Recently added articles from FDM:
Looking for positive news
Jan 01, 2009; ... What's going to happen in 2009? The predictions are mostly gloomy. The economic slowdown is likely to last much of 2009, although we've read of a recovery beginning possibly mid-year. (There's too much attention in the media on the technical definition of a recession.) And even if we emerge from ...
NOTEBOOK
Jan 01, 2009; ... New Year, new contact information Our contact information has changed, but we still want to hear from you. If you have a hot story idea or just an idea to make FDM better give us a call. You can reach Editor-in-Chief Karl Forth at 815.966.5416 and Kathleen McLaughlin, managing editor, at ...
Creating sanity from chaos
Jan 01, 2009; ... In reality many businesses, like custom architectural millwork, produce an endless series of unique projects. These firms are true job shops where no two jobs are identical. Given this discontinuity, management must make sanity out of chaos. After all, chaos causes waste, and customers don't pay ...
Dowel pin joints, blue stain
Jan 01, 2009; ... Q: When using a dowel pin joint does the glue bond at the bottom of the dowel provide 80 percent of its total holding strength? A: A dowel pin joint provides several advantages over a joint without dowels. When joining two pieces of wood, we are generally concerned about two different ...
Spicy smelling, coarse-grained Southern hardwood: Sassafras
Jan 01, 2009; ... There is just one species of sassafras, also called cinna- mon-wood, in North America, Sassafras albnidum. The name, sas- safras, is believed to be the Native American name for this tree. The tree is most commonly found in the South, preferring humid, warmer climates. In the best climates and ...
Technology drives company's growth
Jan 01, 2009; ... Indiana Dimension's expansion incorporates automated machinery, improved quality and new product. When Indiana Dimension Inc. expanded and diversified its operations two years ago, it also increased its technology investment. The Logansport, Ind., components manufacturer combined a ...
Texas startup off to a fast start
Jan 01, 2009; ... Cabinet experience, high-tech equipment and computer systems have added up to a quick start for a startup. MasterCraft Wood Products is a new company, but its management team has more than 200 years of experience in the cabinet business. "We're a startup, but we're not a ...
Knife marks per inch
Jan 01, 2009; ... Increasing knife marks per inch can be beneficial. Large volumes of hardwoods and softwoods are machined, generally, along the grain for furniture, windows and moulding. Because lumber or wood parts cannot always be machined with the grain, chipped or torn grain frequently occurs. As ...
Scrapping upholstery waste
Jan 01, 2009; ... My take on waste is that zero is a good, though perhaps unattainable, number. Waste materials are a byproduct of upholstery manufacturing. What do you see as the most efficient and economical ways for manufacturers to handle the waste issue? Q: A: Waste equates to bonuses ...
Elections and the next CARB
Dec 01, 2008; ... Could new dust regulations be the next CARB? The Longest Election Ever is finally over. We hope you voted and participated in the process. Barack Obama's election is historic by any measure, and we believe this is a positive event for the U.S. in many ways. We wish him all the ...
NOTEBOOK
Dec 01, 2008; ... Pacific Crest hits 20-year mark When Steve and Carolyn Bell started Pacific Crest Industries in 1988, it operated out of a small garage. This year the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary and now has 180 employees operating out of a 185,000-square-foot facility. Pacific Crest ...
Correction
Dec 01, 2008; ... The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America's Web site was incorrectly ...
Economic outlook for 2009
Dec 01, 2008; ... This is not a fun time to be forecasting the outlook for the economy. Not only are the prospects dim, but uncertainty is at an alltime high. One thing is certainly clear: the U.S. economy slowed in 2008. The most recent GDP release showed that economic activity in the third quarter declined 0.3 ...
Lumber defects, veneer adhesion
Dec 01, 2008; ... Q: I'm using some 2-inch-thick lumber to make kitchen work tops. This wood has some defects, like knots. I cannot figure out how to use my hand router to cut out these defects in a curved cut and then end up with two tight fitting pieces. Any pointers to find which way to do this would be much ...
Making windows in a glass house
Dec 01, 2008; ... Before making high- quality windows, Case Window set out to make a quality window plant. Gerhard Loeffel wanted a good place to work for his employees. "I'm a firm believer in creating a nice work environment for my employees, so we can work as a team together and create a great ...
Maximizing fire protection systems
Dec 01, 2008; ... Technical paper details the benefits of spark and other detection systems in the secondary wood products industry. When used and maintained properly, fire protection systems can provide multiple benefits for secondary wood products manufacturers, according to Allen Wagoner in his ...
Consumers want green furniture options
Dec 01, 2008; ... Manufacturers should focus on certified wood and water-based finishes. Environmentally friendly has transcended from a buzzword to a multi-million dollar revenue generator spanning many industries. According to a "2008 Green Marketing Consumer Study," sponsored by the Sustainable ...
What you need to know about CARB
Dec 01, 2008; ... Wood components, products sold or produced in California require labeled shipments. As of Jan. 1, 2009, any composite wood product produced for sale or use in the state of California must be in compliance with Phase I CARB formaldehyde emission limits. Composite wood panels include ...
Using ingenuity to maintain profits
Dec 01, 2008; ... Store fixture manufacturer is flexible and creative to help increase its bottom line. Wood Designs Inc. in Oklahoma City has always been open to change. Founded in 1961 as a home building company, in the late 1980s it saw better opportunities elsewhere and moved into store fixture ...
Skill standards move ahead
Nov 01, 2008; ... How do you measure proficiency in woodworking? An industry group is working to establish standards for woodworkers, and you can be a part of it. National skills standards of excellence for woodworking are being developed by the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America. The standards of ...