Over at Woodcraft, Delta’s 40-690 20-inch heavy duty scroll saw is currently on sale for $350. It features an electronic variable speed adjustment (400-1750 spm), oversized woodworker’s table (16″ x 24″), 20-inch capacity, 0-45° left and right table tilt adjustment and a 3/4″ stroke length. Included with the scroll saw is a stand and work light.

The saw is regularly priced at $490 and up, making this a pretty hot deal. In comparison, the identical and highly reviewed Dewalt DW788 scroll saw is priced at $465 (via Amazon) without the optional stand ($70 via Amazon). Sale ends March 1st, 2012.

Buy Now(via Woodcraft)

Also available via Amazon

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If you’re really into wood-turning, then you’re probably going to want use a fully featured lathe, such as the new Nova Comet II Midi model. But if it’s something you just started looking into, then there are a couple of faux-lathe jigs that can give you a small taste of the action for relatively cheap.

I’ve seen a number of handheld-drill-powered lathe jigs, but this one by Woodstock is the first I’ve seen that can be used with a drill press. The Woodstock D4088 drill press lathe attachment comes with a few parts – mini screw and spur centers that attaches to the drill chuck, a base plate fixture with live center that’s bolted to the table, and 12″ adjustable tool rest.

The Woodstock lathe jig may be simple, but we’ve seen evidence that one can do a lot with even simpler equipment. For less than $35, this jig looks to be decent for beginners with ultra-low budgets and woodworkers who only need to do a little bit of wood turning.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

More Info (via Woodstock)

While doing a routine scan of Amazon for deals, I spotted this Metabo KGS305 12″ dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw at a <$400 price point. The saw features a 4-3/4″ x 12-1/2″ crosscut capacity, built-in dust collection system, and all the bells and whistles one expects from a top-tier-branded 12″ sliding miter saw.

The saw is currently priced at $385 on Amazon, which is far lower than I would have thought a Metabo miter saw would sell for, although it does seem to be priced at $600-630 elsewhere.

This deal seems almost too good to be true. There are currently 3 user reviews – one each from 2005 and 2006, and one from late 2011. So maybe Amazon’s just trying to move some inventory from their warehouses. Be sure to read the last review, which describes the saw as a great value option that seems under-powered for professional framing applications.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

Following are 5 resources that can help turn a complete newcomer into a beginner woodworker.

1. Buy a Woodworking Magazine

This is usually a quick way to expose yourself to a new hobby or activity. There are plenty of woodworking magazines, with each focusing a variety of topics. Reading through new tool and product previews, woodworking plans and projects, tips and even the advertisements can help bring you up to speed.

There are also many numerous books available, but they usually have a very narrow focus. Which can be a good thing, but pre-beginners need wider exposure before they’re ready to tackle texts on say, dovetail joinery and hand plane techniques.

2. Join an Online Woodworking Forum

Like magazines, forums can help you develop a broader view of woodworking. Forums are great places to ask questions and contribute, but there’s also benefit to just lurking around at first. New and popular archived threads offer insight and experienced perspectives that are more varied than in single-author articles. Plus there are usually oodles of projects just waiting to inspire.

Recommended forums: Lumber Jocks, SawMillCreek

3. Sign Up for Free Catalogs

When first getting started, you’re going to be thinking about what types of tools to buy. Catalogs can help you develop a better sense of what tools and supplies are available, and what you can expect to pay.

Catalogs can also help you visually distinguish between different products you may be hearing about, such as bar clamps and parallel clamps. Certain other tools and supplies are also best learned about through visualization, such as cross-dowels.

The next step is to visit a woodworking store, or even a regular home improvement center, and look around. Make a note (or take a photo) of interesting or unfamiliar products for later Googling.

Favorite woodworking catalogs: Rockler, Woodcraft, Lee Valley, McFeelys

4. Jump Right in With a Starter Project

Plan out a small project, or follow one that you found in print or online, and get to it. There are tons of simple projects that you can make with few tools. You can get boards and sheet goods cut down to rough size at a lumber yard or home improvement center for minor working at home. Nothing is more encouraging than experience and a sense of accomplishment.

There’s a lot one can do with just a saw, drill/driver and $40 pocket hole jig.

5. Join a Club or Partner With a Friend

This can be an effective way to correct misconceptions and rapidly gain understanding and knowledge. These days there’s no reason to make common and perhaps even costly mistakes if you can help it.

Clubs and friends can also offer access to tools you cannot afford, don’t want to invest in or don’t know about as a beginner. Early on, about 8 years ago, I used a Dremel with a sanding drum accessory to round the edge of a project – a DVD player stand and TV riser. If I had joined a club or consulted with a woodworking friend, I would have learned about routers much sooner. That project also taught me about saw kerf thickness and how tight-clearance dimensions should account for it.

Additional Resources

The web can be an excellent resource for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced woodworkers, but such sources are most effective if you know what you’re looking for.

If there’s a Woodworking Show in your area, consider going. Admission is usually $10 or so, with many vendors and expert exhibitors willing and ready to share their knowledge and experience with you. There are some opportunities for hands-on training, and usually reasonable discounts as well.

Kreg, well known for their pocket hole jigs, is coming out with a new shelf pin drilling jig, model KMA3200. The new jig joins a number of shelf pin jigs and templates that are already available, but stands out with a hybrid and inexpensive design.

As the name implies, this type of jig is useful for drilling the shelf pin holes when building an adjustable shelf cabinet or bookcase.

The jig comes with dual-position fence for a 1-inch or 2-inch edge offset, a locating pin for uniform spacing, 6 hardened steel drill guides separated by 32mm industry standard spacing and a 1/4″ drill bit with stop collar. The jig can also be used with 5mm drill bits, which are available separately.

Multiple Kreg drilling jigs can be added together for quicker work, and storage at the back of the jig helps keep everything together.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

In my opinion, shelf pin drilling jigs, such as these by Woodpeckers and Veritas, are usually a bit costly for anyone only looking to build a few cabinets, and templates are a bit low-tech for what they usually cost.

The Kreg jig looks to be reasonably priced at about $35, especially given its 6 drill bushings, which usually start at $4-$6 each via industrial suppliers. Of course there are plenty of DIY options that don’t require steel bushings, but that’s a discussion for another time.

The new Nova Comet II Midi Lathe is sized for hobbyists and advanced woodworkers, but looks to be well-featured and versatile for beginners as well. In addition to a 12″ swing capacity and 16.5″ between-centers bed length, the Comet II has a unique attachment point that can accept various sanding and grinding accessories.

With an added Versaturn coupler, you can attach the following add-on accessories directly to the lathe motor:

• 6-inch variable speed grinding wheel
• 6-inch wire brush
• flexible shaft driver with rotary tool chuck
• 4″ x 36″ belt sander
• 8″ slow-speed whetstone grinder for sharpening
• 6″ disk sander

Bed extensions and a reversible G3 chuck are also available as optional add-ons.

Specifications and Standard Equipment

• bowl-turning capacity: 12″ inboard
• between-centers: 16.5″, extendable to 42″ with optional parts
• power: 3/4HP, 120v single phase, 60Hz
• variable speed: 250-4000 RPM via 3-step pulley system
• tailstock: 2MT hollow
• 3″ faceplate
• 6″ toolrest
• 2MT live center
• 2MT spur center
• manual and fastenings
• handwheel
• knockout bar

MSRP is $500, and although we’re not sure about the attachments, it was floating around that the grinder will be $50.

More Info via Teknatool and Nova

1. Festool Plunge Track Saw and Dust Extractor

A couple of months ago, I went a little nuts and splurged on a Festool track saw and Dust Extractor. I heard good things about Festool’s Dust Extractors, and wanted to use test one out for an article I was writing. While in talks to borrow one for testing, I did quite a bit of research, reading through reviews on various enthusiast forums, and convinced myself that I needed one.

I didn’t really need a track saw, but my long circular saw cuts were always a bit sloppy, and I was looking for a way to keep my work area cleaner and as dust-free as possible.

Now, when cutting plywood or other sheet goods, I don’t have to worry as much about how to cut a straight line or keep things dust free, the saw, guide rails and vac make the whole process easier. I’m slowly saving up for the next addition to the Festool system.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

2. Porter Cable QuikJig Pocket Hole Jig

While a bit pricey compared to Kreg pocket hole jigs, the Porter Cable pocket hole jig is remarkably efficient and simple to use. Pocket hole joinery is definitely a great technique for both beginners and advanced woodworkers, and the QuikJig sort of just accelerates users from start to finish. It makes the layout and hole-making process blissfully effortless.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

3. Dewalt DWS780 12″ Sliding Miter Saw

I was plenty impressed with Dewalt’s simple 10″ compound miter saw. But the DWS780, it just blew me away. Yes, it’s large, but it’s also powerful and feature-rich. Things were off to a good start when I played around with the new built-in XPS work light, but the saw’s performance and capabilities are what really kept my attention. To be honest, I think it may even be superior to Bosch’s super-sexy Axial Glide miter saw.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

4. Dewalt Heavy Duty Work Stands

I expected to like Dewalt’s heavy duty work stands from the start, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how useful they actually proved to be. Coupled with Dewalt’s universal brackets, they make excellent benchtop tool or custom jig supports.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

5. Japanese Waterstones

I hate sharpening and honing my hand tools, but it needs to be done. I started off with one 4000 grit stone to try things out, and have since added several more to my sharpening kit. Choosing the right stones and learning proper technique and practices has made my sharpening experiences less dull and burdensome. I still use fine-grit sandpaper on occasion, but not often.

Buy Now (via Amazon)
Buy Now (via Lee Valley, our waterstone vendor of choice)

Of course these are just my top 5 favorite woodworking tools and accessories of the year. If the list were to continue, Woodpeckers and Veritas tools would hold most positions from 6 through 15 or so, after which things level out and there’s only like and don’t like.

Simpson Strong-Tie offers a DIY workbench hardware kit that is based off of their RTC24 3-way right angle steel brackets. Although a Strong-Tie workbench requires more effort to build than a 2×4 Basics workbench, there are two main advantages – greater load capacity and the ability to customize the height of the workbench.

The Simpson Strong-Tie hardware kit (KWB1) comes with 8 steel brackets,  200 Strong Drive self-drilling screws, and plans to get you started. Construction is as simple as with the 2×4 Basics brackets – cut your 2x4s, work surface and shelving down to size, and then screw everything together.

Buy Now(via Amazon) ($40-$65)

One of our workbenches is constructed using these RTC24 brackets, although we purchased the brackets and #8×1.25″ self-drilling screws separately. Overall the workbench has stood up very well to abuse, and is topped with a 1-1/4″-thick IKEA countertop.

Here’s a PDF from Simpson Strong-Tie that shows a few of the example setups you can build using the RTC24 brackets included in this kit. Note that some of the examples are built using multiple kits.

This 2×4 Basics workbench and shelving system kit comes with four heavy duty and rigid plastic legs, and 3 pairs of Shelflinks brackets. Construction is relatively simple, with only three main steps required – plan your work table dimensions; cut your 2x4s, work surface and shelves down to the desired size, and screw everything together.

The legs can support workbench spans of up to 4-ft wide and 8-ft long, and loads of up to 1000 pounds per shelf. You can use the shelving brackets to create a tiered work center, or for a separate shelving unit up to 8-ft long.

Buy now via Amazon ($65-$100)

You have until the end of the month (12/31) to enter Festool’s December Kapex sliding compound miter saw sweepstakes. The Kapex is valued at about $1300. To enter to win, head on over to  http://www.festoolsweepstakes.com and enter some basic info. If you provide a little more information (optional) on the second page, you’re given an additional entry in the drawing, doubling your chances.

We have tested Craftsman’s new digital woodworking router, and it left us with a fairy positive impression. The RPM recommendation function was a little wasted on us, but we can see how it would benefit beginners not yet familiar with how to match up router speeds with bit sizes.

Digital Controls

The router has a built-in library that offers speed recommendations in case you’re not sure which setting to use. Working through the library speed settings is absolutely painless and takes just a moment. First, you match up the shape of your bit to a very limited selection of bit styles. Then, you set the diameter of your router bit. While doing this, you will see the recommended RPM settings change accordingly.

Next, you set the material type that you will be working with – hardwood, softwood, or plastics. After this step, the RPMs are set to one of 6 settings, with both the setting number and RPMs displayed on the LCD screen for reference.

There is of course a manual override as well. Without pressing the “set” button at the top of the spindle, simply press + or – to adjust the RPM setting. You can manually fine tune the spindle’s speed from 10,000 to 25,000 RPM, with a total 11 speed settings.

What We Liked

• Solid construction
• Quick and easy plunge depth settings and micro-adjust
• Soft-start motor
• Comes with edge guide and vacuum adapter
• Consistent power and performance
• Easy straight-in, straight-out spindle removal for bit changes
• Spindle lock, meaning that only one wrench is needed for bit changes
• Printed RPM guide at top of spindle
• Digital speed readout with 11 manual speed settings

What Needs Improvement

• Plastic chip deflector keeps popping off
• Power switch in a slightly awkward place
• Sub-base opening is too narrow to fit larger bits**
• No fixed-base kit option

**Update: as mentioned by Joe in the comments, an optional add-on sub-base kit is available, and includes sub-bases with a range of opening widths.

Summary

In the end, we were impressed by the router’s solid performance and neat feature set. Beginners will appreciate the speed recommendations, and intermediate users will appreciate the router’s digital speed readout. Pressing either the + or – button to change speeds is also a lot easier than rotating a tiny knob.

The $130 retail price seems a bit high for a one-base consumer kit, but it’s a great buy when on sale for $100. The router comes with an edge guide, vacuum adapter, and both 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets. There is also a depth adjustment wrench, but we do not recommend that you use a plunge router base with a router table.

Buy Now(via Sears)

Thank you to Craftsman for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Over at Woodcraft, they’ve put the 909 oscillating spindle sander on sale for $100. It’s got a 3.5A motor, heavy duty cast iron table top, dust collection port, and 5/8″ stroke length.

Spindle sanders produce great results when smoothing out curves, and with a DIY-made fence you can use them to flatten edges as well. They’re a huge step up from drill press-mounted drum sanders.

The 909 at Woodcraft looks quite similar to this Rockwell model, indicating they might share a common origin, in case you’re looking for reviews. If your needs are a bit more serious, we’ve hard great things about this Powetec sander, also available as Craftsman’s relabeled model.

Buy Now(via Woodcraft)

P.S. Coupon code 11025 takes $10 off $25+ regular-priced items, valid until 12/24. At least we think that’s when the coupon ends. This seems to be an unpublicized extension of Woodcraft’s Black Friday sale.

If you’re looking for some nice tool bags for personal use or to give as gifts, Woodcraft is having a 50%-off sale on these two tool bags for the holidays. On the left is a 16-pocket tool bag, and on the right a 13-pocket “basement” bag.

The 16-pocket bag has 6 interior and 10 exterior pockets, and measures in at 15″ long, 10″ deep, and 7.5″ wide. Regular price is $24.50, and the sale price is $12.25.

The 13-pocket tool bag has 4 interior pockets and 9 exterior pockets. Each end of the bag has a mesh pocket that offers a view of their contents. This tool bag is called a “basement” bag since it also features a removable 3″ deep zippered bottom compartment. Dimensions are 15″ long, 12″ tall, 7.5″ wide. Regular price is $27.99, sale price is $13.99.

Buy Now(via Woodcraft)

Based on the features and user reviews, we think that the 16-pocket tool bag is the better buy.

There are a couple of other decent deals over at Woodcraft for Cyber Monday and the upcoming holidays – check ‘em out!

There are tons of other Black Friday deals listed on their site. While Woodcraft caters towards woodworkers, they carry many general purpose hand and power tools as well. (e.g. Wera screwdrivers come to mind!

Buy Now

Over at Home Depot, they’re offering 25% off all online Ridgid power tool purchases. It looks like Black Friday-special pricing items are excluded, but we have had no problems getting it to work on regular-priced non-sale items.

Coupon code is RIDGID25. (Expiration date unknown.) (Note, if this code does not work, try RIGID25. At one point they may correct the misspelling.)

The discount works on the Ridgid SuperClamp, corded tools, cordless tools, and even their professional benchtop tools and $550 table saw.

Buy Now(via Home Depot)

Bonus: coupon code HDTHANKS (expires 11/25) is good for $5 off $50, and many of the smaller items are eligible for free shipping.