George Vondriska, Author at WoodWorkers Guild of America

New Product: Next Wave Moray Ready2Laser Desktop Laser System

March 2, 2021 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog.

Let’s have a look at Next Wave’s Moray laser ($1599.99). This is a desktop system with a 7-watt solid state laser diode. It comes with Ready2Design software that will help you quickly get up and running. Capacity If you want to place your work inside the laser you have a 12” x 20” burn area.…

What to Know About Powermatic’s New Lathe

March 2, 2021 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog.

Powermatic has rolled out their PM2014 Wood Lathe ($1999.99). It’ll handle 20” between centers and has a 14” swing over the bed. Add a bed extension ($249.99), and you can increase spindle length to 43”, plus do larger outboard turnings. The PM2014 weighs 185 pounds by itself, 238 pounds when mounted to the stand. Power…

Benefits of a Cordless Workshop

March 2, 2021 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog.

Cordless tools have come a long way. Is it possible, and desirable, to go completely cordless in your shop? Let’s have a look.

The Leigh VRS1200 Vac and Router Support Will Save You from Big Messes

January 15, 2021 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Product Review.

If you’ve got a Porter Cable dovetail jig and are tired of the incredible mess left behind every time you cut dovetails, you’re in luck. Leigh’s VRS1200, $99.99, catches chips at the source (that is, your dovetail jig) and grabs them before they end up all over you and your floor. The Vacuum and Router…

New Product: Yeti Smart Bench

February 28, 2020 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Buying Advice.

Every once in a while, I come across a tool that makes my jaw drop. The Yeti SmartBench, $5,995, is a great example. It’s a portable CNC that’s capable of cutting 4’ x 8’ sheets. What looks like an aluminum sawhorse or scaffold is a fully operational, small footprint, portable CNC router. Broken down, the…

Product Review: Slab Stitcher

February 28, 2020 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Buying Advice.

Cutting bowties into slabs, cookies, tabletops… is quite the rage. Slab Stitcher has created a complete package for this process that includes the required templates, guide bushing, router bit, AND the bowties. Complete starter kits as shown here range in price from $80 to $115. A handful of companies make templates. What’s unique about Slab…

Cool Products from AWFS

February 10, 2020 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Buying Advice.

I love going to tool shows. I attended AWFS 2019 in Las Vegas, and here are some of the great products I spotted while I was there. Hollowing Chisels and Wire Burning Kit Easy Wood Tools is ready to help you turn smarter, not harder. They’re Mini Hollower Set, $286, is designed for smaller-scale hollow…

Ebonizing Wood

September 19, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Skill Building.

The next time you’re working on a project that calls for a dark, opaque accent that looks like ebony, try ebonizing wood for the right look. It’s a fairly simple process, but works better on some woods than others. Ebonizing wood is not the same thing as simply coloring wood with ebony stain. When you…

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

May 15, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Blog, Buying Advice, Product Review, Skill Building.

Looking for the perfect gift for the woodworker in your life? With Father’s Day right around the corner, this is timely. But whatever the event, your favorite woodworker is certain to love these gift ideas.

Gluing Up Panels

February 25, 2018 By George Vondriska & filed under Gluing and Clamping, Skill Building.

Gluing up panels is a must-have skill in woodworking. From table tops to raised panels there are plenty of times you’ll need to glue boards edge to edge. When you do you want the panel flat, with rock solid glue joints. Here’s the recipe for making that happen in your shop. Rough cut to length. …