Summertime, and the livin' is easy... Well if it is so easy, then you should have plenty of time to build and enter the summer woodworking contest over at LumberJocks. A two week vacation with nothing to do except sit at home could get you into trouble. The next thing you know, you are breaking into your neighbors house, digging up their basement, and getting blown up. I think you would be much happier doing something productive – plus you can win great prizes.

This time the task is to build something with Fluidity:

"Like grasses swaying in a summer breeze, the fluid motion is visible in the solid form of the wood." Create a woodworking project that portrays fluidity and/or movement, Be sure to describe your inspiration and vision - the interpretation is as important as the finished product.

LumberJocks is giving away a total of ten prizes, everything from gift cards to tools – so much so that there is just to much for me to list. The entry period runs from July 1 to 31 then community voting will begin August and run through August 31.

LumberJocks Summer Woodworking Awards

A little over a year ago it was announced that RBI Hawk would be closing their doors. It is always sad when a small company goes out of business, especially a company that makes their products here in the USA. Not only do we lose an American company, but it puts a lot of people out of work. However, there is good news. Just when people in the scroll saw communities were feeling low, in swoops Bushton Manufacturing to save the day. It didn't take long for Bushton to pick up where RBI left off, and bring peace back to the world of scroll sawing.

Bushton has been rolling out replacement parts, and existing HAWK scroll saw models for some time now, but now we have our first look at a brand new Bushton designed scroll saw. The JuniorHAWK has a 16” cutting capacity which is smaller then most professional scroll saws, but this small size keeps the weight down to only 35 pounds. Jr. is truly a portable saw and should please many a traveling scroller.

The JuniorHAWK is expected to sell for $850. The price might seem high, but HAWK scroll saws are extremely well built tools that are made almost entirely out of aluminum. I own a HAWK saw myself; I just need to get around to ordering some replacement parts.

Hawk Woodworking Tools

These last few years have been all about the oscillating multi-tool. You talk to just about anyone, and they either own an oscillation tool or they want to own one. Bosch knows how popular they have become and especially love how popular their own Multi-X has become. One problem facing the Multi-X is the rather small list of accessories. Sure they have most of the basics covered, but people love to have options. Bosch has announced a whole new lineup of accessories that pretty much cover everything that we know to be possible with a multi-tool.

According to Bosch, approximately 65% of time oscillation tools are being used is in cutting applications. So they have stepped up their cutting blade line to include: 4” Bi-Metal Segment Serrated Knife, 2-1/4” Caulk Removal Blade, 1-3/8” Bi-Metal Cutting Plunge Blade, 4” Bi-Metal Segment Sawblade, 3-1/2” Carbon Segment Serrated Blade, 1-1/8” Bi-Metal Plunge Blade, and 1-3/8” Japanese Tooth Plunge Blade. One blade that is completely new to oscillation tools is the 4” Bi-Metal Segment Serrated Knife, which can be used to power cut through insulation. In the grinding, cutting, and sanding categories we have: 3-1/2” Diamond Grit Blade, 2-1/2” Thin Kerf Carbide Grit Segment Blade, 3” Carbide Grit Delta Rasp, Scraper Blade, Assorted Sanding Pads and Sanding Sheets.

These new accessories are not out yet, but you they should be in stores late this summer. We love how Bosch is stepping up its game by adding more accessories to the lineup, but we want more. We want Bosch to really try and think outside of the box and find us uses for the oscillation tool that we never would have thought of.

Have you ever found yourself using your keys as a pry bar in a moment of desperation? I know I have. This is not one of the best ideas, that is soon realized when your keys no longer work; but we work with what we have. The Micro Widgy Bar is the smallest pry I have ever seen, with a length of only 3”. If I had it on my key ring, my keys would be in much better shape – Live and learn. The Micro Widgy is the little bro to the OG Pocket Widgy, which was commissioned by Uncle Sam to be used by technicians for opening ordinance crates in the field. Both models are made of D9 hardened steel which is a lot stronger then the brass keys are made of. Did I mention these are made in the USA. Pick up yours today for only $5.50.

[:cicn:] CountyComm