Archive for July, 2011

Powermatic Releases Limited Edition Onyx Series Machines

When you think of woodworking machinery, what brand comes to mind? For me, it’s Powermatic Tools. Powermatic has been around since 1921, and this year marks their 90^th anniversary of providing powerful machinery and excellent performance (also known as The Gold Standard). Powermatic’s 90 years in the business (and their increased market knowledge) has allowed them to improve their processes, build a strong bond with customers, and of course, develop superior machines that consistently dominate the market. In 1928, founder Leonard F. Smith introduced the industry’s first Titling Arbor Table Saw. Since then, Powermatic has grown to be a world class leader of industrial woodworking machinery with a 400,000 square foot facility in LaVergne, Tennessee.

In celebration of their 90 years in the business, Powermatic is releasing a line of Limited Edition Onyx Series Machines. Powermatic has chosen seven of their best-in-class machines to undergo a smooth transformation from the famous gold color scheme to a sleek black ONYX finish, adding style to anyone’s workshop collection. As an added value, each Onyx Series machine includes a 90 month warranty and a special bonus item. Check out the seven machines below, and visit our Powermatic Onyx Series section of our site for more information.

JET Tools Introduces Their Jet RED Assurance Service and Support

How many times have you called tech support on the back of your product manual, and gotten someone who is halfway around the world?  It’s frustrating, to say the least. Then you have to wait on hold as each support rep transfers you from extension to extension for about twenty minutes. After an hour of troubleshooting, they tell you that your (fill in the blank) is defective, and that you need to ship it back to the manufacturer so they can send you a replacement. Most of this process is normal for small products like music players and laptops, but not for large machinery like table saws and milling machines. Often the bigger you get, the more hassle it is to get your defective product replaced. However, you won’t have that problem with JET Tools.

Recently, JET introduced its RED Assurance Service and Support (which stands for: Reliability, Expertise, and Dependability). It provides their U.S customers with homegrown technical service and support on every product that they develop. If a JET tool needs service or repair, one of their 750 authorized service centers located in all 50 states can assist the customer. You don’t have to worry about shoddy repair work either, because all service centers are required to be annually re-certified through JET.

When you call U.S Tech Support, someone will pick up the phone right in Nashville, Tennessee. With over 50 years of experience and expertise, these technicians can help you locate the problem and devise a solution. Need a part you can install yourself? Jet has made over 40,000 parts readily available for shipment within 48 hours of your phone call.

Someone might say, “Well, what about discontinued products?”  Large companies are notorious for stiffing you on out-dated products, but not JET. JET supports products up to 8 years after discontinuance. Online, JET provides you with a service center locator. Just type in your zip code, select the radius (in miles) around your town or city, and click Locate. If you want more advanced search results, you can also choose a product category and the service capabilities that go along with it. They’ve made it that easy. JET prides itself on its 9 out of 10 customer rated technical support and customer service. For half a century, JET has been a top supplier of Woodworking, Metalworking, and Material Handling products. When you see the JET RED Assurance stamp, you can rest assured that behind every product comes decades of reliability, expertise, and dependability.

Written By Joseph Scovill

Tiles are both waterproof and durable. What better time to think about tackling a tile project then right now! The summer always means family and friends will be getting together. While you spend a lot of time outdoors, I’m sure you think about making your bathroom look presentable and enabling your mud room to handle the added traffic the backyard pool will add.

One of the most important first steps before you place even one tile on your floor is making sure you prepare the surface thoroughly and plan and design your work carefully. If you take the extra time to prepare, I guarantee you that the time spent will save you a whole lot of aggravation later on. I’m certainly guilty of rushing my tiling project and regretting it in the end.

When planning and laying out your tiling project always remember that the type and the actual size of the tile will affect your overall design and how you work. Obviously the larger the tile the less time it will take to install a room, but large tiles also have their pitfalls, especially if you are dealing with an uneven surface. Visualize your room and dry layout your design using a square, level and chalk line, insuring that your design will be straight.

Tile Floor Layout

When cutting your tile, we recommend using a wet-cutting electric tile saw. However, we do not recommend using one of those throw-away, under $100.00, big box store tile saws with an inexpensive blade.  What we do recommend is buying one of the Lackmond “The Beast” Tile Saws. Now many of you do-it-yourselfers probably have not heard of this company, but our Tile Contractors certainly have.  Lackmond only manufacturer’s products specific to this industry with products such as: Diamond saw blades, grinding wheels, drill bits, concrete saws and tile saws. Too often your tile project is impeded by faulty equipment and a bad diamond blade. When quality counts and you do not want to have to replace a tool a short time down the road, then the Lackmond “The beast” Wet tile saw and Wet Tile Circular Saw is the answer. The Lackmond WTS75L, at just under $200.00, is an awesome deal for a contractor-grade, portable tile saw.

Lackmond WTS750I Tile Saw

Tools Needed for this Project:

Plumb Bob

Chalk and Chalk Line

Rubber Mallet

Tape Measure

Knee Pads

Bucket, Sponge, Rubber Gloves