Highland Woodworking Blog

Fine Woodworking's Jeff Miller, a professional woodworker and writer, just completed and evaluation of dust masks including reusable masks with replaceable filters and powered respirators. Jeff highlights the convenience and economy features of the North CFR-1 reusable mask as a good alternative to disposable masks. For serious task, when the chips are flying he reviewed powered respirator offerings. Among top brands tested, Triton's Powered Respirator and Trend's Airshield and Airshield Pro earned high marks. Jeff weighed a number of factors in his evaluation and selected Trend Airshield and Airshield Pro as the favorites, "The Trend Airshield and Airshield Pro distinguished themselves for comfort, clarity of vision, and overall user-friendliness".

North CFR11 Dust Mask nicely fills the gap between flimsy disposable dust masks and more serious respiratory protection like the Dustfoe 88. Replaceable filters (NIOSH rating N95) offer excellent dust protection. The low-profile mask body is made of very soft rubber, and is held in place with a double elastic strap. An exhalation valve vents the warm, moist air you exhale downward—helping the filter medium last longer and leaving safety glasses unfogged. All masks are size medium. Also available as a mask with 21 filters kit.

Trend Airshield, Fine Woodworking says is "...distinguished for comfort, clarity of vision and overall user friendliness".

The more we learn about long term exposure to airborne wood dust, the more important powered respirators become. Even with the best dust collection setups, certain operations create unrecoverable dust, which gets into the air and eventually ends up in your lungs. The Trend Airshield helps protect you by providing 4 hours of respiratory protection (to BS EN 146 THP2) with a 4.9 to 6.3 cfm flow of freshly filtered air passing through 2 filters, which you experience as a cool breeze. It's light weight (1.6 lbs) and has room for a second battery to bring run time up to 8 hours with a full charge. The respirator's face shield is rated to withstand low-energy impacts, and replaceable overlays protect it from scratches. The Airshield suspension system changes sizes in place with the twist of a single knob.

A great defense against this nuisance dust is Trend's Airshield Pro personal dust filtration respirator. Its dual filters provide a 98% efficiency factor and a flow 5.6 cfm to 7 cfm of freshly-filtered air. A comfortable face seal cradles the sides of your face and beneath your chin to seal out dust. The on board battery and motor sit further back on your head than in the original Airshield model, providing for greater balance and comfort as you work all day on a the 8 hour run-time battery. A clear plastic face shield provides low impact protection (ANSI Z87.1 rated) and replaceable visor overlays keep the view clear. Accepts optional clip-on hearing protectors. Headband adjusts from 20-1/2" to 24-1/2". Low battery audible alarm. Includes battery charger, 1 NI-MH battery, 1 visor overlay and carrying bag. Weight 2.2 lbs

Posted by blogmaster at 12:03 AM | Permalink

Narex Chisels have just arrived—in stock now! Fine Woodworking Magazine selected Narex Czech Republic Chisels from 23 top brands as Author's Choice for "Best Value" western style bench chisel.

Don't pay too much for Narex chisels! Our customers tell us that some retailers have raised Narex Chisel prices because of increased demand. Don't be fooled—Narex Chisels are a great value here at Highland Woodworking!

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information on this and all of our fine woodworking products.

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August 1, 2008 Atlanta, GA. Highland Woodworking announces the results of Fine Woodworking Magazine's bench chisel tool test. Among 23 top brands tested, Narex Czech Republic Chisels earned Author's Choice for "Best Value" western style bench chisel. Fine Woodworking's Chris Gochnour, a professional woodworker and writer, considered a number of criteria in determining the top chisels. Chisel evaluations included tool performance in dovetail, paring, chopping and durability tests. Additional factors included out of the box condition, tool ergonomics and edge retention properties. Mr. Gochnour enlisted the help of the Department of Material Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio to fully access each chisel's edge-retention qualities. Under the direction of Professor David Matthiesen chisel edges were examined in a scanning electron microscope at 100X resolution.

Regarding Narex Bench Chisels:
"The beech handle, with a hoop and ferrule, is easy to grasp whether chopping with one hand or paring with two. The back of the chrome manganese blade was nice and flat and the edges were beveled sufficiently for excellent dovetailing. The cutting edge held up quite well and at $6, this is the obvious choice for best value among the Western-style chisels."

Highland Woodworking's Narex Chisels are available in sizes ranging from 6mm - 50mm, and also are available in sets of 4 (6,12, 20 & 26mm) or sets of 6 (6,10, 12, 16, 20 & 26mm). Their blades are fine-grained, nicely tempered chrome-moly steel (Rc 58).

Narex Czech-made bevel edged chisels are a fine value. Stained beech handles feature well seated heavy steel ferrules to withstand vigorous mallet work; bolstered tangs are also ferruled for durability. The blades are excellent: fine-grained, nicely tempered chrome-moly steel that takes and holds a beautiful edge without brittleness. Like most edge tools, they'll need sharpening before use; and like most chisels, they'll feel better and work better after you've gentled their long edges and flattened their backs.

Highland Woodworking, Atlanta, GA USA is a purveyor of fine woodworking tools and supplies with a 30 year reputation for quality tools and service. It is the exclusive source of the Wood Slicer Resawing Bandsaw blade, voted by Fine Woodworking Magazine as the best resaw blade available. Highland Woodworking is a trusted source of woodworking education and information. A schedule of woodworking classes and detailed product information is available at highlandwoodworking.com. Highland Woodworking 1045 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 800-241-6748.

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July 18, 2008 Atlanta, GA. Highland Woodworking is pleased to announce the addition of The Fretboard Journal to their collection of woodworking books, magazines and DVDs. An important journal for luthiers and instrument enthusiasts, the quarterly publication is archival quality and chronicles the most innovative fretted instruments and instrument makers of the last 150 years. Fretboard's writers, historians and photographers from around the world provide well researched and insightful stories highlighting the best players and the most interesting tales in music.

The Summer 2008 Fretboard Journal features David Grisman's Chris Thile interview, details about veteran luthier Rick Turner's Compass Rose acoustic guitar and examines the tradition behind Kamaka ukuleles. The Fretboard Journal published by Jason Verlinde is a magazine for musical instrument makers, players, collectors.

Highland Woodworking, Atlanta, GA USA is a purveyor of fine woodworking tools and supplies with a 30 year reputation for quality tools and service. It is the exclusive source of the Wood Slicer Resawing Bandsaw blade, voted by Fine Woodworking Magazine as the best resaw blade available. Highland Woodworking is a trusted source of woodworking education and information. A schedule of woodworking classes and detailed product information is available at highlandwoodworking.com. Highland Woodworking 1045 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 800-241-6748.

Posted by blogmaster at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Festool Kapex KS 120 Miter Saw has shipped in North America and is now in stock at Highland Woodworking. The culmination of years of testing and engineering, the Kapex KS 120 was developed with one goal in mind: to be the best sliding compound miter saw ever manufactured. The Kapex KS 120 is the first miter saw with variable speed, enabling the user to match the speed of the blade with the requirements of the material for perfect cuts, every time. Finally, a sliding compound miter saw that combines a large cutting capacity with a compact lightweight design. The Kapex delivers 12" miter saw capacity in a revolutionary 10" miter saw design.

Festool, founded in 1925 by Albert Fezer and Gottlieb Stoll in southern Germany, has constantly set new benchmarks for innovative tool design and development, and the Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter Saw does so again. The innovative twin-column forward rail design gives the Kapex saw greater precision in an extremely small footprint. And Festool's meticulous engineers designed the saw to capture 91% of the saw dust when used with a CT dust extractor when using a 36mm hose.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Power Consumption: 1600 Watts
• Speed: 1,400-3,400 RPM
• Cutting Depth 90°/90°: 12" x 3-1/2"
• Special Cutting Depth: 4-23/32" x 3/4"
• Crown Nested Capacity: 6-5/8"
• Max Bevel: 47°/47°
• Miter Range: 50°/60°
• Dimensions: 28" x 19-3/4" x 18-1/2"
• Weight: 47 Lbs

Highland Woodworking is located in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Call 800-241-6748 for sales or visit www.highlandwoodworking.com for more information.

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Highland Woodworking adds the CarveWright CNC Wood Router to our collection of woodworking tools. The CarveWright Woodworking System is winning awards for product innovation in woodworking, as it brings modern CNC technology and the power of the internet together with traditional woodworking. The CarveWright can be used to perform a variety of functions such as routing, cutting, carving and jointing and while considered a woodworking machine, it is also capable of creating detailed designs in other soft materials like HD foam and suitable plastics.

The CarveWright while compact, just slightly larger than a bench top planer, is a full-on, 3-dimensional CNC milling/carving machine. Use it to make signs, carve decorative reliefs or mill just about anything you can imagine in wood, HD foam and some plastics. The CarveWright can handle work up to 5” thick, 14.5” wide and almost any length. Its onboard computer and project design software makes it simple to use even for the novice. Just insert the memory card into the machine and an LCD screen walks you through the process. You don't need to bring your computer into the shop or even have it connected to the CarveWright. You can manipulate designs in almost anyway you like from their 3D pattern library, or create your own. For PC users the minimum system requirements are Windows 2000 or XP with 128MB RAM, 75MB of hard drive space and graphics card with OpenGL support. Mac users need OS 10.3 or later.

The CarveWright includes a carving bit, a cutting bit, two 1/4” bit adaptors, a bit removal tool, a vacuum bag, memory card w/programmer, design software and instructions.

Highland Woodworking is also pleased to announce an addition to our popular Saturday Mornings at Highland Free Demonstration Educational Series. On Saturday, June 28th, 2008 at 10:00am visit our retail store in Atlanta, Georgia where Ben Arthur will demonstrate the basic use of the CarveWright Machine.

Posted by blogmaster at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Highland Woodworking is excited to announce the addition of John Jordan Turning tools! An internationally renowned Wood Turner and teacher, John Jordan's works have graced The Renwick Gallery of The Smithsonian, The White House, The Boston Museum of Fine Art and Atlanta's High Museum of Art.

John Jordan tools have been developed over time and are a result of his many years of creating pieces that are known for their creative detail and texturing. Mention the name John Jordan while around any group of wood turners and the reaction is one of amazing respect. The fine reputation that follows him is echoed in the tools he has created.

Visit the John Jordan Wood Turning Tool collection at Highland Woodworking!

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FEIN, the premium manufacturer of professional and reliable power tools is pleased to introduce its latest MultiMaster generation. The universal system for interior work and renovations is now significantly more convenient to use thanks to the new QuickIN tool changing system, and newly developed accessories that further extend the range of possible applications.

Since 1986, the FEIN MultiMaster has been selling with enormous success all over the world. More than 40 years of experience in oscillating power tools has gone into the development of the new FEIN MultiMaster. This new generation supersedes the previous MSx 636 II (Start) and MSxe 636 II (RS and XL) models and strengthens FEIN's market leadership in oscillating power tools.

The versatile and precise special tool assists professionals and homeowners working on interior fittings, tile restoration, window restoration, laying floor coverings or assembling furniture. The MultiMaster can also easily handle repair work on cars and boats as well as model building work. One single tool can sand, profile sand and rasp, polish, saw, scrape, cut and cut out, file and sharpen.

Features:

• New Starmount spindle provides high torque transfer
• New ergonomic design with non-slip softgrip
• New more powerful motor

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Ever tried to roll sandpaper around a dowel rod to smooth a molding profile, or attempt to hold on to it while sanding a spindle? Easy to grip Soft-Sanders are shaped sanding blocks that fit every imaginable contour, curve and crevice. Think of them as three-dimensional French curves. Each of the six color-coded 4-3/4" long sanders is supple enough to prevent gouging but firm enough to maintain details. They work with their Super-Flex adhesive backed sandpaper, but we found them to operate well with any paper you're already using. Just hit the back of your own paper with some spray adhesive, and apply it to the profile you want.

Soft-Sanders are solvent resistant, so you can wet sand with them or wash off any residual goo with spirits. Turners will love Soft-Sanders' ability to get into the bottom of bowls and to keep spindle features crisp. They're heat resistant, so they won't fly apart on you.

It didn't take much convincing for us to carry these U.S. made Soft-Sanders. They're deceptively simple devices that perform exactly how you'd expect them to without disappointment. Comes with one each of 80, 120 and 180 grit Super-Flex Sandpaper. What's not to like?

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Highland Woodworking is pleased to announce the addition of CMT premium HSS Forstner Bits to our selection of fine drilling tools. With the ongoing scarcity of Austrian bits in the marketplace, our CMT bits now offer discriminating woodworkers an excellent alternative. CMT Forstner Bits are carefully sharpened in CMT's Italian state-of-the-art machine shop, and are manufactured from superb-quality high speed steel enabling them to retain their sharpness and precision far longer under heavy use than ordinary Forstner bits made from carbon steel.

CMT first began manufacturing top-quality cutting bits more than 30 years ago in a small workshop in the center of Pesaro, Italy, and since then has grown to become a global leader in the production of woodworking tools. Today under the careful guidance of the second generation of the Tommassini family, CMT operates two factories in the Pesaro area, and distributes their industrial-quality products throughout the world. We are proud to add these fine tools to our broad selection of wood cutting tools.

See our Sharpening Forstner Bits article and more woodworking tips and advice from our popular woodworking library!

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Posted as a limited time offer!

Highland Does It Again! A deal too good to pass up.

This nicely balanced electric detail carving tool conveniently depends upon high speed reciprocating action instead of old-fashioned elbow grease to power carving blades quickly and effortlessly through both hardwoods and softwoods.

Our manufacturer routinely provides these power detail carvers to the largest tool companies under various private labels. An importer's overstock is allowing us to offer them to you as a Highland Red Hot Special at a greatly reduced price.

The power carver's split collet chuck design accepts our optional premium Flexcut blades including the Flexcut Power Roughing Set (125008), the Flexcut Power Detailing Set Set (125003) and the Flexcut Deluxe Gouge Set (125011).

The tool's variable speed feature allows you to dial in the exact amount of power you need, and its reciprocating action begins only when the blade actually contacts the work.

The power detail carver comes with 5 blades, including 1/8" and 5/16" straight chisels, 1/4" V-gouge, 3/8" gouge and 3/8" round nose chisel, along with a wrench and a small 400-grit sharpening stone. Tool weighs 19 ounces. Overall length 9".

Check out the Red Hot Special!

(If you don't see the Red Hot Special item on our homepage, that means we've sold out, so check back soon for our next item!)

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Gorilla Glue is now available in a new Precision Glue Pen applicator ideal for small projects and repairs requiring pinpoint application and control.
Originally used as a commercial adhesive for hard-to-glue materials, today Gorilla Glue is the preferred brand among professionals, DIYers and consumers because of its industrial strength sticking power.

The Precision Glue Pen is easy to use and manipulate so professionals and hobbyists can easily master intricate detail work, while everyday users don't have to worry about over-gluing and making a mess. And, it fits conveniently into a purse, desk drawer, glove compartment, backpack, or toolbox for emergency, "on the spot" repairs.

The Precision Glue Pen is available with Gorilla Glue's new Fast Cure, Dries White formula, which sets ultra-fast in just 30 - 60 minutes. Gorilla Glue securely bonds materials that typical all-purpose adhesives won't hold, including wood, stone, metal, ceramics, glass, foam and more. Waterproof and temperature resistant, Gorilla Glue can be used for projects and repairs indoors or out.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information.

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Diamond stone fans will now be able to hone a fine edge on their tools without switching abrasive types. The 3-micron grading makes this stone similar in performance to a hard Arkansas, a 6000-grit waterstone or an extra-fine ceramic stone, plus there's no break in period. It's ready to go right out of the box. The mono-crystalline diamond abrasive is bonded to a solid steel plate which measures 8" x 3" x 3/8" thick. Because it won't chip, crack or dish out, it may well be the ultimate jobsite toolbox stone. Diamond stones can be used wet or dry, but for best results lubricate with soapy water. Occasionally scrub the surface with a scouring powder to unclog the surface.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information.

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This sandpaper-based sharpener is a good value for the budget conscious woodworker or the enthusiast who wants to forego the learning curve of other methods. The Work Sharp is designed to sharpen carving tools, chisels and plane irons up to 2" wide. The 1/5 HP motor spins at a comfortable 580 rpm, so you can easily sharpen other tools freehand.

When sharpening chisels and plane irons, an air-cooled heat sink prevents burning and eliminates the need for messy lubricants. You flatten and polish tool backs on top of a 6" diameter x 3/8" thick piece of tempered glass coated with adhesive backed sandpaper. You then hone the bevel from underneath the glass on the angle port. The angle port adjusts to 20°, 25°, 30° and 35° for predictable and repeatable sharpening.

Carving tools are ground underneath a slotted backer disc, so you can see the tool's bevel as you sharpen. Just color the edge with a black marker, and grind sharpen until the mark disappears. The slots in the backer disc keep cool air flowing over the tool to prevent burning.

Strip paper and clean glass and plastic backers with acetone. 2-year manufacturer's warranty.

NOTE: The Work Sharp comes with some 400 grit paper that attaches to the angle port to remove any burr left by the sharpening process. We recommend not using this paper, as it will scratch the back of your polished tool. To remove any leftover burr, just lightly rub the back of the tool over the 3600 or 6000 micro-mesh paper with the machine off.

The Work Sharp 3000 Sharpening Center includes:

• Work Sharp 3000 Sharpener
• 2 tempered glass wheels (you can mount abrasive on both sides) for flat tools
• 1 slotted see-through wheel for carving tools
• Top tool rest for free hand sharpening
• Crepe stick for cleaning the sandpaper
• An abrasive kit, which includes one each of the following: 120, 400, 1000 & 3600 grit sharpening discs; 80, 400, & 1200 grit slotted sharpening discs.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information on this and all of our fine woodworking products.

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In the world of small shop woodworking, Mark Duginske is the unquestioned maharishi of the bandsaw. His Band Saw Handbook has been a best seller here since anyone can remember. Mark's new book is completely updated with color pictures and with information on today's bandsaws. For instance, he compares newer steel frame saws to conventional cast iron ones. As usual, he debunks myths, dispels rumors and generally gives you the straight dope on issues such as after market accessories, blade selection, saw tuning and techniques. The book also includes chapters on resawing, jigs, joinery and projects. Of particular interest is Mark's take on the dubious value of saw blade tension meters. As with all of Mark's books and videos, this is an excellent resource that you'll refer to often.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information.

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In recent years, many companies have tried to copy the venerable Bessey K Body clamps - with varying degrees of success. One of the better clones has been the Gross Stabil PC2 Parallel Clamps. Recently, Bessey purchased Gross Stabil. They don't need two different versions of the same clamp, so the Gross Stabil model has been discontinued and you benefit from outstanding prices on some great clamps! Quantities are limited, so act fast - once they're gone, they're gone for good!

Check out the Red Hot Special!

(If you don't see the Red Hot Special item on our homepage, that means we've sold out, so check back soon for our next item!)

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I know that many of you are anxiously waiting for us to ship your new Leigh VRS or Super jig. Originally, they were scheduled to arrive in mid- to late-July. Unfortunately, Leigh has had some delays. Here is the latest from Matt at Leigh Industries.

Dear Blair,

As you are all aware, and us more particularly with all the calls we get, the interest in the new Super Jigs and VRS is tremendous. Having been manufacturing for 25 years we thought we had anticipated all the delays in introducing these new products, from problems with tooling to errors in tolerances; save for one….summer shut downs. Rightly or wrongly, to this day there are many companies that still close there doors for a couple of weeks in the summer. With parts ordered long ago, and final approvals of samples done, the proverbial supplier’s voice says “we are sorry but we are closed for our summer shut down”. We all need holidays, but couldn’t they have waited until after they made and shipped our parts?

The good news is that the last items to finish these products will be in our warehouse on the 24th of August, yes this year. Therefore we will start shipping to dealers on the 27th. As we have a lot of pent up demand we hope to have all current orders out the door before month end.

Regards

Matt

Given that Leigh is about 2900 miles away from here, we should have our shipment around September 5th. When it arrives, we will process it as quickly as possible and ship all of our outstanding Leigh orders the same day. We apologize for the delay.

Blair

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One of the big announcements at the AWFS show last week was Fein's introduction of a new improved line of MultiMaster tools. The new MultiMasters won't be here for a couple of weeks, but Fein has reduced the prices of the original MultiMasters effective immediately.