Popular Woodworking 2004-11 № 144, страница 12

Out on a Limb

Buyer Beware: Tool Prices Heading Up

Woodworkers have enjoyed relatively stable prices on almost the entire range of woodworking tools, be they electric powered or hand tools, for years. But all that's about to change - and in some quarters, the change has already begun.

So let this serve as a warning: Those planning a power tool, hand tool or machine purchase in the near future would be well advised to act now, certainly before year's end.

Don't blame manufacturers for the price increases. They have all worked hard to hold the line on prices, absorbing increased production costs or the price imbalances caused by the sagging U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies, most notably the Euro.

Another culprit is the increasing cost of raw materials and oil. The price of metal has been on a steady and constant climb. And I'm sure the price of gasoline hasn't escaped your attention lately.

So if you can, treat yourself to an early holiday gift. It'll be worth it.

Welcome Bob Lang

I'm pleased to introduce a new staff member. Robert (Bob) Lang is now working on the editorial team as a senior editor and we all are thrilled to welcome him aboard.

Like most of the Popular Woodworking staff, Bob comes with more than a strong passion for woodworking; he also has many years of professional woodworking experience. Over the years he's built furniture and cabinets, and produced architectural millwork. He's worked in big and small shops alike, and for years ran his own shop and marketed his woodworking on the craft fair circuit. As you can see, Bob has real woodworking "chops."

But that's not all. Bob also has authored a number of woodworking books - notably "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture,"

"More Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture," and "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Interiors" (all published by Cambium Press). They're available through Bob's web site at craftsmanplans.com. He's currently finishing two more books, "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Inlays & Hardware" (to be published this fall) and "The Complete Kitchen Cabinetmaker" (which is scheduled for publication next year). He's also contributed articles to Woodshop News, Woodwork and Fine Woodworking magazines.

Adding Bob to what I already consider the best woodworking magazine staff in the business means even more depth to the articles we send your way each issue.

A Charitable Reminder

In my column last issue (October 2004) I introduced you to a new program we've undertaken that pledges us to make charitable contributions when you help us find new readers. Let me first say thanks to those who already have the ball rolling. For those who missed the column last issue, here's how the program works:

In a nutshell, when you provide us with the name and address of a person you think might enjoy receiving Popular Woodworking, we'll send them a free issue. If they elect to subscribe, we'll set aside $5 to be split between the American Cancer Society and The Nature Conservancy. You can read more about the program or send along name s to receive a free issue by visiting our web site at popwood.com/ charity.html. You will find printed forms to submit names in future issues as well. PW

Steve Shanesy Editor & Publisher

CONTRIBUTORS

DAVID CHARLESWORTH

It's hard not to be impressed when you see David at work with a hand plane. During his more than 30 years as a professional woodworker (and more than 25 years of teaching), David has devoted a lot of energy towards understanding exactly how these tools function. And he's developed a series of simple . (but some would call non-traditional) ways of coaxing astonishing results from even meager tools. One of his favorite tricks for setting up a plane iron begins on page 82. When he's not writing or building furniture, David teaches small classes of students to build finely detailed furniture in his shop in the historic village of Hartland, which is near the north coast of Devon, England.

KERRY PIERCE

Although Kerry specializes in post-and-rung chairs and Queen Anne-style furniture, he doesn't do slavish reproductions. Rather he blends period elements and takes advantage of modern technology. By replacing the traditional sliding dovetail leg joint with a tenon in his "Shaker Tripod Table" (see page 76), he avoided unnecessary labor but still produced a sturdy joint. A high school English teacher for more than 30 years, Kerry has combined his passions for writing and woodworking in his 10 woodworking books and numerous magazine articles. A recent battle with cancer kept him out of the shop for months, which "just drove me crazy," he says. But today, he's making sawdust again.

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Popular Woodworking November 2004