Australian Wood Review Issue #89

Lasers, glow lights, robotic CNC-tooled sculpture! This issue is absolutely going off as our writers reflect the collision of technology and woodcraft. It might sound corny, but I truly believe we are living in exciting times. However digital tools are not taking away from cherished hand skills. With considered use, they expand the capabilities of wood artists and furniture makers so much more. This theme carries over from last issue’s spotlight on the current craft revival. Perhaps the digital world has refocused our gaze on those skills because at the same time some makers are rediscovering special purpose hand tools and appreciating their benefits. This is illustrated with Troy McDonald’s continued journey into the world of traditional hand planes. Machines are where it’s at for the modern woodworker he says, but why not…

SuperMax is a US company, although this machine is made in Taiwan. As a review machine the 19-38 came already assembled, however as a buyer expect to have minimal assembly of the main machine parts other than the optional in- and outfeed supports. The optional base and support wings will need around 45 minutes of bolting together. This is a solid piece of gear with cast iron and steel main components. The heart of the sander is the large 5" diameter aluminium drum that comes with a 1.5hp motor driving it. Below the drum is the feed belt which is driven by a smaller DC motor. There are two spring-loaded tension rollers either side of the drum to keep panels from ‘kicking’. A large handle winds the drum up or down…

This all-in-one glove and abrasive combo can work to make sanding jobs a lot easier on the hands. There are two styles, men’s or ladies cotton and a heavier duty tradesperson version that comes in sizes 7–10. Both come left or right handed and can be purchased separately as such. All have built-in grip pads on fingers and palms. The cotton gloves come in packs that include two hand-shaped pieces of sandpaper that attach by just pressing on. The sandpaper holds firm but comes off easily and can be reused again as you progressively move through different grits. Replacement sandpaper hands come in packs of three in a good range of grits: 80, 120, 240, 320, 400, 1000 and 2000. In use the sandpaper lasted well. I did wonder if there would be…

I have used tung oil based finishes for over 30 years now. I like how they allow simple repair and rejuvenation when regular use leaves its mark, and I prefer the slowly wearing sheen of rubbed oil to a plasticky gloss that looks defaced with use. A couple of years ago I noticed a change in the formulation of the product I’d been using so I tested Osmo Polyx Oil. I applied it according to label instructions to test boards of both silver ash and Tas blackwood and left them for two weeks to fully cure. Dollops of red and white wines, hot water, jam, chutney as well as wet tea bags were dropped on all and left for 24 hours. The results mean I have been using and recommending Osmo Polyx…

Made in Australia, this combination wood tool is quite exciting with its looks and multi-functionality. It begins as a wheel marking gauge with a large cutter that can extend up to 165mm on the 8mm steel shaft. The 50mm round head is a beautiful combination of brass and blackwood formed to a crisp flowing thumb-rest. I particularly liked the face detail with the circular wood and brass. The head locks to the shaft with a knurled ring grasping a router style collet. Over-engineered for a marking gauge? Yes, but that’s what is so nice about this tool. It worked as well as any other wheel marking gauge in various tests both along and with the grain. It is comfortable and well balanced to use. Although personally I am not convinced wheel gauges are…

Spoon carving has established itself as a very popular woodworking project for beginners and experienced woodworkers. It’s got all the elements you need to enjoy the beauty of timber and stretch yourself creatively, with the added bonus of having a practical application as well. Most carvers in Europe and America are using a curved hook knife for the bowls of the spoon and a straight knife for the back of the bowl and the handle. Spoons are generally carved hand-held using a protective glove on the hand that holds the workpiece. Up until recently there have been no hook knives available in Australia, now there are three brands on the market – Mora from Sweden, M-Stein from the Czech Republic, and soon to be available, Pfeil, the well-known Swiss carving chisel brand.…