Attendees will learn how handles for kitchen utensils are turned on a lathe as well as how to attach a handle to the appropriate hardware. They will also be able to sign up for AAW memberships as part of the new partnership program with Rockler.

“Rockler stores have been hosting free demonstrations every Saturday for a number of years, but partnering with the AAW is new and exciting for us,” said Scott Ekman, Rockler’s vice president of marketing. “These sessions offer a unique opportunity for anyone interested in woodturning to learn some tips and tricks, meet other people interested in the craft, and even join the AAW group.”

The demonstration will be offered twice on Feb. 9, with sessions from 11 am to 1 pm and 1 to 3 pm. The AAW members will turn handles for kitchen utensils on a small lathe, sanding and polishing them before completing the assembly with Rockler hardware kits.

Rockler stores across the country (35 of 37 locations) will offer the AAW turning demonstration. To learn more, visit rockler.com/retail to locate the store nearest you.

Aspiring and experienced woodturners should also know that Woodworker’s Journal is partnering with AAW on a free new online monthly publication called “Woodturning Monthly.” It offers content-rich articles from the archives of AAW’s award-winning journal, American Woodturner, which is considered to be the foremost publication on the art and craft of woodturning in the world. Sign up for “Woodturning Monthly” by clicking here.

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Tim Inman: You don’t say where you’re set up, but that might be important to the answer to your question. If you live where some of the poisonous, dangerous types of spiders live, then I would strongly suggest enlisting the efforts of a professional exterminator. Brown recluse and black widow spiders are two that instantly come to my mind. You don’t want to fool with these; neither does your dog. I’m usually as “organic” as possible, but I also subscribe to the IPM theory, too (Integrated Pest Management). Use the mildest, gentlest method possible to deal with the pests, but you do need to deal with them effectively — especially if they might be poisonous! There are insecticides that will control spiders and give long-lasting results. Are you infested with daddy longlegs? Then Imidacloprid would be too much. Black widows? Hit ’em hard and hit ’em fast is my theory.

Chris Marshall: I agree with Tim: it’s time to bring in an exterminator to evaluate exactly what pests you’ve got in your garage. Even though you see a lot of spiderwebs, I wonder if you’re not actually dealing with a form of mites that bite warm-blooded animals for food. Mites are tiny and hard to see, so this might be a case of mistaken identity. We have plenty of spider varieties here in Virginia where I live, including both black widows, like the one I photographed above, and brown recluse. Like you, I have an old yard shed full of wood, and it has its fair share of spider residents. But, I can’t say that I’ve ever been bitten by any of the eight-legged creatures that live out there. Most varieties of common spiders don’t have fangs long enough to penetrate skin deeply enough for us to know we’ve been bitten anyway; the bites are pretty innocuous. So, call in a professional to help assess what exactly is causing this pesky and itchy problem. I hope that brings some speedy relief!

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The Slab Flattening Mill starts with two aluminum extrusions, onto which slides an aluminum router baseplate with handles. The inverted “V” shape of the main rail sheds sawdust and provides a solid base for the mating extrusion. It fits over the inverted “V” and glides on ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene runners. You can mount the Mill to any flat and level work surface — even a sheet of MDF.

When extra capacity isn’t needed, the whole assembly can be condensed down to work on projects as small as cutting boards or end table tops without reaching across a vast stretch of unused space. The Mill’s modular design also enable its components to be stored conveniently when not in use.

The Basic Slab Flattening Mill accommodates slabs up to 38 in. wide by 57 in. long. Four included Slab Clamping Dogs fasten to the work surface to help keep slabs firmly anchored during milling. Woodpeckers provides all hardware necessary to mount the Mill to your workbench or other suitable worksurface.

An extra pair of 72-in. rails in the Extended Slab Flattening Mill kit can either replace the 48-in. cross rails to increase width-cutting capacity, or they can connect with the 72-in. base rails to extend the Mill’s length. Cutting capacity grows to either 62 x 105 in. or 38 x 129 in.

The Slab Flattening Mill works best with 2hp or larger routers, and the router plate is pre-drilled to accept 16 popular router models. For better efficiency and smoother results, Woodpeckers also recommends using larger-diameter “spoilbit” style router bits with this system. The company offers two different bit styles — a 1-1/2-in.-dia. bit from Amana that has four replaceable carbide inserts or a 2-in.-dia. Whiteside bit with four brazed carbide cutters.

Made in America, the Woodpeckers Basic Slab Flattening Mill (item SLBFLT) sells for $799.99, and the Extended Slab Flattening Mill (item SLBFLTXL) is priced at $999.99. You can add the company’s Extension Kit (SLBFLT-EXT) to either Mill configuration for $249.99. Amana’s insert-carbide spoilboard router bit (item RC-2250) sells for $182.88, and Woodpeckers offers replacement inserts for it for $17.98. Or, choose Whiteside’s brazed-carbide spoilt (item 46220) for $79.46.

The Slab Flattening Mill and Extension Kit are anticipated to begin shipping on Feb. 22. Learn more about this system and both router bit options by clicking here.

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– Richard Nichols
Springfield, Illinois

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– Serge Duclos
Delson, Quebec

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“C’mon, Rob, we needed to see a picture of that desk!   My wife asked me for a slant-front desk, and I managed to build three hidden compartments into it. Just because I could. Great article, thanks!” – Paul Vander Woude

“I loved your story about the desk you made 100 years ago with the slot for the fan paper! Do you have a picture of it? I’d love to see it, but not because I want to build one. Just sounded like a work of art. I had the pleasure to meet you when you came to the grand opening of the Rockler Store in Rocklin, California, where I was working at the time. I really enjoy your magazine and your writing perspectives. You make woodworkers feel good about making things, large or small. Take care and thanks from another woodworker fan.”- Barry Watson

“Would be nice if we could see what the $400 desk looks like.” – Tomkin Lee

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