Woodworking & DIY Blog

The new FatMax Xtreme Unisaw?

Stanley’s new sweetheart isn’t just its block plane, but a Maryland-based maker of power tools. Yesterday, Stanley Works announced that it would buy Black & Decker.

This deal will create “the largest U.S. tool maker.”

Stanley Works includes such brands as FatMax, Bostitch and Mac Tools. Black & Decker includes a whole slew of names such as Porter-Cable, Delta, DeWalt and Kwikset.

Does this mean there’s a FatMax Xtreme Unisaw around the corner?

What other bizarre progeny can come out of this union? Post your comments below and the commenter with the funniest combination wins a set of Porter-Cable trading cards and a Porter-Cable pen with USB stick. These things could be collectors items someday.

Canadian Woodshop News and Review

Our regular contributors Michael Kampen, Don Kondra and Gord Graff have a website of their own called Canadian Woodshop News & Review. They have tool news, reviews and video. Looks great guys. Keep up the good work.

Woodworker and founder of the College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture Program James Krenov died this Wednesday. His influence was wide ranging and includes our own Steve Maxwell.

“Although I’ve never made anything that copied his style,” Steve says, “Krenov’s ways of thinking have been a big part of the way I work with wood.”

The people over at Fine Woodworking have a good package on the late woodworker.

Did Krenov influence your woodworking, either through his writings or classes? Let us know.

Some days at the CHW office are tough. Today was not one of those days. The folks at Stanley unveiled some new tools this afternoon…in the press box at a Blue Jays game. I know: nice work if you can get it.

Ain't she a sweetheart?

The first tools to catch my eye were the Sweetheart planes. That’s right, these planes are not just found at tool auctions anymore. Stanley has updated its classic line. However, you’re still going to have some trouble finding one of these north of the 49th (they are available to the south), but the Stanley guys say the tools will be here soon.

Sweetheart No. 9 1/2

For those of you who are not so accurate when you swing the framing hammer, there’s the Fatmax Xtreme. Its strike face is 75 per cent larger compared with other Stanley hammers.

With a face like this, how can you miss?

Also in the FX line is a new 25′ tape measure called the Beast. It’s got fangs. Well, a huge hook. Combine that with the 13′ stand out and you’ll be grabbing corners from across the room.

Old Fatmax Xtreme hook (right) vs. new Fatmax Xtreme hook (left). My money is on the new guy

Finally, the FX ratcheting adjustable wrench is pretty cool. It looks like a regular adjustable wrench, but one of the jaws allows the tool to slide back over a nut. Turn the tool over, and you can ratchet the nut off.

The jaw on the bottom allows for the ratcheting ability of this ajustable wrench

Oh yeah, and the Jays won.

My view of the game

Our testers Ryan Shervill and Gary Walchuk strike a pose

Here’s a sneak peek at something that will appear in an upcoming issue: a test of oscillating multi-tools. The machines getting put through their paces are the Fein Multimaster, the Bosch PS50, the Dremel Multi-Max, the Rockwell SoniCrafter and the King oscillating multi-tool. Recently, two of our testers, Ryan Shervill and Gary Walchuk, met at Ryan’s shop to see how the tools performed. Here are a few of their comments.

Ryan on changing attachments:

With the exception of the Fein, attachment changes on all the tools require the use of a hex key. The Fein features the fastest changes with its single-lever tool-less change system.

Gary on design:

My favourite tool to hold is the Bosch as the smaller barrel and lack of a power cord make it easy to manoeuvre. Also, the Bosch is one of the only tools that lends itself to two-handed use for more control.

To read the full review, look for the November issue of Canadian Home Workshop, which will be out in late October.

Gary and Ryan kick some tires

Working with Plywood

Master craftsman and regular CHW contributor Hendrik Varju has just released two new instructional woodworking DVDs. Both Working with Plywood and Wood Science & Design are available through Hendrik’s website, Passion for Wood.

Here’s a description from Hendrik:

Working with Plywood takes the viewer through a small plywood project step by step. It covers ripping and cross cutting panels, edge-banding techniques, stopped-dado joinery with notched corners on the permanent shelves, dowel joinery for cross rails and an entire glue-up filmed in real time. The stopped dado joinery is accomplished with an interesting jig used with a handheld router and the extensive bonus footage takes you through the building of that same jig one step at a time.  This is a must-have video if you plan to build bookcases, entertainment units or even kitchen cabinets using plywood construction. There is more that 11 hours of private one-on-one instruction spread over five DVDs.

Wood Science and Design

Wood Science & Design is based on the premise that woodworkers spend far too much time focusing on joinery and other skills but barely any at all learning about wood movement properties that are important for the long term survival of projects. This six-hour, three-DVD box set gives a deep understanding of wood and its properties, including growth ring orientation, rays, moisture content, calculating wood movement, humidity control in your workshop, designing around wood movement issues and much more. The bonus footage involves a closer look at many of the author’s furniture designs as he explains the wood movement issues involved with each.

For video clips from each DVD, go here and here. To buy: here and here.

Congratulations on the new discs Hendrik!

Reader interaction keeps CHW sharp. The latest example: reader Todd Robertson from London, Ont., caught Steve Maxwell’s discussion of tracksaws. Steve mentioned products by DeWalt, Makita and Festool. The story reminded Todd of the EZ Smart System by Eurekazone. Todd says:

This system has been around for some time. I have it and its advantage is  that you can use your existing circular saw. You can get the basic system for approximately $300.00, which is sufficient for cutting sheet goods. It has anti-splintering features and you can purchase add-ons for your router.

Thanks for the information, Todd. Anyone else have experience with the EZ Smart System? How does it compare with a full tracksaw kit? Let us know.

Credit: Flickr/robertpogorzelski

I don’t mean to be a downer, but September is just a few days away, which means the end of the outdoor DIY season is not too far behind. Some of us are feeling the pressure to get those outdoor projects done. Maybe there were delays or something took longer than expected. Whatever the reason, you’re feeling pressed for time. And this is when accidents happen.

Here’s  a timely reminder from the Canadian Standards Association regarding the safe use of power tools. Their list includes 16 tips:

• Use the right tool for the job
• Ensure than your tools are certified by CSA or another agency
• Ensure your tools are in good working order
• Read the instruction manual and ensure you know how to properly use your tools
• Be aware of flying debris
• If in doubt, check it out
• Be aware of hazards and other people in your working environment
• When a tool begins to show signs of wear, repair or replace
• Never carry a tool by the cord or hose
• Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle
• Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil and sharp edges
• Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters to prevent accidental start up
• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool
• Avoid accidental starting: do not hold a finger on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool
• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance
• The proper apparel should be worn (loose clothing, ties or jewelry can become caught in moving parts)

All solid tips. (Although, that last one is a little weird. When was the last time when you might have operated a circ saw with a tie on?)

Got any other safety tips to add?

So last week, like many of us, I was away on vacation. My wife and I took off to the wilds of Algonquin Park for some canoeing and random moose sightings. It was a chance to get away from it all, leave things like work, especially work, behind. I was quite surprised that on the third day into our week-long trip, I ran into something that smacked of my day job. At the start of a 850 m portage from Misty Lake to the Petawawa River, we found a 50″-diameter saw. I figure it was a remnant of a logging/milling operation. How about you? Any theories as to how this big blade came to intrude on my vacation bliss?

Credit: Len Churchill

Reader Barbara emailed wondering about a butterfly table we once ran. Well, here it is for everyone to enjoy.