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The 2015 WOOD Innov8 Awards highlighted eight woodworking products chosen from dozens considered by the magazine’s editors. Rather than naming one overall winner, the feature recognized tools aimed at different shop tasks—from narrow ripping and router-table joinery to dust collection and cabinet lighting. WOOD Magazine Staff said its focus was innovation that could make a meaningful difference in shops of different sizes and for both professional and hobbyist woodworkers.
The feature was updated July 7, 2023, but it documents the 2015 selections. Its product descriptions and specifications are not independent test results, and the page does not establish current stock, pricing, model continuity, or present-day compatibility. Read the WOOD Magazine feature.
What the awards recognized
The eight selections address distinct problems rather than competing in a single category. That makes the most useful way to read the list a task-by-task comparison: what each product was designed to do, what setup it required, and which details a buyer or shop owner would need to verify today.
| Product | Shop task | Notable feature described by WOOD |
|---|---|---|
| Deulen Safety Fence | Narrow ripping | Attaches to an existing table-saw fence; described for ripping stock as narrow as 1/8 inch. |
| Next Wave Automation Ready2Lift | Computer-aided routing | Electronically controlled router lift with touch-screen bit-height settings within .001 inch. |
| BLACK+DECKER BDCDE120C 20-Volt MAX Drill/Driver with Autosense | Screw driving | Detects a nearly seated screw and shifts to slow pulsing; the feature does not operate in drilling mode. |
| Bosch Power Ready Wireless Charging System | Tool-battery charging | Inductive charging for specified Bosch 18-volt lithium-ion tools using proprietary retrofit battery packs. |
| Leigh RTJ400 16-inch router-table dovetail jig | Dovetails and box joints | Offers several stated joint sizes; some require optional bits. |
| Rockler Dust Right Universal Small-Port Hose Kit | Dust-collection connections | Swiveling nozzles in three sizes and a hose extending up to 15 feet. |
| Lee Valley Veritas Custom Bench Planes | Hand planing | Configurable body, blade, frog, knob, and tote choices, ordered assembled as described. |
| Häfele Loox rechargeable LED lights, models 9003, 9004, and 9005 | Cabinet and drawer lighting | Motion activation, USB charging, and a manufacturer-reported runtime of about 10 hours per charge. |
The figures and features in the table are those reported in WOOD’s feature, not the results of a shared comparative test. The products span unrelated categories, so the awards page supplies no common scoring method or overall ranking.
#1 Best Overall
- [Wood Carving Kit Deluxe Edition] Everything you need to start carving: 4 knives, 4 chisels, 7 basswood blocks, spoon blank, polishing compound, leather strop, sharpening stone, gloves, sandpaper, templates, and guide. All stored in a portable PU leather case—perfect for beginners and pros.
- [Premium Walnut Handles & Sharp Blades] Blades are precision-sharpened for effortless cuts. Metal cap prevents blade breakage. Ergonomically rounded walnut handles reduce hand fatigue, ensuring comfortable grip during long carving sessions.
- [Complete Maintenance & Storage Set] The wood whittling kit comes with a portable storage bag, easy to store and carry. Leather strop, polishing compound and sharpening stone prevent the blades from rusting and make them brighter and sharper.
- [Safe Carving for All Skill Levels] This wood carving knife set comes with cut-resistant gloves and cut-resistant bandage, and all knives come with protective sleeves. You can enjoy a safe and enjoyable carving experience with our high quality wood carving knife.
- [Perfect Gift for Creative Minds] Ideal for fathers, mothers, partners, or friends who love DIY crafts. Suitable for beginners and experts. Give the joy of wood carving—a relaxing and rewarding hobby that creates handmade treasures.
Which pick fits each woodworking task?
For narrow table-saw ripping: Deulen Safety Fence
WOOD described the Deulen Safety Fence as an attachment for an existing saw fence, intended to help rip stock as narrow as 1/8 inch. A crank-operated driver foot feeds the tail of the workpiece through the blade, while two hold-downs and one hold-in keep it controlled, according to the article. The molded-nylon driver foot is replaceable.
The magazine characterized the device as helping users rip narrow stock safely; that wording is the feature’s description, not an independent safety assessment. A shop considering one should confirm that the attachment suits its fence and operating procedure, and should follow the saw and accessory manufacturers’ safety instructions.
For repeatable router height and fence settings: Ready2Lift
The Ready2Lift is an electronically controlled router lift described for common table openings. Its touch-screen controller sets bit height to within .001 inch, as stated by WOOD. The feature also describes the controller as operating the Ready2Rout fence for positioning and storing joinery settings. An owner who already had the Ready2Rout fence and controller could buy the lift alone, according to the article.
Rank #2
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
That ecosystem detail matters: the lift’s described functions are tied to a compatible opening and controller arrangement. Check the current manufacturer specifications for table-opening fit and controller compatibility before treating the historical description as a current installation guide.
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For screw driving: BLACK+DECKER Autosense drill/driver
The BDCDE120C 20-Volt MAX drill/driver with Autosense was described as sensing when a screw was nearly seated, then shifting to a slow pulsing mode to approach the desired depth. WOOD specifically noted that Autosense does not engage while drilling. The distinction is practical: the feature concerns driving screws, not drilling holes or guaranteeing a particular fastening depth in every material or application.
For Bosch 18-volt tool charging: Power Ready system
Bosch’s Power Ready system uses inductive charging and proprietary battery packs that retrofit specified Bosch 18-volt lithium-ion tools. WOOD said a pack could be placed on the charging pad while still in the tool. Because the system depends on particular packs and tools, verify the exact model compatibility before relying on it; the 2015 feature is not a current compatibility list.
Rank #3
- An Idea Gift for Woodworker, Carpenter and Craft Man
- Optimal Blade Size: Through numerous manual tests, We found that the 6" Japanese saw blade is the ideal size for precise cutting, enabling easy flush and finish cuts.
- Durable and Flexible Saw Blade: The hand saw blade is made of SK5 high-carbon steel. The Japanese pull saw teeth are processed by a high-frequency hardening machine imported from Japan, and the hardness can reach HRC60-63 degrees.
- Double Edged: One side of Japanese hand saw is 17 TPI for cutting hardwood, and the other side is 14 TPI for cutting softwood. Also can seen as Rip cut and Cross cut.
- Hardened 3-Edge Teeth: The hand saw has three-sided grinding gear design, sharp edge, faster chip removal, and smoother cutting.
For router-table joinery: Leigh RTJ400
WOOD described the Leigh RTJ400 16-inch router-table jig as producing three sizes of half-blind dovetails, nine sizes of through dovetails, and four sizes of box joints. Some joints require optional bits. For fine adjustment, the feature says an additional guide-bushing insert is needed to install the eccentric guide bushing.
Those capacities are useful when comparing the jig with a project’s joint requirements, but they are not a complete bill of materials. Check which bits and setup components are required for the specific joint you intend to cut.
For connecting small tool ports: Dust Right Universal Small-Port Hose Kit
The kit’s swiveling rubber nozzles were listed in 1-inch, 1 1/2-inch, and 2 1/4-inch sizes. WOOD described a hose with a 2 1/4-inch opening that extends up to 15 feet, intended to connect tool ports to many shop-vacuum and dust-extractor hoses. The feature dated availability to spring 2015.
Rank #4
- Practical Gifts for Men: WETOLS corner clamps come in a gift-ready box, making them a practical gift for men, dads, husbands, and grandpas. This set of 4 wood clamps is ideal for aligning, nailing, welding, screwing, cabinet making, box assembly, picture frames, and woodworking DIY projects
- Quick and Accurate 90-Degree Alignment: Quickly align and hold boards and frames at a 90-degree angle. These corner clamps fit boards from 3/16" to 3/4" thick and are suitable for both 90-degree corners and T-joints
- Durable Polyamide Material: WETOLS corner clamps for woodworking are made of polyamide material for durability and reliable use in various woodworking projects
- Strong Flexible Spring: Strong spring tension helps keep boards securely in place while screwing or gluing them together, making assembly easier and more convenient
- Single-Handed Operation: The WETOLS right angle clamp features a lightweight design and can be easily operated with one hand. A practical addition to any woodworking tool collection for DIY and woodworking projects
“Universal” is the product name, not a guarantee that every port or extractor fits. Compare the actual port shapes and diameters on the tool and collection system with the kit’s current specifications before purchase.
For choosing a hand plane configuration: Veritas Custom Bench Planes
The feature listed five body styles, O1 or PM-V11 blades, four frog choices—45°, 50°, 55°, or a custom angle—three front knobs, and six rear totes. The selected combination was described as arriving fully assembled. These details show the breadth of configuration reported in the 2015 feature; current options and availability are not established by that page.
For cabinet and drawer lighting: Häfele Loox rechargeable LEDs
Models 9003, 9004, and 9005 were described in round, rectangular, and tubular forms. The lights activate with motion, shut off after 30 seconds without activity, and recharge over USB. Häfele was reported by WOOD as saying a charge provides about 10 hours of light. That runtime is the manufacturer’s claim as relayed in the article, not an independently measured result.
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The awards page is useful as a historical snapshot of shop-product ideas and the jobs they addressed. It does not establish that a listed model remains on sale, that a successor has the same features, or that a component will fit a tool or machine sold today. For any purchase or installation, verify current manufacturer documentation for model identity, fit, included parts, and compatibility. Treat the measurements and capacities above as claims reported in WOOD’s feature, not as independently verified performance guarantees.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
