windows into their masonry and poured wall foundations than to have a vinyl frame around the windows.
4) Where to use glass and acrylic framed window systems
There is much debate over whether glass or acrylic is better for your window projects. The simple answer is they both have their place and that is why both materials are successful in the market. Here is a quick look at where it's best to use each product.
Advantages and Where to Use Framed Glass Block Windows
- Where you want the strength & durability of a real glass window for scratch resistance and quality
- If you want to incorporate a wide variety of colors into your windows
- Where you are concerned about what cleaning products may be used on the windows - (acrylic blocks can have problems if abrasive cleaning agents are used on the block's surface)
- If you like a slimmer frame around your window
Advantages and Where to Use Framed Acrylic Block Windows
- If you want a fully operable single hung, casement, awning, or slider window (acrylic windows can be provided with cranks and fully operable window sashes). In addition acrylic windows can be used in arch top, hexagon, octagon, or round top window designs.
- If you need an energy star or Low E rated window.
- If you want a lighter window for ease of installation.
- If you need a custom fit block size for a replacement window application.
5) Cool and Unique Project Ideas
Here are some different ideas to consider with your block windows:
- A step down almond colored vinyl framed glass block window was used above a soaking tub in a home builder's Parade Home in Columbus Ohio.
- A therapist in New Orleans Louisiana is planning to use a slider acrylic block window in a waiting room inside of an existing glass block wall for privacy and to keep the all block look.
- A home being remodeled in Dallas Texas is considering installing a framed window with a block art mural with an ocean scene applied directly on the glass (this decorative art mural uses glass frit which is baked directly into the glass making it a permanent part of the glass).
- A church in Arkansas is looking to put a Ruby Red colored cross inside a framed window.
With framed glass and acrylic block windows and a vast selection of styles, patterns, colors, sizes and designs - projects have never been easier, cooler, and neater to do!
Mike Foti is President of Columbus Glass Block, Cleveland Glass Block, Mid America Glass Block Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron & Eastern Glass Block New York & New Jersey - nationwide suppliers of acrylic block windows and also vinyl framed glass block window manufacturers including patterned and color glass blocks.
For nationwide questions and orders call 877-668-5888
http://www.columbusglassblock.com/ - bathroom glass block windows, acrylic block windows, colored glass block, vinyl framed glass block windows
http://www.columbusglassblock.com/product_new-construction.aspx vinyl framed glass block windows, color glass block, glass block sizes, acrylic block windows, installing glass block windows
One Reason to Hate MDF
10/12/2008, 16:40 | A Woodworking Odyssey
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) isn't just for counters and insta-furniture any more. I've seen it used as a veneer base and structural component by woodworkers doing stunning work, and there are many things to recommend it, like stability, consistency, and affordability.But I just can't like MDF, and after using it for reference boards to test and adjust my Radial Arm Saw (RAS), I can't say that I like it any more than I did. I will continue to use this product for sacrifice tables on the RAS, for reference boards used to test its accuracy, and for some jigs, but I aim to avoid using it as much as possible. Here's why:
If you don't know what you're looking at, it's dust. Not regular saw dust, but the finest powder I can imagine that still looks like it might be a wood product. I sometimes forget a dust mask when working with real wood, but never with MDF. After one cut, I'm ready to put the ventilator over my face?even on the hottest most humid day.
Two new rules developed this week while I was adjusting the RAS. These are good rules for any power sawing, but essential when working with MDF:- Clear surfaces of all but the tools required for the current job. This makes it easy to vacuum up afterward, and prevents the dust getting in the working parts of your tools.
- If it can be closed, close all tool storage completely (Even if it is nowhere near the saw). Again: an ounce of prevention will keep most of this dust out of your tools.
One final sad fact about MDF: while you can plane it (and to make the reference boards I found it necessary) you cannot make shavings. Even with a sharp blade, MDF will only produce dust. Blade dulling, throat choking (the plane's, not mine), dust.History Traditional Kudus House
09/09/2008, 06:07 | Antique Knockdown Carved Wood HouseKudus is a city in the Central Java, Indonesia, located among Jepara, Demak, Pati, and Purwodadi districts and in the route of Semarang the capital city of Central Java to Surabaya (please see location map). Based on story, Kudus name was from Al-Quds, which mean holy.
Click image to enlarge
The history of Kudus cannot be separate from the name of Sunan Kudus as the founder and one of the Wali sanga (nine Wali) spreader of Islam in Java at that moment. As his inheritance, Kudus has a famous artefact called Menara of Kudus which form like a temple, placed in one complex with mosque of Menara Kudus that build by Sunan Kudus around 1685 M.
Except famous as a Wali city, since in Kudus area there is wellknown also Sunan Muria, Kudus also known for a long time as a kretek city (city of clove cigarette) as there are many entrepreneurs in the cigarette field. Beside that, Kudus can also called as city of industry because of the long development of industry in the area such as industries in cigarettes, papers, printings, handycrafts, embroideries, foods, etc.
Kali Gelis (Gelis river) which lying in the midlle of the city separates Kudus into two areas, one is Kudus Kulon (west Kudus), the other is Kudus Wetan (east Kudus). Long time ago, according to history, citizen of Kudus Kulon area were entrepreneurs, traders, farmers and moslem theologians, while occupant of the Kudus Wetan area were government officers, intellectuals, teachers, nobles and noble relatives.
Within the growth and development of Kudus, physically Kudus Kulon area, where the majority of the citizens were entrepreneurs and traders, were a steph forward in wealthy compare with the other area Kudus Wetan. With their financial increasing, they build the traditional wooden houses of Kudus full with carved that make it different with the previous traditional houses. That is why, the amazing traditional house, which lately called as the traditional house of Kudus used to only placed in the Kudus Kulon area. At the beginning, the traditional house of Kudus only belong to the Islamic Chinese traders, but furthermore were copied and developed by the native wealthy traders.
The traditional house of Kudus that mostly build before year 1810 M, ever reach the glorious time and become a symbol of prosperity for the owners. The Kudus Kulon area environment was formed with the particular existency of the traditional house of Kudus.
The developing history of Kudus has many influences from foreign cultures like Hindu, Chinese, Persia (Islam) and Europe, which also influence the architectural field in made the traditional house in Kudus. From the research, it can be concluded that there are several motifs colouring the carving style of the traditional house. One is Chinese motif, which form as the dragon carved, Persia or Islam motif that form as jasmine flowers or the particular motif of Kudus that form as lotus flower and colonial motif that form as ropes, crown, and animals. All motifs have correlation with the incoming cultures to Kudus.
The carving art of Kudus dominate by lotus flower as the meaning of Hindu religion. Sunan Kudus introduced a carving dominated by jasmine flowers that described united one to another. The meaning of jasmine was to describe that Islam religion at that time was a small community but it like jasmine, even small, could give fragrance to the sorrounding area. Jasmine made united in one to another to describe that everybody in neighborhood were live in peace even there were differences in the religion.
Within development in making the traditional house of Kudus, influence of the elements of cultures were very viscous gave the meaning of form and function of every part, hence could be separate as follows:
1. Traditional house as the tools to spread religion (dakwah) *)
In the daily life, Kudus citizen are majority obedient muslem. Life of religious service is the social relations that have formed in the many aspects, such as in the house to live which full with the describing of the rukun Islam (Islamic obligation).
In the room inside, there is a place or room called gedongan which formed as mihrab, a place where imam (leader of praying) lead the pray that connected with the symbolic meaning as a holy place and sacral. Gedongan also has significance meaning used as the place of heirloom treasury and the wealth of the owners. Gedongan used also as the main honorables bedroom and at the particular time used as special bedroom for the wedding couple of the childrens of the owners.
Also in the room inside there are four main pillars, which called saka guru that desribe four essence of ideal life. At the top of the fourth pillars, putted tumpang sari where the roof was lying on. The sum of tumpang sari are always odd and always have a meaning, sum of five describe the amount of praying five times a day. The sum of three describe life in soul world, transitory (this world) and the world hereafter.
Front room that called Jaga Satru is provided for parish and separates into two part, left side for women jamaah (followers of imam) and right side for men jamaah (followers). Still in the Jaga Satru room at the incoming front door, there is one wood pillar in the midlle of the room which called balance pillar or soko geder, which has meaning except as the symbol of ownership of the house, it also has a symbol for reminding the resident about the One God, the only One who have to be homaged.
House as the tools to spread religion is represent through Islamic value that formed in the carved style at the partition between front room and inside room called gebyok. The strengthen element of gebyok are two stalk pillars where at its top made a carved that formed as palm of the hand of muslem when doing praying at the position of takbiratulihram (when start to pray) that always at the same time say the words Allahu Akbar which mean Allah The Mighty.
Carving in the gebyok, even it is accumulation from many culture influences, but the visualitation adopted from Arabic calligraphy with Al Quran and Hadist theme. There are many other dakwah messages that formed in the building decoration and it always about aspects of way of life and life attitude of human in do their obligation in the earth for their salvage in heaven.
2. Traditional house as a masterpiece art*)
Traditional house of Kudus if notice deeply is more and more fabulous since its uniqueness and attractiveness in exterior and interior which full with ornamen that made by highest skill woodcarving artist. Foundation of the existancy of the traditional house of Kudus was full with taste and creation that fashioned in the beautiful forms without broken any religion values. Through the activity of art, there is possibility of adding the atmosphere of the deepest metaphysic reality.
Traditional house of Kudus, if seen from Bernard Rudofsky theory, is include in the communal architect that priorities in the art element which done continuosly and spontaneously balanced by whole community with the same tradition from time to time following the ritual habit inside the communal. Art is not just copy and physical implementation of the external form, it also as the spiritual elements that achieve esthetic form. The creation becomes what it called architectural without architect.
The construction of the wooden house made completely knock down that make it easir to release and assemble hence there is possibility also to make part by part of the ornamen fully detail and accurate. The decoration was inspired by the success of temple relief and the development process was instructed by Chinese woodcarver from Sun Ging area. The owners were the wealthy entrepreneurs and traders. The carved decoration were build on the whole component intentionally without gave any empty space left and the results was very optimum, full of meaning, symbolic and the style were correlation among Java, Gujarat, Persia, China and colonial (Europe) style.
Wali Songo influence in the formed of decoration was very dominant even in Islam religion there is a forbidden in the formed of living thing, but they gave the chance of a huge tolerate formed as acculturation and assimilation on the evolutif way thus create a wonderful figurative consequence of imagination from the living thing forms. Art appreciation from the Wali Songo that full with tolerate also accomplished by khalifah in the Arab since Abbasiyah era. Palace of Harun Al Rasyid in Baghdad, palace of Al Mutasin in Samara, Cordoba mosque in Spain, also decorated by fresco formed lion, eagle, horses, and the other creatures. Drawing arts applicated in carpets, ceramics, wall and doors achieved the highest level to become the world admire.
Art ornamentation looks unite with the main building, since the creators were very concern with details, function, structure, ritual, symbol and esthetic that decoratively increase the attractiveness for whoever want to see it. The particular local habitual in the way of life through the architectural behaviour is the description of personification of the Kudus traditional house that make it different in form and style with the other joglo building in Java commonly, except in the form of the roof and soko guru as the support of the tumpang sari.
3. Traditional house as the Class symbol *)
The beautiful traditional houses of Kudus have average age for more than 100 (hundred) through 200 (two hundred). Due to the age of the building, if someone wants to analyze it, they have to use the examination within that era.
According to Prof. Berger, the structure of the Java community at the 19th and 20th century can be divided into several class such as; nobles, government officers, traders and farmers. Colonial politics at that time placed politic emancipation that have aim to liberate individual from old social band which consider shackles the freedom and law enforcement that hold mostly in the feodalism band. Development of individual in the community was appointed to the forming of personality, spirit effort in order to developing the prosperity soon.
In the other words, Kudus citizen that categories as pesisiran (near the beaches) citizen, their wealthy level mostly higher compare with the nobles and the officers at that moment. But in the daily life they did not get any self-respect and honor by the community. They way of living as a trader was qualified as second class and dishonor, hence as the compensation citizen of Kudus Kulon, that the majority were traders, formed the appearance of their house very glorious with the expectation that their too have the rights to get honor same with the nobles. The level of their house made in high five stairs to suit with the social strata like what it done by noble community. Guess from the farmers were accepted in the front room, for the officers community accept in the midlle room while for Bupati (distric chief) and Netherlands people were accepted in gedongan room. Surrounding the house was made high wall same as the form of palace.
Traditional houses that at the beginning owned by traders of Chinese moslem were copied and developed with the Javanese and Islamic values. All over the house were full of carved with ornament from many styles like in the palace of kings in Java, done by high skilled woodcarvers with very fascinating result. Accordingly, it worth to gets the confession of honor like government officers and nobles. For them, house were a symbol of status or stage that worth to get honor and equality.
(Source :* J Pamudji Suptandar, Great Lecture of Rupa art and Design Faculty of Trisakti University/Adopted in English by Deva's father)
The fascinating wooden carved at the traditional house of Kudus must be come from the very skilled woodcarvers. Then, from where the woodcarvers came from?
The carving style of the wooden traditional house of Kudus was quite distinct from the other famous carving centre in Java, Jepara. Historically, Kudus was a carving centre long before it developed as a skill in Jepara. Carving was introduced to Kudus when an emigrant from the famous carving city of Yunan - China, The Ling Sing, arrived in the 15th century. He came to Kudus not only to spread Islamic teachings but also to devote his skills to the art of woodcarving, and his style, Sung Ging, was famous for its smooth and wonderful woodcarving masterpieces.
The Ling Sing was wellknown as mubaligh (spreader of Islam) called Kiai telingsing. The name of Kiai Telingsing until now use as a name of a street in Kudus city. There is a kampong or village surrounding the street called Sunggingan that predicted came from the Sun Ging name. The area, at the past, was belief as the resident of the woodcarvers and carpenters from the devotion of Kiai Telingsing skills.
From the 16th to the 18th century, woodcarvers in Kudus received many orders to construct wooden houses. The main material - highest quality teak - was supplied from Blora's, Tuban's and Bojonegoro's forest. From the 19th century, however, high quality teak became scarcer and scarcer and this, in turn, discouraged the woodcarvers of Kudus to develop their skills.
The carving skills also belong to Jepara's people and has been very famous until now. There is an opinion, which said that wooden carved art in Kudus also done by woodcarvers from Jepara, eventhough in the reality it different in the carving models, especially in the mission and filosophy.
According the history, Mantingan mosque in Jepara has wall that made from carved white stone with the flower motifs that was masterwork of a Chinese called Tji Wie Gwan who brought by Raden toyib to Jepara after come back from his Islamic study in Campa for five years. Raden Toyib then married with Ratu (queen) Kalinyamat, the very famous Jepara's queen at that time.
For his achievement in build Mantingan mosque at the year of 1559, Queen Kalinyamat and her husband gave a new name for Tji Wie Gwan to become Sungging Badar Duwung, Sungging means carving expert, Badar same with stone and Duwung means tatah (tool for carv).
This Sungging Badar Duwung who then recognized as the root source of the Jepara's carving art which consecutively knowing in all over Indonesia and the world. According to history, he was too takes a part in the erection of mosque in Loram (a name of area in Kudus) and mosque of Menara Kudus.
Sungging Badar Duwung then devoted his skill to the surrounding community in Jepara as well as in Kudus and presented high skilled carvers that from time to time growth in numbers. This skill direct and indirect was useful in the process of developing the traditional house of Kudus.
The certainty of mentioned things were still need to be investigated furthermore. But for sure, the traditional house of Kudus has build and become one of the Kudus markers with its fabulous woodcarving.
Wood Talk Online No. 42
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop Podcast
Status Report: Marc talks about his recent router table injury and his experiences with both the Laguna Resaw King bandsaw blade and the Final Cut tablesaw blade.
Matt just completed the chisel plane build and confessed that he purchase pre-made legs for an office desk. He is also continuing his experimentation with spokeshaves.
Around the Web: The all-wood X-Wing Fighter!
News: Rockler offers new cast iron router table. Sears offering Craftsman benchtop spindle sander that looks a lot like the Delta Boss unit. Lee Valley intros two new planes: Side Rabbet Plane and the Skew Rabbet Planes.
Hot Deals:
25% Off Bessey F-Style bar clamps at Woodcraft 6" - 30" long versions thru Sept.30, 2008.
Bessey K-body clamps at Woodcraft 24" & 40", buy 3 get 1 free.
WoodRiver Carbide Anti-Kickback Router Bits 10 piece 1/2 shank bits Woodcraft $50 or $5 each bit.
Bora Clamp-N-Cut Edge Guides (Mentioned in listener voicemail)
And a very special offer from Highland Woodworking. FREE SHIPPING to listeners of Wood Talk Online on any order over $50 through 10/03/08. Listeners just need to put "wto" in the Discount Code field during checkout. Terms, conditions and details are here.
Voicemail: Roberto had a question concerning tablesaws with built-in router tables. Ray wanted our opinions on Gorilla Glue. Chris wanted advice on clamping straightedges and cutting large sheets of ply.
Tom's Tip: Uh oh, you dropped some screws!!
Make an Impression with Your Flooring
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Wood Flooring
(ARA) – Most people think the first impression of their home is made by the color on the walls or furniture in a room; but in reality, it’s made by what’s under your feet – the flooring. If the carpet is dirty and worn, tiles are chipped, or the wood floor is warping, it’s time for a change.
So what’s holding you back? A lot of people are hesitant to jump into a home improvement project involving flooring because of all the work involved. First you have to remove and dispose of the old material, then invest the time and effort necessary to get the base surface ready for the new material before finally putting it in.
“Do-it-yourselfers are overwhelmed when they learn how much work is involved in redoing a floor. But it doesn’t have to be that way,” says Scott Day of Forbo Flooring. Forbo recently introduced a new product that’s turning a lot of heads in the remodeling industry.
Marmoleum Click is perhaps the easiest flooring surface there is to install. No adhesives or fasteners are necessary. The panels simply lock into place with a tongue and groove system. “If you have an existing resilient floor, no need to remove it. The planks and squares can be installed right on top of the old surface. If you have carpet or tile, you just need to remove and dispose of the old materials and start clicking the Marmoleum tiles together right over the subfloor,” says Day.
Marmoleum Click comes in 18 different colors and is available in two different sizes: panels that are 12 inches wide and 36 inches long, and 12-inch by 12-inch squares.
The panels and squares can be mixed and matched to create a wide variety of patterns and color combinations.
“It’s really cool. You can mix and match colors to create a space that is uniquely your own,” says Day.
In addition to being decorative and easy to install, Marmoleum Click is made from natural materials consisting of flaxseed oil, pine rosin, limestone and jute. It also has anti-static and bactericidal properties, meaning it’s easily kept dirt and dust free, and is resistant to such micro-organisms as Staphylococcus. These qualities make it especially popular in bathrooms and kitchens – and in places young children play.
“Marmoleum Click is the ideal do-it-yourselfer’s surface,” says Scott Day of Forbo. “We’ve received a lot of feedback from customers that it’s the easiest material they’ve ever worked with, and they’ve had a lot of fun with it.”
For design ideas, or to find a retailer near you, log on to www.themarmoleumstore.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Visit A1 Wood Flooring for more on wood flooring and laminate flooring.
Interview with Thomas Lie-Nielsen
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Woodworkers ResourceWhen people think of high quality hand planes, one of the first companies to come to mind for most is Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, and for good reason. Lie-Nielsen Toolworks has been turning out some of the best "Stanley" type hand planes for over 25 years.
However, over the last several years Lie-Nielsen Toolworks has been turning out a lot more tools than just hand planes.
In our fourth interview I get the opportunity to talk to the owner and founder of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Thomas Lie-Nielsen. We talk about:
- What it was like to start a tool manufacturing company 25 years ago when woodworking hand tools weren't as popular
- The challenges they faced bringing chisels to the market
- Some of Lie-Nielsen's newest tools - Workbenches, Progressive Pitch Saws, Inlay Tools, Educational DVDs, and much more
- What a typical day is like for Tom Lie-Nielsen
- My own suggestion for a new product for Lie-Nielsen: You're gonna love this!
- You'll even get to hear first hand what new tools Lie-Nielsen will be coming out with in the near future (I'm VERY excited about this one!)
- And much, much more
And of course we talk about The Woodworking in America Conference and the classes the Tom will be teaching:
- Modern Tools: Tolerances and Myths
- How Modern Tools are Designed and Made
- Bevel-Up vs. Bevel-Down Planes (CLOSED)
- Modern Tools: Tolerances and Myths (repeated session)
Visit our website for more information and to hear more interviews!
www.WoodworkersResource.com
Craig Stevens
Interview with Robin Lee
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Woodworkers ResourceIf you're on any of the woodworking forums around the Internet and asked a question to the group about Lee Valley Tools, or Veritas Tools,, you undoubtedly received a direct response from the President of the company, Robin Lee. And if you've ever bought any tools from the company (and if you haven't, you're doing yourself a disservice) you'll get that same down home friendly service. This is no surprise coming from a company whose philosophy on customer service is to "treat each customer like they're your friend".
Lee Valley has bee making some of the best woodworking, hardware, and garden tools in the business for the past 30 years.
Rob may be President of a large corporation but that doesn't mean that he just sits behind a big desk pushing paper. In fact Rob holds several patents on woodworking tools and is very active in new tool development.
Here are some of the topics that we covered during our interview:
- The first product that Lee Valley shipped (hint: It's not a woodworking tool).
- Why the customer base in woodworking differs from any other business out there (this one will make you proud to be a woodworker).
- What does Rob Lee do in his spare time?
- What's the best part of running Lee Valley Tools? (Hint: It has something to do with being the equivalent of a rock star!)
- What all goes into new product development?
- Ever wondered what the name Veritas means and why it was choosen?
- And much, much more!
315 Router Bit of the Month - Whiteside's 1/2" Round Nose Core Box Bit
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastHey everyone it's the beginning of a brand new month and that means it's time for Router Bit of the Month!!
For the entire month of October Woodcraft is featuring Whiteside's 1/2" diameter Round Nose Core Box Bit. A great grooving/veining profile for projects such as fluting, sign making, etc.
If you're not today's lucky winner of this great bit you can still take advantage of the sale price and add one to your collection just click here Woodcraft.com.
Also as mentioned in the show, I use the 1/4" version with my SignPro Kit from Milescraft.
If you'd like to enter for free schwag, have a comment, question or suggestion, drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com or head over to the website. Or...leave a voicemail at 231 354-2338.
Listen to today's show by clicking on the player below
To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"
315 Whiteside's Round Nose Core Box Bit - The Video
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Matt's Basement Workshop PodcastHey everyone it's the beginning of a brand new month and that means it's time for Router Bit of the Month!!
For the entire month of October Woodcraft is featuring Whiteside's 1/2" diameter Round Nose Core Box Bit. A great grooving/veining profile for projects such as fluting, sign making, etc.
If you're not today's lucky winner of this great bit you can still take advantage of the sale price and add one to your collection just click here Woodcraft.com.
Also as mentioned in the show, is the SignPro Kit from Milescraft.
If you'd like to enter for free schwag, have a comment, question or suggestion, drop me a line at mattsbasementworkshop@gmail.com or head over to the website. Or...leave a voicemail at 231 354-2338.
To download directly to your computer Right Click on direct download, choose "Save Target as"
New feature - classified ads
00/00/0000, 00:00 | UnpluggedShop.com**Edited: This feature was never used and has been removed due to lack of interest.**
I am offering registered users the chance to post ads and notices for free. Registering is also easy and free.
Currently, the functionality is very simple and straightforward. Ads are good for 30 days and are renewable by going in to edit your ad and clicking the appropriate check box. Pictures are limited in size to 800x800 pixels.
There is no private message system. You must provide contact information. A good way to do this if you have a website is to include a link to the product listing page on your site.
Beware of publishing your regular email address. It will not automatically be obfuscated. I would suggest setting up an alias email address that you can later delete without interrupting your business or life. read more »
I'm a Lucky, Lucky Lady
00/00/0000, 00:00 | The Village Carpenter
The EAIA meetup last weekend was held at the recently renovated Dills Tavern, originally built in 1794. The weathermen promised a warm, sunny day, but it was cloudy and frigid, which prevented me from staying for all the day's activities. I was sorry to have missed Jim Leamy's afternoon lecture on making plow planes. The ivory plow plane was one of many of his exqui
site planes that were on display.Tailgating with vendors who were selling antique tools started early, and was followed by presentations by the man in charge of restoration —Sam McKinney—and a decendant of the family who purchased the tavern in 1800—Bob Eichelberger.
The three years it's taken to bring the tavern back to its original form included removal of many Victorian elements and additions that were added in the late 19th century. The kitchen needed to be gutted and other rooms needed major work, but as much as possible of the original architecture and flooring was salvaged. That which could not
be saved was either replaced with elements that were purchased from other period buildings or were authentically reproduced by the men who conducted the renovations. On display were a plethora of antique moulding planes that they employed during construction."We basically removed anything that used common nails" explained Sam, who in my opinion is part detective—because of his ability to
uncover the clues that enabled him to restore the historic building to its original state—and part visionary.The tavern, outbuildings, and grounds are being fashioned in the same pattern as Eastfield Village, where Sam has taken classes since 1983. His vision is to replicate the original Dills Tavern setting, including distillery (ironic, since Dillsburg is currently a dry town), and to offer workshops that teach 18th c. techniques in stonework, timber framing, basket making, wool dyeing, and open hearth cooking.
But that's not the best part.
They have recently started construction of an 18th c. timber frame woodwright's shop, in which the 3 men who have so diligently reconstructed the tavern will build authentic reproduction furniture, including my favorite, PA German. Their pieces will furnish the tavern and will also be for sale.
With only a 15 minute drive to Dillsburg, I plan to conduct many drive-by droolings as the shop is being constructed, and occasionally stop to talk with the builders. One gave me his card and said to "stop by anytime." (honest!)
I will try my best to practice restraint and not make him regret having told me that....lest I be labeled the Dills Tavern Stalker.
Is Shopsmith Breathing its Final Breath?
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
A while back, in a previous post, I talked about the news that Shopsmith was in financial trouble. The news today confirms it. Robert Folkerth, the president was quoted as saying,
“…the company ’significantly reduced’ its reliance on sales representatives who often travel to shows to sell Shopsmith’s tools and accessories.”
Wait a minute. Did he say they cut their sales force? What that tells me is that they don’t see much hope for the Shopmith product that we’ve known and loved since the mid-70’s. Has the competition for lower-priced standalone woodworking machinery pushed the Shopsmith out of the market? Sadly, I think it’s just a matter of time before Shopsmith goes the way of other woodworking machine manufacturers. Soon, the only place you’ll be able to read about them will be on the Old Woodworking Machines web site.
Grainger Subsidiary Acquires McFeely’s
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
In a former life, I worked in an industrial laboratory and later, in many manufacturing facilities setting up labs. We ordered a lot of supplies from Grainger. You’ve no doubt heard of Grainger. We source them a lot in Woodsmith and ShopNotes magazines for some hardware items you might not be able to find at your local home center. They established their roots as an industrial/commercial supplier.
They have a subsidiary company that specializes in supplying laboratories — Lab Safety Supply (they have some cool stuff you can use in the shop, too). I used to order a lot of lab supplies from them.
Turns out that Lab Safety Supply is broadening their market. They recently acquired McFeely’s. You
know McFeely’s from their cartoonish catalog covers of Jim Ray, the owner. They rose to fame in woodworking circles by supplying square-drive screws. I love to use square-drive screws in my shop. And if you use pocket hole joinery, you already know the benefits of square drive screws. McFeely’s has an interesting history that you can read about here.
According to this press release:
“McFeely’s will be marketed as an independent brand by LSS, the leading direct marketer of targeted, specialty business products in the safety, industrial, environmental and homeland security markets. Through a similar direct marketing model, McFeely’s serves over 70,000 active customers including serious woodworkers, handymen, home improvement professionals, construction companies and cabinet makers.”
About Shellac
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Wood Destruction by a Woodscrub
Many of my projects use shellac in at least some part of the finish. It was the first finish I was able to apply well, it's a natural and renewable product (at least, when mixed yourself... Off the shelf stuff may not be fully natural), and it looks great.
The only downsides are low abrasion resistance and low liquid resistance. That's it. Not so good for table tops, great for pens!
The pencil shown in the photo at right is made from kingwood finished with several coats of 1# shellac. This was my first penturning attempt and I still use it every day. The finish is still great.
Shellac.net has some good info on shellac. Their "Why Shellac" article is good:
Shellac is a good choice for
furniture, smal craft, and wood instruments because it is ..
- Beautiful, Lustrous
- Easy to apply
- Dries within minutes
- Sticks to almost anything!
- Seals in minutes
- Can be recoated within 15-20 minutes if wiped
- Can be recoated within 2 hours if brushed
- Infinitely easier to rub out
- Easily repaired
- Has good clarity
- Completely reversible
- Feels well in the hand
- Offers a wide range of colors without sacrificing clarity
- Environmentally safe
- Healthier
- Compatible with most other finishes
- Once you shellac, ain't no going back!
Shellac is made from secretions of the Lac bug. It is sold either prepared or in flake form that you mix yourself with denatured alcohol. Shellac is used for more than just wood finishes. It can be found in medicines as a pill coating and packaged foods to add a shine to glazes or candies. It's completely edible when cured and safe around children.
If you haven't tried shellac yet, get a small can of prepared shellac and play with it. If you like it, buy some flakes and alcohol and start mixin' yer own.
Highlights from AWFS, Part 1
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comWhen they say it’s hot in Vegas, they aren’t kidding. And even though the show floor is air-conditioned, there are some hot new products heating up the arena.
Porter-Cable is set to announce a whole lineup of new tools tomorrow night at a press briefing. I’m going to see if I can sneak in the back door and let you know what I find out.
I got to spend some time at the Rikon Power Tools booth. I met and spoke for a few moments with Erin Riley, president. She said that the company is relatively new (around seven years old) and that Rikon tools have only been around for a little over four years. Steve Mangano, vice president, took some time to show me some of their products. They’ve got some innovative features on their band saws, and I was impressed with their table saw with sliding table. At just under $2,000, I think it’s a bargain with all the features and capabilities. They even have in their product line a couple of radial drill presses. I have an old Rockwell radial drill press that my dad gave me. I think every woodworker should own one. You can read all about their products on the Rikon Power Tools web site.
And Bessey Tools has got a new clamp that’s got my attention. It was originally introduced a few years ago but went away for a redesign and was re-introduced a few months ago. Look for the new DuoKlamp at your Bessey retailer. The product is so new, I couldn’t find it on their web site, but be on the lookout for it.
A chat with John McInerney, VP Sales/Marketing at Amana Tool was worth the time. He say’s they’re redirecting some of their sales efforts to broaden the product line for the home woodworker. Some products that are more used in a production shop have just as much appeal to a hobbyist woodworker. For example, a number of their router bits will be available with replaceable carbide inserts. This has a lot of advantages, according to John. For one, they can use a harder, finer grade of carbide since it wouldn’t be subjected to the heat of brazing it to a steel body. That means a sharper, longer-lasting edge — two other advantages for woodworkers. The initial investment might be a little more, but the costs of replacing the inserts will be considerably less than the cost of a new, traditional-style bit.
Well, I’m off now to see what’s up with the Kreg Tool Company.
Stay tuned for further developments.
Highlights from AWFS, Part 2
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comI finally got a chance to walk part of the AWFS show floor here in Las Vegas and take in some of the new stuff for woodworking.
Makita is coming out with some exciting new “black and white’ cordless tools that will appeal to the 
home woodworker and do-it-yourselfer. They’re 18v tools with 1.5 amp-hour batteries that will recharge in 15 minutes, according to Wayne Hart, Communications Manager for Makita. To me, these tools look the same as their traditional teal-colored tools. The only difference is the smaller battery size to make them lighter in weight. The larger, higher-capacity 3 amp-hour batteries can also be used on these “black and white” tools. One thing about Makita tools that becomes apparent when you pick them up is their quality. The operation of the cordless drills and impact drivers is smooth. The trigger action is effortless. The combo kit you see pictured here retails for around $329. That’s a bargain, considering the drill alone retails for around $200. This kit includes a flashlight, drill, impact driver, radio, and an “intelligent” battery charger (each battery has a built-in CPU to monitor voltage and prevent over-charging).
Of course, the big buzz on the show floor concerns the “stone-faced” tools from Steel City Tool Works. I spoke at length with Mark Strahler, President of Steel City about his new line of tools with 
granite tables. The table saw with granite table is based on their hybrid saw. This gets around the problem of mounting the trunnion assembly to the table top as with most contractor saws. The granite tops are really flat…dead flat. So flat in fact, that one of Steel City’s customers requested that Steel City supply them with some granite surfaces to use as reference tables in their machine shop. The other advantage is that they will never rust.
Granite will be available for only a small upgrade charge on their table saws, band saws, and jointers (for the fences). Steel City will guarantee the granite for ten years. It’s an interesting concept that proves that Steel City is thinking “outside the box” when it comes to the design of their tools.
Speaking of thinking outside the box, Mark showed me a pre-production sample of the new Steel City “Dust Collector in a Box.” It is literally small enough to fit inside a small shopping bag. It’s designed for benchtop planers in shops that don’t have a traditional dust collector. It’s a small blower motor and housing that attaches with a flexible rubber connector to your planer. The dust chute exits into a large bag off to the side. The expected retail price will be around $99. Pretty cool.
Perhaps the most interesting thing I’ve seen today is made by Penn United Technologies, manufacturer of Penntek tools. These are the guys that originally produced the Robo-Grip pliers which have been 
redesigned into the newer MagnumGrip pliers. They also licensed the Versa-Clamp and are producing it. But the most unusual thing they had was a new hammer call the PowerPull. The first thought I had was, “How can you improve on the traditional hammer?” They took a traditional framing hammer and added a pop-up “foot” that provides extra leverage when pulling nails. When retracted, it looks just like a “button” on top of the hammer head. When extended, it gives you several addtional pounds of leverage to pull that stubborn nail. It gets around the problem of having to use a scrap piece of wood for extra leverage. Very unique.
Tonight, I’ve been invited to a “press party” by Porter-Cable. As I said yesterday, they’re going to be announcing some new products. More on that tomorrow.
Delta/Porter-Cable Announces New Product Lines
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comChanges are a comin’. Delta/Porter-Cable announced at a gathering at AWFS last night a major revamping of their product line. Lower-end products are going away. Newer products are on the horizon. The focus will be on quality with an emphasis on a new look and major efforts in industrial design of the products. One example cited was a new Unisaw with both wheel cranks on the front of the saw. It’s a unique concept that should have been done years ago. The new Unisaw will also have upgraded guards and all upgraded internal components. (It was interesting to note that the guard on the prototpye looked suspiciously like the guard on Bosch’s new benchtop saw.)
They announced a “re-branding” of sorts where you will see the Delta/Porter-Cable names together more and more as time goes on. Their design center will remain in Tennessee and they are sourcing major components from U.S. suppliers and not necessarily from Asian suppliers.
Company executives admitted that there have been some bumpy roads for the two brands since their purchase by Black and Decker three years ago. They expect that the dollars and man-hours that have gone into re-engineering their product lines will have benefits for the woodworker and their bottom line with improved sales. They may be facing an uphill battle, but hopefully we’ll see some new, quality innovation in tools. Both brands have a century of reputation in quality and hopefully, they’ll be able to regain that respect.
P.S. — I would have posted photos of some of the tools, but company execs prohibited cameras. Some of the products shown are prototypes and all features shown may not necessarily make it into production models. I can understand and respect that. So stay tuned. As we hear more, we’ll post it here.
UPDATE: See the Press Release from Delta/Porter-Cable here: REVOLUTION Press Release
Cleaner Sanding with 3M’s ‘Clean Sanding Discs’
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
While I was browsing the AWFS show in Las Vegas last July, I spent quite a bit of time at the 3M booth. Most of the products they were showing off are geared toward the production shop, but they did have one item that I think will make it’s way into the home workshop.
3M is taking sanding to a whole new level with the introduction of its unique Clean Sanding Discs for woodworking. The new, innovative discs can deliver longer life than standard high-performance discs, thanks to their breakthrough surface configuration and abrasive technology.
Designed to be used with random orbital sanders, Clean Sanding Discs offer improved dust extraction when used with a vacuum system. Less dust contributes to improved cutting action when sanding. The unique, patented hole pattern on the discs’ surface helps to effectively remove dust from the work area, which prevents disc loading and provides a fast, consistent and efficient cut rate. I watched them in action during the show and was impressed with the fact that they didn’t load up like traditional discs. And the best thing is, they’ll work with any hole pattern and you don’t have to worry about aligning the holes.
Clean Sanding Discs are available in 5″ and 6″ diameters in grades P80 to P1000 and feature the secure Hookit attachment system from 3M.
You can find out more about them by clicking here. As for availability, Clean Sanding Discs are sold through distributors for the industrial market. But 3M reps tell me that they expect them to be available from their online eStore sometime soon. Let’s hope they make their way into woodworking catalogs and home centers, too.
Tools and Rust — Bad Bedfellows
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
In ShopNotes 95, I wrote an article about some quick (and some unusual ways) you can keep rust at bay on your hand and power tools. For those of us with basement or garage shops, rust is an issue we have to deal with. I remember moving into our second home of our marriage and almost losing every tool I owned because I kept them in the basement. Actually, the basement was more like a root cellar and whenever it rained, water poured through the walls. It wasn’t until years later that I was able to jack up the house, replace the foundation, and finally have a dry basement for a shop.
Some months ago, I ran across this web page by Bob Neidorff. He does a great job of explaining what rust is, how to remove it, and how to prevent it. He also lists several resources for products and suppliers, including web links. Check it out.
Eagle Jigs Solve Shop Problems
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comThe editors here at Woodsmith and ShopNotes magazines see a lot of new products come across our desks. Some we have to laugh at, and others are really good ideas.
Eagle Jigs is a small company out of Kansas City, Missouri that seem to come up with some good ideas. They’ve got several products that you might want to consider for your shop. They seem to have a knack for developing products that solve real problems in the woodworking shop. Maybe that’s because they’re woodworkers themselves.
On
e such product is the Versa-Block. It’s one of those things that looks so simple, but the more you use it, the more uses you’ll find for it. It’s an octagon-shaped piece of solid alumimum. Each face has another octagon shape milled onto the surface. Each edge of the smaller octagon is offset from the corresponding edge of the main body. It’s easier to understand once you see the photos and hold it in your hand. On one side, the offsets are in 1/16″ increments. On the other side, the offsets are in 1/8″ increments.
You can use the Versa-Block for a number of things. The most obvious is setting bit heights on your router and blade heights on your table saw. But you can also mark offsets from the edge of a workpiece up to one inch. And you can use the Versa-Block as a square during glue-ups. Like their web site says, “This is an accessory that the more you use, the more uses you will find to use it.”
Another handy item they’ve come up with is the Laser-Cut Triangle. They come in 3″ and 6″ sizes. The triangles are similar to the aluminum Swanson Speed Square you’d use for framing a house. But these are plastic and laser-etched for accuracy. One side of the triangle has small holes — like the Incra Marking Rules — for the tip of your pencil for drawing and marking lines parallel to an edge. The base of the triangle is etched in 1/16″ increments. The “hypotenuse” of the triangle has angular markings etched so that you can use it as a protractor. The prices are reasonable enough that you can afford to have a few in the shop.
Norm Abram: Woodworking’s Best Friend
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
Make all the fun you want to about all his “routahs,” but you have to admit that Norm Abram has done more to foster a worldwide interest in woodworking than anyone else. While I don’t always agree with his choice of construction techniques and joinery, he has made woodworking approachable and less intimidating for millions of people. I had the chance to meet him (actually, just a handshake) at a Delta/Porter-Cable gathering at the AWFS show in Las Vegas in July. He seems like a great guy and I’d like to have the chance to sit and have a cup of coffee with him sometime.
In Design News, there’s a great article about how Norm got started and how he managed to make it into his 20th season this year on New Yankee Workshop. Did you know that Norm attended college with the intent of getting an engineering degree? Here’s an intersesting quote from the article:
“I hated sitting in a class of 600 in a thermodynamics class, but I loved being in the lab working with metals. I hung in there for a couple of years and said this isn’t for me. You can learn a lot from school and books, but you really learn from experience,” he says. Going with a gut feeling, he switched to production management in business school, sensing he wanted to be a building contractor. He came close but never earned a degree because midstream in college he “felt it was time to go to work.”
And the rest is history, as they say.
A New Saw Blade with a History
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.comWhen I packed my shop to move from Columbus, Ohio to Des Moines, I just wrapped all my table saw blades in newspaper and stacked them in a box. I didn’t take time to sort out the ones that needed sharpened and the ones that probably should have been discarded (I hate throwing out saw blades).
So when I finally set up shop in my two-car garage, I was using the same saw blade in my table saw that I was using in Ohio. It was a Signature Series blade made by Oldham. I’ve been very happy with it. But lately, I’ve noticed it was pretty dull. So rather than send it out for sharpening just yet, I thought maybe
it was time to step up to a premium blade. Of course, the Forrest Woodworker II has ruled the roost in saw blades for many years. I’m just old enough to hate having to spend $120 on a saw blade. I’m used to the good old days when you could get a decent blade for less than $40. But I’ve also been reading a lot of good things about the Freud Premier Fusion blade. Now, it’s not inexpensive either (around $100), but I needed (er…wanted) a new blade.
So I went to the Woodsmith Store to buy one. I met up with Dave Larson, the store manager. He proceeded to tell me an interesting story about the Freud Premier Fusion blade. He said that blade has been around for about ten years and was just called the “F410″ and was a nominal seller. Then one of the woodworking magazines did a review of it a few years ago. Sales started to climb. Freud realized they had a winner on their hands, put into motion a massive marketing campaign, and named the blade the “Premier Fusion.” Their web site now lists it as the P410 (for the 10″ blade).
So I bought the Freud Premier Fusion and brought it home. I put it on my 10-year old Craftsman table 
saw. I was favorably impressed. Crosscutting red oak left an extremely smooth surface. I grabbed a piece of melamine particleboard for the ultimate test. Again, the cut was nice and smooth and the top edge of the cut line was nice and crisp with no chipout. There was just the smallest amount of chipout on the bottom edge, but hardly noticable. But I did notice something curious. I compared the tooth geometry on the Freud Premier Fusion with the Oldham Signature Series blade. They looked strikingly similar.
Well, I’m in the middle of trying to clean up and reorganize my shop. So I grabbed the stack of saw blades I had moved from Ohio. In it, I found a barely used Freud Diablo blade with the gold coating. Still sharp. And I found a CMT fine cut-off blade. Hmm…I forgot about that one. But it needs sharpened. So I’ve got the two blades that need sharpened plus the one that’s like new. I guess I really didn’t need to buy that Freud Premier Fusion. But I’m not going to return it, either.
Is Your Saw Blade Really Dull or just Dirty?
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
A sure sign that your table saw blade needs attention is when it becomes difficult to push the workpiece through the cut. Or when the shop fills full of smoke as you try to cut that piece of maple. That’s what happened to me in my continuing saga of saw blades. I mentioned in this post that I had a couple of blades that needed sharpened. Now I’m not so sure. I spent some time the other evening working on them with an old tooth brush and Boeshield Blade and Bit Resin, Pitch, and Gum Remover.
In ShopNotes No. 96, we had an article about Choosing and Using Bit and Blade Cleaners, including home-made cleaners. A number of folks wrote in to tell us that some of our ideas were crazy or that their solution worked better. We’ve had suggestions from oven cleaner to Formula 409. I say, use whatever works for you. For me, I tend toward the commercial cleaners. Our guys here in the shop seem to like CMT’s Formula 2050 Blade and Bit Cleaner.
Whatever chemical you use, chance are you’re going to need to use a little elbow grease, too. As a matter of fact, it took a couple of applications of cleaner while I was busy scrubbing the residue off of the teeth. I had the blade on several thicknesses of old newspaper and sprayed on the cleaner. After scrubbing one side clean, I flipped the blade over and worked on it. That left all the crud in between the teeth and on the face of each tooth. Here, I stood the blade up, sprayed on some more cleaner, and worked my way around the blade with the toothbrush. A little wiping with a rag removed the last of the residue and cleaner.
You’ll be amazed at how your blades look after a good cleaning. I inspected mine closely and couldn’t find any chipped or dull teeth. But it’s hard to make that judgement on looks alone. I’m anxious to make a few test cuts and see if I need to take the next step and actually have them sharpened.
Shop Light Product Recall
00/00/0000, 00:00 | WoodworkingONLINE.com 
I’ll admit it. When it came time to set up my shop, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on lighting. Yep…I’m cheap. So I went to my local big box store and picked out the least expensive flourescent shop lights I could find. But just so you don’t think I’m a total cheapskate, I did upgrade half of the tubes to the newer (and more expensive) daylight or full-spectrum tubes for more natural lighting. I learned that lesson from our new shop here at August Home Publishing. Natural lighting makes a big difference.
Now, my cheapness may come back to haunt me. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has sent out notification of a product recall for shop lights made by Cooper Lighting. You can read all