Cutting the dead wood out and crowning the trees not only makes them look better, but makes them healthier as well.
In a few years the tree with fill in and look better than ever.
Some of those limbs were so large that I saved them. I wonder what I can make with them besides firewood.
Time to gather up all of my bandsaw accessories and wood bandsaw blades so I can re-saw the limbs so they can be kiln dried. Who knows, by sometime next year the lumber from these limbs could be sitting in my house as a table, clock or even bowls and trays.
I sure love the oak trees in my yard but neither I or my lawn mower will miss a lot of those acorns!
Calling all woodworkers! From now thru 7/25/2010, Eagle America is holding a woodworking tools and woodworking accessories inventory reduction sale. There are over 170 woodworking items on sale and you can save up to 64% compared to our regular prices! Router Bits are well represented in the sale, since we are "The World's Router Bit Source". See a wide selection of both Eagle Router Bits and PriceCutter Router Bits as well as some other handy products including router accessories, shaper cutters and saw blades. Click over today and save!
I had a customer call the other day and the Eagle America catalog he used to order from was a catalog he borrowed from his father, that is not that unusual but the catalog was from 2000. He is not the first customer to order from one of our catalogs from several years ago. I’ve asked "Why do you keep them so long" they usually say they keep it for reference. They would see a woodworking accessory or router bits that they had not seen before. So they hold on to it for when they need that item.
A few years back we ran a promotional offer to see who had the oldest catalog and I believe we had multiple customers that supplied us with catalogs from the late 80's and early 90's.
Yesterday's Catalog Today's Catalog
Wow what a difference, so don’t be so quick to toss that old Eagle America catalog it just may be worth something in the future.
Matt Adams Loves Spoons! Courtesy of UltimateClearLake.com
In the article Matt states that his grandfather and mother enjoyed working with wood, so it runs in the family. Matt says, "“I’m happy. Woodworkers, they love what they do. They eat, breath and sleep it. They’re trying to impart wisdom and beauty into the world." I couldn't agree more! When he started making spoons it took him hours, now it only takes him 30-45 minutes and he sells them for $30-$40 each.
So, the question for you today is this - what can you make in your shop that you can sell on-line for a profit? Think outside the box - don't say frames or boxes. What is something UNIQUE that you could make out of wood and sell on-line? You have lots of woodworking tools and woodworking accessories at your disposal, how can you use them differently?
Look around your house at everything and ask the question, "Can I make that out of wood?" Who knows, you could wind up starting a new business! I do know this, Eagle America has all of the tools and supplies that you need to make it happen, click over and take a look.
I am getting ready to start remodeling my kitchen and that includes all new cabinets. As I was thinking about my woodworking tools, woodworking accessories and what router woodworking I would be doing, I started getting things together in my shop. Even though I have a complete shop including a nice table saw set up with a good table saw blade in it, I have come to the conclusion that I need to take another approach to cut all the sheet goods. Having to handle many large sheets of plywood by myself in a limited space would be a real chore.
I decided to invest in the Festool TS55EQ saw and guide rail system. This will allow me to lay a full sheet of plywood on a pair of sawhorses that have rails running between them, to give the plywood full support, layout my components and precisely cut pieces to size. It's a lot easier to flip a 3/4" sheet of ply onto these low sawhorses than to try and wrestle it up onto the table saw.
The great thing about the Festool saw system is that the guide rail will allow me to make my cuts very accurately and very quickly.
What I have been doing is cutting the pieces out of a sheet of ply, slightly oversize with a small trim saw and then re-cut them to finished size on the table saw.
With the Festool saw I can easily and accurately cut the pieces to finished size with the first cut.
It will make my life a lot easier, make the job go a lot faster and probably save a lot of back pain. And to make the decision easier, right now thru July 31st, I can save 10% off the purchase of any Festool saw system at Eagle America.
After doing several projects using the scroll saw, I have come up my own method for changing the scroll saw blades for different types of wood cutting.
I have found that inserting the saw blade becomes time consuming. By using a small clamp to hold the blade steady, it reduces twisting and holds the scroll saw blade vertical for placement.
When I saw Robert Beam’s Isuzu Trooper this weekend at the Green Grand Prix, http://www.greengrandprix.com/index.htm , I couldn’t help but think of all the woodworkers I talk to everyday on the phone at Eagle America that have dust collection accessories filling up with wood chips.
His 1988 Isuzu Trooper runs on wood chips. Yes! Wood chips. He doesn’t use any gasoline in his SUV.
The process, which is called pyrolysis, is accomplished by cooking the wood (under low oxygen conditions) in a wood-gas generator and collecting the vapors, which are then directed to the vehicle's (ideally a truck or SUV with room to carry the gas generator) carburetor to be burned instead of gasoline.
This SUV is able to run 20 miles on 25 pounds of wood chips. How far do you think Robert could go each year just from the sawdust you make from your woodworking projects?
Maybe “making sawdust” someday will have a whole new meaning……..
Visit the Beaver Energy website to learn more about the Isuzu Trooper.
Father's Day is coming in just over 1 month, it is June 20th, are you ready? At about this time every year woodworkers need to make a crucial decision - will I make for him or will I buy for him?
"Everything I am that is good I learned from him. Everything I am that is bad I picked up on my own." (From Kevin H on Flickr)
If your Dad is or isn't a woodworker, maybe you think he would really appreciate the fruits of YOUR labor as a gift. So what are you going to make Dad? Are you going to make him a picture frame, a custom wooden sign, a keepsake box or something for his office? If you know you need to make him something but you have no clue what it is, are you going to try to sit and draw up your own plans or are you going to shop from a selection of ready-made project plans?
Over the coming month I will give you some ideas on what Eagle America has to offer that could make Dad smile this year. With over 6,000 woodworking items to choose from, we have the tools for you to either make or give something special this year.
Also, don't forget about DVD's. There are some great ones out there now covering everything from woodworking tools and woodworking accessories to new and old woodworking techniques!
From everyone at Eagle America, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the mom's out there!
For woodworkers, mom's are a true source of inspiration...so we owe you a lot. Not only do we owe you for taking care of us when we were young, but we owe you for putting up with us. You know what I mean, right?
Not only did you put up with a lot of garbage from us growing up, but you put up with our less than stellar woodworking projects as we honed our craft. Young woodworkers try really hard to make their mom's smile. They slave over their woodworking projects, using all woodworking tools and woodworking accessories at their disposal, to make that really ugly first birdhouse. Remember that first jewelry box you got from high school shop class? It was NOT pretty, but you smiled and encouraged us anyways. Remember that first wooden picture frame and how it was crooked? You still put a picture in there and displayed it on the coffee table in the living room. When it was our birthday or Christmas, you bought us new tools such as table saw blades, a woodcarving set, router bits and sanding sleeves even though you really had no idea what they would create.
You built us up and we will be thankful for that for the rest of our lives. If you are a mom, thank you! If you are reading this and you are not a mom, call yours today and remind her how much she means to you.
My husband Mike is a very accommodating spouse. He is often called upon to make my ideas a reality. Knowing he jumps at any opportunity to use his woodworking tools, a friend showed me some cutting boards in a hen and rooster shape that I was sure Mike could make with little effort.
After I drew the shapes I wanted, Mike took one look and off he went to the lumber yard to purchase local hard maple. He cut the shapes using his band saw with the new bandsaw accessories (cool blocks) he had just installed.
Then he used his scroll saw blades to fine tune the shape. Mike first sanded the rough edges with his spindle sander and sanding sleeves. Then he used the Scuff Ballsthat I purchased for him as a Valentines gift. He used the course one and it worked beautifully. As you can see in the picture, it left the edge very smooth. I love my hen cutting board and I can’t wait for the rooster to be finished.
In early March we posted a story about Duane, a woodworker who is fighting cancer. We are proud to be supporters of WoodworkersFightingCancer.com and of Duane's. It was great to see woodworkers putting their woodworking tools and woodworking accessories to work to support one of their own. It's amazing to see what a collection of caring individuals combined with some router bits and table saw blades can do. Special thanks to The Wood Whisperer for coordinating all of this.
Since then Duane and I have exchanged some emails. He is a wonderful man who cares deeply about his faith, his family and woodworking. When I came in the other day, a package was waiting for me on my desk. It contained a beautiful wooden cross from Duane, a truly unexpected gift. Here are a couple of pictures:
First and foremost, thank you Duane! What a wonderful gift, it is beautiful. Secondly, it is not too late for any of you to donate to the cause. I think this page still allows you to donate but if it doesn't, feel free to donate directly to the American Cancer Society.
I saw this on the news the other day and had to share it with you. I know I am a bit nervous when I use a powerful saw so I check to make sure everything is tightened down not once, but twice. I can't even image how many times I would check a saw like this before using it...apparently the equipment operator doesn't feel the same way!
Could you even imagine this happening to you? I was horrified as I watched the massive saw blade scream across that persons yard. Unreal!
Moments like these, even when out of the context of woodworking, should make you think long and hard about how you use your own equipment. Table Saw Blades, Miter Saw Blades, Band Saw Blades, Scroll Saw Blades, Router Bits and Shaper Cutters...they can all do you a lot of damage. So first and foremost, pay attention when using them! The more you use a tool the more comfortable you get with it...and the more shortcuts you will take. Beware, some of those shortcuts can seriously hurt you. Use your safety guards and equipment at all times.
Calling all woodworkers! Now is the perfect time to load up on woodworking tools and woodworking supplies. Take a look at your wish list because from now thru 4/30/2010 you will pay just $1 Shipping at EagleAmerica.com! All you need to do is use promo code APRIL-ONE during checkout.
So, do you need some new Router Bits? Are your table saw blades dull? Have you had your eye on some new router jigs or router accessories, band saw acccessories or a wood carving set? Now is the time to make them yours since you can save up to $14.95 on shipping at Eagle America. Enjoy!
Here's a news flash - it's spring time! I spent a lot of this past weekend dealing with the inevitable...cleaning out flower beds, getting my garage in order, and thankfully riding bikes with my kids. Two-thirds of that was a lot of work (did I mention that I also mulched my beds on Monday night?) which made me yearn for a lot more fun.
That brings me to you and woodworking. You can put your woodworking skills to work outside this spring by making planter boxes, bird houses, wooden signs, Adirondack chairs and even picnic tables!
You can make these too - put your skills to work!
These are things you and your family can enjoy for months on end, so get out your pencil and paper and sketch up some plans. You can always select one of our outdoor woodworking plans as well. Once you have your plan, put your woodworking tools and woodworking accessories into action and start building! A lot of outdoor projects are much more simple to complete than more complex interior furniture and cabinetry projects. That means it won't take many tools to get some of these basic project done. A Kreg Router Table here, some wood bandsaw blades, table saw blades and woodworking drill bits there...each project will require something different.
Finally, I am a fan of all things Maine and I stumbled across this video from The Maine Wood Treaters, Inc. It is all about assembling one of their picnic table kits.
So, what shape is your picnic table in? Do you need to simply refinish yours this year or do you need to build a new one? If you are building a new one, will you get a kit like this or will you build one of your own designs from scratch? Let us know, comment on this post!
As any passionate woodworker knows, even when you are on vacation, you can’t resist spending some time inquiring about a great woodworking project when you run across one.
When I was on vacation in Tennessee, I spent the day at the Dollywood amusement park.
Not only are there great rides for the whole family but there are many arts & crafts displays.
Dollywood has a working grain mill powered by a water wheel, glass blowing furnaces, a blacksmith shop and to my surprise, a woodworking shop dedicated to building authentic wagons and carriages.
I was like a kid in a candy store when I walked into the wooden framed barn that housed the old woodworking tools and woodworking accessories used to make the wagons and carriages.
All of the wood cutting tools in the shop are authentic to the mid to late 1800’s. The tablesaw, bandsaw, and drill press are powered by an overhead belt and pulley system just as it would have been during that time.
Suddenly, my mind was filled with all kinds of dreams about what it might have been like to change the wood bandsaw blades or table saw blades on that old equipment.
The wagons and carriages are made from yellow poplar, hickory and white ash so you know the woodworkers building the beautiful pieces on display have to be using premium drilling products in the old drill press to get through those hard woods.
Aside from a broom and a dust pan, dust collection is the result of modern health concerns thanks to improvement in science.
If you are ever in the neighborhood or you are looking for a great place to take the family, Dollywood really has something for everyone.
By the way, for those who are interested in buying and wagon or carriage, the ones at Dollywood are for sale and they can make you almost any style you can think of!
Thanks to St. Patrick's Day we are having a Lucky Shipping Sale!
Now thru Sunday, March 21st you pay just $3.17 Flat Rate Shipping on orders under $99 or you get FREE Shipping on orders over $99! It's the perfect time for you to stock up your shop with new woodworking tools and woodworking accessories such as:
Just click over to EagleAmerica.com to see more details on our homepage. It's as simple as entering STPATTY in the Promo Code box during checkout. Enjoy the savings!
Eagle America is well known for having some of the best woodworking tools and woodworking accessories in the business but I bet you never would have thought you could find a tool that is great for tile work there.
The Fein Multimaster is one of those tools. I am currently working on a bathroom remodeling project and found this tool to be indispensable, from the demolition to fine trim work.
No matter how good you are, when it comes to mounting tile, some thin set will inevitably squeeze out between the tiles. This can be a problem when you go to grout the tile if you don’t clean it out before it dries.
In the event that it does dry, you have to chisel it out which takes more time and creates a big mess. The carbide tipped segment saw blade on the Multimaster solves this. Simply attach the blade and turn the tool on and you can quickly and easily clean out your grout lines.
It is even great for those looking to replace grout without disturbing the tile!
The Fein Multimaster has many wood cutting tools, sanding supplies, and other accessories great for any project. Not only is this tool one of the best woodworking tools to have around the shop, it is one of those tools that seems to get the job done when no other tool will.
March Madness Savings have come to Eagle America! Starting now you can Save Up To 60% on 16 different woodworking accessories. Click here to see the complete selection or scroll down for a preview.
SAVE $10 - Miter Gauges
Fit any machine track with a standard 3/4" x 3/8" miter slot
Adjustable stops at 45° and 90° positions
18" guide bars and a pivoting work support body with pointer and calibration readings
One of our regular Eagle America customers, Bruce Millward, is a skilled scroller and he has entered a contest on-line where he would appreciate your votes. Here are some more details:
Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine is holding their "Best Project Design Contest". The voting goes until 2/14/2010, click here to go straight to the voting page. Bruce is entered in the Traditional Fretwork category and his project is #18 and he is also #132 in the Best Overall Project category.
Bruce isn't very happy with the picture that he submitted but he has more on his own website. You can go to www.heirloomwoodsonline.com and follow the link under "What's New" to read a description and see more pictures. Best of luck Bruce!
Are you a scroller?
If you are not a scroller, you should give it a try. Scroll saw woodworking is a hobby that requires an attention to detail but the intricate results that you can create can be amazing. We obviously offer a nice selection of Olson scroll saw blades, scroll saw accessories and an assortment of scroll saw patterns. Give it a try, you'll like it!
“Look up in the sky….it’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s Super-woodworker!”
to lay a full sheet of plywood on a pair of sawhorses that have rails running between them, to give the plywood full support, layout my components and precisely cut pieces to size. It's a lot easier to flip a 3/4" sheet of ply onto these low sawhorses than to try and wrestle it up onto the table saw. 
With the 
up my own method for changing the 
Here I am checking out the gas generator.
As any passionate woodworker knows, even when you are on vacation, you can’t resist spending some time inquiring about a great woodworking project when you run across one. 
Powered by Compendium Blogware