Since most eZine readers do not have access to media releases, we thought it would be useful to share what details we can about REAXX and the current lawsuit, despite limited information during this litigation timeframe. Here’s what we know, starting with some background.

In February 2015, Woodworker’s Journal saw Bosch’s new skin-sensing REAXX Portable Jobsite Table Saw for the first time in Las Vegas, at the World of Concrete trade show. During that press event, the saw’s skin-sensing system was demonstrated by Bosch, and its ability to prevent a blade mishap was instantaneous and impressive. Later last summer, again in Las Vegas, we met with Bosch at the AWFS trade show and were given a closer introduction to REAXX’s many features (to watch it, click here). At that time, the company anticipated that the saw would be available in fall 2015.

Fall came and went, and REAXX was still unavailable, presumably due to issues related to the court case. But then in an April 6 news release, Bosch announced that the saw will officially become available for purchase on June 1, 2016.

If you are unfamiliar with REAXX, what makes it special is Bosch’s Active Response Technology. The saw’s built-in computer uses a low-voltage, low-current electrical signal that’s imparted into the saw blade. When human skin touches the blade, the electrical signal is altered in a way that creates a unique electrical “signature,” which is detected by electronic sensors. Once the signature is received by the computer, it cuts power to the saw motor and initiates a pressurized activation cartridge. The dual-activation cartridge drives the blade arbor below the table at a high rate of speed, stopping an accident short.

This all may seem similar to SawStop’s design, but there are several significant points of departure worth understanding. For one, unlike SawStop’s cartridges that embed an aluminum brake into the blade when an activation happens, Bosch’s REAXX technology doesn’t damage the blade. Instead, a latch engages with the drop mechanism and prevents the blade from rebounding back up above the saw table. Underneath, the blade simply coasts to a stop. The speed with which the blade drops is the reason, Bosch says, for why no blade brake is required.

Another difference involves the ability to reuse the cartridge. SawStop’s brake cartridge must be replaced after every activation. Bosch’s cartridge, alternately, can activate twice before it needs to be replaced. The saw takes about a minute, Bosch calculates, for an experienced owner to reset the machine for use again.

In an eZine interview we published previously, Craig Wilson, product manager for REAXX, said that Bosch is willing to license its Active Response Circuitry to other saw brands, and he added, “We would take any inquiries from third parties under consideration.”

All this said, what makes REAXX safer for end users, from Bosch’s perspective, makes it legally and financially problematic for SawStop. For a dozen years, only SawStop has offered table saws that detect skin — and that time-tested technology has prevented thousands of table saw related accidents from occurring across North America. Safer table saws has been SawStop’s mission since the company’s inception, but it has often been publically criticized for holding a patent-protected monopoly over skin-sensing injury mitigation. Bosch’s REAXX would open that door to a second brand choice for “smarter” table saws. And, Bosch’s Active Response Technology could become a standard feature of more table saw brands, too.

Is REAXX technology truly unique and distinct from SawStop’s inventions? SawStop argues no. In a news release dated April 20, Dr. Stephen Gass, SawStop’s president, had this to say:

“We have invested millions of dollars in research and development to protect woodworkers from serious injury, and those inventions have been awarded numerous patents. Unfortunately, Bosch has disregarded our patents and implemented many of our inventions in the REAXX saw. We will continue to defend our patent rights against what we believe is willful infringement.”

Currently, the case is before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). SawStop is asking the ITC to order U.S. Customs to exclude Bosch’s REAXX Table Saws from entering the United States. SawStop is also requesting that the ITC order Bosch to stop advertising and selling the saws and associated parts, which may include replacement cartridges essential to the saw’s operation.

In that same news release, SawStop anticipated that the trial would be underway this month, with a decision expected by August of this year.

“We are looking forward to the trial and we are confident that we will prevail,” says Gass. “Over the past several months of discovery, Bosch has failed to identify anything that suggests our inventions were anticipated or obvious, nor have they introduced anything that was not already reviewed by the Patent Office. As a result, we expect our patents to be upheld. Also, we understand the language of our patents clearly covers the REAXX saw, and for that reason, we expect the judge to find infringement.”

Given the impending court decision later this summer, Woodworker’s Journal has inquired with Bosch about the likelihood of REAXX’s actual availability in June. Will the launch date still be met? Linda Beckmeyer, Bosch’s manager of media and public relations, responded by saying that “Bosch is committed to meeting the REAXX timelines we have shared with partners and end users.”

Further, she added that while the company will not comment in detail about the pending litigation, it is vigorously defending its case.

“We protect our intellectual property (IP),” Beckmeyer added, “and we believe in the rights of other companies to protect their IP. At Bosch, safety is a priority — and we will work to defend consumers’ rights to buy our products.”

As more developments about this court case become available over the coming months, we will share them with you. In the meantime, we’re anticipating June 1 availability for REAXX Portable Jobsite Table Saws in stores. And, we’re looking forward to giving this new saw a test run in our shop at the earliest convenience.

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The new nail gun can drive straight-clip nails ranging from 1- to 2-1/2-in. long, and its magazine holds 100 at a time. When powered by a 4.0Ah battery (sold separately), the nailer will drive up to 1,000 nails on a single charge. It will sink about 375 nails using a 1.5 Ah battery.

The tool weighs 5.7 lbs. without a battery installed, and its ergonomic handle has a rubber overmold for added comfort and control during use. This and PORTER-CABLE’s other 20V Max* cordless nailers don’t require a compressor, air hose or fuel cartridges. Yet, their internal motor design provides consistent power needed to tackle projects ranging from baseboard and crown molding installation to cabinet and furniture assembly.

PORTER-CABLE covers your purchase with a 3-year limited warranty, 90-day money back guarantee and a 1-year free service contract. You can see the new 16-gauge Straight Finish Nailer in both kit (PCC792LA; $279) and bare (PCC792B; $199) iterations at Lowe’s stores now or by shopping online at lowes.com.

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Tim Inman: Oak contains lots of tannic acid. The solvents carrying the shellac are usually pretty basic. My thinking, without seeing your problem, is that the acids are reacting with the bases in the shellac and graying out your wood. “Homemade” shellac using denatured alcohol would not give this reaction so quickly. Also, avoid drowning the wood with wet solutions of your shellac. Use thin coats and let the solvent flash off quickly. That way there is less time for the acids and bases to react and spoil your project.

The post Why Did Shellac Discolor My Red Oak? appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

The depth of the jaw is 2-3/8-in., and the clamp’s screw can be opened up to offer a total clamping range of 5-1/4-in. At a 4-in. opening, Matchfit provides 595 lbs. of clamping pressure.

Now you can build fences of any height, mount workbench extensions easily, affix jigs to reference surfaces or even create your own track saw system, thanks to the dovetail slot convenience offered by these new clamps.

MICROJIG’s Matchfit Dovetail Clamps (model DVC-525) are available now and sold in pairs for $39.95.

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Here is a Murphy bed and bookcases built for a friend whose father could no longer go up and down stairs in his new home.

– Ken Keating,
Katy Texas

I know this is a silly little project but it has been very popular. The picnic table condiment holder is built from wood reclaimed from my old picnic table. A friend asked: “What about those of us who like mayo on their burgers?”  I said: “That sounds like a crappy idea, mayo in the sun is a bad thing.” Then I built him the little outhouse with an ice pack in the bottom and sent it to him.

– Mike McGrath

This was the first attempt at a hollowed out structure on my lathe. Sure was a lot of work. But there is just something about finished Walnut.

– Al Phelps

This is a pedestal I made for the fellow who lives behind us. He had bought one for his elk mount, the only problem was that it was too tall to put the mount on. One Sunday, he and his wife came to my shop for a visit, and he asked if I thought I could make him one that would let him put it in his trophy room. Now when ever I look out my back door I can see it in his room downstairs and it still gives me a good feeling knowing I could do it. I have made several things over the years and I guess I’m proud of them all but this was the one that gave me confidence.

– Danny Steggall,
Solon, Iowa

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When I was in the 7th grade in 1957, we had to have a project for our Mississippi history class. I found a calendar with a map of the state on it with all the counties outlined. I traced this out on a piece of 1/4″ plywood and, over the next several weeks, I would saw out the counties one by one.  When I got off the school bus one day at the service station to work on my project, my daddy was so proud that he had found me a round blade to make turning the corners easier. I used that blade and broke it and use it some more until it was only about two inches long. Of course I painted each piece and lettered the name of each county on each one to make a jigsaw puzzle.  I received the highest grade in the entire seventh grade, about 200 students. While hanging on the wall, two counties came off the backing board. I am sure my mother put them up somewhere but I did not find them while cleaning out her house so the map is missing two pieces. You can see where some of the pieces do not fit together too well.

– Charles
New Albany, MS

I can’t remember all the furniture and furnishings I have built over the years, but on old black walnut tree that fell on my father-in-law’s farm and was rough milled and stored in his barn for many years has probably been the source of the favorite things. That log is still churning out small items like silver chests, tray tables, jewelry boxes and the like for the 4 girls that grew up on that farm. It’s hard to beat creating items that already have a special meaning to people and will be treasured long after we’re gone. This example is a tea caddy my wife uses daily.

– Dave Sweet

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One of my favorite projects!

– Harry Thompson

Here is a bowl of fruit I did on my lathe just for fun. I think that the grapes, made from purple heart, have gotten the most attention.  I like the way that my wife arranged them. The apples are red cedar, the pears are poplar and the peach…I’m not sure.

– Jack Abbott

Sorry, Rob, I couldn’t help myself.

-John Hutchinson

PS – Looks like I need to change the tires.

(Editor’s Note: John designed and built this dragon toy for the March/April 2000 issue of Woodworker’s Journal)

An altar built for our small church in Maryland. I built it out of white and red oak to give it some contrast. I made it very heavy on purpose.

– Dr. Steve Gardner

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I am a hobby woodworker, 69 years young, not any sort of professional. After a good many years of making firewood projects, I took on a project for a friend. No pressure here. I agreed to make a tall chest of drawers for him. He allowed me to make it any style I wanted. He said he just wanted something unique and custom made. I was flattered that he had that much confidence in my work, when even I wasn’t so sure I could pull this one off. His only preference; make it from Red Oak, 6′ tall by 33″ wide. It took me 10 months of spare time work but I did complete this Tall Chest, finished with Pecan stain in Polyurethane gloss (his choice). This was my most challenging project to date and my friend was overjoyed with the results, making this one of my most satisfying projects ever.

– Reg Hainstock

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About five years ago for Christmas presents I made 4 music boxes, one for my Aunt and three for cousins. Each was differently styled, different wood types and each had a movement with a song that was picked specially for each person.

– Bill Koski
Chicago, IL

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I built this little stool many years ago out of birch re-purposed from an older cabinet. All my grandkids lugged it around the house to get to something they couldn’t reach otherwise, and my wife still uses it to get into those high kitchen cabinets. I’ve built a couple more since, but this first one is still my favorite. It has been a handy little item to have around since the get-go. Hmm, I’ve got a nice piece of butternut in the garage…

– Roger Prigge
Oakdale, MN

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My first major furniture piece that I made was the Craftsman-style Library Table. As I was just beginning to acquire the tools to do my own milling, I enrolled in our Community College Evening Woodworking Class to get access to hardwood lumber, jointers and planers. A great way to get started. The table is made of Knotty Alder and finished with Watco Danish Oil and Poly on the top of the table.

– John H Bonnett
Twin Falls, ID

This is a Hoosier Cabinet. The plans and hardware came from Van Dykes Restorers.

– Harry Sorenson
Pierre, SD

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My most meaningful project, that has returned smiles over many years, is a cradle that I built for the birth of our first child. It was 1986 in the middle of a five year deployment to West Germany when we found that we were going to be blessed with a little one. The local base craft shop provided the larger power tools and clamps needed for the major assembly. I finished the construction in my 8′ x 10′ basement shop that also housed the landlord’s massive workbench and a storage cabinet leaving me about a 4′ x 5′ workspace. Cozy! This cradle has been used extensively for both of my daughters and all three of my granddaughters. Both moms insisted on having the baby sleep in the cradle beside their bed for about the first two months and then it was used for naps for about a year each. It always brings a smile from all the memories.

– Greg Harmon

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