Additionally, over the past two years, the company has relocated stores to larger spaces in four other cities: Atlanta, Seattle, Arlington (Texas) and Concord, California, plus has undertaken minor remodels to stores in Indianapolis and Burnsville, Minnesota.

All of this retail store activity may seem surprising, given the enormous rise in popularity of online shopping. One might wonder, why open more brick-and-mortar stores in an age where online-only vendors like Amazon have redefined the shopping experience to a few phone or mouse clicks?

“Convenience is the key,” says Ron Hornbaker, Rockler’s CEO. “We want to be able to serve our customers no matter where they wish to shop. Our goal is to provide a level of service that keeps us top of mind, whether they prefer to shop online, by catalog or in a store.”

Back in 1978, Ann Rockler Jackson opened the first woodworking store in Minneapolis. At the time, the company was called Minnesota Woodworker’s Supply and the store name was The Woodworker’s Store. Over nearly four decades since, Rockler’s network of retail stores has grown to 31 locations in 21 states, plus its mail-order catalog and online businesses.

And, for Hornbaker, there’s room for much more retail growth. The new Florida and California stores, plus other store remodels, are just the start. While he’s not ready to discuss where Rockler’s next stores might be, the company ambitiously plans to open five more locations over the next 12 months.

Walking into the “new” Rockler store experience, one gets a sense of openness: aisles are wide and the stores are brightly lit. But what really captures your attention is a glassed-in area with bleacher seating and a full complement of stationary tools. This open viewing classroom area will provide an immersion experience not previously possible at many Rockler stores. It’s a central feature of the new store locations, plus all of Rockler’s recently relocated stores and the Indianapolis store.

The addition of an in-store classroom helps explain what, for Hornbaker, distinguishes a woodworker from other types of retail shoppers. “Because woodworking is a hands-on activity, many of our customers want to see, touch and hold products before they make an investment. Retail stores also provide a space for woodworkers to come together. (Here) we will be able to host woodworking guilds, teach classes and demonstrate techniques and products.”

Aside from a gathering place, retail stores bring expertise. Hornbaker says employees selected for the new stores are experienced woodworkers who understand the products and can help customers make informed decisions. “Several customers have commented to me about how happy they are to finally have experts to talk face-to-face with,” Hornbaker adds.

And, more and larger retail stores also can help the company stock a larger variety of products to serve its emerging customer base. This includes the younger and broader group of DIYers, makers, crafters, refinishers, remodelers and designers. “They appreciate Rockler for the authentic brand that it is and are helping us adjust our assortments (of store products) to better serve them.”

That expanded product line includes hobby CNC machines, a larger stains inventory, paints and new finishing lines, trendy hardware such as hairpin legs and a unique selection of slabs and natural-edge lumber.

There’s also the new Full Spectrum Laser, featured on the cover of Rockler’s November catalog. “The laser not only takes woodworking to a new level, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for anyone who loves to create,” Hornbaker says, adding that the company is committed to staying on the forefront of this sort of new technology as it becomes available.

But, regardless of whether it’s the traditional woodworker who has shopped with Rockler for years but without the benefit of a “backyard” store, or the new maker crowd who might be encouraged to come into the woodworking avocation more fully, Hornbaker says more stores bring more convenience to everyone. And that’s essential for Rockler’s growth in the marketplace.

“Over 61 years, our focus has always been to build relationships with our customers, not transactions…we have a deep heritage in woodworking that we are committed to preserving, and I feel privileged to be part of a company whose first thought is our customers.”

To learn more about Rockler products or find a store near you, click here.

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You’ll need two Panel Clamps to secure a panel on each end (see photo, below); only one clamp is included in the purchase.

See the Damstom 38-in. Panel Clamp (item 51792) at your nearest Rockler store or online. You can add one to your clamp collection for $59.99.

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Tim Inman: Pledge, and products like it, do not add “waxy buildup” to furniture. In fact, the solvents commonly included in these products actually help wipe away a little of the “real” finish every time they are used. That dreaded “waxy buildup” phenomenon helped sell gallons and gallons of “pledge-y” products, though. It makes a great sales pitch. Who would want to be embarrassed in front of guests by “waxy buildup”? How often did your mother actually wax her tabletop? Probably not very often. So where could this wax have come from? Pledge and its ilk are not traditional waxes. They make things shine more by adding a silicon-induced gloss to the surface. They don’t build up.

Your sticky problem is more than likely caused by the finish itself failing. Drying oils in the varnishes eventually destroy themselves and the sticky surface you describe is the result. Lacquers can suffer a problem caused by plasticizers migrating through the resins. One way or another, your finish surface is done. My best advice would be to suggest you clean it chemically to a surface that is not sticky. Re-stain or recolor to your satisfaction, then refinish with new material on top to give you a serviceable top.

Chris Marshall: Once the old finish is stripped and you’re ready to apply a new one, I’d definitely use polyurethane. I finished our cherry kitchen table with oil-based poly nearly a decade ago. We’ve got two kids at home that are constantly spilling on it, dragging their laptops across it when doing homework or otherwise doing their level best to challenge the durability of that finish. On top of that, it gets wiped off repeatedly with a wet rag every day, and the finish is still going strong! When it finally wears thin, I’ll strip and recoat the top with the same, or I’ll use one of today’s cross-linking waterbased polys instead, like General Finish’s Enduro Var.

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– Glenn Wouters
Belgium

See the Slideshow Below:

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The tool has a ½-in. capacity, single-sleeve ratcheting chuck with a carbide locking mechanism to hold bits securely during high torque applications. RIDGID’s premium micro clutch design gives you over 100 torque settings, and a die-cast gearbox ensures jobsite durability.

A mode selector enables quick transitions between driving, drilling or hammering modes without changing the micro clutch setting, and you can switch between contact or sequential actuation. In typical fashion, RIDGID appoints this drill/driver with ample soft overmolds in a Hex Grip styling, so it should be comfortable to hold for extended periods. A task light on the grip works independently of the trigger to illuminate the drilling or driving task at hand.

The R86116K also includes two 2.0 Ah batteries, charger, auxiliary side handle, belt hooks, double-ended bit and a carry bag. And, covered under the company’s Lifetime Service Agreement, replacement batteries, parts and service are free for life.

RIDGID reports that the GEN5X Brushless Compact Hammer Drill/Driver Kit is coming to The Home Depot stores this month. It will sell for $179.

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