Ask The Experts

We've recruited new woodworking experts to help answer all your woodworking questions in our Customer Forums. Now, in the 3 new forums, you can post your questions on a wide variety of topics, from routing to wood-turning and wood finishing, and one of our experts will provide you with the knowledge you're seeking.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/forum/

The Experts:

-The MLCS Staff will be available to answer most woodworking questions.

-Mike shares the following thoughts on his woodworking experience and expertise:

"Mike Melofchik is the owner and operator of Dream Forest Studios Custom Woodworking & Woodturning shop in Spotswood, New Jersey. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physical Science from the Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University. He is a current member of the American Association of Woodturners, The Furniture Society, and the Central Jersey Woodworkers Association where he served as a former club librarian. He has received woodworking training grants from the Central Jersey Woodworkers Association and training through Peter’s Valley Craft Education Center, The Philadelphia Fine Furniture Workshops Artist in Residence Mario Rodriguez, and worked with Crowley’s Custom Cabinet Shop. He can be reached online through his website www.dreamforeststudios.com, via email info@dreamforeststudios.com, and by phone (732)723-1145."

Mike is ready and willing to share his expertise on the following topics:

Wood turning, drafting (algebraic & geometric manipulations), jig making for both table saw, routers, and drill presses, as well as wood finishes such as - dyes, stains, topcoats such as lacquers, shellac, urethane, varnishes, as well as their applications and compatability.


-John shares the following thoughts on his woodworking experience and expertise:

"John W. Nixon is a spare-time woodworker with an interest in making American Arts & Crafts style furniture. Located outside Buffalo, New York, where he works in his modest home workshop. Having a small shop forces John to be better organized and to find creative ways of using his space.

John is heavily influenced by the Roycroft style as well as the work of Gustav Stickley (especially the furniture designed by Harvey Ellis). He's been doing fine woodworking for about eight years now. Before that, John did carpentry and home remodeling for 10-12 years."

John has also filmed some of the instructional videos that can be found on the MLCS website.

New Product - The Heavy Duty Speed Control

New and Improved 20amp heavy duty speed control is now available. Instead of 15amps this model can handle 20amps and has better circuitry as well as heavier components.

NEW & IMPROVED! Heavy Duty Speed Control features better circuitry and heavier components!
Simply plug in speed control then plug your router into the speed control. Adjust speed from 0 RPM to full speed.
The Heavy Duty Speed Control features an aluminum case, and is recommended for industrial and commercial use. The high impact plastic Standard Duty Speed Control has exactly the same features and is suitable for home shops.

• Less tear out • Stops burning • Feed at comfortable rate
• Better, safer results with large diameter panel raising bits
• Less wear on bits • Less noise • Softer starts at lower speeds
• Adjustable speed from 0 RPM to full speed
• 3 position rocker switch- Variable / Off / Full Speed
• Full power and torque at all speeds
• Go back and forth from any preset speed to full speed at the flip of a switch
• Works with most routers 3-1/4 HP or less • 120V
• Give your router a feature only available on expensive routers
• Easy to use- Simply plug in speed control and plug your router into the speed control- turn dial slowly for best results. (Speed control has a clip that can be worn on your belt, hung on wall, or left loose).
• Dust Cover Included (not shown in photo)
NOTE: Will not work with soft start or variable speed routers

Marvel 40 3-in-1 Router Kit Press Release

The Marvel 40 3-in-1 Router Kit is getting the attention it deserves. Below is the soon to be published press release:

MARVEL 40 3-in-1 ROUTER KIT is the most versatile trim router kit on the market. Made by MLCS Woodworking, this 30,000RPM, 1HP compact router has collets for both 1/4” and 1/8” shank router bits. The Marvel 40 comes with the standard Laminate Trimmer base, but this kit also includes a Plunging and Tilting Router Base, as well as a Cut-Out Base. It’s great for trimming, edge routing, making cut outs for electrical boxes, dado and groove cuts. This kit also includes two very useful accessory attachments: a Straight Edge Guide and a Circle Cutting Attachment for cutting circles up to 12” in diameter (perfect for speaker boxes).
Made with all ball bearing construction and a 5 amp motor for a longer life, and featuring a ergonomic handle for ease of use, all stored in a heavy duty plastic case, this router kit is ready for any job site. You will also be able to change bits very quickly on-site with the convenient Collet Lock and Collet Wrench. And just to make this kit even more complete a 1/8” Spiral Cut-Out Bit is included. Quality, performance, versatility, and a 3 Year Warranty for only $89.95 this is one of the best priced trim routers in its class. Add in all extras and the price blows away the competition!

For more information contact MLCS at: 1-800-533-9298 or visit their website at www.MLCSwoodworking.com.

Router Bit and Router Table Tune Up Tips

The temps are dropping and us woodworkers begin our yearly migration from the back yard to the basement. Now is the time to get prepared. Below are a few hopefully useful tips on tuning up your router bits and router table:

Router Bits:

1) Remove any pitch build up. There are a lot of products available to clean bits and blades. Follow the directions. Some products may want you to remove the bearings others may not. A stiff bristle toothbrush is always useful in this process.

2) Keep your cutting edge sharp. Once the carbide is clean you can use a diamond hone to sharpen your bits. It is easy because you are only honing the front flat face of the carbide using a fine grit hone. You could do this once or more per year depending on how often you use the bits. If a router bit is getting too dull it may be beyond just touching it up with a diamond hone. You could get it re-sharpened at your local shop (if it still exists) or ***Warning – Bias Opinion*** it will usually cost less to buy a new bit.

3) Inspect the cutting edges for any chips in the carbide. Any large chips can cause the router bit to spin out of balance and also cause a poor cut. Any bit with significant chipping should be replaced.

4) Clean and lubricate the ball bearings. Clean off all dust and pitch build up and put a drop of router bit bearing lubricant. If the bearing still feels rough when spinning it may be time to replace it. ***Warning – Bias Opinion*** It is much cheaper for a new bearing, then to have one break and ruin some good lumber or a project. This is really where you want to be proactive.

Router Table:

1) Again the first thing to do is clean the table. Make sure any build up of sawdust or pitch is removed, especially on the fence face, tabletop, and micro adjusting screws and knobs. If you have a removable router plate, remove it and make sure there is no build up where the plate sits, or anywhere that would make the plate out of level.

2) Check your router plate for flat using a square or ruler. Place a straight edge across the plate extending all the way across the plate side to side. Look for any gap under the straight edge. Do this again in the front to back direction on the plate. If you have a plate made out of a thinner plastic or acrylic that has been holding up a heavy router in the heat all summer it may sag in the center. It may need to be replaced.

3) Depending on the material your router table is made of you may want to apply a surface lubricant and sealer.

4) Check all that screws are tight mounting your router base to the insert plate. The vibration of a season of running your router may have caused some screws to come loose. It is always a safe practice to check all screws and bolts before each use.

Welcome to the MLCS Woodworking Blog

This is the first blog entry for MLCS Woodworking. We will try to cover various woodworking topics, useful woodworking and shop tips, as well as introduce you to some new products. Please let us know if you find this blog interesting and useful. Visit MLCSwoodworking.com for free shipping on all our products in the contiguous USA, as well as free how to videos and project plans.