In the last 25 years, woodworking has become one of the most popular activities in America, largely due to the proliferation of tools, gadgets and information available. But there is still plenty of room for improvement, as our WoodCentral visitors noted in their replies to my latest survey question… “What improvements and innovations would you like to see in the woodworking arena? These might include improvements to machinery and power tools; breakthroughs in abrasives, adhesives, finishes, hardware; or new accessories that would make your life easier.”
“…better splitters and blade guards. How hard can it be?”
“…15-ft. power cords on routers, sanders and the like. I’d pay a few extra bucks.”
“… 12-in. power cords. A short power cord would serve two purposes: you wouldn’t have to keep wrapping and unwrapping the cord; and when you need to unplug the tool, the plug would be right there. I’d also like to see extension cords with a locking mechanism to keep the plug from coming out.”
“…a true sliding-table saw in the same price range as popular cabinet saws. Add-on sliding tables are okay, but they are still not the same as true sliders.”
“…a better connection system for dust collector bags. Why not have a fabric collar from the machine to a fiber or plastic drum?”
“…a dimensioning finish sander that uses diamond abrasive sintered onto a small steel drum. The drum would oscillate and have very accurate micrometer adjustments.”
“…cast iron that is allowed to cure before it is machined.”
“I wish tool makers would let woodworkers and other craftspeople comment on a tool’s design before they put it into production.”
“Pick a color and stick with it. It’s pointless to try to convince me that a ‘Great White’ saw performs any better than a gray, green or blue one.” “…standardized sizes for gun nails and staples (any brand fits any gun) and standard blade connections for jigsaws.”
“…a reciprocating saw with a power cord that comes out of the top of the handle, not the bottom.”
“…more metal and less plastic on machines and power tools.: suspect they would last longer, regardless of the weight and cost advantages of plastic.”
“… rear locks on saw fences, so they don’t move around when you’re using power stock feeders.”
“…owner’s manuals written by English instructors.”
“…a climb-cutting planer. It would eliminate all tearout and chipping on any kind of lumber.”
“…tablesaws that can bevel both ways.”
“…an adhesive that spreads easily yet resists running and stays where you put it. Also, better glue dispensers.”
“…a mid-size planer under-$700 price that runs on 110-volts, but with more power that a portable planer. It would have a cast-iron bed, real drive belts and able to take a good bite on 12-in.-wide hardwood without whimpering.”
“…a return to brake horsepower instead of amps as a measure of power, self-jointing cutter heads, quadruple feed-speeds, Infinitely variable drives, feasible climb cutting for shapers and routers, guards that you want to keep on the machine…”
“…a table saw out-feed table that folds down when not in use and unclamps easily from the rear fence rail.”
“…a router system with interchangeable motors and bases.” “…a slot mortiser that sells for under $800.”
“…negative-ion generators built into electric power tools, especially sanders. Not only would they counteract the positive ions put off by the tool, they would also help with dustin’ the shop.”
What are your thoughts on this? Add your comments below!