Woodworker’s Wish List Shop-tested gifts guaranteed to please the woodworkers on your list

By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk W oodworking magazine product tests are downright Darwinian. New and materials Wixey Digital enjoy a few weeks in the Display Caliper measurements in spotlight, but once the tests #147892 $39.99 imperial decimal, fraction, are over and the reviews and metric measurements published, most are repacked so that there can be no and sent back from whence they misunderstandings. (Note came. Some find their way into Two Ways to that a caliper is three the magazine’s workshop, but Measure Once tools in one. Separate jaws only the fittest few are special measure inside and outside enough to make us skinflint dimensions while the plunge editors shell out our own cash. A few thousandths of an inch can Buildingbar works asblocks a depth .) With the holidays fast make a difference between a snug approaching, I’ve asked the and sloppy joint fit. The problem 2 editors to not tell me what is that few of us can make out Fingers can detect differences tools they want, but what ones the 64ths on our rulers. Here are Kreg’sas fine asPrecision a human hair (for Table they use. In response, they’ve two solutions that fit into your Setupcaliper Bars fans, that’s about .004") rummaged in chests, Can’t-missapron pocket. caliperWe use both. cabinets, aprons, and even capitalize on that their desk drawers, to come up 1 innate ability. Unlike with their list of favorites. Measuring cuts to the third set-up blocks, the unique shape While the gift selections will decimal place might sound like enables them to set blades and appeal to woodworkers, I’ve overkill, Wixey’s but minor Dual errors Display quickly bits without needing to stack arranged the list to make sense Calipermultiply from one step to the a bunch of smaller blocks. to non-woodworkers as well. next. With the guide’s help, and an displays assessment of your recipient’s needs, you should find the perfect gift. As for yourself, circle the items that make you salivate, and share your selections with the gift-givers in your life. There’s truly Kreg Precision Router Table Setup Bars something in this for #150664 $39.99 everyone, even those who seem to have it all. 24 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2011 Woodworker’s Wish List Shop-tested gifts guaranteed to please the woodworkers on your list

By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk Freud 10" Thin-Kerf Fushion (40T) #845842 $79.99

PAX 10" Progressive-tooth Crosscut #151313 $129.99 PAX 10" Progressive-tooth Rip Saw #151312 $129.99

Kugihiki Flush Cut Saw #12F24 $27.99

Making the Cut

It might seem that start with a rip saw to cut-tenon users will also appreciate seeing is little more than cutting cheeks and dovetails. In time, less of their stock turned into big boards into small ones. most add a for . The blade’s unique tooth Ask the woodworker, and cutting across the grain, as when geometry, a blend of alternating you’ll discover that how you sawing tenon shoulders. Both top-, double-side grind, make those cuts makes all the feature graduated teeth; and a positive side hook angle, Progressivedifference. These Pair tools can help. smaller teeth at the tip start combine to make an all-purpose 3 and 4 the cut while the larger teeth blade that can rip finishThin-kerf the cut King in fewer strokes. and quickly with no Hand-cut joinery 5 chipping, and crosscut (dovetails, tenons, etc.) starts withNo-set crisp, solution smooth edges. with the ability to saw a straight To woodworkers, installing line. While some say that only a a new saw blade is as sweet as 6 bad workman Pax’s Progressive blames his toothtools, donning a fresh pair of sneakers,Freud’s The name just about says it crosscutskill will onlyand takerip saws you so far. butPremier in this Fusion case, one thin-kerf size is blade all. WoodworkersKugihiki flush-cut of all stripes saw Enter guaranteed to fit all saws. and skill levels will find a place . These for a . saws are a little pricey, but you translates into a little more The flexible problem-solver trims don’t need to buy both at once. power when using benchtop and pegs, , and tenons without Featured products available from Woodcraft Supply unless otherwise noted. Prices subject to change without notice. Most woodworkers will want to contractor saws, but cabinet saw scratching surrounding surfaces. Photos: Jim Osborn Dec/Jan 2011 woodcraftmagazine.com 25 Woodworker’s Wish List

WoodRiver Standard Block #151124 $89.99

Hock Kit #151095 $89.99

WoodRiver Low- Angle #151125 $89.99 Stanley Sweetheart Shoulder Plane #150896 $119.99 IBC Matched Chip Breaker and Blade Set #15802-15804 $99.99-$104.99 Smooth Operators Sweetheart Shoulder Chisel Plane Hand planes can help a stubborn Woodworkers and carpenters tenon slip into a mortise, remove alike will want to stash one comes ready for work. mill marks, edges, in their aprons or toolboxes. Unlike the wooden-bodied and much more without you (Diehards will want both the plane, you can remove the ever walking away from the standard and low-angle versions, Stanley’s front section to work . Here are a few of but beginners may want to start Superthe blade steel into blind corners. Startingthis year’s top blocks problem-solvers. with the low-angle plane. The 12° 11 7 and 8 WoodRiver’s bed angle makes this tool better adjustable mouth block planes suitedTenon for tamers slicing end grain.) Woodworkers who own 9 and 10 a parking lot of hand planes Pinnacle/IBC’sare bound to have matched at least bladeone offer a nice blend of new and old, Much more andtool inbreaker need ofset an upgrade. starting with a knuckle-jointed versatile than its name suggests, lever cap that’s reminiscent of a shoulder plane fine-tunes not can convert a the cap used on block planes only tenon shoulders, but also tired tool into a top performer. more than a half-century ago. tenon cheeks, dados, ,Hock’s The super-thick blade makes The comfortable spoon-shaped shoulderand any surface plane wherekit you need for less chatter and smoother cap snaps onto the blade without to plane into a corner. cuts, and the cryogenically- knocking it out of alignment. A offers an treated A2 steel means few details make them better opportunity to spend a nice more time between than the originals: thicker blades, weekend in the shopStanley’s with the sharpenings. (Replacement tougher castings, and a price reward of a top-shelf tool. For blades are also available for that’s less than the collectibles. a few dollars more, and block planes.) 26 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2011 Online Extra For more great tools go to woodcraftmagazine.com/ Masters of Assembly onlineextras

There’s more to woodworking them capable of reaching into than dovetails, tenons, and where larger cordless tools mortises. Screws are used won’t fit, and the lithium-ion a screw head yet. The laser- for holding tops, securing batteries pack plenty of juice. etched tips on the Phillips and shelves, assembling cases, and The driver’s impact mechanism standard drivers grip the screw’s constructing jigs. Outside of the provides enough torque to power head as soon as you apply the workshop, screws are used for all 3"-long screws into slightest bit of torque; it feels as sorts of projects. Woodworkers without a pilot hole, and without if the screw is stuck to the driver. and weekend warriors alike strippingNo-slip thetips screw’s head. Beyond the tips, the tools boast will find plenty of good uses 13 ergonomic handles that allow Dynamicfor a fresh set driving of drivers. duo WERA 6-piece a firm grip without tiring your set Since switching out my old hands. Tip-identification symbols 12 drivers for the on the handles make it easy to Don’t think you need , I haven’t slipped or stripped find the right driver in a wink. another cordless ? Think again. To keep up with today’s Porterfastening Cable’s technology 12V Drill (and and to Impactsave time), Driver you’ll Set want two, like

. For assembly, nothing’s faster than holes with one tool and driving screws with another. The pair’s compact size makes

Porter Cable 12V Lithium-ion Drill and Kit #847826 $139.99

WERA Screwdriver Set #150470 $35.99

Dec/Jan 2011 woodcraftmagazine.com 27 Woodworker’s Wish List

Fast Finishers

Finishing supplies might seem to hold the allure of a new necktie, but many woodworkers would Earlex Spray Station 5000 be delighted to receive these #147650 $339.99 gifts that will help put a shine to their work. In addition to a few stocking stuffers, we found items WoodRiver to consider if your woodworker Spray Gun has been really good this year. #149388 $34.99 1 Easy Applicators 2 ⁄2" Disposable and Brushes (5 Pack) 14 15 #124954 $8.99 For small to medium-sized projects, most woodworkers rely on wipe- and brush- on finishes. We aren’t above tearing up an old T-shirt, Applicator Pads but almost anyone (10 Pack) disposable brushes #144622 $5.50 applicatorwould appreciate pad 10-pack a fresh pack of or an Spray systems . 16 and 17 For the one who has it all Water-based finishes dry clear and clean up Show me a woodworker with a shop full of tools, and I’ll easily, but they dry so quickly show you a person who’s engaged in a never-ending crusade that it’s difficult to finish Rustagainst busters rust. These items can offer a fighting chance. large surfaces without leaving and Sandflex blocks brush strokes. Spraying is the 18, 19, 20 solution. High Volume Low If rust has a toehold, 6' Protection Radius Pressure (HVLP) guns apply can help undo the damage with just a little elbow grease. VC6-2 Capsule finish onto the work fast, with The silicon-carbide #149661 $29.99 little overspray, and the guns erasers are great are easier to clean than a good for cleaning off brush.WoodRiver If your woodworker Pro HVLP rust, corrosion, Sprayowns a Gun mid-sized compressor scratches, and the Zeruststains from corrosion all is the least expensive inhibitorsmetal surfaces. Earlexway to startSpray spraying. Station No 2' Protection Radius compressor? Step up to the Sandflex Blocks VC2-1 Capsule 5000. keep rust at bay #126425 fine #149662 $6.99 #126426 medium Drawer Liner Armed with a professional by releasing a #124426 coarse #149663 12 × 72" $8.99 gun, this home-shop sized chemical that n $7.99 #149664 23 × 119" $18.99 station holds its own with shields metals pricier28 woodcraftmagazine.com professional models.Dec/Jan 2011from corrosion FREE YEAR! 2 YEARS for $29.99!

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