Woodworking Tool Reviews

Woodworking Apps for iPhone Woodworkers

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Whether you are an iPhone lover or hater, they are everywhere!  The type of phone you have is obviously irrelevant for woodworking, but in case you are one of the many people who hold an iPhone daily, there are a number of applications (apps) that can help you with your woodworking projects.   Software for these apps can be easily purchased through the Apple apps store and that can be done directly on the phone itself, or through iTunes on the user’s computer.

Purchasing and downloading an app is incredibly easy and feasible as the cost is minimal (some free, and the majority being around $0.99) and takes mere seconds to download to your handheld device.  As I looked through the Apps Store on my home computer, I thought I might show you some of the woodworking related applications I have found that you might find useful to your woodworking adventures!

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Stockroom Supply 30-Inch V-Drum Sander Kit

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Stockroom Supply sells parts to build a face sanding drum sander. Granted it’s not the full blown thickness sander, but this method suits your needs better.

This is a machine that is nearly idiot-proof once it is assembled. It does not squeeze the wood between two drums, it instead mounts just under the surface of the top. When the motor is started, the velcro attached paper spins and barely raises up off the drum. The more material you want to remove, the coarser the paper used. Sounds weird, but it works!

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Kobalt Portable Compressed Co2 Regulator Review

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Have you ever thought that your air compressor was too big, bulky, and noisy for the minimal amount of time that you use it and find yourself wondering why you keep it around?  Trade it in for a new system that works excellently for the smaller work shop spaces.

Lowes’ came up with this great Kobalt Portable CO2 regulator that powers most pneumatic nailers. This unit with the 20 oz CO2 canister can shoot 600 16 gauge brads or 1200 pins. This is the same system that paintball guns use, so refills and extra tanks are readily available. The kits cost around $100 each at Lowe’s and one is worth every penny.   If you don’t use the gun that often or if you do cabinet installation jobs it remains very useful.

The refills are about $10 each, so it’s a great price for a product that turns all your nail guns into cordless machines.  It is very quiet to use and only uses up a small space in your work area.  Another positive is that there is no water vapour in the system so the nail gun lasts longer.  

One complaint there is with the unit is that if there is any small leak along the line anywhere or in the gasket in your gun, you can easily lose the entire canister of CO2 in a matter of minutes and then require a refill. So it is probably a good idea to have a spare refill canister around.  Remember to  turn off the valve!  Still, it’s a pretty good trade off to be able to use a gun without having to lug around the compressor, and look for an outlet.

Even though this will never replace the air compressor, it is an extremely useful and efficient product in many ways especially if you do house calls or minor repair work. It would warrant a five if they built a quicker shut off valve instead of the screw valve.{jcomments on}