Rubio Monocoat Spotlight
Don’t let your hard work be chipped away. With the level of care and expertise that goes in to every woodworking project, the last thing you want to do is skimp on protecting the finished product. To that end, there’s no better wood coating on the market than Rubio Monocoat.
Cardwell Hardwoods proudly stocks the highest quality products in the woodworking industry, which is why we can’t stop singing Rubio Monocoat’s praises. This hard-wax oil simultaneously protects your wood from normal wear and tear as well as liquid damage. With the proper care and attention, a single application of this product can shield your wood from damage over the course of an entire lifetime.
As the name implies, this product only requires one coat. No sealer, no sanding in between coats, no double or triple top coats. Just one application is all that’s needed. This is a huge benefit of this product when it comes to your tight schedule. One unique feature of this product is its ability to only bond with the material being coated, not to itself. So if your project gets damaged, just reapply Rubio Monocoat to the affected area and it will match perfectly.
As retailers, we love how this coating provides our customers not only with the high-performance utility you’d come to expect from an international brand, but also the variety our customers crave to make their projects stand out. Rubio Monocoat comes in a variety of 40 colors ranging from antique bronze to charcoal grey, and for those looking to truly assert their creative side, their pre-treatment product Rubio Monocoat Precolor Easy even affords the opportunity to create special effects and contrasts on wood surfaces.
While form and function are both certainly great selling points, perhaps our favorite aspect of this product is the fact that it is zero-VOC. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are carbon-containing compounds that easily become vapors and can present health hazards, especially if used indoors. No VOCs means Rubio Monocoat is safe to use in any area of the home. Whether you’re looking to finish your wood floors, your wooden cabinets, or that dining room tabletop, Rubio Monocoat ensures your wood will last for you years without presenting any problems of its own.
We love hearing about our customer’s projects each and every time they walk through our doors, but woodworking doesn’t stop when you pack away the saw and the sandpaper. Protecting your wood from wear and tear is absolutely vital to the success of your project. In our opinion, there’s nothing better to shield your creations than Rubio Monocoat.
Choosing the right table saw blade
After you’ve found the best table saw for your woodshop, it’s time to find the best blades for your projects.
The saw blade that comes with most table saws is usually not able to handle every type of wood. Your table saw blades must be versatile tools. The right blade makes various cuts smoothly and safely.
Combing through all the available saw blades can feel overwhelming. Not every blade is created equal. We are sometimes asked if a good blade is worth the investment. The answer is always yes. As one of your core tools, table saw blades need to be carefully selected.
When choosing your blade ask yourself some of the following questions:
- What materials will the blade cut?
- What types of cuts do I need to make?
- How powerful is the saw and what size blade does the manufacturer recommend?
- Do you want to build a collection of specialized blades, or do you want one blade that can make all kinds of cuts?
After you’ve determined your table saw’s use there are a few common blades you will be looking at.
Three basic types of woodworking blades:
Crosscut:
These table saw blades are designed to produce a smooth cut across the grain of the wood without splintering or tearing. This type of blade will usually have 60 to 80 teeth.
Rip:
Ideal for ripping hardwoods or thick softwood stock. Quality ripping table saw blades will slice through hardwood with minimal effort and leave a clean cut with minimal scoring.
Combination Blades:
Don’t confuse combination blades with being an all-purpose blade. While combination blades can work multiple cuts, rip and crosscut, they are not general blades. It’s still vital to have specific blades for different cuts and wood characteristics.
Each one of these common blades was crafted to perform a different task. Map out your projects to plan out your blade purchases. Similar to other woodworking tools you will want to upgrade your blade as you advance your woodworking skills. If you’re unsure on which blade to purchase yourself ask any of our experienced Cardwell employees.
Basic Woodshop Safety
There are basic safety guidelines that need to be followed in any woodworking shop. We follow safety procedures in our retail store as well as our personal woodworking spaces.
While there are many more safety guidelines depending on your tools or project, we’ve gathered a few key safety tips that apply for every shop.
Show up ready
Showing up ready means you’re dressed correctly and in the right mindset.
Don’t show up to work tired, intoxicated, or frustrated. These rules are similar to driving. You wouldn’t drive drunk, exhausted, or beyond rage. So, you shouldn’t pick up a power tool under that mindset either.
Dress the part! Always wear safety glasses or goggles, protect your ears with sound-blocking earmuffs, wear a dust mask, and keep your long sleeves rolled up and hair tied back. Don’t forget; never wear gloves.
Set up a safe shop
Keep your tools in top shape so they perform properly. This includes keeping tools properly aligned to prevent injury. When your machines aren’t in use, keep them unplugged and their safety locks on.
Keep your shop secure by locking up after you leave.
Listen to your body
When switching to a different power tool, if you feel awkward, stop. Never try to perform a task in an uncomfortable or strained position.
Always position yourself to the side of the blade, not behind it. Table saw kickback, when wood is thrown backwards, is one of the most common woodworking injuries.
Be sure to have proper training and demonstrations to use power tools and other pieces of machinery correctly. Even hand tools can cause serious injury if not treated correctly. Even after you’ve gained experience, pay attention to your tools.
It’s often said the second most dangerous tool in the shop is the one you are afraid of, and the most dangerous tool is one you think you’ve mastered.
As always, use common sense! If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. Your woodworking hobby won’t go far if you lose three fingers in your first week.
If you’re in need of safety gear, don’t go far. We have these safety pieces available in store. Print out these rules and post them in your shop to remind yourself of the importance of practicing safety.
Projects for Different Wood Types
A woodworking project begins with the right selection of wood. Choosing the correct grain and quality of wood is as important for your project as having the proper tools.
First, consider what you want to make and the purpose it will have. Are you creating furniture or a cutting board?
Second, consider your budget. It is better to postpone a project in order to raise the needed funds than to substitute with lesser products.
Wondering Which Wood to Use?
We’ve selected three of our favorite domestic woods and broken them down by their temperaments and what they are best used for.
Maple:
Maple is a hardwood that is available in two subcategories: hard and soft. Both are durable and stable, and will finish well. However, hard maple can take more abuse, and will ultimately outlast its soft cousin.
Soft maple is available in a color variety of white to reddish color. Hard maple is available in a white to brown color.
We suggest that beginner woodworkers start with soft maple because hard maple is more difficult to work with, not to mention more expensive. Soft maple is more likely to be accept stains compared to hard maple, therefore soft maple will come out closer to your original concept.
Birch:
For almost a century, birch has been a hot item for furniture and cabinetry. Birch is available in a light brown to red color, and its often wavy patterns give it a desirable appearance. This affordable wood is great for higher end projects.
Even though birch is a hardwood, it works well with machines and is easy to sand due to its fine texture and straight grain.
Poplar:
While poplar is one of the softest hardwoods, it’s highly versatile. White, yellow, brown, or even green poplar are great options for smaller projects. While poplar is not known for its durability, it performs well for structural applications. Its subtle texture makes it one of the most painted woods and easy to stain.
Whether you’re a pro or hobbyist, if you use wood from Cardwell Hardwoods for your project, please share it with us on Facebook! We love seeing what our customers are creating. Inspiration can be just a click away.