Wood Cutting Tools

As product manager for Eagle America, I am always looking for innovative, high quality woodworking tools and woodworking accessories for our customers. Denker Carving Tools are just one of my latest finds.

These revolutionary new carving tools are proudly made in the USA and are designed to rapidly remove large amounts of wood material in a sort amount of time, all while being much safer to operate than traditional carving means.


They are great for hollowing out logs to create custom bowls, trays and carvings.


The hard steel tubular cutters slice away as much or as little material as the circular cutting edge can touch. These wood cutting tools can even cut the toughest hardwood, knots, and end grain.

The folks over at ThisIsCarpentry.com recently posted an article titled "Why Hand Tools (Still) Matter".  The author, Keith Mathewson, did a great job pointing out exactly what the title states.   Some of the points he makes are:

• Sometimes the fastest method is still the oldest
• Hand tools often do what power tools can’t
• They give you precise control, ensuring a perfect cut

So what kind of woodworker are you?  Do you rely mostly on power tools?  Are you an old-fashioned hand tool kind of person?  As much as we here at Eagle America focus on power tools (after all, have you ever tried to use router bits by hand, without a router?!?!), our customers often tell us that their most prized possessions are old woodworking tools that have been passed down from previous generations.  There's just something about those old wood cutting tools that bring nostalgia to the forefront.  Often we hear about cabinet making tools like old hand planes but sometimes we hear stories about other woodworking accessories too.  So which woodworking tools in your collection do you cherish?  Let us know, post your comments to this blog post. 

Also, if you are looking for new hand tools, did you know that Eagle America carries a nice selection?  Click here to see our selection of Hand Tools and Planes.

Judges at this years IWF (International Woodworking Fair) in Atlanta, GA. have previewed hundreds of entries for this years Challengers Award® Competition and have determined the top twenty-two new products that have risen above the competition. Read more . . .


One of those top new products is the Tornado Filter Cleaner, which is available at EagleAmerica.com. This is one of those woodworking accessories your shop shouldn't be without! Woodworking tools work best when they are clean and shop vac filters are no exception.



Dust produced by wood cutting tools such as tablesaw blades, shaper cutters and routers bits can be fine and once packed into a pleated filter, difficult to remove. Then you have to beat the filter which only produces more dust.


This innovative product solves this issues by using centrifugal force to spin the dust out of the pleats, all while inside of an enclosed bucket which makes for less mess and easy disposal.

Hey there woodworkers!

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.



The fourth book is the Woodcarver's Guide To Sharpening, Tools And Setting Up Shop. This book has a ton of helpful information on wood carving tools, wood carving techniques, and the proper techniques for sharpening wood cutting tools with difficult profiles.


Click on the images above for more information on these books and to see the free inside previews. I hope you check out these exciting new titles!

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.

I also like to keep my scroll saw blades organized.  I recently purchased from Eagle America a scroll saw blade container.  Eagle has a large selection of scroll saw blades and scroll saw accessories as well as other woodworking accessories. Have you tried out the new scroll saw sanders?  They really take the work out of  sanding!

I would rather blog about new woodworking tools and woodworking accessories or woodworking tips and tricks, but every once in a while a sale just needs to be mentioned. 

Eagle America has taken 10% OFF of over 300 Flexcut Wood Carving tools! 

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.

 

                                                              

Roman replied:

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:

Spring is in full bloom all around the USA, which means if you live anywhere that experiences a cold winter you are just itching to get outside.  When you venture out of your wood shop and into your yard, don't neglect your tools!  Did you know that a lot of your woodworking tools or woodworking accessories are multi-purpose?  That's right, they can even help your aching green thumb!


The easiest and most obvious set of woodworking tools that can help you outside are your safety supplies.  From ear protection to eye protection to skin protection, you need to keep yourself safe both in and out of your shop.  Here are some of my quick suggestions:

AM / FM / MP3 Ear Muffs

This is simply one of my favorite woodworking accessories.  I use them in my shop but also when I am mowing the lawn!  I plug in my iPod, start the mower and go.  My kids actually look jealous of me.  I tell them every day that when they are older they can use them when they mow the lawn for me every week.









Tough Nitrile Gloves

There are all kinds of hazards when you are working in your yard or around the house.  These gloves will help protect you when you are putting down fertilizer, spraying for bugs or staining your deck.  They even come in handy for me when my kids want to paint in or outside of the house.










Handyman Nail Finder

This is the best nail finder we have ever seen!  If you are going to be outside you will likely be keeping your eyes open for new stock that can be used to make some future woodworking projects.  Whether you are salvaging some old boards from your deck, barn, boat or construction site, this nail finder can come in very handy.  It won't really be used on outside projects as much as the other ideas mentioned in this post but it will keep you safe once you get those new found treasures back in your shop for later use.








Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats

These come in very handy in your shop and they can outside as well!  If you are anything like me you will spend a lot of time on your feet outside this summer.  These will keep "those dogs from barking" too loud whether it is when you are on your feet in the garage or standing all day at a local craft show or county fair while you try to sell some of the projects that you have made over the winter.









Bionic Face Shield

Who said wood cutting tools aren't versatile?!  There are many, many things that you need to protect your eyes from while outdoors.  This face shield could be the answer for you if you are really kicking up some debris in your yard or when you are pressure washing the second floor of your house with some strong chemicals. 








I know some of these might seem like a stretch to you but the point is that you should keep safety in mind at all times, both in and outside of your home.  This can be even simpler for a woodworker because you might already have the tools for the job in your shop.

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.

The one tool I noticed was missing from the shop was the dust collector and dust collection accessories.


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!   

I am sure by now you have heard the news but there are HUGE SAVINGS available on some of your favorite woodworking tools and woodworking accessories.  Festool does not allow us to put their tools on sale...so this is a special occassion.  We have made a special Festool Sale category here. Click over and save on some of your favorite wood cutting tools!  Eagle woodworking tools and accessories are known for their quality and it doesn't get any better than Festool.  Enjoy the savings!

One day not long ago, I stopped into a local store, a thrift shop that benefits Habitat for Humanity. In the mood to bargain shop, I was looking for whatever good deal on woodworking tools and woodworking accessories I could find.

It turned out that I hit pay dirt. Not on tools but I found interior door knobs for my basement doors that had gone unfinished for the past year – I found five for $10 each.

Then, I stumbled upon a large beam covered with paint dirt and a few nails for $30.

Could this be my future mantel? It’s dimensions looked good, 5-1/2” x 11-1/4” x 14’-8”.

I couldn't determine the wood species at the time but it was heavy, over sized and a fantastic price.

I couldn't be happier – items I actually needed for less than $100 – Such-a-deal!

Since then… the doorknobs are in the doors. But, the beam has yet to be hung. Bummer!

Well all that changed last weekend - I started to prep the lumber, first removing the nails with a Nail Finder so I did not ruin my wood bandsaw blades and then prepping it for the dimensional size I needed.


I discovered that the well tattered lumber was actually a beautiful, tight grained piece of clear Douglas Fir.



I found the beam had a fairly pronounced twist so I cut a lot of the fat off with a band saw.


Then I got busy with my hand planes.



This process is never easy but it can be ultimately rewording to work so closely with the wood, smelling its scent and manipulating the shape.

 

The final step in prepping the wood stock is to add a texture.



For that I used a Festool  850E Planer with an Undulating Head (814-1612).

 

It wasn't easy but I’m happy with the results thus far.

Staining and installation is next, I’ll let you know how that works out.

Last Saturday a customer came in to the Eagle America outlet store carrying a cardboard box with what looked like plastic bottle, a length of old steel fence, a nice block of wood, and something wrapped up in an old towel. 



He wanted to know how cut a mortise to mount the old steel fence in the block.  




I picked up the piece of old steel fence and was surprised at how light it was!  It was wood!



He had used wood carving tools to carve the fence post out of wood along with the rusty bolts that were to be mounted in the post!



It turns out that Keith McClintock is a bird carver and was getting his project ready for the Ohio Decoy Carvers and Collectors Association (O.D.C.C.A) competition the following weekend.




The project included an impressive carving of Prothonatory Warbler.  

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.


One of the features I was most impressed with was the carbide tipped segment saw blade.

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.

The other day, my April 2010 #211 Fine Woodworking magazine showed up in the mail. As usual, there were lots of wonderful projects to admire or at least, be jealous of the amount of time these woodworkers have to work on their projects. I think I speak for most woodworkers with day jobs that wish we all had more time to commit to our projects.

On the last few pages of the magazine I ran across an article about turning scrap wood into small platters or bowls. I instantly thought of the ever increasing pile of scraps in my shop. In between all of my other projects this last weekend, I sorted though the scrap wood pile and found a piece of mahogany and a piece of black walnut to get me started.

I laid out a few basic profiles on the scrap pieces that resembled something close to the images of the projects in the magazine. I grabbed a few band saw accessories and headed over to my band saw where I attached all of my dust collection accessories. A few quick cuts with the band saw and I was ready to carve out the center of the little bowl.

Before I went to town with my wood carving tools, I used a premium drilling Forstner bit to hollow out the bulk of the material. After carving out the center, I took both pieces over to my spindle sander where I used sanding drums and sanding sleeves to finish the edges.
With a quick hand sanding, I was ready for finishing.


To finish my little bowl and platter, I used a food safe salad bowl oil just in case my wife decides to use them for serving snacks.


Overall, this project took a few hours and quickly turned a few scraps into some Fine Woodworking!

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!

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!



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!

On Saturday, February 6, 2010 Dave R. posted a few questions regarding my post on the Kitchen Cabinets I made.

Dave wrote:

Very well designed and built cabinet unit. Would you please describe what slides you used for the pullout work surface and how you reinforced its mounts against the considerable loading that could occur, e.g. while using it to mix and knead bread dough? Also, what did you use in finishing this project?

My response:

Dave,

Let me start by saying that the pull-out took a little more than just your standard cabinet tools and hardware. Since the pull out is made from 2" thick hard maple and weighs approximately 40 pounds I needed to build the cabinet to support it.

The sides, back, base, and top are all made from 3/4" solid core white oak plywood and held together with Titebond glue and Kreg pocket hole jigs screws. Some people would say this is overkill but I build things to last.


The glue-ups for the top needed to be re-enforced so rather than using dowels or biscuits, I pulled out my Festool Domino and used the largest domino tenon Festool makes. There are 4 domino's in each joint to add rigidity and support when someone is pounding on the top. The domino's also help lock the wood together so as it expands and contracts, it moves as one continuous piece of wood. If you don't have a Festool Domino, you can do the same thing with long dowel pins that run through all of the pieces.

I should also tell you that on the back side of the pull-out there is a piece of 2" angle iron supporting the 47" wide pull-out and the white oak face is 3/4" thick and held to the front of the pull out with Kreg pocket hole jigs screws and Titebond glue. 

The hardware I used is a set of the Accuride self-closing series ball bearing drawer glides with a 100 pound load rating. These work great and allow the top to move in and out of the slot freely. 

After the cabinet was built and the pull-out installed, I cut and installed a center support inside the cabinet and secured 3/4" slick strips to each side, similar to drawer runners/supports. I used my router table and fence and roundover bits to round over the top edges to help reduce any gravitational forces that might increase the chance of any potential bowing over time. This may not have been necessary but it put my mind at ease. 

To finish the project, I used a clear semi-gloss polyurethane applied with my Earlex HVLP sprayer, one of the best woodworking accessories for your shop! I thinned the mix and applied at least 5 light coats with minor sanding in between. 

The cabinets work great and everyone is happy. Can't ask for any more than that!

 

My weekly review of woodworking articles turned up the story of a fascinating man.  You can see the article here in the Burbank Leader about Anthony Szik, a true survivor.

Anthony is a survivor in every sense of the word.  He survived a bombing that killed his mother and sister during World War II and he survived a stroke that permanently cost him the use of his right arm.  However, he did not lose his love of woodworking!  Only one year after his stroke, with only one good arm, Anthony was back in his shop doing what he loves to do...woodworking. 

This article made me think of the many retired and semi-retired woodworkers that come to visit us in our Eagle Woodworking Outlet Store in Ohio.  They are dedicated to their craft, to their hobby, and it helps many of them forget about the many ailments that they may be dealing with.  It is a pleasant distraction from life, some peaceful time alone in their shop with their woodworking tools, woodworking accessories, and a to-do list that only they control.

The question for you today as you read this is - how dedicated to woodworking are you?  Is it a hobby that you would fight for if a doctor told you that you shouldn't do it any longer?  If you were really ill or recovering from a stroke like Anthony, would you be "tough as wood" and fight to get back to your shop?  For some people woodworking is simply a light hobby, but for others it is a passion.  Neither is right or wrong, I am just always intrigued by people pursuing their passions no matter what they are.


If you are not passionate about woodworking but enjoy to fiddle in your shop, what could help you light that fire? 

• Could it be attending a meeting of a local woodworking club or guild to network with other woodworkers? 
• Could it be time for you to register and take some woodworking classes to expand your knowledge of the craft?
• Could it be that you simply don't have to tools to get the job done?

The first two bullets above help you to build your knowledge which would get you on the way but without the right tools your new passion will remain parked in the garage.  Does the list of tools you need look too long?  Do you know you need:

• Wood Cutting Tools of all shapes and sizes
• Router Jigs and Router Accessories
• Woodworking Router Bits
• Table Saw Blades
• Wood Carving Tools
• Etc., etc., etc.

We at Eagle America would be more than happy to help you get your shop up and running so you can pursue that passion.  If you don't know where to start, send us and email or give us a call.  We have a number of woodworkers on staff (many of whom are semi-retired) that will shoot you straight on exactly where you should start when adding to your tool collection.