Bosch Tools

Bosch Professional cordless power tools stand aside from their brightly coloured competitors by offering robust, durable and ergonomically smart design always coupled with more than enough power to ensure that almost any task is achievable.

We appreciate that we may not use the tools in the most conventional manner and so our necessities may be a little different from the average but, again, Bosch Professional are more than able to cope even in the harsh and extreme conditions we find ourselves working in.

Bosch GGS 18V-10 SLC Professional Straight Grinder - In short - this is my new favourite tool when working freeform and carving a sculpture from wood. Very simple to use with variable rotary speed and powerful torque, the GGS is a very flexible competitor to a pneumatic system and involves a lot less equipment.

If you would like to read my review on the Bosch GGS 18V-10 SLC Professional Straight Grinder then please click here or find all my blogs in the ABOUT section

Bosch GWS 18V-10 SC Professional Angle Grinder - I have written a review that is accessible by clicking the link. Having never really enjoyed using an angle grinder and often seeking a way around having to use one, I have now been converted by the versatility and sheer effectiveness of the Bosch GWS Professional

If you would like to read my review on the Bosch GWS 18V-10 SC Professional Angle Grinder then please click here or find all my blogs in the ABOUT section

Kutzall are central to our success. Their very products are made to a conistently and uniformly high standard. They also last far beyond the expected lifecycle of their competitors.

If you purchase any Kutzall products direct from their website, you will receive a 5% discount on your order provided you enter the promo code: ADAMDETRE at point of checkout

Kutzall Burr - EXTREME -  Until we found this rotary burr, i had completed all works by hand. This has heavily reduce working times while contributing to a more uniform finish. The amount of material this burr removes is quite remarkable.

Having played with different materials, the 'extreme' is sensational on all woods, soft stones and organic materials. Each 'extreme' burr has lasted for around 75 hours of carving time without dulling except when misused trying to work on metal. We just ordered another 3 just in case.

1inch Kutzall Flame Burr - FINE -  This is the only area when I have the smallest of small uncertainty. The 'fine' is greater for more detail and does offer a better finish than the 'coarse' however, i have used other, similar products that give a more touchable finish. Sadly, the finest finishing I still complete by hand

4-1/2inch Diameter Kutzall Dish Wheel - Extreme - When using on an angle or die grinder, the dish wheels enable us to work on a larger scale while maintaining the natural organic curves that are evocative of our pieces

Routers

TREND Tools UK - When making deep cuts with large aperture cutting bits you need to have supreme confidence in the cutter and the consistent level of torque and power. The Trend T11 is a beast

Trend Tools UK also make a huge array of accessories, jigs and cutters. Their products are always extremely robust, precise and will last a long time even if you do not treat them with complete care. We particularly like their router compass. They do not sell directly however you can purchase through a series of third parties. Our favourites are listed below:

D & M Tools - 73-81 Heath Rd, Twickenham TW1 4AW, United Kingdom

These guys have a huge amount of knowledge and are very keen to help even if you are a novice. They very much believe in there being no such thing as a stupid question

Axminster Tools & Machinery - Throughout the UK

A huge array of tools in-store or online with extremely fast delivery. Great for getting anything within a short space of time without having to use valuable workshop time going to the store

Watch

I first saw the NIXON All Black Player when I was at university. I wanted it. I came so close to buying it so many times but, as a student, I couldn’t justify spending that much money.

A few years later, I came across the Nixon Silver/Metallic blue SS Sentry Day Date in LOFT in Tokyo while travelling for work. I fell in love instantly. Sadly back then $200 was too much for me to spend on a watch. I just couldn't afford it. I did take a photo. I really wanted a minimal watch with the day and date displayed. It makes life so much easier.

A year later I saw the oversize Automatic Swiss-Made - The Regent - in Sydney. In true Wayne's World style I said to myself "you will be mine." Again, it was a little out of my price range. Fortunately, having acquired a wonderful girlfriend who was soon to be my fiancee, she bought me the Black/Gold Sentry SS. The watch wasn’t the deciding factor although that did help.

Sadly, my Dad passed away last year. He was a big believer in a man’s watch being a symbol or emblem of the man himself. He had never really agreed with my career path(s) and so he chose not to buy me a watch of which he ‘approved.’ It’s ok. I am not looking for sympathy but maybe trying to paint a picture for you. With a little bit of money he had left me, I finally bought the Automatic Swiss-Made Day-Date. I think it is called The Regent. I have not stopped wearing it since.

Is this a tool? It is very hand when costing a piece by the hour and also knowing when you are late for dinner!

Finishing Materials

A central theme for our design ethic focuses on a simple ideology of accentuating, amplifying and appreciate the beauty of natural, organic shapes and curves. It is important that this principle is then conveyed with the way the pieces are finished hence using natural materials and finishes wherever possible.

ODYSSEUS CORNWALL‘S OUTSTANDING OILS AND WAXES - Odie’s Oils and Finishing Butter are sensational treatment and finishing oil. They have a huge array of products for all stages of the woodworking process. They are food safe and smell divine.

Solignum - The use of solignum is a vital pre-treatment when working with wood in the tropics where wood rot, fungal infestations and wood boring insects are all common.

Beeswax - In order to leave our pieces with a natural matte, colourless finish we use regular beeswax which will also offer mild waterproofing. This also really helps accentuate the grain.

Linseed Oil - While giving a wet-look finish, Linseed Oil also leaves a slightly satin hue. Be aware that Linseed Oil will leave a slightly yellow finish that will darken over time

General Tools

Having survived for so long without much cohesion amongst the power tools that we use, we have happily settled on using Makita or Bosch products. They are unbeatable. We still use our older unbranded tools but we have donated many to the tradesmen in the local area. 

Irwin SL300 One Handed Bar Clamps / Spreaders - Having worked for the majority of the time on his own, Adam relies heavily on his Irwin clamps. They are the extra set of helping hands when humans are not around or willing.

IrwinQUICK-GRIP® Heavy-Duty One-Handed Bar Clamps - Same as the SL300 in terms of the principle of use however, the heavy duty bar clamps have a larger surface area on the contact pads. We could not work without them. 

3M 6200 Respirator mask - This respirator mask is extremely effective and ergonomic for large particulate filtration such as fine wood sanding and detailing. With the easy-release bayonet style attachment for the filtration pads it is easy to change the filters to use when dealing with noxious vapors or finer dusk. Easy to breath with although hard to talk through. We wouldn't use anything else.

UVEX Safety glasses Festool - Comfortable, strong and adjustable. Also the only safety glasses I have ever owned that survived being stepped on and also do not fog up.