Plasma cutters were invented in the early 1960's with the introduction of the plasma arc. By increasing the temperature of a commercial welder (speeding up the flow of gas and shrinking the release hole, engineers created a gas "saw" that could could through metal, thus the Plasma Cutter was created.
Plasma cutters were originally used in metalworking industries such as construction to cut beams or metal sheet goods, vehicle manufacturers and custom auto body shops. Basically any place where thick metal needs to be cut. With the advent of relatively inexpensive plasma cutters (under $500), artisans began using them to craft their wares. Evidence of this plasma cut art is all around us in restaurants, shops, homes and galleries alike.
The photo to the left is a metal sculpture created by Ralph Berger. Ralph uses a plasma cutter and a mig welder to create geometrical designs. "Working with metal gives Ralph a great deal of pleasure and allows him to create on either small or large scales. His original designs are cut from either found metal objects or steel plate. The metal sculptures are multi functional, finding their way into gardens and landscapes as well as interior room dividers, mirrors and wall décor."
Other such examples of plasma cutter art are shown at one of my favorite places, the enormous statues at the Griffith Sculpture Park, an hour south of Buffalo, New York. Serene and magnificent, these ancient looking sculptures are reminiscent of the pagan worshipping eras but were actually crafted much more recently. Griffith Sculpture Park, New York photo by Liz Falvo.
Are you interested in creating art with a Plasma Cutter or a Welder? Hobart Welders has some great instructional pdf's on their website. You can purchase an inexpensive welder or plasma cutter for well under $500. Go ahead, treat yourself and start creating cool stuff with metal.
I went into the ToolKing store and asked one of the salemen, Rick, what he found to be the most popular item that people were buying for Christmas presents. He said that hands down, it was the JessEm Miter Gauge. "Why that particular miter gauge", I asked him? Rick said because the JessEm Miter Gauge is an extremely accurate and sturdy after market miter for woodworkers who want their products to turn out perfectly. You use it in conjuntion with your table saw to cut miters to perfection.
The JessEm Miter Gauge features a Mite-R-excel™ Fence features a heavy-gauge aluminum extrusion that’s rock solid with no flex. The fence length is 27” closed and extends out to a maximum measured cut length of 36” with stop. JessEm's innovative Dual-Indexing Angle Location System provides positive stops at every ½ degree and a separate vernier scale allowing additional angle settings. The JessEm fence also features their unique "dual-reference adjustable scale" that allows accurate measurements from the blade to 24” and out to 36” when using the telescoping fence extension.
We just were notified of a recall that affects five DeWalt drills sold between June 06 and December 07 (read:now) . A total of about 346,000 DeWalt drills are subject to this recall due to a faulty power switch that can overheat. DeWalt is aware of the issue and while no injuries have yet been reported, in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, is issuing this voluntary recall to ensure that no one is hurt.
Here are the 5 DeWalt Drills that are being recalled:
DC920 (also DC920KA, DC920KAR)
Heavy-Duty XRP(tm) 1/2" (13mm) 18 Volt Cordless drill/Driver Date Codes 200723 through 200742
DC930 (also DC930KA, DC930KAR)
Heavy-Duty XRP(tm) 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver Date Codes 200625 through 200746
DC935 (also DC935KA, DC935VA, DC935KAR)
Heavy-Duty XRP(tm) 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Date Codes through 200746
DC936 (also DC936KA, DC936VA)
Heavy-Duty XRP(tm) 1/2" (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Date Codes 200635 through 200746
DC940 (also DC940KA, DC940KAR)
Heavy-Duty XRP(tm) 1/2" (13mm) 12 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver Date Codes 200635 through 200746
If you own one of the recalled DeWalt drills listed above and the date code on the tools ends with an "M", the faulty switch has already been modified before you bought it, so you're not affected by this recall
However, if your affected DeWalt drill doesn't have the M following the date code, you should stop using the drill immediately and contact DEWALT for the location of the nearest service center to receive a free inspection and, if necessary, free repair.
Consumer Contact: Call DEWALT toll-free at (888) 742-9168 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit firm's Web site at www.DEWALT.com
It's not too late. You can always get that difficult to buy for someone a gift card to their favorite tool store for Christmas. I was just visiting the SawMillCreek forum and the overwhelming item for the best $100 woodworking gift was CASH, aka: gift card.
The moderater at SawMillCreek.org, Jim Becker said it best "Personally, I think that the gift card to his/her favorite woodworking store is the better choice in most cases. Tools and tooling are very personal things and unless you have a specific item that you know is on his/her "gift list", it's probably more comfortable all around to let them make the final choice."
Looking for a good quality but inexpensive wet cutting tile saw? I am and you can steal my idea and say it was yours. It's the MK Diamond MK-370 EXP tile saw. Priced at $329, it's the least expensive, high quality, do-it-yourselfer version of a wet cutting tile saw. You can find some cheaper tile saws at Home Depot (that's where I got my first one for $89 that I recently burned out the motor on), but for the next step up, check out the MK 370 EXP.
The Diamond MK370 will cut 18" tiles, which are all the rage these day. It can cut a 13" diagonal and can also cut a 45 degree miter for those nice tile trim pieces. The MK370 is lightweight enough to bring on a jobsite with you and also comes with it's own folding stand. Other features of the MK-370 include a variable height cutting head that allows for plunge cutting, sliding aluminum die-cast cutting table, 3/4" diameter chrome plated linear guide bar system, hinged blade guard for easy blade changes, single piece zinc-plated steel frame for rigidity, strength and durability and a MK-Safeswitch which prevents the saw from being operated when the locking key is removed.
When you purchase the MK 370 EXP tile saw, it includes a built-in submersible water pump receptacle with a removable thermoplastic water reservoir and 7" diamond blade for cutting tile. If purchased separately, the diamond blades can be quite expensive but they last a long time so you are psyched to have one included. The MK 370 EXP also includes a folding stand. Nice touch! Because of the Diamond MK370's price, I'm not even going to compare other products to this one.
Other such examples of plasma cutter art are shown at one of my favorite places, the enormous statues at the Griffith Sculpture Park, an hour south of Buffalo, New York. Serene and magnificent, these ancient looking sculptures are reminiscent of the pagan worshipping eras but were actually crafted much more recently. 
Resources:
went into the ToolKing store and asked one of the salemen, Rick, what he found to be the most popular item that people were buying for Christmas presents. He said that hands down, it was the 
We just were notified of a recall that affects five DeWalt drills sold between June 06 and December 07 (read:now) . A total of about 346,000 DeWalt drills are subject to this recall due to a faulty power switch that can overheat. DeWalt is aware of the issue and while no injuries have yet been reported, in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, is issuing this voluntary recall to ensure that no one is hurt.
It's not too late. You can always get that difficult to buy for someone a gift card to their favorite tool store for Christmas. I was just visiting the SawMillCreek forum and the overwhelming item for the best $100 woodworking gift was CASH, aka: 
Looking for a good quality but inexpensive wet cutting tile saw? I am and you can steal my idea and say it was yours. It's the 
