Author Works | Woodworking Network

Read More Articles by Bill Esler

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines.

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers.

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.

AWFS Plastics Program

Plastics & Composites: Cutting Edge Materials

Interest in cutting, shaping, and machining plastics - a design trend in millwork, and also a result of the rising popularity of outdoor kitchens - has led more custom cabinetmakers into the plastics arena. AWFS Fair picked up on the movement with its Plastics Program at the Las Vegas show in July.

By Bill Esler, September 14, 2015 | 2:56 pm CDT

Best Practices Guide

How to Put a Round Peg in a Round Hole? Plug Cutters

Filling a roundish hole in a plank is a not-uncommon requirement: covering screw holes, knot holes, or reclaimed wood accompanied by cuts for plumbing and heating, can present boards that need something beyond wood filler - they need a plug. Here are four tools we've run across, and a bit about a project involving hole plugging.

By Bill Esler, September 13, 2015 | 1:28 pm CDT

Pricing & Supply

Log Shortage Leads Canfor to Close Sawmill

The Canfor (TSX:CFP) sawmill in Canal Flats, British Columbia, which has a two-shift production capacity of 180 million board feet, will permanently close in November 2015. Employees will be transferred to other sawmills.

By Bill Esler, September 12, 2015 | 1:23 pm CDT

Woodworking Industry News

Why Wood is Best for Building Explained at New Website

As timber grows, it soaks up carbon dioxide, and that carbon is stored in wood products, a carbon sink mitigates climate change. About half of the dry weight of wood is stored carbon; while 16 percent of global fossil fuel goes into manufacturing steel, concrete and bricks. www.TheMostNaturalResource.com. touts benefits of building with wood.

By Bill Esler, September 12, 2015 | 1:06 pm CDT

Event Coverage

Young Wood Pro Wins for Ash and Benge Masterpiece

Dylan Horst won the Young Wood Pro award for 2015. His undulating ash and benge Wave table wowed visitors at Facebook, winning the most likes. Dylan built the Wave table as the capstone project during his recently completed two-year certificate program at Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON - near Toronto, and not far from where he currently lives.

By Bill Esler, September 10, 2015 | 5:16 pm CDT

WMS News

Software Drives WMS 2015 Toronto Woodworking Show Growth

Wood production software is a leading category as the exhibitor count runs 28 percent ahead of the 2013 edition of the WMS show. Pre-registration is also running 51 percent head of last time. The 2015 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference and Expo brings the world's leading players of technology, tooling and supplies right to the doorstep of the robust Canadian woodworking industry. Canada's premier woodworking event returns to Halls 1 and 2 of Toronto's International Centre Nov. 5-7.

By Bill Esler, September 10, 2015 | 12:54 pm CDT

WMS News

Sanding & Abrasives Share Spotlight at WMS 2015 in Toronto

In the sanding of wood, there is no end of interest among woodworkers, which is one reason the WMS 2015 Wood Machinery & Supply Expo is drawing thousands of registrants. The show and conference sessions run November 5-7 at the newly remodeled International Centre in Toronto.

By Bill Esler, September 10, 2015 | 10:53 am CDT

Event Coverage

LIGNA Dramatically Changes Show Sections Layout for 2017 Expo

LIGNA trade show planners announced a new arrangement of exhibits and new categories, in a dramatic rearrangement of the show's traditional layout. One example: LIGNA will merge the “Solid Wood Processing,” “Furniture Industry” and “Skilled Woodworking Trades” categories into a new “Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production” category.

By Bill Esler, September 9, 2015 | 10:43 am CDT

Project Gallery

Fine Wood Saya Makers Profit from High-end Culinary Trend

Celebrity cooks and professional chefs are adapting a fine woodcraft tradition that originated in Japan: the saya. The term "saya" derives from the Japanese word for a scabbard, specifically refering to the scabbard for a sword or knife.

The saya in Japan are traditionally manufactured from very lightweight wood, with a coat of lacquer on the exterior.

By Bill Esler, September 9, 2015 | 10:40 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

Craftsmen Set To Work On Furnishings for Pope Francis' U.S. Visit

Philadelphia prisoners hand-built a walnut chair as a gift, while a team of Maryland craftsmen at Carriage Hill Cabinet & Millwork Co. produced a 14-piece liturgical furnishings contract for Pope Francis U.S. visit. St. Joseph's Carpentry of Poolesville, MD won the contract to produce an altar, chairs, and lectern from a winning design by Catholic University's School of Architecture & Planning.

By Bill Esler, September 9, 2015 | 9:16 am CDT