Woodworking tool manufacturers are innovating with new designs and coatings to improve efficiency and cut quality. Innovations include Whiteside’s Brad Point Drill Bits for CNC machines, Fisch Tools’ Black Shark Forstner bits, and MicroJig’s Wave Reversible Glue Joint Bit. Other advancements include Amana Tool’s ZrN-coated CNC tools, Freud America’s Quadra-Cut system, and Vexor Custom Woodworking Tools’ carbide-tipped groovers.

New generation of portable units offers battery power, quieter operation and ‘smart’ controls

Colorado cabinet shop blends custom furniture with production runs.

Five methods to accelerate wood finish drying and curing.

Teak remains a sought-after hardwood, but its high cost, around $80 per board foot, is driving customers towards more affordable alternatives like mahogany, sapele, and iroko. These alternatives, priced at $18-$20 per board foot, are often chosen for marine projects and moisture-prone applications, with teak sales being limited and low-volume.

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Red oak remains an affordable, readily available hardwood, attracting value-conscious woodworkers and furniture makers despite stronger demand for white oak. Suppliers discuss pricing, applications, and current market trends.

Poplar is replacing eastern white pine in interior applications due to its lower cost, particularly for paint-grade uses like architectural millwork. While pine remains popular for its affordability, the scarcity of clear-grade pine lumber is driving demand towards poplar.

Butternut lumber’s decline has made this once-common domestic hardwood difficult to source, yet woodworkers still value it for carving, paneling, furniture, and antique reproductions. Suppliers discuss scarcity, uses, and current pricing.

Soft maple remains a popular choice for cabinetry and furniture projects due to its versatility and lower price point compared to other hardwoods. It is favored for paint-grade projects and custom moldings, and is particularly sought after for its figured varieties like curly and bird’s-eye. While sales are steady, some suppliers note a slight decrease compared to last year.

Vortex Tool Co. will showcase its Laser Edge Diamond PCD insert tooling at IWF 2026. The tooling offers replaceable CNC PCD profile inserts for longer life, cleaner finishes, and reduced downtime.

Oneida Air Systems will showcase Smart Boost technology for high-pressure applications at IWF 2026. The technology optimizes airflow and static pressure for CNCs and edge banders.

Cantek America will unveil the MX380PRO, a professional-grade automatic edge bander, at IWF 2026. The machine features pneumatic quick-setting functionality, a quick-change glue pot system, and comprehensive working units for efficient and high-quality production.

Superfici America will showcase innovative finishing solutions at IWF booth B7150, including live demonstrations of the Mini Plus spray system. Their sales and engineering teams will be available to discuss applications and provide expert guidance.

SCM will showcase a comprehensive range of woodworking technologies, automation solutions, and digital services at IWF 2026. Highlights include the Lean Cell, a high-speed nesting solution, and the Accord 500 Edge, a CNC machining center. SCM will also participate in the Mass Timber & Pre-Fab Showcase, highlighting its expertise in supporting the mass timber construction sector.

Osborne Wood Products introduces two new table leg designs, Tahoe and Sonora, featuring traditional Mission elements.

Felder presents the KV 925 vertical panel saw to the U.S. market after its premier at LIGNA 2023.

Grizzly Industrial presents a new 8” jointer with a spiral cutterhead, model G0490ZX, and a parallelogram table adjustment mechanism.

Wood Environmentally Adaptive (EA) Hydroplus technology in a new waterborne wood coating that can be applied in a variety of conditions.

WHITESIDE MACHINE CO. is introducing two new CNC router bit sets aimed at production shops and the discerning woodworker. The General Purpose CNC Set (Item No. 709, $232.90) is a…