Popular Woodworking Editors' Blog

How about this news? Delta is introducing a new version of its flagship table saw, the Unisaw. That’s probably not such big news since at Delta’s big AWFS event last July in Las Vegas an early prototype was shown (click here for videos from the show). But here’s the real news: This saw is to be built in the United States. Could we be looking at a turning point in woodworking machinery? Could this be the beginning of a swing back to "good ole US of A" manufacturing?

The saw isn’t just to be assembled in the States; the plans are to build it here, too. Delta’s updating a plant in Jackson, Tenn., for the Unisaw, and some parts, such as castings, are coming in from Wisconsin.

There’s not much more information to tell as of yet, but I can tell you that the controls for raising and tilting the blade are on the front of the saw. And when officials showed the prototype in Las Vegas in 2007, the controls were digital. I’m not sure if that feature will remain on the final version, but it would certainly be a change from the standard. Also, I’ve been told the new saw will have a look similar to the new Delta dust collector design, a bit higher price point (which is to be expected when you upgrade the trunnions to be beefier), and, of course, a riving knife.

I wonder why are we seeing this move back to U.S. manufacturing. Maybe this is due to higher oil prices? How's that, you ask? It once cost $3,000 to bring a container over from China. Today that number is closer to $8,000 (depending on where oil prices are when you read this). If you can squeeze around 75 table saws into a container, that adds about $65 to each saw. This is one example. There must be more.

In the coming months more information will come from Delta. I hope there’s a working prototype at the IWF show in Atlanta come August. I know I’ll be looking at the Porter Cable/Delta booth for sure.

How about it? Is "Made in America" an important part of your purchasing decisions (aside from price and quality)? Leave a comment and let us know.

—Glen D. Huey

It’s a well-known fact that a mortise-and-tenon joint is the strongest woodworking joint (if it’s made correctly). On the web, there have been lengthy discussions about loose-tenon construction – creating mortises in the two mating pieces then installing a single loose tenon that fills both mortises.

With an improvement to the Beadlock system, a jig that’s been around since 2000, Rockler added to the discussion. The Beadlock, either the original or the Beadlock Pro, does not require expensive investments in tooling because mortises are created by simply drilling a series of overlapping holes, guided by a jig.

The Beadlock system is very easy to use. Clamp the jig in position, slide the guide block to one side of the jig, then drill holes. Next, slide the guide block to the opposite side of the jig and again, drill holes. That’s it. You’ve created a mortise. The jig comes standard with a 3⁄8" guide block. With additional interchangeable guide blocks, you can also create mortises that are 1⁄4" and 1⁄2" wide.

You can purchase router bits designed to produce tenon stock or purchase pre-made tenon stock, which has a matching profile, to complete the joint. Matching pre-made tenon stock is available in pre-cut lengths or in 12" pieces that you cut to size. The result is a strong, totally concealed joint with plenty of glue surface.

The Beadlock Pro is the newest evolution of this jig. With it you can create mortises in material up to 3-1⁄2" wide by adjusting the guide-block frame along the rails of the jig. In addition, the Beadlock Pro has a block that is used to create traditional smooth-sided mortises. After using a drilling-guide block to excavate waste, change to the paring block, then use your chisels to pare a smooth side. The guide keeps the chisels in place and positioned correctly. You can then cut your own flat tenon stock.

The Beadlock Pro includes the fully adjustable jig (as shown in the photo above), a 3⁄8" drill bit, a matching stop collar, a Beadlock 3⁄8" guide block and the matching paring block. All the contents are fit into a molded case that includes storage areas for any 1⁄4" and 1⁄2" optional equipment (drilling guides or paring guides) that is sold separately.

If you’re just discovering the mortise-and-tenon joint or are looking for simple and quick method to create this solid joint, check out the Beadlock (street price at $30) and the Beadlock Pro (street priced at $120) available at Rockler stores and Rockler.com.

If you've used either version of Beadlock, leave a comment to let us know what you think.

— Glen D. Huey

John Economaki from Bridge City Tools is in our shop today before he demonstrates his new Jointmaker Pro saw to about 60 of our readers. As we were setting up the saw we took a few test cuts.

The walnut above is so smooth it's hard to describe. It reflects light. The scratches indicate one stroke with the saw. There is no roughness to the end grain at all. All I could say was, "Wow."

Here are two more photos. First the joint together:

Then the joint apart:

Here's the best part: These are coffee stirring sticks from the Starbucks we stopped at on the way back to the office after a Japanese lunch (yum). And, by the by, these joints were cut by eye – no measuring.

We'll have more photos tomorrow, I'm sure.

— Christopher Schwarz