Welcome to the ToolCrib.com Newsletter!

Welcome once again to the ToolCrib.com newsletter... we've got puzzles, combo blades fighting it out in the streets and some analysis of the recently announced Festool increase!

But first, here are some classics from our vault you may have missed:

28 Ways to Recycle and Reuse Sawdust and Woodchips >>

The New Delta Unisaw Roundup: Video + Pics + First Response >>

Sawstop vs. Powermatic PM 2000 in the Professional Wood Shop >>

Garrett

Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More

In many cases a quality combination blade will outperform lower grade dedicated rip and cross cut blades. Whether you choose to run only combo blades or switch your blades depending on your cuts is a matter of preference, what you're cutting, how much you're cutting, and the saw you're cutting with. To help you make a decision on your next combo blade I visited the usual suspects (woodworking forums) and researched their  opinions. Enjoy the showdown (cue tumbleweed, blowing sand and Sergio Leone music) :D

Read Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More >>

31 Free 3D Puzzle Plans for Woodworkers: Burrs, Japanese Boxes, Tangrams and MORE

If you value your sanity STOP READING RIGHT NOW. The following puzzle plans will not only challenge your woodworking ability, but your ability to control your anger and frustration when you attempt to master your own creations... Puzzle makers seem almost gleefully willing to share their secrets, perhaps because they are just the slightest bit sadistic ;) Join me now on a tour of 31 free 3D puzzle plans for woodworkers... and please don't blame your newfound obsession on me :D

Read 31 Free 3D Puzzle Plans for Woodworkers: Burrs, Japanese Boxes, Tangrams and MORE >>

Festool lovers weep while Festool haters laugh and wink at their perfectly respectable collection of power tools. Why? Festool announced a price increase starting on February 1st, 2009. We plugged the Festool price increase list supplied by McFeely's into good old Microsoft Excel so we could get a feel for what's going on with their prices...

Read Festool Increases Price of Products by $6339.99 >>

Read 10 Free "Project-Specific" Woodworking Software Programs >>

On Grizzly Tools, What's Your Opinion? >>
Breeze says: "I've had my GO490 8 inch jointer for apx. 2 years. The only thing that has happened is that a set screw on the motor shaft key vibrated loose On the motor pulley and spun on the shaft.I put it back together and it runs fine. Compared to my 15 inch Delta plainer, and my Jet table saw, I would say its about on par with both as far as quality and it's price is about 60 percent of a new Delta or Jet jointer. But that's not what impressed me about Grizzly machines.I work part time for a guy who cuts down trees and has a sawmill and kiln.He has had his Grizzly 15 inch( $850.00 ) plainer since 1995.We run an unbelievable amount of 8 quarter oak,cherry,maple and ash thru this plainer. Some are 16 ft. to 18 ft. long, for hours a day.He told me he has been doing it since 1995. This jointer was not intended to be abused this way.I'd say this thing has paid for it's self more than a few times over. Almost anyone I've asked about Grizzly machines has told me that they are more than satisfied even though they paid less.A few high end woodworking shops I know of use the entry level machines and get good every day use out of them. As far as shipping goes I think they know we are going to order before we do. No one I deal with is faster than Grizzly. I have no negative comments about them."

On the same post Frank said:
"I say your "trusted friend" at family woodworking.com is completely in the dark when it comes to this subject. He is truly in the minority when it comes to people saying Grizzly is junk. I have the Grizzly GO478 table saw and the GO555X bandsaw. Both machines were upgrades from low grade Delta junk and both have improved the quality of my work significantly. The fences on these machines are dead on acurate. The customer service is awesome."

On our Harbor Freight Buying Guide >>
Ron says: "bought a plasma cutter,returned every one 7 times and they gave me a new one every time,finally the last one they upgraded it and said there was a problem with the original model,haven't had a problem since,for what I do restoring old cars and a hobby wood shop I don't have a problem,heck took a tire inflator/gage with no reciept and they gave me a new one,I call em throw away tools"

Jeff said: "I bought an 18in belt sander 5yrs ago, it works great, I only use it once a week or so as a hobby wood worker. I bought a 3/8 close quarter drill that could not drill 4 hole through 3/4 plywood before it started grinding and not drilling using a paddle bit. I have also bought a digital protractor that works pretty good for a crown molding project. Their sawzall blades suck, I will stick with Lenox. Their 1/16 and 3/32 8016 welding rod works well on 3/16 plate."

Grant threw out a few loving Harbor Freight nicknames:
-Harbor Fright

-Bottom of the Harbor Freight

-Harbor Hate

-The Chinese Cheesecake Factory

Uncle Buck shared his Harbor Freight inspired nickname: "For their inexpensive, thrice-yearly-use Chinese air tools, we call them, 'INGERSOLL-CHAN.'"