Understanding Origin

So what is a Shaper Origin? “Think of it as a router with a super accurate GPS system,” Jake says. It is essentially a handheld CNC machine.

Shaper Origin locates itself within a workspace created by the user via strips of domino-looking adhesive tape placed on the workpiece. The user can then place a “digital template” onto the workspace, and Shaper Origin machines it by reading the programming. The user steers the tool along a path shown on its touch screen on top. Shaper Origin adjusts its cutting position instantly to correct for minor user errors.

The programming is easy to make on the machine or by using Shaper Studio, and there are also hundreds of designs available at Shaper Hub, including the programming for the clock you see here. That’s one of the best things about the Shaper Origin system. When you buy a Shaper, you get access to all sorts of programming — from plans to hardware installation to templates. There are accessories that add functionality to the tool, too. Learn more by visiting Rockler or at shapertools.com.

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“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our new GRR-RIPPER 2GO technology to the newest entrants to the craft who are learning the fundamentals of working with wood and creating with their hands,” said CEO Bruce Wang. “We’re grateful these young learners are expressing interest, and we hope to provide a safe foundation for a fruitful journey with wood.”

The GRR-RIPPER 2GO, introduced in February, is the first-ever patented color-coded push block. It is designed to allow users to cut thin pieces safely and accurately with no bare-hand feeding, providing enhanced safety and control on table saws, router tables, band saws and jointers. The color-coded design of the GRR-RIPPER 2GO can make it more intuitive for students to use and adhere to proper safety protocols.

With this donation program, MICROJIG is making a significant investment in personal safety for public schools across the United States and contributing to the overall goal of ending table saw injuries.

Middle schools can visit microjig.com to apply for the donation. Additionally, as part of the initiative, MICROJIG will offer a 25 percent discount to all public schools interested in adding other MICROJIG products or additional GRR-RIPPERS to their woodworking spaces.

MICROJIG was founded in 2001 by woodworking hobbyist Henry Wang in his Orlando, Florida, garage. The company has since grown and now offers a total of nine product categories, all aimed at providing innovative solutions for woodworkers to work safely and efficiently. Their flagship product, the GRR-RIPPER, was created to replace traditional push sticks with a safer and more advanced woodworking technology.

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This exhibition featured the U.S. premier of Swedish artist Claes Larsson, known as ClaesKamp, whose expressive woodcarvings reflect his punk rock roots and respond to contemporary issues facing the world.

Primarily creating sculptures out of wood, Claes explores the border between traditional woodwork and the foundational experiences of his younger years with street art and punk. His techniques are surprising and in many ways topple the traditional rules of wood slöjd (handcraft eduction) in pursuit of the next generation of the art form. They invite visitors to reconsider the notion that handcraft is primarily a functional art form or an art of survival and at the same time underscore handcraft’s longstanding tradition as a medium for exchanging ideas.

“As a kid I used to have ‘painting Fridays’ with my dad. He got a beer and I got something with a lot of sugar, we listened to rock n’ roll and painted all night. Never with any demands of certain results or progress, but for the fun of it. That’s where I found art,” Claes says.

Alongside Claes, artwork by local artist Liesl Chatman was on display. Liesl employs kolrosing (fine line surface decoration in wood) and carving as means to process and reflect on lived experience. Among other works by Liesl, visitors were able to view a special spoon-carving project she launched in 2020.

Part of the ASI campus is the Turnblad Mansion, an amazing 1908 structure with a rich history. Within this exhibit were a series of carefully selected hand-carved objects from the historic mansion, which is itself a masterpiece in woodcarving. Throughout the galleries, visitors encountered tools of necessity made and used by some of Minnesota’s earliest settlers as well as sentimental objects brought by Nordic immigrants and passed on through generations. Although separated by time and place, these objects represent the lived experiences of each of their makers and invite visitors to consider how handcraft has evolved over time.

“Leaving Your Mark” coincides with the 100th anniversary of Sätergläntan, one of Sweden’s oldest and most cherished centers for learning and preserving handcraft. Students from all over the world travel to learn from master artisans at this boundary- breaking meeting place and knowledge center in the Swedish region of Dalarna.

Exhibit visitors also were able to view a selection of ASI’s collection of Scandinavian flat-plane figure carvings by Swedish artist Herman Rosell (1893-1969) alongside excerpts from “As It Was Before,” a new publication about Swedish immigration to America.

The American Swedish Institute

The American Swedish Institute (ASI) is a gathering place for all people to explore diverse experiences of migration, identity, belonging and the environment through arts and culture, informed by enduring links to Sweden. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ASI has been a leading cultural institution in the Twin Cities area. ASI is open to the public. Learn more at their website.

All photos are by Claes Larsson PC Rights reserved

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Rockler’s contribution of speaker kits and other tools to the Southside school support Simeon Academy’s carpentry program and inspire students to pursue careers or lifelong hobbies in carpentry and woodworking.

“For many of us, shop class is where our woodworking skills begin and end, but our hope is that through donations like this, we can help young people continue to build on their skills and extend their love of the craft that so many people enjoy,” says Steve Singer, Rockler’s CEO.

Inspiring Futures

Simeon Academy carpentry students worked on the wooden speaker kits as a year-end project, led by instructor Isiah Rowsey.

“It’s always exciting to see students improve on their woodworking skills throughout the school year, and the Rockler Bluetooth speakers served as a fun project to give the students an opportunity to show off what they’ve learned this year,” says Rowsey.

“America needs young carpenters and woodworkers, and our school was fortunate to receive this important donation to give students quality tools and projects to help inspire their futures.”

In addition to the Bluetooth speaker kits, Rockler donated important tools and equipment to the school including high-quality walnut and maple to build out the speakers, dowels, doweling jigs and drill bits needed for assembly.

“I loved working on the Bluetooth speaker project and having the opportunity to learn with quality tools,” says Simeon student Jalen Brown. “I’m really excited to pursue woodworking and carpentry and improve my skills through my classes at Simeon.”

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Within this alliance, Bosch AMPShare-branded 18-volt batteries will power Bosch tools along with select tools made by FEIN Power Tools US, Rothenberger USA and 12 other brands. Those include HONSEL, Ledlenser, Mato, Medmix Cox and MK, Orgapack and Signode, PerfectPro, Steinel, Bosch Rexroth Corp, Titan and Wagner.

This AMPShare platform launched in the EU in 2022.

Bosch explains that AMPShare — Powered by Bosch batteries are rebranded CORE18V batteries that deliver optimal power-to-weight ratio, high-power performance and COOLPACK 2.0 heat management technology. It’s a platform that has proven itself among professional power tool users for a number of years.

Many Tools, One Battery

Alliance partner brands will be developing their cordless tools to use AMPShare batteries and chargers. Current Bosch power tool batteries and alliance products are compatible with the AMPShare battery, as well as future Bosch power tools.

As a couple of examples, the AMPShare battery system is compatible with FEIN MULTIMASTER 500 and 700 oscillating multitools to start, with additional FEIN tools coming soon. The third founding partner, Rothenberger, will off er AMPShare compatibility on select battery-powered products including its press tool, bending tool and vacuum pump in 2024.

While many of these alliance brands are trade-specific, and hobbyist woodworkers might not immediately benefit from AMPShare — Powered by Bosch initiatives, the effort to shift the cordless tool industry away from proprietary batteries and chargers, as well as a willingness to foster compatibility across brands, is commendable. It will be interesting to see if and how these developments influence other major power tool brands in the years to come.

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Drawing from their expertise in designing dust collection systems for large manufacturers, in 1993 Witter and Fedrigon embarked on a mission to create the best possible system for smaller woodworking shops. They focused on a scientific approach using airflow principles, cyclone separators and industrial filter media in correct proportion. Oneida Air’s first offering was a cyclone separator, which drastically improved collection effectiveness for bagged dust collectors.

Within two years, they launched their first motorized cyclonic collector and ductwork design plans for individual workshops. Shortly thereafter, the company came out with the first open-pleated cartridge filters that are the industry standard today. Innovation continued to propel Oneida Air forward, with the ensuing years being filled with groundbreaking inventions. From the revolutionary Dust Deputy cyclone pre-separator for wet/dry vacuums to their highly-awarded Supercell dust collector, Oneida Air continues to spur industry advancement for the betterment of woodworkers the world over. Today the company holds over 59 pending and active patents, with products sold in nearly 50 countries.

Oneida Air has thrived as a U.S. manufacturer of American- made products when many competitors have moved their operations overseas. The company has built a reputation for high-quality dust collection systems, the expert knowledge of its in-house technical sales and support team, and its commitment to helping woodworkers achieve the cleanest shops possible.

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Even though Festool’s new tool releases have been stymied during the pandemic due to supply chain interruptions and computer chip shortages, there are some interesting new offerings, and here are a few of the standouts.

CSC SYS 50 Cordless Table Saw

I finally had the chance to lay hands on this much-rumored cordless table saw, which has been out in Germany for some time. I was not disappointed, and in my mind the CSC SYS 50 was tied for the best in show. Running on two 18-volt batteries, this lightweight, portable table saw features electronic blade tilt and height control. It’s an elegant, well-thought-out new saw that would be at home at any construction site or small shop.

TSV 60 Track Saw

The second ground-breaking new tool tied for best in show is the TSV 60 Counter Scoring Corded Track Saw. High-end table saws have long sported a small counter-scoring blade ahead of the main blade. It turns in the opposite direction of the main blade and cuts a shallow (about a 1/32″-deep) groove, which then allows the main blade to cut through without any tearing of wood grain or chipping of laminate. The TSV 60 is so configured. As with table saws, the scoring blade on this track saw may be retracted for conventional cutting.

CTC MIDI 1 and SYS 1 Dust Extractors

Festool’s current line of industrial HEPA tool-triggered dust extractors only work with corded tools. For cordless models, the existing plug-in dust extractors require manual starting and stopping. The new cordless CTC MIDI 1 and the CTC SYS 1 Cordless Systainer Dust Extractor (which has been on the market for a while) overcome this problem by way of Bluetooth connection to the tool for the stop and start function. It’s a helpful innovation for today’s battery-driven Festool lineup.

KSC 60 Cordless Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Festool’s Kapex KSC 60 Cordless Sliding Compound Miter Saw isn’t brand new, but it was nice to give it a test drive. It worked with the same functionality as my plug-in Kapex 120 miter saw, which I have used for a decade. The KSC 60’s rolling (dolly-like) cart makes for easy transfer from a truck to a work location. Extension tables alongside the saw help ensure fully supported workpieces. For a jobsite where power has yet to be brought in, this saw’s cordless feature will be welcomed.

RCS 18 Recip Saw

Reciprocating saws are in most carpenter’s kits, and the new RSC 18 provided some useful innovations. First is dust collection, and the second is a gyroscopic vibration control system that enables the saw to cut more smoothly and transmit much less vibration to the user than other recip saws I’ve used.

GHS 25 Ear Buds

Festool now offers GHS 25 Ear Protection Buds for safer work in noisy environments. I tried a pair on and found them both effective and comfortable, mainly due to a wide range of rubber adapter plugs that should accommodate any ear canal. According to the folks at Festool, these earbuds offer a 25 dB noise reduction and allow Bluetooth connection to your smart phone for music or calls.

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As both an instructor and a professional woodworker, his niche is Arts & Crafts-style furniture and built-ins, particularly Greene and Greene. “My view is that you can’t improve on perfection,” he says of their style. He offers an advanced kitchen cabinets class in the Greene and Greene-style, as well as project classes on a Greene and Greene clock, blanket chest and barstool.

A course on a Maloof-style rocking chair inspired a separate class on making jigs — students who took the project home realized they couldn’t build more without the roughly 30 jigs used at the school.

Dale begins most classes demonstrating two or three techniques, then lets students get to work, with his assistance as needed. “They’re not waiting in line, or three people watch one guy work,” he said. Students leave with completed projects. “If it’s a chair, they’ll be sitting in it. If it’s a rocker, they’ll be rocking in it. If it’s a table, it’ll be complete and put together.”

Classes vary in length and take place in a 30′ x 60′ two-story shop with a wood floor. Equipment includes SawStop and Powermatic 66 table saws, a 16″ jointer, 14″ and 20″ band saws, wide belt and edge sanders, lathes, routers and a hollow-chisel mortising machine.

Dale and Mary, the school’s administrator, provide all materials, including wood. “We’ll use nice wood so the people are more engaged. You use real cheap wood and you’re not too worried about making mistakes, but if you’re using some nice wood, you’re going to be more careful,” Dale said.

Located near the Hoosier National Forest, the Barnard Woodworking School is an hour away from Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, visit: the-cabinetmaker.com/wood-working-school or call or text 502-551-8889.

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Well, Rockler’s product development team set out to solve this three-handed conundrum with these new Spring-Loaded One-Handed Bar Clamps. They feature a patented internal spring mechanism that retracts the extendable jaw automatically when a metal trigger is depressed. Then, just one or two pumps of the pistol grip tightens the glass-reinforced jaws up to 150 lbs of clamping force. This way, the clamp can be both positioned and tensioned easily with only one hand.

“Many of the basic components of these 6″ and 10” clamps are not much different than other clamps of their kind,” says Jay Owens, one of the clamps’ developers. “Our clamps simply have an additional feature that saves you time and effort.”

Owens says the shroud around the spring mechanism was a big engineering focal point. The spring was exposed in early prototypes, inviting dust to build up in the mechanism and even create a potential pinch point during use.

So the team developed a shroud to completely seal in the spring and rear portion of the clamp’s steel bar.

“We focused on the connection between the shroud and clamp body to ensure that the parts flow together aesthetically and are very durable.”

Another challenge was achieving the correct spring tension. Owens says numerous springs were tested before the team settled on one that delivers “just about perfect” tensioning.

These clamps offer either 6-1/2″ or 10-1/2″ of open capacity and a 2-1/4″ throat depth. Non-marring thermoplastic rubber pads protect clamping surfaces. Available now, the 6″ size sells for $19.99 and the 10″ clamp costs $22.99.

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In 1928, Smith moved his shop to larger quarters in town and named the fast-growing business Powermatic Machinery Company. He introduced several new products, and soon the brand became known as “The Gold Standard.” By 1954, the business was managed by Smith’s sons who constructed a 38,000-sq.-ft. factory on the outskirts of McMinnville. Then in 1958, the company took the bold step of building its own 50,000-sq.-ft. foundry to ensure the precision and quality of its castings.

Fast-forwarding to the present, Powermatic has joined forces with JET Tools, Wilton Tool Company and Edwards Manufacturing to form JPW Industries, which is owned by Gamut Capital Management. The company operates out of its innovation and durability will remain paramount. Woodworking professionals and hobbyists across America depend on Powermatic, and it’s that level of reliability and support they expect from ‘The Gold Standard.’

Learn more about Powermatic’s full line of woodworking machinery by visiting powermatic.com.

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