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 just added 4 great new woodworking books to the Eagle America library.
The first book is by famous Ohio based woodturner Ernie Conover. The Frugal Woodturner gives you an in-depth perspective on the woodworking tools and woodworking accessories used by woodturners today and in years past. Ernie even shows you how to build your own wood lathe just like the ones our forefathers used.
The second book is all about How To Make Picture Frames. This is probably one of the best picture framing books I have seen. There are many techniques that use a woodworking router table and wood router bits as well as several easy and unique designs to help you add just the right custom look to you pictures.
The third book is about Getting The Most From Your Wood-Buying Bucks. This book is a great reference for woodworkers of any skill level. The book addresses almost every question you might have regarding cutting lumber, drying it, and selecting the best yield for your projects.
I stumbled across this article on Gizmodo about a woodworker named Clayton Boyer. Of course it features some amazing woodworks of art, some intricate clocks such as the one pictured below:
Time for me to get to work, this would take me forever to make!
Boyer thinks that "anyone with a little determination can put together any of his clock designs". He also goes on to say that "skill level is not as important as perseverance". So what are your thoughts on that? Do you agree, is skill level not as important? Post your thoughts to this blog post.
I tend to think that it is a combination of 3 things: the skill level of you as a woodworker, the determination and patience to see a project thru to completion, and the woodworking tools and woodworking accessories that you use to complete the job. A good craftsman never blames his tools, rather he appreciates how good tools can make his life a lot easier. Whether you are talking about router bits or router jigs, shaper cutters, a wood carving set, wood bandsaw blades or even something as simple as sanding sleeves, quality tools help you get the job right done the first time. Which tools can you just not be without when you are heading into a big project?
The offer ends 5/31/2010 so you should click over today and take a look at our selection.
Out of all of the wood cutting tools that we offer, carving tools could be the least intimidating. It comes down to you, a piece of wood, and a hand tool.
If you are an experienced carver, I am certain we have what you need to add to your collection.
If you are new to carving, I would suggest getting a wood carving set to practice with. I know you will enjoy it!
As a customer service representative at Eagle America, the interaction that I have with our customers is one of the best things about my job. When I hear, "my project came out exactly the way I wanted it to" or ”the router bit did exactly what I needed it to do" it brings a smile to my face.
Recently, I received an email from Roman and he was simply letting us know he was happy with the shaper cutters that he had ordered from us. He was trying to match a profile from an old building on the south side of Boston. Well you can see for yourself how happy he was and what the final result was.
Roman writes:
Sirs:
Back on 2/25, I ordered a set of exterior door shaper cutters and I felt compelled to tell you how satisfied I was with them.
I was commissioned to build a replacement exterior door for an old building in South Boston. I needed a set of shaper cutters that offered a similar profile to the original and that were milled to match each other for a snug fit. The 285-8512 set I received was perfect for the job. I was building this door from 1-3/4" thick Poplar and wanted to use my Delta shaper to carve each cut with one pass. Setup was easy. Most importantly, the fit between the joints was perfect, making an extremely tight fit to make the glue-up snug and reliable. A minimum of sanding supplies were needed to finish my project.
The price you charge for these shaper cutters were also attractive; especially when you consider that you also include both 1/2" and 1/4" center panel cutters and bearings. Most of the time these are only supplied at an extra cost.
Rest assured that I'll order again from Eagle America if this product is representative of the other cutters you provide. Shipping was quick and much appreciated.
Sincerely, Roman
I asked if he would be willing to forward some photo's of his handiwork and he was happy to do so. Here are the before and after photo's of what Roman did with our shaper cutters.
All of the buildings in S. Boston butt up against each other but they are painted differently. Thus the red/black stripes behind me. This place is modestly sided but trimmed nicely.
The lumber I used was "torrified" Poplar. Yes, that's poplar with no finish on it. They take the lumber and heat it to about 240 degrees until all the cells shrink and the wood turns that brown.....almost burned color. Since the cells are shrunk, water has no affect on it like normal lumber. It won't swell or shrink or split or check. It's extremely stable and perfect for outdoor projects where you'd normally use cedar or teak. It glues up extremely well. I used Titebond's waterproof adhesive.
The cutters I bought provide me with about 5" of gluing surface on a 1-3/4" thick board. So, the joints are extremely tight and should last for many years.
Here's a close-up of the fit. The rain started just as I loaded my tools into the car. The door is simply wet, here. Torrified lumber takes on a deep......very deep hue when you oil it or wet it.
Roman
Another project that went as planned, as I smile to myself!
As you get to know me you will quickly find out that I like to laugh at myself. There is nothing more therapeutic than a good laugh...which is why I almost spit water onto my computer monitor when I received the following picture from one of our business partners:
Whoever added the "Yep, It's Wood" portion to the cover did a fine job! Here is a link to the actual book on Google Books, we must give credit where credit is due after all. We hope you are laughing at this as well R. Bruce Hoadley!
So if you are looking to learn a lot more about woodworking, whether it's about Router Jigs, Cabinet Making Tools, Wood Carving Tools or more, make sure you click over to EagleAmerica.com.
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!
Being a woodworker for several years, I have seen many injuries. You would think that some of the worst would be from power tools however, most of the worst injuries I have seen have been due to carelessness with hand tools.
Any wood cutting tool can be dangerous but one of the most consistent injuries I have seen are the result of carelessness with wood carving tools. Most professional wood carvers have learned to protect their hands over the years due to injuries they have sustained, so beginners are the ones to look out for.
A quality wood carving set can have some of the sharpest tools a new woodworker as ever used and one slip can create a long and deep cut with surgical precision. I always recommend to anyone purchasing carving tools they invest in a carving glove. They cost much less than a trip to the emergency room! Carving gloves are designed to be worn on the hand that is holding the item being carved. Some of the best gloves have dual protection. A Kevlar body with a leather palm. The Kevlar will help prevent a knife or gouge from cutting you while the leather helps prevent something from going in between the weave of the Kevlar. A carving glove really is one of the best woodworking accessories you can have in your shop!
This week I found an article from the Chillicothe Gazette in Chillicothe, Ohio about preschoolers and teens connecting through woodworking. It's a great, quick read about a preschool that is located right next to the high school shop class. In essence, the older kids are sharing their craft with the preschoolers. What a great example for YOU!
Please teach me how to make stuff!
Woodworking is a hobby that needs to be shared with the masses, are you doing your part? Did you know that due to budget shortages all around our country, school woodshops are being closed and programs are being cancelled?! It's a shame that an entire generation of kids will not be exposed to our craft...so it is on all of us to keep it alive!
Imagine how much better you could teach them than Lowe's!
So how can you spread the word? When people ask you about your finished projects, or compliment your handy work, volunteer to tell them how you made them! If a child marvels at the box you made, take them right out into your shop and show them where you made it. Show them the cabinet making tools you used to refurbish the kitchen, show them the Kreg pocket hole jigs you used when building that new end table, let them cut a piece of scrap wood with your wood bandsaw blades, let them whittle with your wood carving set, let them go to town on some scrap boards with your woodworking drill bits.
Just 5 minutes spent with an open eyed child could create a woodworker for life!
My weekly scouring of the internet for woodworking related articles this week led me to the Southern Oregon Mail Tribune web site. They did a great article on J. Chester "Skip" Armstrong that I found fascinating. He has become famous thanks to the art he creates using his chainsaw!
J. Chester "Skip" Armstrong
His wood works of art are not of the normal rough, chainsaw variety. His sculptures are amazing and I bet if you didn't know any better you would never guess that he used a chainsaw to make them. You can see a gallery of his work by clicking here.
I like this one Skip, I wonder why!
People like Skip amaze me. I don't know about you but I have a hard enough time controlling a router or scroll saw let alone a chain saw! I don't care how slow I go, I still have a hard time controlling scroll saw blades and wood bandsaw blades no matter how many scroll saw accessories or band saw accessories I use. Sure, I am a novice woodworker and that explains the majority of it. However, I am nervous to use a chainsaw to simply cut down trees, let alone to do intricate work like this. There is no limit to the amount of sanding supplies I would need to fix all of the mistakes I would be sure to create.
One aspect of woodworking that I have not tried to date is wood carving. I am sure with the right wood carving set or wood carving tools I could make SOMETHING out of a log, but something like this?!?! Forget about it!
Which brings me to my point. Artisans like Skip should not scare us into not trying something new. It is tempting to watch a skilled craftsman and say, "there is no way I could ever do that" and then just give up without trying. Don't be afraid to try something new, you will never know what you can accomplish if you don't try.
I was reading the news today and an article on Yahoo News really caught my eye. The headline reads, "Holiday Sales Strong for Independent Master Woodworkers". I don't know about you but over the last two years there has been so much bad economic news that I was very excited to see something good...especially when it could impact my woodworking family and friends. The article mentions some unique materials that are being use for Pen Turning and cites a couple of examples regarding how it was a successful holiday season. That made me think about you! Was your holiday season a success as a woodworker?
I know leading up to Christmas we were helping people work on a number of projects and use a number of tools not limited to:
Making Bowls and Trays (pictured) with their router templates, router jigs and router bits
Making Keepsake Boxes, often with Eagle router bits and a router table system of some kind.
Picture Frames were also a very popular gift, given the flexibility and creativity that their favorite router and wood router bits provides them
Pen Turning allowed people to make gifts for many people all at once, plus they made the perfect stocking stuffer.
Wood Carving Tools, especially a new Wood Carving Set, came in handy when making truly unque gifts
My question to you today is this - what did you make for your loved ones this year? Were they as excited as you thought they would be when they opened their gift? Don't just tell me what you made, also tell me what tools you used to make them. Which woodworking tools, woodworking bits or woodworking accessories really came through for you in the clutch?
Check out these great new woodworking accessories we have just added to Eagle America's product line:
Zerust products help make the fight against rust easier by creating an invisible vapor shield around all metals preventing corrosion of any kind. Great for router bit sets, table saw blades, woodworking bits, wood carving tools and all other woodworking tools that are made with metal. These products can even be used with garden tools, toolbox contents, firearms, jewelry, and more. It protects metals like brass, aluminum, copper and silver from tarnishing. Designed to work in many environments, especially where there is high humidity, Zerust will protect your tools because the VCI molecules are heavier than the moisture molecules on metal so they displace them, coating the metal and preventing corrosion. Vapors will not harm wood or wood surfaces.
The VC2-1 No Rust Vapor Capsule coverage area is a radius of 2' from capsule placement for up to 1 year. Great for tool boxes, safe deposit boxes, small safes, drawers and router bit cases.
Zerust drawer liners grip items in place, keeping your shelves, drawers and tools from damaging each other while protecting them from the harmful effects of corrosion. These liners have an estimated life span of 5 years and can be trimmed to fit.
This post comes from Bruce, one of our Eagle woodworking store associates.
"Not being able to find a set of plans that satisfied me, I searched the internet woodworking forums, blogs and historical sites for shave horse designs. I boiled my choices down to six different versions but none of them flipped my switch.
Not wanting to spend a lot of money on this project, I searched around my shop and found just enough scrap and woodworking accessories to build my shave horse. Eventually, I decided to incorporate some of the design features I liked online with some of my own.
In the end, I came up with this very friendly shave horse which is very adjustable and allows me to maintain a nice height while pulling my draw knife and other wood carving tools through the material, regardless of the stock thickness. Not bad for a weekends work in the shop!
Now, my shave horse sits on display in the Eagle AmericaOutlet library for all of our visitors to see. I guess I will have to build another one..."
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I was commissioned to build a replacement exterior door for an old building in South Boston. I needed a set of 
I was reading the news today and an article on Yahoo News really caught my eye. The headline reads, 
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