New technologies to help woodshops stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market

December is a great time for shops to review their tool inventory, especially with January sales. New tools like DeWalt’s Multi-Head Drill/Driver and Makita’s cordless circular saw offer innovative solutions for various applications. Additionally, new workstations, portable tools, and fasteners from various brands provide enhanced functionality and efficiency for woodworkers.

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From airflow dynamics to filter selection, a guide to keeping wood dust under control

Cherry hardwood sales have been sluggish for over a decade, despite its competitive pricing compared to other domestic hardwoods. While demand for standard cherry remains low, highly figured cherry, especially matched sets from the same tree, continues to be popular. The shift in market trends towards brown woods over red woods, coupled with the influence of marketing buzzwords, is believed to be contributing to the decline in cherry sales.

Tariffs have not impacted raw exotic lumber, but challenges remain in sourcing exotic species due to scarcity and regulatory measures. Zebrawood and yellowheart are particularly difficult to source, with zebrawood facing a global shortage and yellowheart impacted by a Brazilian export ban.

Old-growth heart pine, prized for its rich hues and rustic appeal, is driving the reclaimed wood market. Customers seek hand-hewn beams and boards, often sourced from old barns, for decorative purposes.

Despite the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) devastating ash tree populations, hardwood dealers report that ash is still available, though declining. While demand has decreased due to concerns about future scarcity and design preferences for oak and walnut, ash remains popular for certain applications, such as guitar making.

Hickory is a popular choice for countertops, island tops, cabinets, and flooring due to its rustic appearance and color variations. Its hardness and tendency to warp make it challenging to work with, but it stains well and can be a cost-effective alternative to white oak. The demand for hickory remains steady, with a preference for the calico brown and white mix or heavy brown color.

Rubio Monocoat USA has hired Brian “Sedge” Sedgeley to strengthen the wood finishing company’s Trade Partner Program and expand support for professional contractors. Sedgely brings over 30 years of experience…

Guffey Systems, a manufacturer of material handling and finishing solutions, has named SurfacePrep as an authorized distributor of its products. The partnership expands Guffey Systems’ reach to industrial manufacturers and…

Oneida introduces the XT14, a portable cyclonic HEPA dust extractor, designed for use with handheld and benchtop tools. “Built with pros in mind, the Oneida XT combines our famous cyclone…

The National Wood Flooring Association has released its 2026 Hands-On Training Calendar. These events are held at various NWFA regional training centers across the United States and are led by…

Denios, a manufacturer of safety and material handling products, introduces Spill Containment Trays to catch material drips and spills, thus enhancing workplace safety and efficiency. ‘They prevent contamination by catching…

Osborne Wood Products introduces two new table leg designs, Tahoe and Sonora, featuring traditional Mission elements.

Felder presents the KV 925 vertical panel saw to the U.S. market after its premier at LIGNA 2023.

Grizzly Industrial presents a new 8” jointer with a spiral cutterhead, model G0490ZX, and a parallelogram table adjustment mechanism.

Wood Environmentally Adaptive (EA) Hydroplus technology in a new waterborne wood coating that can be applied in a variety of conditions.

WHITESIDE MACHINE CO. is introducing two new CNC router bit sets aimed at production shops and the discerning woodworker. The General Purpose CNC Set (Item No. 709, $232.90) is a…