Wealden launch high performance 4Grip collet range for CNC machines

Tool life and cutter performance are greatly influenced by the fit and rigidity of the cutter in the toolholder. This, in turn, is totally dependent on the collet.  It follows therefore that as much of the collet as possible should be in contact with the cutter. On standard collets there can be as many as 16 slits in the collet to allow compression and, therefore, a large proportion of the circumference of the cutter is not in contact with the collet. 

Wealden's new high performance 4Grip collets have a maximum of 8 slits, ensuring that the ratio of slit area to collet area on the circumference of the cutter is greater. This is particularly important on smaller diameter cutters, as the slit area will be a much greater percentage of the cutting tool shank. This increased grip will be noticed especially in a significant reduction in noise levels whilst cutting. 

The 4Grip collets are available to buy on the Wealden website.

For latest news and information on all Wealden's new additions, routing hints & tips, testimonials from customers and reviews of Wealden products in the woodworking press, visit the Wealden news site.                                               

Generic collets now in stock at Wealden

A small range of high quality Italian-made generic collets and nuts is now available to buy online at the Wealden website.

Suitable for a number of routing machines such as CMT, Dewalt, Elu, Festool and Trend, full details of the range and a collet selection guide are to be found on the website via this link.

For latest news and information on all Wealden's new additions, routing hints & tips, testimonials from customers and reviews of Wealden products in the woodworking press, visit the Wealden news site.                                                 

Wealden Tools proud to sponsor the Fenland Black Oak Project

In 2012 a Fenland farmer's plough hit an absolutely gigantic black oak tree, which had been buried deep beneath the peat for 5,000 years.  Black oak is by far the nation's most ancient, rarest and valuable native hardwood and at over 13 metres long, the Jubilee Oak is a giant amongst giants. 

It was immediately recognised there was a need to preserve such a rare discovery.  With no budget and against all the odds companies were approached to support this unique project.  A vast sawmill was flown over from Canada and, astonishingly, the tree produced 10 magnificent sequential boards unlike anything seen before.

The boards were transported to the Building Crafts College in Stratford, East London, where a specifically designed  14 metre drying kiln had been constructed.  Nine months later 397 gallons of water had been extracted, the boards' weight had been reduced by 1.6 tons and ten breathtakingly beautiful flat and true sequential boards of 13.2 metre long appeared.

This was a unique creative opportunity and a team of dedicated craftspeople decided to try and preserve the full length of this exceptional Fenland giant for the nation by creating an iconic table.  

Techniques have been developed to enable the individual shapes and character of the boards to be  used and highlighted.

The design team have called this technique the ‘river joint’ which, while reflecting this most prominent Fenland feature, also enables the true story of the ancient high forests to be told at a glance.

It has been agreed that the table can be displayed in all its sculptural magnificence in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, known as the Ship of the Fens, and a fitting place as it sits on high ground surrounded by fields which, very occasionally, still yield buried ancient black oaks.

All the successes of the project to date are due entirely to the skill, dedication and commitment of a host of individuals and companies, local, national and international, who have so generously given sponsorship in the form of goods, services and time.  

Wealden are delighted to share the vision to preserve this ancient tree for the nation by donating all the cutters used in the machining and working of this vast table.

https://www.thefenlandblackoakproject.co.uk

New longer worktop cutter added to Easi-Tip router range

Responding to calls from kitchen fitters installing worktops, Wealden have designed a worktop cutter with a longer replaceable blade which allows the final finishing cut to be made in one pass.

The photo shows the standard cutter with 29mm blade (left) and the new longer cutter with 50mm blade (right).

Designed as a single flute replaceable tip cutter, the longer blade has three screw fixings for greater rigidity.  The turnover blade has two cutting edges, making the tool more economical in daily use.  The Easi-Tip cutter is supplied complete with a knife and torx key and is available to buy online at the Wealden website.

For latest news and information on all Wealden's new additions, routing hints & tips, testimonials from customers and reviews of Wealden products in the woodworking press, visit the Wealden news site.

                                                                                      

Roughing/Hogging CNC cutters now in Wealden's range

New to the range these large four flute Swop-tip© disposable insert Roughing/Hogging cutters achieve high removal rates and are ideal for pre-cutting, jointing and rabbeting.

Featuring rotatable TC knives with shear angle in a spiral design for fast hogging and excellent chip removal, the spiral tip design reduces the cutting forces and is ideal for deep hogging depths.  Replaceable tip cutters offer the benefit of a constant diameter and easy maintenance.  However, it should be noted that the cutters are for roughing only.  Subsequent finishing or profiling may be required: they do not produce a planned finish, but very high removal rates are possible with this tooling. The maximum rotational speed for these cutters is 16,000 rpm.

The cutters are available to buy online at the Wealden website.

For latest news and information on all Wealden's new additions, routing hints & tips, testimonials from customers and reviews of Wealden products in the woodworking press, visit the Wealden news site.

                                                                                    

#roughing/hogging

Wealden sponsor successful EuroSkills woodwork competitor

A joiner from Kilgetty in Pembrokeshire has put his carpentry credentials to the test by notching up a ‘Medallion of Excellence’ at a prestigious skills competition, using router cutters supplied by Wealden Tools.

Twenty-year-old Chris Caine, who trained at Pembrokeshire College and works for DH Carpentry and Joinery in Pembroke Dock, was the only joiner selected to represent the UK at Europe’s most important and prestigious skills contest - ‘The EuroSkills Competition’ - held recently in Budapest, which sees teams from 27 countries across the Continent compete in a wide range of skills to win medals in disciplines ranging from engineering to construction and digital to hospitality.

“I competed in the joinery sector, which was a three-day competition, lasting a total of 18 hours,” explained Chris.

“I had to manufacture a door and frame with different radius curves and tapers using different joints and techniques."

“I was delighted to be one of the seven competitors to gain a ‘Medallion of Excellence’, which means I completed the project to the highest standard recognised by the industry internationally."

“When the scores were announced I was placed fourth in Europe and am now starting back training ready for the biggest event in 2019, which is Worldskills in Kazan in Russia!" he added.

Wealden are proud to sponsor such a competent and accomplished young carpenter and wish Chris continued success at Worldskills.