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How to Choose the Right Sanding Belt for MetalThe right sanding belt for metal depends on more than grit. Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum and high-alloy metals do not all grind the same way. A belt that works well for light deburring may glaze over during heavy weld removal, while an aggressive belt can create unnecessary heat or leave scratches that take several steps to remove.The goal is to match the abrasive grain, grit and backing to the metal, the amount of material you need to remove and the machine you are using. Get those decisions right and you can cut more efficiently, control..

How to Choose the Right Sanding Belt for WoodThe right sanding belt for wood depends on more than grit. A belt that removes rough mill marks quickly may leave unnecessarily deep scratches on veneer, while a fine finishing belt can clog or burn the wood if it is asked to do heavy stock removal.The goal is to match the abrasive grain, grit and backing to the surface, the amount of material you need to remove and the machine you are using. Get those decisions right and you will spend less time correcting scratches, fighting clogged belts or sanding the same surface twice.Already know your width, ..

How to Choose the Right Bandsaw Blade for MetalMetal is not impressed by the most expensive blade on the rack. It wants the right blade for the job.Thin-wall tubing and a six-inch solid bar may both be mild steel, but they should not be cut with the same TPI. A fine blade can pack with chips in a large solid. A coarse blade can hammer through thin tubing with too few teeth engaged and strip them off.To choose the right metal-cutting bandsaw blade, consider:The metal and its hardnessWhether the workpiece is solid, tubing, pipe, a profile or a bundleHow much metal the blade passes through at one..

How to Choose the Right Bandsaw Blade for WoodThe best bandsaw blade for wood is not necessarily the most expensive one—or the one with the most teeth. It is the one that matches the cut.A narrow, flexible blade can follow a tight curve through plywood. A wide, coarse blade can track straight while resawing an eight-inch hardwood board. Ask either blade to do the other one’s job and you are likely to get heat, wandering and frustration.To choose the right blade, consider:The cut you are makingThe type and thickness of the woodThe tightest radius you need to cutThe blade dimensions your saw can..

Double-Ended End Mills: What Are They and When Should You Use One? When selecting an end mill, getting the right cutting geometry is only part of the equation. Tool reach, rigidity, flute count and overall value can all affect which option makes the most sense for the job. For many shallow milling applications, a double-ended end mill offers a practical advantage: two usable cutting ends on a single tool. Once one end reaches the end of its usable life, the tool can be flipped to provide a fresh cutting end. That sounds simple—and it is—but double-ended end mills aren’t automatically ..

Why Clean Cuts Matter (and how to tell when your tool is the problem)Clean cuts aren’t just about looks – they’re about efficiency, accuracy, and protecting your equipment.Whether you’re working with wood or metal, the quality of your cut affects everything that comes after it. Tear-out, burn marks, chatter, and rough finishes don’t just slow you down – they cost time, material, and patience.The tricky part? Many makers assume these issues are caused by machine setup or technique. While that can sometimes be true, the culprit is often much simpler: your cutting tool is worn, mismatch..

Global Carbide Supply Disruptions – What It Means for End Mill PricingIf you’ve been buying carbide tooling lately, you’ve probably heard the same thing from suppliers across the industry: prices are moving fast.The reason isn’t speculation or market hype. It’s a real and rapidly developing global supply issue tied directly to tungsten — the key raw material used to produce carbide tooling like end mills, drills, and burrs.Here’s a clear look at what’s happening, why carbide prices are rising, and what we’re doing at Skookum Tools to manage the impact.Carbide Rod Prices Are Rising at Unprecede..

Common End Mill MistakesAnd Best Practices That Prevent ThemIf you’re snapping end mills, fighting chatter, or burning edges, chances are it’s not bad luck — it’s a small setup or specification issue that compounds fast.Even experienced machinists run into the same end mill problems over and over. The difference between short tool life and consistent performance usually comes down to a few avoidable mistakes.Here’s what commonly goes wrong — and what works better instead.Mistake #1: Using Too Many Flutes for the MaterialUsing more flutes can look like the better choice on paper, ..

Skookum Sanding BeltsAre Built for Reliable Performance, Longer Life and Real Shop Work Our Sanding Belts are designed for makers who expect dependable results from their abrasives – consistent cutting action, longer belt life, and reliable performance across woodworking, metalworking, and other applications.They can be made in custom and standard sizes in various quality abrasive types and grit options for DIYers and professionals alike who value precision, durability, consistency and quality sanding belts for their day to day projects.What Makes Our Skookum Sanding Belts Diffe..

In metal fabrication, choosing the correct abrasive belt is the difference between a flawless finish and costly rework. The right belt improves surface quality, speeds production, and reduces waste — while the wrong one burns, clogs, or wears out prematurely. At OnlineSupply.ca, we offer a wide range of custom-made abrasive belts made in Canada, built from premium European and South Korean materials. Here’s how to pick the best belt for your job.   Understanding Abrasive Belt Basics An abrasive belt consists of three key components: Backing: Paper or cloth — each off..

 25 Years Skookum Strong For a quarter of a century, Skookum Tools Ltd. has been more than just a name — it’s been a promise. A promise of quality, durability, and Canadian craftsmanship that makers across the country can count on. What started as a mobile tool store in 2000 quickly grew into a franchise and, by 2005, into a fully established e-commerce company with the launch of OnlineSupply.ca. From those early days, our mission has been simple: bring professional-grade tooling and abrasives to Canadian makers without compromise. Today, Skookum Tools is trusted nationwide for ba..

If you've recently shopped for bandsaw blades in Canada, you may have noticed a sharp increase in the price of Wood-Mizer products. Many sawyers and mill owners are asking the same questions: What’s behind the price jump? Is it temporary? And are there any alternatives that offer the same quality without the extra cost? Let’s break down what’s going on—and what Canadian operators can do to keep their costs in check. The Cause: New Canadian Tariffs on U.S. Goods In response to a series of U.S. trade measures earlier this year, the Government of Canada imposed 25% tariffs on a wide ra..

Chatter. If you've spent any time in a machine shop, you’ve probably heard it—literally. That high-pitched squeal, the vibration marks on your finish, or worse—snapped tools. Chatter can be one of the most frustrating challenges in milling, costing time, money, and part quality. At Skookum Tools, we’ve engineered our end mills specifically to help machinists reduce or eliminate chatter, so you can focus on what matters: precision, productivity, and performance. What Is Chatter and Why Is It a Problem? Chatter is the result of self-excited vibrations between your cutting tool and the ..

Proudly Canadian: Skookum Tools Ltd. and Our Commitment to Canadian Manufacturing At Skookum Tools Ltd., the parent company of Online Supply, we take immense pride in being a Canadian-owned and operated business. For over two decades, we have been serving industries across the country with high-quality industrial tools and supplies, always striving to support local manufacturing and Canadian workers. Supporting Canadian-Made Products Our commitment to Canadian-made products goes beyond just business—it’s about investing in our economy, ensuring jobs remain within our borders, and main..