“In opening this store our goal is to make it more convenient for, and to better service, both the woodworking hobbyist and the professional, in the southern Boston, Cape Cod, and northern Rhode Island market areas,” Gary Lombard, Woodcraft vice president for retail/franchise development, said.  “Our Woburn store currently serves the north side of Boston, so we thought this location would complement its operation and offer easy access to Woodcraft in the greater Boston area.”

The new Walpole store offers an extensive display of quality woodworking equipment and supplies for building cabinets and furniture, woodturning, woodcarving — anything involving working wood.  Check out the store’s interior by viewing the video on their store website.  Woodworkers will also be able to take classes at Boston – Walpole as they do at the other Woodcraft stores.

Manager Jerry Klevas has an extensive woodworking background that includes building custom furniture in his own shop prior to joining the Rhode Island Woodcraft store, first as assistant manager and then as manager until the store closed after the owners did not renew their franchise.  Some of Jerry’s work includes this Grandfather clock, crib and blanket chest.

“The thing I miss the most since the Rhode Island Woodcraft store closed is the interaction I had with the friends I made while working there. I really can’t say they were just customers, because I got to know a great many of them over the 5 1/2 years, helping with tool selection, plans, techniques and such along the way,” Klevas said. “I look forward to seeing these friends again and to making new ones.”

Jerry’s assistant manager is Wally Dewey.  Wally is a woodturner and woodworker who likes to build cabinets and furniture.  In addition he owns his own business called Monkey Bars Garage Storage Solutions.  Wally said, “This new Woodcraft store has a warehouse look to it with it’s high ceiling structure that really “wows” the customers.  We’re not sure how we are going to use this extra space yet, but we’ll be sure to come up with something creative.”

So be sure to not only check out all that the new store has to offer, but also get to know your knowledgeable Walpole Woodcraft team.

Tommy MacDonald, host of the Boston-based public television show Rough Cut –Woodworking with Tommy Mac, showed up soon after the store opened to present Klevas with a “store warming” gift – a laminated coat rack he made for his season two show.  The rack features different species of wood combined using stack lamination.  Tommy also posted a comment on the Rough Cut  Facebook page:  “This sure is awesome!! 10,000 square feet!!  This place is my new home base … Woo-hoo!!!”

Let’s take a tour with Aaron Smith, Walpole’s store Social Media Specialist.

Now our RFC, Scott Dixon kindly refers to Aaron’s title as the Social Media Store Comedian.  In this video by Aaron you will see why, as he shows you how to get to the new store.  We know you will be in a huge hurry to visit, but please be sure to follow the speed limits!

For information about store hours, location or products, contact the Boston – Walpole store at (508) 668-2413 or visit the store website.

Be sure to check out, “LIKE” and post on Walpole’s new Facebook page.

To learn more about Woodcraft, the industry leader in providing a wide variety of top quality products, educational opportunities and one-on-one guidance to woodworkers of all skill levels, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft.com. For more information about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit www.woodcraftfranchise.com or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com. 

The smooth pivoting action, and minimal blade exposure during the cut is ideal for starting a cut in the middle of a panel.  This design allows the blade to pivot into the material smoothly and accurately. Precision cuts starting from any point are easily accomplished. The track saw can be used for many common tasks: Ripping sheet goods, creating straight edges on rough stock, jointing boards, cutting to scribe lines on doors and cabinets, cross-cutting, and creating openings in panels, sections of flooring, and cabinets.

Now available at your local Woodcraft store or on-line,  the TS REQ is accurate and versatile.  It is not your typical circular saw when compared to the most advanced table saws, miter saws or panel saws available.  Add in its incredible portability and ease of use, you have a precision-cutting solution like no other, at home in the highest-end cabinet shop as well as an onsite remodel.  With the addition of micro-adjustable depth controls and a flat housing for flush-cutting against walls or adjacent surfaces, the TS 55 REQ is Festool’s most advanced plunge cut saw ever.  Take the tool to the work and replace large stationary equipment with an incredibly precise, handheld unit.  You’ll save your back, while getting more out of your expensive materials.

Electronic variable-speed control automatically maintains a constant blade speed under load, and the soft start and automatic idle cut down on operator fatigue and noise. Surprisingly, the Festool TS 55 REQ uses a 6-1/4″-diameter blade, but still provides a 1-15/16″ cut at 90° and a 1-7/16″ cut at 45°. Festool TS 55 REQ includes a T-LOC Systainer SYS 4 storage box, 48-tooth carbide tipped blade, 55″ guide rail, limit stop, and chip deflector.

The rail system has 3 foam/rubber grip line pads to ensure solid contact with your working surface.  Keeping the pads and top of the work surface clean before the cut will maintain a non-slip cut each and every time. Pads may be cleaned with a light use of isopropyl alcohol and are also replaceable.

Features & Benefits:

• When used with Festool guide rails, you can achieve perfectly straight and splinter-free cuts that reduce waste.
• Spring-loaded riving knife (splitter) retracts automatically, keeping the cut kerf open so that the material does not pinch the blade, reducing the chance of kickback.
• The slip clutch helps to minimize the risk of a kickback and minimizes wear on the blade, gear case, and motor.

• Blade changes are easier and safer using the FastFix system which locks the switch and arbor simultaneously for easy arbor bolt removal.
• Rotating dust port keeps hose out of the way
• 3-bearing motor for smoother operation

Here’s a demonstration of the all-new Festool TS 55 REQ including the quick and easy blade change,

Now you can have your favorite Woodcraft woodworking magazine at your fingertips.  Or better yet, don’t use your fingers, make a stylus from our selection of wood, acrylic blanks and stylus kits!

Check out all the great projects, tools & techniques, articles and suggestions with every issue of Woodcraft Magazine.  Look for Rough Cut’s-Woodworking with Tommy Mac on the front cover of the June/July 2013 Issue 53 of Woodcraft Magazine, coming May 28th!

Put some mobile tech savvy into your woodworking and download the Woodcraft Magazine App today!  Digital subscriptions are not inclusive of paper subscription purchases.

auf Wiedersehen…Frank!

All these perks are good, but the new woodworking perk is GREAT!  A newly added WOODCRAFT mini-store and state-of-the-art WOODSHOP, for Facebook employees use only, have just been added to the Facebook Campus!  On Tuesday, April 30^th, San Carlos Woodcraft owners, Eric and Charmaine McCrystal and their crew held an open house for the employees of Facebook introducing them to the new Woodshop on the Facebook Campus.

“This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done! Facebook has allowed Woodcraft to come aboard with an innovative idea to teach creativity in their workplace environment.”…Eric McCrystal

Several vendors participated in the open house and there were free hot dogs and drinks available to all.

The San Carlos California Woodcraft store has teamed with Facebook to offer it’s employees a place to take their minds, hearts and hands to new levels of imagination and constructive productivity.  According to San Carlos Woodcraft owner, Eric McCrystal, “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done!  Facebook has allowed Woodcraft to come aboard with an innovative idea to teach creativity in their workplace environment.”

Inside the Woodcraft mini-store, Facebook employees will find a complete woodshop set up and ready to facilitate any and all of their woodworking aspirations.

After taking a three hour safety class, taught by the Woodcraft crew, the new Facebook employee woodworkers can schedule shop time to work on any woodworking project they desire, from turning to furniture building.

Facebook has purchased some of the best tools available for use as a perk by their employees and have provided an ideal work space for their convenience.

Woodcraft of San Carlos is providing the knowledge, expertise and supervision of the shop.  They will teach all safety classes and offer a complete schedule of woodworking classes that will be available Monday through Saturday to the employees of Facebook.  The shop will be open daily Tuesday through Friday.  In addition Woodcraft will maintain the inventory of project supplies and consumables including lumber, finishes, glues, small turning kits and turning blanks for purchase.

Other merchandise will be available to students in the shop as needed and will be transferred from the store, usually in a day or two.

Laser engraving is also available and Facebook is considering bringing in a CNC machine in the future.

The new shop drew lots of interest from the Facebook employees, many of which commented that they could not wait to begin working in the shop and wanted to get signed up for the safety class as soon as possible.  It is Facebook’s goal to have additional artistic presence on campus through this program where the Facebook employees can express themselves through all woodworking venues and to help alleviate work related burnout.

Close to one hundred employees signed up initially to receive notice of the class schedule which should begin the first week of May.  It is hoped that as word spreads and woodworking projects start to appear across the campus, additional employees will take advantage of this service.  This is a whole new concept for Woodcraft and for Facebook.  Eric and Charmaine anticipate a very successful venture with the Facebook group.  We look forward to seeing all that comes from this endeavor.

Woodcraft Regional Franchise Consultant, Ron Young stated, “This is a great opportunity for Woodcraft that we hope catches on to the many other tech companies in providing these same perks to companies such as MicroSoft, Apple, and Google.”

This is also a fantastic opportunity to bring woodworking to the new and younger generations, helping it thrive for generations to come.
So stay linked as the employees of Facebook join the wonderful world of woodworking!
Be sure to check out these Woodcraft Facebook pages:
Woodcraft’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/WoodcraftWoodworking!

Woodcraft San Carlos Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SanCarlosWoodcraft

Woodcraft Magazine Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/woodcraftmagazine

auf Wiedersehen…Frank!

Woodcraft of Cincinnati Ohio reopened Monday, April 29th.  Located at 11711 Princeton Pike at the Tri-County Towne Center, Cincinnati area woodworkers will have an expanded product selection, enhanced inventory, expert assistance and new classes in which to develop woodworking expertise.  Within the walls of this 20,000 square foot facility, you will find this handsome crew, ready, willing and able to help you make wood work.  Left to right, back row are, Tim Sexton, Brian Taylor, Jim Borman, John Godfrey, Bob Biggs, Anthony Leone and Allen Lindsey.  Seated are manager Pat Burton, assistant managers, Tim Royse and Gary Berling.  Not pictured, but part of the team are Chris Ruthemeyer and Jim Hall.

Gary Lombard, Woodcraft vice president for retail/franchise development, said, “The store recently closed temporarily to allow the transition of ownership.  We have used that time to enhance the quality and quantity of products in stock and believe our Cincinnati-area woodworking customers will appreciate the changes we have made.  The Cincinnati area is home to a lot of woodworkers, and we are proud to call many of them our customers.  “We anticipate serving this area’s woodworking community for years to come.”

(Click to enlarge all photos)

Take a walk through the Pagoda, where you will find many of the Japan Woodworker products.

And for your special cut needs, just ask any employee to saw up your purchased boards to your specifications.

Regional field consultant, Brian Taylor commented, “We did not want to lose the opportunity to service the customers in the Cincinnati area.  Increasing the woodworking customer base from over 11,000 currently, where we can get the latest tools and classes to aspiring woodworkers and enjoying what they create is an amazing thing to be part of.”

According to new manager Pat Burton, “We want to help support the community with woodworking area clubs, and create a higher awareness of woodworking to the younger generations through kid’s clubs, schools and Boy/Girl Scouts of America in this area.  Woodworking is not just about sales, but creating relationships and continued woodworking education for generations to come.  Pat comes to Cincinnati Woodcraft from the Greensboro, North Carolina Woodcraft store.  His years of being a woodworker and in management will guide the Cincinnati store to new heights with customer involvement.  Pat said, “We want the employees and this store to be part of the customer’s clubs and community, not just a place where they shop and spend their hard earned money.” Left and below are two examples of Pat’s furniture building expertise,

Woodcraft of Cincinnati features over 13,000 square feet of retail space, which includes a huge library with fireplace, and widescreen TV.

Also inside the store is a very large classroom that will host regular woodworking classes and activities for area woodworking groups.

Here was some of the action during the Grand Opening Day.  Pat and John accepted a spalted cedar plaque with stain cut glass and goblet inserts from Dave Bobinger, as a thank you for their fine service to him over the years.  Dave has been a loyal patron of the Cincinnati store, stating, “I purchase all of my tools from Woodcraft, including my bandsaw, drill press and pen kits as I love turning and helping our Veterans with Woodcraft’s Turning for Troops Program.”

Another gentleman we met during the opening day was Bob Adleta, who is shown below with his new Nova 1624-44 variable speed lathe and stand.  The swivel head stock was an advantage to his purchase decision, saving his back during his bowl turnings, along with the fact that the stand came with this model lathe.

Other folks were choosing their favorite wood, checking out the new Tanos Systainers and signing up for our “Get The Edge Sweepstakes”.

America’s oldest and largest woodworking retailer, Woodcraft offers high quality woodworking tools, products and education through its more than 70 stores nationwide, the monthly catalog, Woodcraft Magazine and company website, www.woodcraft.com.

For information about store hours, location or products, contact the Cincinnati store at (513) 407-8371 or visit the store website: www.woodcraftohio.com.

Check out the Woodcraft Cincinnati Facebook page!

To learn more about Woodcraft, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft.com.  For more information about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit www.woodcraftfranchise.com or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com.

If you desire a longer stylus without the pen, try using the Razor Kit Replacement Tubes, Item #154094 or the European Mont Blanc Magnifying Glass Replacement Tubes 5 Pack, Item #124983, a Stubby Stylus Kit, Item #153726 or #153727 and separately sold stylus tips to create a double-ended stylus for your iPhone, iPad or favorite touch screen electronic device.  The stylus tips come in colors of black, blue, pink, yellow and red.

In this build, I used the following items:

Maple Burl Stabilized Double Dyed Pen Blank Green/Yellow 1-piece, Item #157761
Woodcraft Gold Threaded Stylus Tip Black, Item #154650
Stubby Soft Touch Stylus Kit Gold, Item #153726
Magnifying Glass Replacement Tube, Item #124983

I wanted my stylus to have a unique look so I added a contrasting piece of maple from my wood bin.  This also brought out the smaller golden colors within the green dyed maple blank.  I cut the Birdseye Maple at a 45 degree angle, about 1/4″ thick.  I also cut my green maple burl blank at a 45 degree in the middle.  After gluing the 3 pieces together with Titebond Wood Glue, I drilled a 7mm hole for the tube.  Using my Whiteside Pen Mill Set, I squared the ends of my pen blank and proceeded to turn the blank to my preferred shape.

After sanding with my Abranet Woodturner’s Sanding Pack, I finished with Mylands High-Build Friction Polish, followed by Stick Fast CA Wood Finish Glue with the Micro-Mesh Pen Sanding Kit, Item #145982.  For that lasting shine, I added Hut Ultra Gloss Plastic Polish, Item #129302.

As an option, some turners prefer Hut Crystal Coat, which is sold separately or in a Turner’s Finishing Kit, Item # 153666.

The finished double-ended stylus is complete and is about the size of a full pen length at 4-1/4″ in length.  The CA finish will provide a strong shiny finish for use that will outlast every new phone upgrade for years to come!

So, think out of the box and use your imagination.  Let’s see what you come up with; share it here on the Woodworking Adventures Gallery!

auf Wiedersehen…Frank!

It is very cool to know that this guitar for Dolly has a connection with Woodcraft and we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it all.  I would also like to state that during my phone interview with Jim and his family, they kindly invited us to their home where we met some of their musically talented friends.  Pictured right is David Davis with Darin Lawrence.  Darin is director of Woodcraft’s product development team and is a long time musician.  He accompanied me on this trip, in what I hoped would be a jam session!  We were not disappointed!  Darin has actually accompanied many professional musicians including Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House and traveling circuits in the past.  Having Darin along for this blog story was fun and entertaining to say the least, and I thank him for taking the time.  In the photo above, Darin checks out another guitar made by Jim.  Jim’s home was filled with handcrafted instruments, ready for the playing!

Carrie’s sister, Cheryl Riddle works for Dolly Parton as her personal assistant.  The sisters put their heads together and came up with an idea for Jim to make a guitar for Dolly’s birthday.  Little did he realize he was the one to get a surprise visit to meet and present the guitar personally to his  favorite all-time country singer.  The family dragged Jim to Nashville under the pretense that he was just delivering the guitar to Cheryl!  You can imagine his surprise when Dolly came walking out to greet them!

Some of the wood Jim uses in his guitar builds are harvested right from his land.  Other wood and most woodworking supplies Jim, Carrie and Ken get from being patrons of Woodcraft in Parkersburg.  Dolly’s guitar has a maple front, spruce top, padauk sides and back with maple butterfly inlays at each fret position on the bloodwood fret board.  Below are the different build stages through completion.

Jim, family and friends join in on the successful completion of Dolly’s guitar gift.

Jim presented the guitar to Dolly in Nashville at her studio and Dolly surprised Jim with a cake and a song, celebrating both of their birthday’s together.

Jim amused, “Dolly might write a song with the new guitar, and I might get a royalty check… for a buck!”  He also stated, “Dolly was very nice, down to earth, and just like one of us; we had a great time with her!  Dolly loved her new guitar, especially the butterfly inlays and was excited to know it was all hand built just for her.  She played us some tunes and sung happy birthday to me.”

Here are some additional guitar creations by Jim, Carrie and Ken.  Note Carrie’s detailed carvings on the fret board.

Mandolins by Jim:

Jim, Ken & Carrie also make countertops and cabinetry:

Special thanks to Jim and his family for their fine hospitality, treating us like family, and spending the day with us.

We hope this inspires you to be creative in your woodworking.  You never know who you might get the opportunity to share your woodworking with!
So get to your local Woodcraft store or go on-line, then head to your shop and make a difference!  If you are a newbie, start with a woodworking class, and have some fun!

auf Wiedersehen…Frank!

Tool Tote by Mario Rodriguez

Lamp by Tom Svec

Table & Benches by Ken Burton

Birdhouse by Collin Kidd & Jim Harrold

The Tools & Techniques area of the magazine include a Complete Guide to Woodworking Glues with a Glue Chart you can hang in your shop for quick reference.

The Restoring Outdoor Projects article will give you the know how in adding years to the life of wooden lawn and patio furniture.  In a six-step methodology, this issue shows you how to Tackle Tablesaw Tear-Out.  In the Well-Stocked Shop category, we’ll show you how to stock your shop with the correct Angle Measuring Tools, with a Bevel Gauge, a Digital Bevel Gauge, Analog Protractor, and a Digital Angle Gauge.

Our Hot New Tools reviews products of Odie’s Oil, Chappell Universal Center and Gauging Squares, the Jorgensen Casework Claw Clamp, Tight-Spot Sandit Sanders, and Big Gator Tools V-Drill Guide.

There are plenty of Tips & Tricks sent in from woodworkers just like you, and our Woodsense in this issue puts the spotlight on North America’s do-it-all lumber, Birch.

This is the best woodworking value for $5.99 that you can get, even better than McDonald’s with less calories!!

So shed some light on your woodworking with Woodcraft Magazine, Issue #52 for April & May of 2013, at your favorite newsstand, Woodcraft store, or on-line today!

We’ll see you at the next Woodworking Adventure,
auf Wiedersehen…Frank!

For the past nine years Woodcraft customers and employees have been turning wooden pens on or near Veterans Day to send to military personnel on active duty overseas and in rehabilitation facilities and hospitals as thank-you gifts.  To date, 97,717 pens have been turned in the Turn for Troops program.

On Saturday, April 6, at 1 p.m. volunteer turners at the Parkersburg, West Virginia, Woodcraft store will be “on duty” again, this time turning purpleheart wood into pens to be presented to military personnel who receive the distinguished Purple Heart Medal.

The Purpleheart/Purple Heart project is the brainchild of Military Chaplain Mike McCawley, one of Woodcraft’s contacts for distributing the Turn for Troops pens.  When he was given some choice purpleheart wood it sparked the idea for “purpleheart pens for Purple Heart recipients.”  Since he needed help with turning the wood into pens, he contacted Woodcraft.  Woodcraft agreed to help and organized the Saturday turning event, as well as spreading the word about McCawley’s idea.

Area woodturners are welcome to join in the purpleheart turning event.

Dating back to the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit or Decoration of the Purple Heart was established by order of General George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782, at Newburg-on-the-Hudson, New York.  No awards were presented after the end of the war, but it was revived by presidential order in 1932.

Initially those eligible for the award included any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces after April 5, 1917, was wounded, killed, or died or might thereafter die of wounds received in one of the following circumstances:

• In action against an enemy of the United States.
• In action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
• As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.
• As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.

Later amendments added eligibility in other circumstances such as international terrorist attacks, military peacekeeping operations outside the US, friendly fire incidents and being held a prisoner of war, as well as removing eligibility for civilians.

Woodcraft Supply, LLC, is the industry leader in providing a wide variety of top quality products, educational opportunities and one-on-one guidance to woodworkers of all skill levels. For more information about Woodcraft, please contact the store nearest you, visit www.woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482. To learn about Woodcraft franchise opportunities, visit www.woodcraftfranchise.com or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com.

Join us Saturday, April 6th for this special event at the Parkersburg, WV Woodcraft store.

Once again, this event is only at the Parkersburg, WV Woodcraft store location.
Keep turning those pens!
aufWiedersehen…Frank!

In the second video, Rob Cosman demos the same dovetail techniques with verbal instructions and tips (which adds to the definition of multi-tasking!), in about 3-1/2 minutes with planing both boards at the end.  In any event, time is just for fun and not really the issue when creating fine furniture.  The true knowledge and craftsmanship of all three professional woodworkers here is very apparent.

Enjoy these 2 videos!
Thanks guys for showing us that it’s just that easy!

Check out all the fine Dovetail Saws at Woodcraft…

and all the instructional DVD’s by Rob Cosman, all here to help you make wood work!