In our twenty-first century world, where everyone is much more aware of the environment and the importance of protecting it, people are more and more often looking for "green" ways of doing things.

When it comes to refinishing, a product called SOY-Gel™ is rapidly becoming the stripper of choice. This soy bean-based product is safer to work with and safer for the environment than harsh chemical strippers. It's non-toxic, non-caustic and biodegradable!

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It's great when you can think outside the box, and find a use for a product beyond the advertised use. Jim Quinn of Riverton, New Jersey, did just that with our Heavy Duty Pantry Slides. Rather than use them in the kitchen, Jim used them in his bathroom to turn a deep, narrow closet into a convenient and functional slide-out linen cabinet!

In his five-star review of the slides Jim says:

Rockler's heavy duty pantry slides made it possible

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Ah, Pinewood Derby time. That magical time of year when you and your child spend hours in your workshop turning a plain block of wood and four plastic wheels into a lean, mean, racing machine.

    

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Editor's note: This month, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is pleased to introduce the Pock-It Hole Clamp™, a versatile new method of clamping pocket hole joints for properly aligned, tight fitting results when using pocket screws. We had Ralph Bagnall try out a couple in the shop, and here are his thoughts on the new clamps.

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There are two more videos available in our series on Rockler Router Bits.

Take a look and see what the Reversible Sash and Door Assembly Router Bit and the 45° Lock Miter Router Bit can do for you! We'd love your feedback on these short clips. Are they helpful in understanding the bit, the setup, the potential? Anything else you'd like to see? Leave your comments below.

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Today I'd like to share a great review for the Deluxe Sewing Center Plan. The review is not unusual - this is a great piece of furniture, and the plan (and our lift mechanism that goes with it) regularly get good reviews.

This week, however, Curtis Vixie of Susanville, California sent in a review that included some really fabulous pictures of the sewing center he built from the plan. (There are even more images if you click through to the review).

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Ever wish you could really see what it is that a particular router bit does before you buy it? Maybe you're having a hard time visualizing the profile? Or have you thought about getting a certain router bit, but haven't because you were unsure about exactly how to set it up? Router bits can be expensive, and what if you're not really sure that the bit you're considering does what you need it to do?

We're coming out with new, short videos on some of the less common pieces from our line of Rockler Router Bits that will help ease the uncertainty. Take a look at these first examples, and see what the Louver Bit or the Trim Router Bit Kit can do for you!

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Here's a DIY home improvement tip so simple and inexpensive you've just got to try it:

As a super-quick and easy way to make your home look better before your legions of holiday guests arrive, take a walk around your house with a Zenith Tibet Almond Stick. In each room, look over your woodwork (hardwood floors, furniture, molding, doors, etc.) for anything that's scratched.

Do any of these sound familiar: Dogs' toenails did a number on your hardwood floors? Cats used your trim as a scratching post?

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Did you know that there are certain styles of pen turning kits that use less than a "full" length pen blank? The Carbara or the Sierra-style kits both take less than a full blank, and there are several reasons why using them might be to your advantage. (And check out your chance to win two of these kits below!)

Do you have pen blanks or remainders that are less than the proper size? The Carbara kit uses a blank less than three inches long.

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We heard from Russ Alexander of Big Bear Lake, California last week on our Clamp Handle Grips. Russ gives 'em five stars and says:

I have around 50 Bessey clamps, most with the older style small handle. When the new style came out I asked Bessey if there was a way to adapt the new handles to my older clamps and they recommended the Rockler grips. They fit nicely and contour to the handles when you push them on. I am very pleased with them and my arthritis really appreciates the larger gripping surface.

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