President Dr. Stephen Gass, company cofounder and the inventor of SawStop’s industry-changing contact detection technology, has stepped down from his role as president. Gass has taken on a new role as vice president of innovation, focusing his efforts on developing groundbreaking future products for the company.

Matt Howard, SawStop’s previous vice president of marketing, has now taken on the position of company chief executive officer. Howard has been with the company for nine years with a long career in sales and marketing for manufacturers.

In addition, Patric Clewing has become the company’s chief financial officer. Clewing has worked within the Tooltechnic Systems (TTS) Group for more than two years and previously was SawStop’s vice president of finance.

Commenting on these personnel changes, Gass says, “I love this company and am proud of our people, our products, and the difference we make every day. I’m excited to be able to focus entirely on invention and innovation, knowing that the stewardship of SawStop’s strategic and day-to-day business is in good hands. Matt has proven himself to be smart, energetic and passionate about SawStop, and he is surrounded by a stellar team of executives, managers and contributors, including Patric, our new CFO. Great things are ahead for the SawStop team.”

Howard adds, “SawStop is a special company. Here, people take care of each other and work hard every day to protect and inspire woodworkers. We are fortunate, graced with stellar dealers and supply chain partners. We’re a bold group, eager to take on the big challenges. I’m thrilled to be a part of it all and am thankful to Steve and the whole team for the strong company they have built. I will work to keep the road ahead clear so this team can continue to run at full speed.”

Established in 1999, SawStop is the world leader in table saw safety. Each SawStop saw stops and retracts the blade on contact with skin. The company’s saws are designed to minimize saw-related injuries and the costs associated with them. SawStop is a proud member of the TTS Tooltechnic Systems group of companies and was acquired by TTS in August 2017 (you can read more about that by clicking here).

Learn more about SawStop and its products by clicking here.

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Tim Inman: This is a question best asked of the paint makers. It is also a question best asked BEFORE you do the project. I would probably opt for a poly clear coat surface, all other things being equal. Nothing will hold up forever, given the constant disinfecting wipe-downs. Which will last longer and better? Which can be recoated periodically with the least trouble is a question to ask, too.

Chris Marshall: Real world experience is usually the best teacher, as we all know. So, I’ll share a bit of my experience about polyurethane’s durability over time. Back around 2005, I built a cherry kitchen table for our magazine. I finished it with oil-based satin polyurethane (probably Minwax®). That table has seen regular wipe-downs for three meals a day at our house ever since. The top probably could use refinishing now, after 14 years of family life, but it’s still repelling water and other spills just fine.

Polyurethane goes the distance on bare wood, like my table. But will a coat of polyurethane improve the durability of enamel paint, too? I suspect that it will, and I’ve wondered the same thing myself. However, I don’t have “real world” experience to confirm or deny it. I agree with Tim: ask the technical folks at Pittsburgh Paints and & Stains. And, when time is on your side, experiment with poly over paint to see for yourself. Surely it will be worth the effort.

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The Cigar Humidor Turning Kit incorporates a hygrometer with an analog dial that monitors the interior humidity. If more moisture is needed, the user can add a drop or two of cigar humidifier solution or distilled water to a foam disk in the bottom cap. The cigar rests on a platform above the foam disk to keep it from absorbing too much moisture.

The kit requires a turning blank measuring at least 2 x 2 x 6 in. long (not included). Users cut the blank in two and drill 1-1/16-in.-dia. holes down the center of each piece with a Forstner bit (sold separately). The kit’s aluminum tubes are epoxied to the inside of the blank sections, much as brass tubes from a pen kit are glued inside the sections of a pen blank. A set of bushings sized to the final diameter of the humidor is available for purchase separately so the sections of the blank can be mounted on a standard pen mandrel for turning.

“This is a truly unique kit that’s fun to turn,” says Steve Krohmer, Rockler’s vice president for product development. “The result is a handcrafted, functional humidor with a great fit and finish.”

Rockler’s Cigar Humidor Turning Kit (item 52105) is priced at $19.99, and the Bushing Set (item 57951) is $9.99. Both can be purchased at Rockler.com or at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware stores nationwide, as well as through the Rockler print catalog.

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– Jim Wilson
San Marcos, Texas

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– A.J. Hamler
Drums, Pennsylvania

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