Greatest Innovations In Woodworking

[crokett]

for the last 25 years. That was the subject of an article in the most recent issue of Wood Magazine. Among other things they listed the Sawstop, the Domino, Ryobi's AP12 - the original lunchbox planer, the Performax drum sander and accurate TS rip fences. Entries in the non-tool category include the internet, magazines such as Wood itself and woodworking-related TV shows. I can't find the full article online anywhere. What else can you guys think of that might qualify? I can't really contribute since I haven't been doing woodworking for 25 years.

[pelligrini]

I don't know if it's actually an innovation, but the Veritas saddle square should rank highly.

I think the Shopsmith should qualify. Rockler's Dustright hose and fittings are a nice recent innovation if collection.

[BobSch]

I was going to say Rockler, but they've been around for more than 25 years, so I'll offer the BT3K series of saws for your consideration.

[pelligrini]

I don't know how long link belts have been around, but I think they're fairly recent. I'm not sure about the graphite blocks like cool blocks either.

[dbhost]

The Wood Magazine article mentioned Improved Dust Collection. Which I agree with. What dust collection was done, if any at all 25 years ago, was with nothing much better than an impeller and a canvas bag...

A little more specific I want to give credit to Phil Thien (cgallery) for his trash can cyclone / baffle gizmo.

The improved Taiwanese tools they mention are dead on. A LOT of folks rip Harbor Freight a new one at the mere mention of their name. But if it weren't for HF, I couldn't afford to be a well equipped woodworker.

Not sure how long ago they were introduced, but the fixed / plunge base router kits have my vote as well...

Oh, I believe the first benchtop planer was the AP10, not the AP12... I still see a few of them around too...

[dkerfoot]

How long has the powered miter saw been around? This link says since the 80's, so it may fit: http://www.insidewoodworking.com/mit...mitre_saw.html

I rarely use mine anymore, but it was the powertool that gave me the confidence to start taking on more elaborate DIY work around the house.

[dbhost]

How long has the powered miter saw been around? This link says since the 80's, so it may fit: http://www.insidewoodworking.com/mit...mitre_saw.html

I rarely use mine anymore, but it was the powertool that gave me the confidence to start taking on more elaborate DIY work around the house.

I'm not sure I agree with those dates. I seem to recall seeing compound miter saws in the 1970s. But I was VERY young then, and a lot of years have passed in between...

I do know that as I get better at cutting miters on the table saw, I use the miter saw less, and less. Nowadays I mostly use it for quick and easy crosscuts of long stock...

[Shep]

For me, I would suggest the Kreg Jig, as well as the Contractor Calculator. That calculator has saved my butt a bunch by adding fractions quickly.

[Uncle Cracker]

I think clamps in general have come a long way in the last 25 years, and although pocket screw joinery has been around for quite a while, the jigs to cut them easily and uniformly were a good step forward. Router tables and router bit technology have also leaped forward. I won't offer CNC technology, as some say it is more an "anti-tool" and the bane of woodworking than an improvement, but it does offer productivity enhancements.

[dkerfoot]

I'm not sure I agree with those dates. I seem to recall seeing compound miter saws in the 1970s. But I was VERY young then, and a lot of years have passed in between...

This sounds like a job for... LCHIEN! Is there an Internet Fact Checker in the house?

[LarryG]

IIRC compound miter saws were included in the article ... something about them effectively dealing the death blow to radial arms. Dave, before the CMS as we now know it came along there were simple chop saws ... some would miter but not bevel, and I think there may have been some very early ones that didn't even miter. That is, a "chop saw" in the purest sense of the term.

I would nominate Japanese hand saws. They're been around a lot longer than 25 years, obviously, but I think that time window would about cover their adopted use by Western woodworkers.

[jussi]

BT3Central !!!!

[LCHIEN]

from http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/248218.html

from the above article:
"Does anyone have an interest in purchasing as old Sear Craftsman 7.5" compound cut. I bought this saw back in 1981. I believe chop saws were just coming on the market but I had a need to miter some base that was 6 or 7 inches high. These miter saws are basically like portable radial arm saw. It even looks like a mini radial arm saw. Originally utilized a 7.5 inch blade, but I can't seem to locate this size anywhere. A 7.25 inch work fine if the stock is elevated a bit. I suppose this unit would be more of a novelty with the newer miter saws being so versatile. Still, if someone is looking for a piece of history this is one interesting saw. Email me if you would like to see a photo of the saw. I still have the original manual which shows how to adjust and tune for great cuts."

[dkerfoot]

These miter saws are basically like portable radial arm saw. It even looks like a mini radial arm saw.

It sounds like this is actually a predecessor to the miter saw we know today...

I worked at a apartment building site for about 2 weeks in 1982 or so and we did a fair bit of trim, but I can't for the life of me remember how it was cut. My job was to hammer in place what was handed to me.

Which brings me to another nominee (for carpentry for sure - more contentious for woodworking) - The pneumatic nail gun! (all sizes, shapes and purposes)

.

[germdoc]

Surprised no one has mentioned high-capacity batteries in cordless tools. The cordless drill was actually invented by Black and Decker for NASA in 1961, but until the 1980's cordless tools were heavy and not used much by professionals.

NiMH batteries in the 80's and Lithium batteries within the last decade were major advances and changed the way tools were used.

Another suggestion would be quality sub-$400 power tools such as BT3, planer and jointer. This enhanced the ability of regular guys to be able to make quality products using rough-cut wood.