Inventor and engineer Burton “Burt” Weinstein died on August 9, we learned in a press release from General Tools & Instruments. He was a long-time consultant for the company, to whom he sold his business, Simp’l Products, in 2006, with plans to retire.
But retirement didn’t work for Burt, so he remained a consultant for General and redesigned with them his jointer clamp, dowling jig and pocket-hole jig, which are part of the company’s E-Z Pro line. He also invented the E-Z Pro Mortise & Tenon Jig and E-Z Pro Dovetailing Jig while working with General, and represented the company at numerous trade shows.
Weinstein, a veteran of World War II, was awarded more than a dozen patents for his inventions; the first was in 1956 for a combination woodworking machine that could be used as a table saw, drill press or lathe.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Carolyn, stepdaughters Jacquelyn and Gwendolyn Wong, sons-in-law Serge Michaut and Neil Wertheimer, a brother- and sister-in-law, two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.