Lincoln Log Factory, Synthetic Wood in Week's Most-Viewed Reports
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Lincoln Log Factory, Synthetic Wood in Week's Most-Viewed Reports  Lincoln Logs were surprisingly current this week as their toy-making owner, K'Nex, said it was interested in finding a U.S. manufacturer for the notched wood building toys.

Invented in 1916 by John Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the toys remain popular even as children read on iPads. The log designs copied the floating, wood foundation of Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, and were originally fashioned from redwood, and produced by the Wright's own Red Square Company of Chicago. Later they were also produced of cedar. They were patented in 1920. Now they are made in China of stained pine.

The story on Universal Forest Products' commercialization of synthetic wood, Eovations, was also highly viewed this week. A mixture of minerals and plastic, the material mimics the cell structure of wood, and so can be machined and sawn using the same equipment and hardware. It is stronger than wood, says Eovations, and doesn't rot.

Topping the news this week was a report on a mortaility at cabinetry manufacturer RSI Home Products.

Worker Killed in Saw Accident at RSI Home Products

By Rich Christianson | Updated: 03/11/2013 7:39:00 PM
A cabinetmaker working at RSI Home Products died Feb. 23 when he got caught in an angular saw.
Read more

Eovations Universal Forest Products

Synthetic Wood Venture Launched by Universal Forest Products

By Bill Esler | Updated: 03/09/2013 4:07:00 PM
A synthetic wood technology, Eovations, creates an oriented, fiberized composite with wood-like performance for carpentry, but with durability and other properties beyond wood itself. Universal Forest Products Eovations affiliate uses a patented extrusion process. Read more

Lincoln Logs wood logs

Lincoln Logs Seeks U.S. Wood Products Supplier

By Bill Esler | Updated: 03/11/2013 10:38:00 PM
Lincoln Logs' owner says it would like to reshore production of its tiny logs to the U.S., if it can find a domestic supplier. The logs are produced in China for toy maker K'Nex, famed for insourcing its other toy lines.
Read more

 LaGrange IN, Lake Designs, Sturgis

Furniture Firm Relocates: Michigan to Indiana

By Bill Esler | Updated: 03/11/2013 
Wood furniture and custom moulding maker Lake Area Designs, a supplier to recreational vehicle and commercial wood manufacturing industries, is spending $1.5 million as it moves from Sturgis, MI to LaGrange, IN.
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 Woodworking Sales Expert RIck Hill

How to Keep Your Lumber Cost Low

By Rick Hill | Updated: 03/06/2013 8:13:00 PM
The most expensive raw material in most wood manufacturing plants is the lumber. Keeping a handle on the recently rising market and a steady supply are essential to staying profitable. Read more

 J Alexander Fine Woodworking Jared Patchin

Step-by-Step: Custom Walnut TV Stand Built to Client Specifications

By Jared Patchin | Updated: 01/22/2013 10:27:00 AM
This walnut T.V. stand was created for a client along with nine other furniture pieces.
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Favorite Species: What's Hot for Casegoods and Components

Updated: 03/06/2013 10:51:00 AM
Wood products manufacturers and industry suppliers offer up their favorites for domestic and exotic species.
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 Woodways

Woodways 'Harlem Shakes' the Shop

By Michaelle Bradford | Updated: 03/06/2013 1:48:00 PM
Woodways' sales team and woodworkers join the latest internet meme with their version of the 'Harlem Shake'.
Watch 'em shake now!

American Alliance for Hardwood Plywood

Wood Trade Wars, Cabinetry Expansions Topped Recent Reports

By Bill Esler | Updated: 03/07/2013 11:00:00 AM
Wood industry trade disputes are on the rise, with Chinese hardwood plywood imports subjected to countervailing duties up to 27 percent. Expansions at MasterBrand Cabinets and Wellborne Cabinets were also highly viewed. Read more

Wood & Wood Products Red Book

Woodworkers' Best Practices Online

The March 2013 issue of Wood & Wood Products Red Book is now posted online featuring best practices for woodworkers. Read more

 

 

 

 

 

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