New Products Coming Soon!

Sorry for not being very active here for the past week and a half but I think the absence will have been worth it. Aside from working to fulfill that order for customized balancing bottle holders, I have been busy working on a couple of new products to add to the shop.

The next addition will be rustic six-pack holders with a side-mounted bottle opener. These are one of my favorite things I have made recently and I hope it will become a big seller. I am still working on the pricing and deciding what the best design is the best, but this is something I am very excited about.  It might even be something I attempt to wholesale to liquor stores for the holiday season. These are perfect to bring your favorite six-pack to a party or to tote the random beers that you have hanging around in your fridge.

The other products I have been working on are an Iphone/Ipod charging dock, a toy wood dagger and a dancing duck marionette-like puppet. 

All these products should be available in the shop soon. And also look for more regular blog articles. I have outlined a number of different articles and pretty soon should be able to get at least one up daily. 

Custom Orders from The Wood Goods

I just wanted to remind everyone that The Wood Goods will work to fill any custom order that you may have. Last night, for example, I got an order for 30 Cherry Balancing Bottle Holders with customization for a wedding. They will be used as centerpieces and as favors for the guests. The customer asked for their names and the date of their wedding to be woodburned on the holders.

I also recently completed another order for a wedding that consisted of 60 Pine Balancing Bottle Holders that will be used for the same reason. These were not customized but are just another example of the work I will do for my customers.

If there is anything you want that I do not have listed I can probably still accommodate you, and as always I can create any quantity you need of the items that I already have listed in my shop.  

New Items

Hey everyone! I just wanted to make you all aware of some new products that are available in the Etsy shop.  Does anyone have any use for toaster tongs, a chalkboard, coasters, bottle stoppers, an acoustic guitar hanger or a pen holder? I have them in stock and ready to ship.

The chalkboard, toaster tongs and guitar hanger are all made from cherry while the bottle stoppers and pen holder are made from mahogany. The coasters are alternating strips of cherry and maple. I have some more products coming soon so keep your eyes open.

In other news, I plan on launching a video contest in the near future to promote The Wood Goods. I would like to have it conclude before Thanksgiving and then launch a series of giveaways before Christmas. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Wood Goods Review: Nexabond 2500 Instant Wood Adhesive

I was lucky enough to sample Nexabond 2500 Instant Wood Adhesive before it became available to the general public and after a couple months of using the product I am impressed. After all that time I still have close to half of the 4oz bottle they sent me and that is only because of how well the product works. I have used it to glue miters for pictures, to secure a few dozen tubes into pen blanks and for a couple other miscellaneous jobs with terrific results each time except for one. The only time I had a glue-up fail was when I used it to try to secure the insert for a lathe-turned, wood screwdriver. The failure here was probably my own though. Thinking back on it, I probably did not use enough glue for something that would be consistently used in high torque situations.

While my own experience has been rather good, I look forward to trying this product for more applications. While I have only tried this on wood to wood and metal to wood connections it is also supposed to work well with ceramics, glass, foam, leather, paper and plastics so you can basically use it for anything.  Unlike super glue/cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, Nexabond is thick enough to eliminate runs and drips while also having a longer working time. In fact, it is available in two formulas, Short, with an open time of 1-3 minutes, and Medium with an open time of 3-5 minutes so you have time to assemble your projects without panic. Then once your piece is where you want it you don't have to use an activator for it set properly, just wait a few minutes, it will cure in an hour and reach full strength in eight.

Another positive about Nexabond is that is made without solvents, including water. A waterless glue means you can use it without worrying about pieces swelling and shrinking during assembly. It also means you can use it on oily woods and you can sand right away without worrying that joint lines will be flawed once the glue dries.

Overall, Nexabond 2500 has set high standards for it to live up to. From my experience it meets those standards but I have not tried it in every possible application. I will let you know if I find any more short comings for this product, but for now, if you come across this product I would say it is definitely worth buying.

Wood Goods Review: Pittsburgh DuraLock Tape Measure

The 25' Pittsburgh DuraLock Tape Measure sold at Harbor Freight is one of the best values available for a tape measure. Featuring a one-inch, lockable blade housed in an ABS shell it functions as well, if not better than similar looking tape measures that are two to four times its cost.  Listed at $7.99, but often on sale for $4.99 and sometimes found for just $3.00, this is the tape measure every homeowner and many carpenters should have.

For the past year I have used this brand almost exclusively and I will have a hard time going back to the more expensive brands unless somebody gives one to me. The True Zero function on the end of the tape measure is as accurate as other brands.

The biggest difference I have noticed between the DuraLock and the similar tape measure is that the more expensive tape measure has three rivets holding the hook to the blade and while the Duralock has two. I don't think this is a big deal, especially consider the Duralock tape measure comes with a Lifetime Warrany and the other brand has no warranty, and is typically only returnable for 90 days.

When at full price the difference in cost between the two most similar looking brands is not really that much. If that is the case, maybe you will stick with the brand you have known for years, and if you do that I will understand. If you have the opportunity to buy a Duralock tape measure for $3.00, however, I would be surprised if you regreted your purchase. I know Harbor Freight has a bit of a reputation for making their things "too affordable" but this is one case where it really is as good as it seems.

Make your own Balancing Bottle Holder

What You’ll Need

Piece of Wood 2 ¾” x 8 ¼”

Table Saw

Miter Saw

Router with Round-over Bit

1 ¼ drill bit

Drill or Drill press

Sandpaper (orbital sander)

How to make it...

Step One

Cut a piece of wood to 2 ¾ inches wide.

Step Two

Round over the edges of the blank, including at least one end.

Step three

Mark the center, or 1 3/8 inches in, near the top of the blank

Step Four

Make a mark 1 ¾ inches down from the top.

Step Five

Measure 7 ½ inches down from the top of the blank and make  a mark.

Step Six

Cut the blank at the 7 ½ inch mark at a 40 degree bevel.

Step Seven

Using an 1 ¼ forstner or spade bit, drill a hole at the top of the blank where your lines intersect.

Step Eight

Round over the edges of the hole.

Step Nine

Sand the bottle holder and finish as desired.