Rikon Leading the Pack Bullishly in Bearish Market
July 18th, 2009Leave a comment »
Five new band saws from Rikon.
Aside from taking a closer look at Rikon’s new 12-in. Planer/Jointer – and you can watch that video here on the blog – we didn’t have time to cover ALL of the new tools Rikon is rolling out at the show … and man oh man, these folks at Rikon have been busy! Their booth is packed with new machinery. In fact, of all the booths we’ve visited, Rikon has more new products coming to market than the competition–despite the how the setbacks of our economy have impacted the woodworking tool industry. Very ambitious.
Here’s a taste of what’s new from Rikon:
Five new bandsaws in 10-, 12-, 16-, 18- and 22-in. capacities. The 18-in. model is specially designed with digital readout and variable speed, for cutting everything from wood to composites to metal. Prices range from $279.99 to $2199.99.
Four new lathes: two 12 x 16-in.-capacity minis, and two 20 x 37-in. floor-standing models; both sizes available with or without electronic variable speed. Minis are priced at $259.99 for the manual speed-change or $699.99 for the variable speed. Full-sized lathes will sell for $1999.99 or $2399.99, depending on electronic or manual speed changing.
All new mini and floor-standing lathes added to Rikon's product line.
A 4 x 36-in. stationary belt sander with a 6-in. disc, which will sell for $119.99.
Three new planer options: 10-in. and 12-in. planer/jointer combination machines ($699.99 and $1999.99) and a new 16-in. planer ($1699.99).
A one horsepower floor-standing mortiser will sell for $1699.99.
A new powered ambient air cleaner ($329.99).
A Euro-styled panel saw with sliding crosscut table for under $4000.
Four new dust collectors, ranging from 3/4 to 3 hp, that can be converted to draw from either ceiling or floor ducting for improved versatility. Prices were not yet determined at the show.
New panel saw and dust collector options on display at AWFS.
That’s 20 new machines by my count, and an impressive new product line for these times! Sources at Rikon say the new lineup will be available this fall (September and October), so you’ll want to bookmark Rikon’s website (www.rikontools.com) and check it often for new product availability. The new AWFS machines should be added to Rikon’s website now so you can read up on the specs.
Suffice to say, despite the “Great Recession,” Rikon will be there with some solid new offerings when you’re ready to make your next new machine investment.
New Makita 18-Volt Impact Driver Now Better for Woodworkers
July 17th, 2009Leave a comment »
Makita BTD144 18-Volt Li-Ion Impact Driver
There’s no question that impact drivers take the punishment out of driving big screws and lags. But, up until now, it’s been hard to manage all that torque when you need to install more delicate fasteners. Well, Makita’s new 18-volt LXT Li-Ion Impact Driver (Model BTD144) may change how we woodworkers think about impact drivers. This tool is both powerful and precise.
Makita has tamed this beast — which is capable of delivering a whopping 1,420 in.-lbs of torque — by providing a three-speed power selection switch. If you need to drive lag screws, simply set the tool to maximum power for full impact delivery. Want to assemble a cabinet carcase with a handful of #8s? Switch the driver to medium mode, and an internal clutch will limit the impact action to prevent overdriving and snapping screwheads. You can even use the driver for installing tiny screws by setting the clutch to the lightest mode. Each of the three power settings limits both no-load speeds and impacts per minute.
Aside from the power selection feature, the 18-volt LXT comes with a brushless motor, which extends the tool’s service life, makes the motor operate more efficiently and adds 20% more battery run time, according to Makita. It also shaves off a bit of weight and size — the driver weighs just 3.3 lbs with battery. Bits slip easily into the 1/4-in. hex chuck, and you can turn on an LED light under the head when working in dark spaces.
Makita’s new BTD 144 Impact Driver ($349) comes with two 18-volt batteries and a 30-minute charger. Or, you can buy the tool without the charger and batteries (Model BTD144Z) and power it with the 18-volt batteries from your other Makita Li-Ion tools.
If you’re in the market for an impact driver, Makita has woodworkers in mind here. Give this tool a closer look.
Delta Expands Unisaw Offerings with Accessories, Rolling Base
July 16th, 2009Leave a comment »
If you missed Chris Marshall’s in-depth look at many of the great features of the new Unisaw, make sure to click here.
Sand Flee Takes the Hassle Out of Hand-sanding
July 16th, 2009Leave a comment »
Sand-Flee Sf-0904 Portable Drum Sander
Sanding is one of those necessary evils of woodworking, so any means of making the job easier and more efficient are always welcomed! If you’re looking for a quick way to bring a final surface finish to smaller flat surfaces — face frame parts, rails and legs, box components, marquetry and small panels come to come to mind — this new portable horizontal drum sander from Sand-Flee may be your solution. The SF-0904 ($449.95), new to market at AWFS, consists of a 9-in. steel and aluminum drum that accepts strips of hook-and-loop backed sandpaper from 40 to 600 grit. The drum is mounted inside a steel cabinet and driven by a 1/7 hp totally enclosed motor at 1700 rpm. But, what makes the system truly unique is the top: it’s a 12-in. x 17-in. piece of zinc-plated steel. The top pivots up on the end of the cabinet so you can vary the exposure of the drum above the table — and that allows you to take an aggressive first pass or a final sanding pass without leaving snipe or burns.
Sanding drum outfitted with hook-and-loop sandpaper as well as an accessory chuck and abrasive sanding mops.
You simply dial in the table height, lock the setting and slide the workpiece over the drum. A micro-adjust knob puts you in complete control of table height. The tool has a 2 1/2-in-dia. dust port to keep the cabinet and tabletop clean, plus a safety switch and removable power cord.
One end of the drum extends beyond the cabinet to serve as a power take-off, so you can mount a keyless chuck and sanding mops or drums for tackling contour work. An anodized aluminum fence is also sold separately. Here’s a tool that could put your tedious sanding jobs on a much faster track.
Learn more about the Sand-Flee SF-0904 (or its larger 18-in. cousin, the SF-1800) by visiting the company’s web site: www.rjrstudios.com.
Your Personal Backstage Pass
July 14th, 2009Leave a comment »
What’s hotter than a rattlesnake in the Nevada desert this time of year? Well, how about a million square feet or so of woodworking products on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center! That’s right – it’s trade show time again, and this week Las Vegas is hosting the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (that’s AWFS for short). Imagine aisle after aisle of exhibitors showing off the latest and greatest in woodworking machines, hand tools, hardware, adhesives and finishing supplies, lumber and wood products … just about anything and everything a woodworker could possibly need – all under one massive roof.
But, no need to wear out a pair of Buster Browns to see it all – you can get the VIP tour right from our website. Join Woodworker’s Journal staff members Chris Marshall and Lili Jackson as we walk the show for the next three days. We’ll be in hot pursuit of all things new and cool at AWFS, and we’ll share that with you in a series of video blogs shot right from the show floor. Be sure to check our website daily for new updates as well as other print and photo blogs. Then, read about other great products we find in Vegas in future eZines and the print magazine. Hey, this is an event you won’t want to miss, and we’ll make sure you get the highlights. Stay tuned!
AWFS Fair 2009 – July 15-18
July 8th, 2009Leave a comment »
Check back soon for our coverage of AWFS Fair 2009, where we will be the official blog partner for the show.
There will be plenty of great coverage, lots of pics, and tons of video, so come back early and often during the show!
Make sure you’re following our coverage on Twitter and Facebook; you’re not going to want to miss a thing!
