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Elbo Tool Hollowing Tool

Dec 152006
 

Elbo Tool Hollowing ToolThe Elbo Tool’s innovative design almost eliminates the drudgery and physical exertion associated with end grain vessel hollowing. With a minimum of set up time, it readily attaches to any lathe without retaining bars or special hardware. One end clamps to your lathe’s tailstock barrel while the cutting arm slides over your tool rest. Three elbow-joint pivot points let you guide the cutter effortlessly. No more tense muscles or bone jolting rides as you hollow. Pull the cutting arm out of the tool holder section and you can insert your favorite 3/4″ round shafted hollowing tool. Purchase a separate Elbo Tool Adapter – 1/4″ Adapter, 3/8″ Adapter, 1/2″ Adapter or 5/8″ Adapter – and you can use any round shafted hollowing tool from Sorby, Oland, Crown or other manufacturer. A minimum of 24″ from your vessel’s edge to your tailstock barrel is necessary for installation, so it will fit most full sized lathes and mini-lathes with bed extensions.

A Laser Pointer can be mounted to a Magnetic Base that attaches to the cutting arm, so you can judge the thickness of the vessel’s side in relation to the cutter. Use the Square Adapter Tray if you want to mount the laser and magnetic base to a round tool. A 1″ Round Steel Cutter (199919) is available for smooth cutting, or choose the 1/2″ Nano Carbide Cutter for the ultimate sheer cut.

The basic Elbo Tool includes: clamp assembly, 2 pivot arms, 14″cutting arm, and tool holder with 1/4″ cutter. All accessories sold separately.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information on the full line of Elbo Tools we offer.

Hydrocote Resisthane Plus

Dec 012006
 

Hydrocote Resisthane PlusHydrocote Resisthane Plus proves itself as a top waterborne finish. Recently, in a Finish Test conducted by Fine Woodworking Magazine, Hydrocote Resisthane Plus was selected as “Best Value” from 13 highly regarded waterborne finishes. The testing considered various factors such as: ease of application, adhesion quality, surface hardness, heat and stain resistance, along with clarity and color.

Ease of application must be consistent whether the finish is being brushed or sprayed. Utilizing industry standard methods of evaluation the finishes were tested for vertical sag, brushing and spraying. The Hydrocote rated excellent for vertical sag. For both spraying and brushing properties, a finish was rated excellent if it dried flat with no bubbles and if it sprayed in a similar way as solvent lacquer. The Hydrocote rated excellent in all three areas.

All of the finishes were run through an amazing battery of tests to determine their level of durability. In what they called their “Peel-a-way Test”, a large X was cut into the finish with a knife, packing tape was applied and then removed. This was to determine the level of adhesion. In a heat resistance test, steel bolts were submerged into a pot of boiling water then removed and immediately place on the finished surfaces. 24 hours later the test pieces were examined. They were inspected for damage to the surface and to evaluate what would be required to return the surface to original condition. For the “Stain Resistance Test” everything shy of the kitchen sink was utilized. Vinegars, mustards and other items were left on the surfaces for 24 hours (a test that is utilized by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufactures Association).

Ultimately, Hydrocote Resisthane Plus ranked as Best Overall Waterborne finish. It was determined to be the clearest of all of the finishes that were tested and ranked as excellent in most all of the areas evaluated. Vertical sag, brush and spray application, and adhesion. Obviously, a finish should be rated based on performance (as in the Fine Woodworking test), but the Hydrocote Resisthane is also a value in cost. It can be found in both Clear Gloss and Clear Satin.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information.

New Highland Woodworking Giveaway!

Nov 152006
 

Enter for a Chance to Win a New Kind of Power Tool: an Apple® MacBook Pro Laptop!

Enter the Highland Woodworking New Kind of Power Tool Giveaway!

Visit Highland Woodworking starting Nov. 1st to Enter Our New Giveaway!

Computers are everywhere these days, but few woodworkers have realized their value in the design & layout of projects from the simplest jewelry box to the most complex piece of furniture. Highland Woodworking is now giving you the opportunity to win a new kind of power tool to take your woodworking to a new level!

Visit the Highland Woodworking website and enter for a chance to win:

  • 15″ Apple MacBook Pro Laptop
  • Parallels Software & Windows XP Pro
  • SketchUp Pro 3D Design Software that is powerful, easy to learn & a blast to use. It’s the perfect tool for your woodworking projects. Give it a try at www.sketchup.com.
  • OtterBox Rugged Laptop Case
  • $100 Highland Woodworking Gift Certificate
  • Prize valued at over $3,000!

Registration opens Wednesday, November 1, 2006, and deadline for entry is 11:59pm ET on Sunday, December 31, 2006. Multiple entries are valid, so enter as many times as you like!

See Official Giveaway Rules & Guidelines

Kreg R3 Rocket Jig Kit

Nov 152006
 

Kreg R3 Rocket Jig KitThe R3 replaces Kreg’s popular and portable Rocket pocket hole jig. It has some premium upgrades and a lower cost. The R3 jig has 9 settings for
varying wood thicknesses from 1/2″ to 1-1/2″, so you get the right spacing for the right screw. A glance at the applied reference chart tells you what you need to know.

Kreg includes a new clamp pad adapter that is compatible with C-clamps, Quick-grips or Kreg face clamps (sold separately). Probably the best new feature is the carrying case that keeps all your Kreg paraphernalia compact
and accessible. A built-in gauge sets the stop collar on the step drill without trial and error.

The R3 includes a 9-position jig, clamp adaptor (clamp not included), step drill bit w/stop collar, 6″ driver bit, a sample of screws and plugs and a plastic storage case.

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information.

HemlockFest 2006

Nov 012006
 

HemlockFest 2006 Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Forest Hilyer (706 265 5282) or

Murray Lamb (706 973 9067)

You can help Save the Hemlock Trees: Hemlockfest 2006

The Lumpkin Coalition (a non-profit 501c3 charitable organization) announced today the second annual Hemlockfest in North Georgia. Hemlockfest 2006 will be held at Starbridge (just one hour north of Atlanta near the historic town of Dahlonega) on November 3 & 4.

The survival of hemlocks is being threatened by the woolly adelgid, an aphid like insect introduced from Asia and now spreading through the north Georgia forests. This benefit will raise funds and awareness to help save these magnificent trees that arguably define southern Appalachia and keep our rivers cool enough to sustain such temperature-sensitive species as trout and crayfish. 100% of donations/proceeds from the festival will go toward advancing the hemlocks defense against the woolly adelgid. Our efforts last year contributed significantly to the establishment of a beetle (which prey on the adelgids) rearing lab at the University of Georgia.

FireDance as well as Music from such genres as singer songwriter, bluegrass, Celtic rock, and jam band will be performed. Family and child activities will also take place and food, drink, and t-shirts will be available for purchase. “Terrapin Brewing Company” from Athens, Ga. will team up with “The Crimson Moon” from Dahlonega, Ga. to offer a wonderful selection of food and drink.

Tickets for the two day two night (primitive camping option available) festival range in price from free (for those under the age of 15) to the pre-sale prices of $15 for Friday, $20 for Sat, $30 for both days (add $5 for each night of camping and another $5 to each day for last minute gate price). Special student rates are available with ID.

Donations and/or ticket purchase (100% tax deductible) may be made in the forms of check or money order and made out to -Lumpkin Coalition- and mailed to 3865 Dawsonville Hwy, Dahlonega Ga. 30533, or by credit card through a pay-pal service at the following website: www.lumpkincoalition.org. Tickets will also be made available at various locations around Dahlonega TBA.

For directions or further information (on the hemlock/woolly adelgid issue, the bands, ticketing, where to make donations, how you can help, etc.) please visit our website at www.lumpkincoalition.org or e-mail us at: info@lumpkincoalition.org. You may also call: Forest Hilyer at 706-265-5282 or Murray Lamb at 706-973-9067.

The Lumpkin Coalition is a 100% volunteer nonprofit 501c3 charitable organization that formed in 2005 to address issues concerning North Georgia, Lumpkin County, and its residents. We are dedicated to preserving quality of life for all those who share it. To this end we support the preservation of a clean and healthy environment, responsible living, and responsible growth.

Amana A.G.E. Series Saw Blades

Nov 012006
 

Amana AGE Saw Blades

Highland Woodworking is excited to introduce Amana’s A.G.E. Series saw blades. These German-made saw blades are significantly less expensive than other professional quality blades, yet deliver impressive performance.

Unlike most so-called “bargain blades”, these are all a full 1/8″ thick, have precision ground, resharpenable carbide teeth, good tooth geometry and careful machining. What they lack are heavy advertising, fancy packaging and special coatings. If you don’t want to spend a gang of money for specialty tooling like laminate and non-ferrous metal blades, or if you just want a couple of first-rate back ups to your standard blades, then these Amanas are an excellent choice. Now you can afford several specific blades instead of relying on your old combination blade for everything!

Visit Highland Woodworking for more information

Woodturner’s Bandsaw Blade Kudos

Oct 152006
 

Hello Highland Woodworking,

Recently I purchased some of your Woodturner’s Bandsaw Blades, plus a few new items to help rebuild my 15 year old Delta 14″ bandsaw. As a professional woodturner-studio artist I just wanted to pass along my observations: namely, these are the absolute BEST bandsaw blades for woodturners. Over my 25+ years of woodturning I have tried them all, every brand, every configuration including carbide tipped (very expensive but nice) … but these are incredible. I just mounted one and began trimming a fresh chuck of green ambrosia maple, very wet and heavy. The blade never stalled, never even whimpered … and I am sometimes a bit aggressive.

Add to this the rapid response time from your store and the fast delivery, and you can mark me a VERY satisfied customer.

Please feel free to use this as an endorsement or recommendation or whatever. I have already passed along the info to several other woodturners I know and I expect some of them to also switch to your blades. Keep up the good work!

Dick G.
AAW Honorary Lifetime Member