March/April 2021 Archives - Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To

“The Gold Standard” Marks 100 Years

Journal Staff — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:45:09 +0000

Powermatic first emerged in 1921, when Leonard F. Smith, Sr., a McMinnville, Tennessee, vendor of timber and rough-cut lumber, set out to upgrade his product by building a planing machine in the workshop of the family farm. He designed and built a planer that cleanly cut flat boards of even thickness from rough lumber better than any other tool of the day. As word spread quickly about the innovative planer, Smith filled orders to build four more of them for local woodworkers. Not long afterward, he decided to enter the manufacturing business full-time.

Stationary planers, such as this model from the 1980s, became cornerstones for the brand in its early days of manufacturing.

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.

This green Powermatic jointer, manufactured sometime in the 1960s, is still used by a millworks company in Nashville, Tennessee.

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.’

To commemorate Powermatic’s centennial, several stationary tools will feature a black finish with gold stripe. Premiums will be bundled with every Powermatic commemorative purchase.

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

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PROJECT: Bar Height Adirondack Table

Chris Marshall — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 18:10:53 +0000

A perfect addition to our bar height Adirondack chairs, this table includes space to install an umbrella and is easy to make with templates.

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VetsTurn: Helping Heal PTSD Through Turning

Paul Mayer — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:22:34 +0000

Some U.S. combat veterans face a challenging reality when they transition to life back home, as is evidenced by the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alarming suicide rates. While I haven’t served in the military, I often have contemplated these challenges and wondered what I could do to help.

I’m a hobbyist woodworker and woodturner with an active social media presence and a YouTube channel (all under the name “ToolMetrix”), and I felt that something positive could surely be done for veterans through my platform.

Showing off her turned walnut mallet is Christine, a 2020 VetsTurn participant.

When I reached out to the woodturning and veteran communities for guidance, I met several veterans who credit woodturning as a crucial part of readjusting to civilian life. For instance, Burle Christopherson, a retired Army Ranger, explained to me that “turning is the only activity I’ve found that can consistently get my mind to a peaceful place. I literally cannot stay stressed and turn wood at the same time.”

Program Goal, Benefits Through conversations with other veterans who felt the same way, I was inspired to start the “VetsTurn” program two years ago. The goal of VetsTurn is to promote woodturning as a way to help combat veterans reduce the negative effects of PTSD.

Turning a bowl on his midi lathe is Patrick, one of last year’s five VetsTurn participants.

This veteran-focused non-profit Project 147 helps identify combat veteran recipients. Each selected veteran receives a full woodturning setup that includes a new midi lathe, an assortment of tools, wood, other supplies and training materials.

The woodturning community has also stepped up to support VetsTurn in meaningful ways. I’ve been thrilled to receive sponsorships from several well-known companies, including Easy Wood Tools, Teknatool (NOVA) and Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. Through social media exposure, several other vendors and individuals provide support as well. They have offered mentorship, supplies and money to help enhance the program.

Omar, a 2019 VetsTurn recipient (left), works with volunteer woodturning mentor James Carter.

When I launched VetsTurn in 2019, three veterans received woodturning awards. Feedback from them was overwhelmingly positive. “Woodturning has proven to be a great art form to help me relax and clear my thoughts,” says Omar Gonzalez, a 2019 VetsTurn recipient. “When I’m peeling beautiful ribbons of wood, I feel a deep sense of peace, calmness and satisfaction.”

Now a Shared Platform

Gordon, a 2020 VetsTurn recipient, shows the bowl he turned from thermally modified ash.

Through increased community support, VetsTurn welcomed five new recipients last year. As I had hoped, VetsTurn is shifting from being “my” program to a shared platform that allows interested members of the woodturning community — whether that be a vendor or individual — to extend support to veterans in whatever form they choose. I continue to serve as VetsTurn coordinator, promoter and instructor, while members of the community are supporting the program in other ways:

The owner of a Chicago-based retail store coordinated a significant fundraising event to sponsor a VetsTurn recipient in 2021. It will allow the program to serve one more veteran.
A woodworking company sponsored the cost of an additional recipient last year.
Several suppliers have donated some beautiful turning stock and project kits.
Nationally, some woodturning clubs have offered free memberships and in-person support to recipients.
A professional woodturner drove five hours round-trip and donated two days of private instruction to a 2019 recipient. The personal outreach was meaningful, and the results of this training were outstanding.

Training and Support

VetsTurn’s mission is to help recovering combat veterans such as David, a 2019 participant, find peace and healing through a woodturning hobby.

Training and ongoing support are key to helping the recipients quickly and safely gain the skills needed for a variety of projects. Well-known influencer/woodturners George Vondriska and Ashley Harwood have donated a set of in-depth training videos. Last year, to provide personalized training in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began to offer free online training sessions to cover basic skills.

During these sessions, group members could also bring items that they’d turned for “show and tell,” and plenty of time was allotted for questions and answers. The recipients have expressed a strong interest in continuing these online sessions, and I believe it will be an important element of the program going forward.

Getting Involved

Each veteran receives a complete woodturning starter setup that includes a midi lathe, turning tools, chuck, face shield, wood and other supplies.

When I hear the positive stories that result from VetsTurn and see the beautiful pieces our turners are creating, I’m humbled and inspired. I hope to continue to grow VetsTurn to serve even more vets in the future. To follow the progress of VetsTurn and see the work produced by our program’s recipients so far, subscribe/follow ToolMetrix on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. If you are interested in helping with this program or providing a donation, feel free to reach out to me at VetsTurn@Toolmetrix.com.

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PROJECT: Segmented Bowl

Chris Marshall — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:54:15 +0000

Setup Blocks from Rockler and basic bowl-turning skills can help you transform two types of lumber into a snazzy-looking vessel.

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PROJECT: DIY Wall Shelf

Journal Staff — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:52:27 +0000

This economical and practical beginner’s project will help improve your sawing and routing skills.

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PROJECT: Waterfall Veneered Office Desk

Jeff Jacobson — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:29:26 +0000

Try your hand at easy veneering when you craft this sleek desk. We tricked ours out with a wireless phone charger!

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VIDEO: How to Make Segmented Bowl Turning Blanks

Chris Marshall — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 20:30:01 +0000

In this video, you’ll learn how to cut the segment pieces and glue them up to make a segmented bowl turning blank. The new Rockler Perfect Miter Setup Blocks make it easy to cut the precise angles needed to make the segmented frames. These setup blocks feature the angles required to make segmented frames with 4 to 12 sides.

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Woodworker’s Journal March/April 2021

Matt Hocking — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:59:31 +0000

Projects include: Waterfall Veneer Office Desk, Segmented Bowl, DIY Wall Shelf and Bar Height Adirondack Table

Techniques: Sharpening Bowl Gouges, Shopping for Lumber

Tools: Measuring and Marking Tools, Powermatic PM2820EVS Drill Press

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VIDEO: Making and Installing Wood Bow Tie Inlays

Chris Marshall — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 19:24:18 +0000

Cutting bow tie inlays can get pretty complicated with all the angles and mortising. Luckily, Rockler’s Bow Tie Inlay Template System makes cutting both key and mortise fast and foolproof.

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VIDEO: Building a DIY Wall Shelf

Rob Johnstone — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 19:12:31 +0000

Rob Johnstone takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a simple wall shelf. He explains the tools, jigs and techniques you’ll use to create this project accurately every time.

Download the Drawings and Materials List.

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