Tool Guide 2009 - Malestrom

Truck
racks
.
....
Planers
Tablesaws
Drill bits
MACHINES
Buying tips Editors' picks Readers' ratings
360tools tested
84
Trim
routers
Impact
drivers
Taunton Product #015006
$11.99
Miter saws
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OJ
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Laser cut prototypes, jigs and templates
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www.finewoodworking.com TAUNTON'S 2009 TOOL GUIDE 3
Trim routers, p. 40
POWER TOOLS
30 Worm-Drive Saws
34 Cordless
MACHINES
Impact Drivers
48 14-in. Bandsaws
36 Sliding Compound-
50 Benchtop Drill Presses
Miter Saws
40
52 Heavy-Duty Lathes
Routers
54 Benchtop Planers
40 Trim routers
42 Routers for router 58 Spindle Sanders
tables
44 Router bits
60 Hybrid Tablesaws
46 Belt Sanders
SPECIAL FEATURE
24 Carpentry,
Hollywood Style
Eye protection,
p. 100
TAUNTON'S
16 Great Gifts
The best tools we tested
this year, in a range of prices
Departments .
6 Letter From the Editor
8 On the Horizon
We've picked a few promising
new tools from the dozens
hitting the market this year
120 A Closer Look
Sharpening services
Sliding compound-miter saws, p. 36
PNEUMATIC TOOLS
64 Hose-Free
Framing Nailers
66 Pin Nailers
68 Spray-Gun Choices
HAND TOOLS
72 Bench Chisels
76 Marking Knives
80 Block Planes
82 Japanese-Style Pullsaws
84 Multibit Screwdrivers
Worm-drive saws, p. 30
ACCESSORIES
86 Small Clamps
90 Dovetail Jigs
92 Forstner Bits
96 Power-Tool
Edge Guides
98 Laser Levels
Carpentry, Hollywood style, p. 24
Truck racks, p. 110
100 Eye Protection
102 Hearing Protection
104 Shop Storage
108 Tool-Triggered
Shop Vacuums
110 Truck Racks
116 Miter-Saw Stands
Impact
drivers, p. 34
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BUY THIS GUIDE, AND YOU'VE
HIRED A CREW OF EXPERTS
S t e v ~ Scott, editor
Taunton's 2009 Tool Guide
TAUNTON'S
EImm
HOW TO CONTACT US:
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SR. MARKETING MANAGER, FINE WOODWORKING.
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www.finewoodworking.com
When I first started buying tools for my garage
woodworking shop, I had more enthusiasm than
good sense. Some who know me might argue
that little has changed in the last seven years, but
the truth is that if I'd had this Tool Guide in my
hands back then, I could have saved myself a fair
amount of grief, and some cash besides.
Now more than ever, spending money on tools
is a high-stakes proposition. The last thing you want is a tool that can't do the work
or that your skills will quickly outgrow.
So how do you get the real story? If you're a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer, you
might turn to a friend in the trades to steer you to the best tools or to the bargains
that offer nearly top performance for significantly less.
A friend in the trades is exactly
what you have in this Tool Guide.
Actually, make that dozens of
friends, each experts in their own
specialized fields. All of the tools
presented here were tested by experienced contractors or woodworkers, giving you
unbiased and unvarnished assessments of hundreds of different products.
If you're a contractor or experienced woodworker yourself, you don't have time to
test a whole class of tools head-to-head to find one that fits your needs. Our review-
ers-your colleagues-do just that so you can buy with confidence.
As this guide was going to press in August, our editors were on their way to Atlanta
for the 2008 International Woodworking Fair. Visit the Tool Guide Web site at www.
finewoodworking.comjTG2009 for a free look at their front-line reports on the latest
tool innovations. There's plenty more to see on the Web, in fact. More than a dozen
reviews in this year's Tool Guide include additional free material online, such as vid-
eos that offer a detailed look at important features and a chance to see the tools in
action. Just look for the Online Extra logo, and have fun shopping.
~ Online Extra
To watch videos of tools being demonstrated
and add your comments about the tools surveyed,
go to FlneWoodworking.comjTG2009.
Three different awards
Look for these logos in each one of our tool tests. Two are from our editors and
writers, and one is determined by our readers.
Retail:
If you'd like to carry Taunton's Tool Guide in your
store, call the Taunton Trade Company at:
866-505-4674
/
READERS'
V
READERS' CHOICE
This award is based on our
survey of more than 7,000
of our readers.
BEST OVERALL
This award goes to the best
overall performer, all things
considered.
BEST VALUE
This one makes price a stronger
consideration, highlighting best
buys in every tool category.
The Taunton Guarantee:
If you are not completely satisfied with your
purchase, simply return it, and we'll immediately
refund any payment you have made. No questions.
No delay. .
Taunton's Tool Guide (ISSN: 1930-9589) is
published by The Taunton Press Inc., Newtown, CT
06470-5506. Telephone 203-426-8171. GST paid
registration #123210981.
Copyright 2008 by The Taunton Press Inc. No reproduction
without permission of The Taunton Press Inc.
Printed in the USA
6
Sharpening Port-
enables precise and
repeatable angles of 20",
25", 30", and 35" for
chisels and plane irons
up to 2' wide
One tool, any wOod joint

Guides router for: mortises
tenons
dovetails
raised panels
dados &grooves
and a lot more!
Call 866.966.3728
or visit www.chipsfly.com
Dry Cooling System- airflow
and heat sink system keeps tools tool
without the mess of awet sy.stem
Ask for it at Sears, Rockier, Woodcraft, and
wherever you buy your tools.
S80 rpm wheel speed-
PoiNerful 1/5 HP Motor
1S0mmTempered Glass Grinding Wheel- provides
an always flat and true. maintenance-free grinding
surface on which to adhere PSA Abrasives
The Wood TDoI Sharpener
NEW from the makers of
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Take a look at our latest project. It's the result of years of work, listening
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1
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Lapping Surface-
"plunge-pull"
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Fine
EDITOR Kevin Ireton
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WqqQWorking-
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TAUNTON'S TOOL GUIDE Is produced by
Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines.
TAUNTON'S 2009 TOOL GUIDE 7
On the Horizon
Too new to test, but these look like winners
T
hese tools are so new, we haven't had a chance to put them all through
their paces; in fact, some were not due for release until after the Tool Guide
went to press. But if you are shopping for a tool in one of these categories, be
sure to give the following a close look.
says is accurate to within 0.1 .
Both Milwaukee saws also feature'
an integral dust channel that the
company says captures up to 75% of
dust and debris.
A wave of new miter saws
DeWalt, Festool, and Milwaukee all
have new miter saws on the market.
DeWalt's DW717 is a 10-in. dual
bevel slider that sells for $530. The
saw features a tall fence that the
company says allows users to cut
6in. base molding and 61,4-in. crown
molding against the fence. The saw
is equipped with a miter-detent
override system that allows fine
tuning of miter angles.
Festool's Kapex is a 10-in. saw
that sells for a hefty $1,300. Its
maximum cut at 90 is 12 in. by 3 ~ 6
in. At 45 , the saw will cut 8h6 in.
by 1% in. Like other Festool models,
the Kapex has an electronically
controlled motor that maintains
constant speed under load.
Innovations include a gear-driven
rotating knob on the end of the right
hand rail that lets you dial in precise
bevels without supporting the weight
of the saw head.
Milwaukee is bringing out two new
12-in. saws. The company says its
6950-20 dual"bevel saw ($500) and
6955-20 slider ($700; shown) will
be the most powerful miter saws on
the market. Both are powered by
a 15-amp, maximum 3.3-hp motor
with soft start and technology that
maintains constant speed under
load.
Both feature a digital miter-
angle readout that the company
FESTOOL
KAPEX
MILWAUKEE
6955-20
rn
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Air Quality Monitor
test dust collection system
counts & sizes particles
laser parti cie counter
optional PC interface
starting at $199.99
DYlOS CORPORATION
www.dylosproducts.com1-877-351-2730
Connecticut Valley
School of Woodworking
Learning by Doing
HITACHI
CR13VBY
Photos courtes}' of rhe manufacrurers
CRAFTSMAN
PROFESSIONAl
New reciprocating saws
feature anti-vibration technology
the sander almost immediately when the power Is switched off. Models 390 and
390K accommodate hook-and-Ioop sanding pads. Models 392 and 394 take
pressure-sensltive adheslve pads. The suggested retall priee is $130.
10
Craftsman and Hitachi are both introducing new reciprocating saws with anti
vibration technology.
Craftsman says its Professional 12-amp "vibrafree" saw ($150) cancels and
redlrects vibrations uslng a reciprocating rod and counter-balance sleeve that
move in opposite directions. The Hitachi CR13VBY ($100), also a 12-amp saw,
employs a patented counterweight system to reduce vibration.
Both saws have a 1
1
;4-ln. blade stroke and variable speeds up to 3,000 strokes
per minute. The Craftsman features four settings for different degrees of orbital
blade action. The Hitachi employs what the company caIls a "swing" mode that
It says produces less rebound than traditional orbital action.
The Craftsman saw accepts unlversal shank blades and has a keyless, lever
action blade clamp. An adjustable front shoe slldes in and
out, and locks in place to adjust
the length of cut. It
comes with three
blades, a 10-ft.
power cord,
and a storage
case.
The Hitachi features
tool-free blade changes
and a molded grip that the
company says resists heat
and sllppage.
On the Horizon continued
Low-profile sander
promises better stability
Porter-Cable Is debutlng a new IIne of random
orbit sanders, ail of whlch feature a low-profile
design. The company says the design Is better
ergonomically and, because Ifs more stable,
will create a smoother surface.
The sanders run on a 3-amp motor wlth
a brushless design that lasts 5 to 10 Umes
longer than traditional motors, company
officiais say.
PORTER-CABLE
MODEl390
Controls let the user vary motor speed from 7,000
to 12,000 orbits per minute. Internai electronics help maintain pad speed when
the user applies downward pressure. The company says this helps the tool sand
more qulckly. The units also feature electronic braklng that is designed to stop
Vou don't have to
be big to make a
huge impression.
Compact, lightweight
Faster cut alignments with Easy and precise bevel angle Designed to capture Cuts up to 6
5
/s" crown molding
design for portability
dual laser marking system setting wlth fine adjustment 91% ofsaw dust in special cutting position
On the Horizon continued
Revolutionary machine
for sawing by hand
Bridge City calls the Jointmaker Pro ($1,295)
the world's first stationary handsaw and
says that it brings machine-like speed and
precision to cutting joinery by hand.
The machine lets users quickly and
precisely cut a variety of joints including
compound miters, dovetails, and tenons. The
tool is built around an adjustable carriage
that holds a custom Japanese sawblade
with a 0.021-in. kerf. Hand cranks and other
controls raise the blade and tilt it much
like a tablesaw blade. Controls also allow
adjustment of the blade's front-to-back pitch.
The blade is angled to cut progressively
deeper as the work is slid across it, using a
sied much like a miter gauge on a standard
tablesaw. The system allows crosscuts in
stock up to 6 in. wide and 1% in. thick.
Small moldings and dowels can be cut in
one pass. The tables accommodate a variety
of shop-built fixtures.
A smaller Tormek
at a lower price
TORMEK T-3
Tormek has introduced a lower-eost version of its famous sharpening system.
At $339, the T-3 model seIls for $160 less than the company's flagship T-7. The
differences lie in a somewhat lighter-duty motor, a housing of ABS plastic instead of
Vs-in. steel, an 8-in. stone instead of 10 in., and fewer accessories.
The company says the T-3 will dellver the same solid performance, though, when it
comes to sharpening hand tools, knives, scissors, wood-carving tools; and whatever
else happens to cross its path.
The unit carries a seven-year warranty.
Premium jigsaw blades for finer cuts
Bosch has introduced a new line of blades aimed at the fine woodworker.
The Xtra-Clean for Wood jigsaw blade features a patented tooth design
that allows the blade to cut on both the up and down strokes, leaving a
c1eaner finished surface and eliminating the need to cut from the bottom
or fl/p the material, taking a lot of guesswork out of the process.
The 12-tpl blade has precision-ground scalpel and pointed teeth. The
scalpel teeth produce the cleaner cut on the bottom of the surface
while the pointed teeth from the shank to the middle of the
blade provide the cut for the top surface. According to .
Scalpel Bosch, the 4
1
h-in. blade will cut hard and soft woods,
teeth
MDF, melamine, plywood, and laminated particleboard.
The blades cost $13.50 for a pack of 5 or $65 for a
pack of 25.
Pointed
teeth
12
Dovetails
Made Easy with Leigh Joinery Jigs
".
See the Videos at leighjigs.com
Leigh Router JoinBry Jige
Jeighjigs.com 800-663-8932
UNDER PRESSURE.
BECAUSEIT WAS
ENGINEERED FOR II
Introducing our new Low Profile Random Orbit Sander with EnduraTech'" Motor Technology.
The revolutionary, brushless EnduraTech'" motor design is so compact it allowed us to
trim the height of this sander by 31% - giving you greater control. The new motor also
fealures Electronic Load Control. This allows the sander to constantly monitor and
maintain speed - resulting in 42% faster material removal. Betler performance. Better
control. Ail so you can finish faster. Check out deltaportercable.com/lpsander for
complete Low Profile Sander delails and specifications.
Electronic motor brake for
73% faster pad spin-down
Long-lasting, 3.5 Amp,
EnduraTech'" Motor Technology
31% lower profile for better
control and finish

Great Gifts
E
very year Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding receive
loads of new tools for review, but only a few stand out. If your
loved ones are at a loss for what to get you, or if you just want to
treat yourself, start here.
MAGICSTUD FINDER
www.magicstudfinder.com;
805-520-1635
Street priee: $17
Fast, foolproof
stud finder
Before hanging a wall cabinet, you need to
find the wall studs. Electronic stud finders
are relatively inexpensive. Flashing LED
lights and an audible beep are supposed
to tell you where a stud is located, but you
can get false readings. When that happens,
your screws hit oniy thln air and leave holes
to be patched. Enter a new gadget called
the MagicStud Finder. To use it, you simply
place a disk-a rare-earth magnet encased
ln plastic-in a holder. Then you slide the
holder back and forth on the wall ln search
of a drywall screw. When the holder passes
above a screw, the magnet attaches itself
to the wall directly over the screw. No need
to move slowly; the magnet pops out of the
holder and onto the wall even if your hand
is moving it pretty quickly. We tried it and, in
short, it worked great.
MagicStud Finder comes with five
magnets, or targets, so you can locate
several studs at once.
New clamp from Irwin
Irwin's new parallel-jaw clamp has an
oval-shaped handle with a
grip that feels IIke soft rubber,
making it easier to grip and
crank than other parallel
clamps.
Parallel-jaw clamps are great
for a variety of assembly tasks,
including glue-up of carcases or large
panels. The square jaws let the clamp
sit upright on the bench, and the jaws stay
parallel despite high pressure, meaning that
parts are less Iikely to slip out of position.
The Irwin clamps have a removable plastic
foot that helps level the clamp on your
benchtop. Mounted on a cotter-pin assembly,
the foot can be adjusted down the bar-which
comes in handy when your clamp is longer than
your assembly table-or removed completely.
Wlth the foot removed, you can flip the clamp
head and convert the clamp into a spreader,
which is invaluable for safely disassembling
joinery.
Expect to pay about $35 for the 24-in. clamp,
$40 for the 48-in. version.
Bits drill coin-sized holes
Some woodworkers Iike to personalize their
pieces by inlaylng a coin. Trouble is, standard
Forstner bits don't precisely match coin
diameters. A %-in. bit is slightly undersize for
a penny, for example, while a 1-ln. bit is just
a fraction too large for a quarter. Rockler has
solved the problem by offering U.S. coin-sized
high-speed-steel Forstner bits. We tried the
penny (0.764 in.), quarter (0.955 in.), and half
dollar (1.219 in.) bits, and each one seated its
coin perfectly.
ROCKLER COIN-SIZED
FORSTNER BITS
www.rockler.com; 800-279-4441
Street priee: $17-$18
IRWIN PARALLEL CLAMPS
www.irwin.com; 800-464-7946
Street price: $35-$40
New parallel clamps. Irwin's parallel-jaw
clamps have handles with a slip-free grip.
Drill bits sized for coins. Rockler offers
Forstner bits that drill holes sized perfectly
for V.S. coins, which sorne woodworkers
use to date their
16
Pinnacle is defined by Webster's as the
highest point of development or achievement.
The latest offering of router, drill press table
systems and avariety of accessories tl1at
bear the Pinnacle name have certainly lived
up to this definition. Every detail of these
Pinnacle tools was engineered with one
! 1
thing in mind: to provide woodworkers with
tools that empower them. Pinnacle tools are
available exclusively at Woodcraft.
Made ln The USA
Deluxe caulking gun
The Convoy Super caulking gun from
Tajima demonstrates that not ail
high-end caulking guns are the
Better roUer for honing handplanes
Great Gifts continued
TOOLS UNDER $50 CONTINUED
TAJIMA CONVOY SUPER CAUlKING GUN
www.tajimatool.eom; 888-482-5462
Street priee: $20
same.
First and foremost is the extra length of the barrel. Its 10-in.
length makes it easy to insert and remove a typical 8-in.
caulking tube. Users can ignore the buildup that inevitably
forms on the pusher over time. That's a regular maintenance
issue on other caulking guns.
The cast-aluminum handle is outfitted with a comfortable
plastic grip that prevents it from slipping on hot summer
days. The gun is designed to produce a longer, more
consistent thrust to help avoid the telltale caulk bump
created when you stop to reset the trigger. The handle also
rotates 360, so you don't have to release the pressure,
then turn the tube while working long vertical runs or around
curves. Automatic flow control stops the flow of caulk when
the handle is released.
This gun has a 4
1
h-in.-long puncture tool, so it has no
problem reaching the skin of even an oddball long nozzle.
The Convoy Super costs more than many caulking guns, but
like any good tool, it's worth it.
VERITAS MK.II CAMBERED ROllER
www.leevalley.eom; 800-871-8158
Street priee: $21.70
The Mk.1I honing guide from Veritas won praise
from our reviewers in part for its wide roller that
helps ensure a fiat bevel on the blade. A new
accessory makes the guide even more useful by
allowing a cambered bevel on wide blades.
A fiat bevel works weil for bench chisels, but
on wide blades used for planing, a camber helps
reduce the scoring Iines often created by the blade
corners as you plane. When honing without a
guide, or when using a guide with narrow wheels,
you can create a camber by placing pressure on
the outer edges of the blade. The Mk.ll's wide
roller prevented this.
With plane users apparently ln mind, Veritas
recently introduced a cambered roller assembly
for the Mk.11. The assembly mounts in seconds.
A 1h-in.-wide fiat center section of the roller
provides solid footing for fiat bevels, while the
outer sections are curved for easy cambering.
It worked great.
Rock on. As you move
the jig back and Forth
on the sharpening
stone, the cambered
wheellets you rock
the blade From side ta
side ta generate the
curved edge.
positive stops at each 5 Increment.
4J
any
1
hO angle between 0 and 55.
frames went together perfectly with
22:lh miters.
7
18
Jig sets any miter gauge to precise angles
The MiterSet is a beautifully simple jig that makes it easy t9
accurately set the angle on a standard tablesaw miter gauge. The jlg
is based on a piece of laminate-covered birch plywood with 22 holes.
The holes are dlvided by a slot that accepts a standard 3f4-in. by
3fs-in. miter-gauge bar. Tapered-steel pins fit ln the holes to establish
To set your miter-gauge angle (so the face of the gauge faces left),
place a pin in the left-side 0 hole, then put the other pin in the right
side hole that gives you the desired angle. loosen the miter-gauge
bar and slip it into the slot in the jig. Slide the bar forward untll the
face of the miter gauge butts against both pins. Tighten the bar and
you're ready to go. An aluminum "step bar" allows the jig to assume
To test the jig's accuracy and repeatabillty, we made 90 and 45
cuts and checked them. We also eut a couple of octagonal
frames. After each eut, we reset the angle. Both
MITERSET
www.miterset.eom; 209-835-1626
Street priee: $30
Angle setter. The MiterSet
lets you adjust a miter
gauge to any angle
up to 55 in %0
Increments.
.."'end Available 'rom dealers across North America
a. . www.trend-usa.com
Tel: (270) 872 4674 Fax: (866) 5441
A buiU-inquiet fan keeps a constant flow
of liItered air across the face.
Provides excellent protection trom
inhalation of harmful dust with twin fine
dust filters.
Protects eyes and face against flying
debris.
FiUer etticiency now 98%.
Combination faceseal and hood
improves protection.
. 8 hour battery.
oo"!:
The MR4: The drop pin controls the size and
position of slot mortises, while stops on the
guiderails line them up exactly on the stiles.
.... - - - '1.-
The Flat Bed secures panels fiat under the
plate so you can track, trench and drill work.
This works for work too.
o ,
Casebook #8
Covering ail the bases: three more
configurations give yet more
interesting ways to work with the
WoodRat /
1 -=
The new MB3 MiterBox holds work at any
1
angle, square to the Wood Rat. Mitering for
secret dovetails, putting legs on tables? Easy!
1 visit WoodRat.com
Handy router planes
from Lie-Nielsen
Woodworkers who know their hand tools
often reach for a router plane to smooth
the bottoms of dadoes, grooves, and
rabbets. Toois like the old Stanley No. 71
1
h
are perfect for adjusting the fit of a hinge
mortlse and doing Inlay work, too.
lie-Nielsen recently introduced two new
router planes, the No. 71 and the smalier
No. 271.
The lie-Nielsen No. 71 takes the router
plane concept to a new level. A square
hole in the base accepts a massive 0-1
CRAFTSMAN 7
1
/4-IN.
MITER SAW WITH LASER TRAC
www.eraftsman.eom; 800-377-7414
Street priee: $90
Small in size, big in value. This 16-lb., 7%-in.
miter saw looks minuscule compared to la-in. and
steel blade. Vou adjust the blade with one
knob, and then tighten it in position with
another. The depth of cut can be changed
qulckly and precisely, a nice feature for
"sneaking up" on a perfect fit. A depth
stop Is easily adjusted and locks securely.
The blade does not come prelapped.
Vou'lI need to lap and then sharpen it
before cutting.
like its bigger brother, the No. 271 is
a precision tool, albelt a simpler one. It
doesn't have an adjustment knob; you
move the blade up and down by hand. The
tool Is comfortable to hold and capable
of doing exactlng work. Ifs best used on.
smaller parts, where a large router plane
wouldn't fit or balance weil.
L1E-NIELSEN ROUTER PLANES
www.lle-nielsen.com; 800-327-2520
Street priee: $75 and $125
12-in. saws, but its mobility makes it usefui.
Pint-size miter saw
This left-tiIt, single-bevel saw comes with a good-quality 7
1
A-in. 4o-tooth blade that makes
smooth cuts. We found the cutting capacitles to be somewhat less than advertised:
3:1h-in.-wide by 3-ln. depth of cut at 90
0
, and 45
0
miters limited to 3 in. wlde. Our favorite
thlng about the saw is that It weighs just 16 lb., about the same as a worm-drlve clrcular
saw, so it's easy to tote with one hand. This portabillty could save you countless trips up and
down stairs.
We weren't wild about the fact that pivoting the table requires lowering the saw and
pushing the handle right or left. Also, the saw's switch-on laser isn't very reliable and
requires periodic flddllng to keep it accu rate.
Just the same, if you need to cut studs or molding on location, this mlght be the saw you
want to carry with you.
5tudded traction for boots
To avold falling on snow- and iCEH:overed job
sites, try a pair of Stabilicers. These flexible
rubber sol:es strap onto boots with two heavy
dutY1-ln. hook-and-Ioop webs. Each sole
has 17 hardened-steel studs around Its
perimeter. Nubs grip the bottom of the
boot, providing solid footing and
eliminating worries about foot
roll. Studs are replaceable, so you
can rejuvenate Stabilicers rather
than buy a new pair.
Stabilicers work great on
anything from snow to frost- and
ice-encrusted sheathing, but the
studs need something to bite into,
Iike ice or wood. Avold metal, polished
stone, or tile surfaces, or you'lI feel Iike
you're skating. Also, remember to take
them off before going inslde. The studs are
merciless on finished hardwood floors, even
through cardboard or drop cloths.
STABILICERS
www.32north.eom;
207-284-5010
Street priee: $50
Sure-footed ice cleats.
Stabilicers rely on 17 re
placeable studs distributed
along the outside edge of
each rubber sole to provide
lots of traction without any
worries about foot roll.
20
HIGH PERFORMANCE CARBIDE WHEELS
FOR YOUR HIGH SPEED DRILL!
Fast, Clean, Cutting &Shoping' IlS" Shahs 135,000 rpm
Take lhem for aspin &SAVE $al: www.duragritcom/fwtg
( Url/rI'GRIT.;
Tools Thal!@fJy Work! Md Work! Md WorL
" We speeialize in 11..
finest examples of
domesti< and exotie
veneers as weil as
burls, crotelles and
lIig1l1y figured woods, "
TOOLS OVER $200
Rust-free air compressor
The Maxus X-Lite air compressor solves
corrosion problems by replacing standard
steel tanks with aluminum. The aluminum
tanks also make the compressor 50%
Iighter than similar steel-tank models,
according to Maxus. The X-Lite weighs
57 lb., a weight reduction that tlred backs
can deflnltely appreclate.
From a functional standpoint, the Maxus
powers a varlety of pneumatlc tools,
including framing and trim nailers. The
compressor offers 3.7 cfm at 90 psi, and
the placement of its components was
considered carefully. The pressure gauges,
hose valves, and 1.3-hp oil-Iube motor
assembly are protected by a hefty roll bar.
Also, with the compressor planted firmly
on its rubber feet, the pair of hose valves
points straight out rather than down toward
the ground, making hose hookups a cinch.
The only thing we found a bit awkward was
the placement of the on/off switch on the
side of the compressor rather than the top
or the front.
MAXUS XL1TE
AIR COMPRESSOR (EX8016)
www.maxustools.eom; 888-241-5858
Street priee: $300
Safest tablesaw offers
more affordable version
Four years ago, SawStop introduced a 10-in. cabinet saw with
a remarkable brake that could stop a spinning sawblade just
mllliseconds after contact wlth a wayward finger. Instead of an
amputated digit, the saw operator would walk away with a
shallow scratch. The company's contractor's saw has the same
blade-safety brake and rlving knife as its bigger brother. Both
the blade-height and the biade-tilt mechanisms worked
1
PORTER-CABLE OMNIJlG
Porter-Cable's much-improved version of its Omnijig Joinery System
cuts precise through- and half-blind variable-spaced dovetails and
box joints on stock up to 24 in. wide. A host of standard features
make the jig easler to set up and use. These include adjustable and
removable stops for both sides of the finger template, router-bit
depth gauges built into the base, a separate router-bit depth "pod,"
and a quick reference cardo It takes some time to get familiar with
these features, but after that switching between joint types
becomes pretty straightforward.
The jig comes with a variable flnger template that allows
quick layout of an aesthetically pleaslng joint on any stock
up to 24 in. wlde. Aiso standard are a set of router bits for
cutting and a complete set of template guides.
ln addition to variable-spaced joints, the Omnijig has built-in stops
for cutting consistent-width half-blind dovetails in a single pass with
both boards clamped in the jig together. Porter-eable has upgraded
the clamping system, using clamping bars that adjust with screw
knobs for coarse adjustments and a single cam lever to lock the
stock. On the downside, the jig is bulky and heavy, and may require
a dedicated workspace in your shop. Also, the heavy stabilizer bar
on the front of the jig was fussy to set up. Our reviewer was Just as
happy working without it.
www.deltaportereable.eom; 800-223-7278
Street priee: $600 for 24-in. model
New dovetail jig
does it ail
www.sawstop.eom; 866-729-7867
Street priee: $1,500
SAWSTOP CONTRACTOR SAW
smoothly. Arbor-flange runout measured zero--as good as
you can get. Blade-to-miter-slot parallelism was a tolerable
0.002 in. over 8 in., but it can be adjusted. Swltching from
the riving knife to a full blade guard required no tools and
took Just seconds. The 1%-hp motor had plenty of power
to rip %-in.-thick stock. It could also rip 2-in.-thick maple at a
comfortable feed rate.
fVETO PROfilES 1
PRO PAG k.eep everyt"i"9
for me. It's about boi"9 OffICIO"t, thO" tho work 905
mue,", smoother. Tne mvlti-tiere<l pockets m:a.Ke it :1 l\a.tuul; 10"9 +00150"
thO bottoM, tOOl5 i" fro"t hor ."d tools i"
50co"d hor. Whe" you W:l"t ta k.eep everythi\'lg
proteete.!, Just zip it close.!."
JOHN'S MODEl XXl-f
SPECIAL FEATURE
Carpentry,
H o l l y w o ~ d Style
Comlng to a neighbol'hood
neal' you. We trave/ed to Ana
heim to find Trading Spaces
setting up in a quiet Califor
nia cu/ode-sac. The carpentry
tents went up quick/y, and
filming started right away. /n
this episode, a divorced mom
and dad traded homes and
house keys for two days and
the kids pitched in with the
remode/ing. That's show host
Paige Davis at right, emceeing
the "key swap."
24
How Trading Spaces' star craftsmen
take their shops on the road
SV ASA CHRISTIANA
T
urns out ifs not easy to find carpenters who can double as
TV stars. Beer bellies and plumber's cracks don't do much
for ratings. On the other hand, fiat abs and sparkJing smiles
are Nielsen gold.
The craftsmen on today's remodeling shows don't get as much
camera time as the hosts, designers, and homeowners, but they
have always interested me. As a woodworker and serial remodeler
myself, 1 know the carpenters have real work to do. l've often
wondered how they get projects done on location, on deadline,
and berween camera shots. Were they actors or carpenters first?
How do they take their shops on the road? And what goes wrong
off camera that we never see?
To answer these questions (and OK, to hang out with Paige
Davis), 1visited TLC's Trading Spaces on location this summer in
Anaheim, Calif., as they filmed an episode for the faU season.
The reality remodeling formula-team up on-camera experts
with real homeowners, give them a challenging task, start the
dock, and film the drama-seems old hat now, but it was ground-
PhotOs, Michael Pel<ovich
Life of alV carpenter
'1
1
~ - ....~
la. ~ - . -
TEACH THE HOMEOWNERS Mills coaches one of the daugh
ters as she assembles a 2x3 frame for the side of a chair.
GET IT BUiLT At House Two, the other carpenter, Faber Dewar,
hurries to glue and nail an MDF pedestal for a low bench.
WORK WITH THE DESIGNER Thad MiIIs, the carpenter at House
One, talks with designer Lauren Makk about what he has to build in
the next day and a half.
breaking in 2000 when Trading Spaces debuted. One of the first
reality shows of any kind, it was an instant hit and put The Learn
ing Channel on the map for good.
Fellow staffer Mike Pekovich came along to shoot the photos
and help me record a behind-the-scenes video diary. We'll post
that on FineWoodworking.com and FineHomebuilding.com as
soon as the episode airs. The title is "Kid Caught in the Middle."
Look for it sometime after Sept. 20.
Who are these guyS?
The carpenters for this episode were Faber Dewar and Thad Mills,
both regulars on the show, and each with his own twisting path
to reality TV. For Dewar, who was born in Scotland but owned a
furniture-making shop and gallery for 14 years in Venice, Calif.,
proximity to Hollywood was the key. In the late '90s, a friend at
a nearby entertainment agency sent over a colleague for wood
working lessons. Dewar obliged, and seven years later that agent
called to suggest that he audition for Trading Spaces. Dewar sent
in a simple interview-format tape. The producers must have liked
his blend of leftover Scottish burr and earnest California style,
because he's been on the show for five years.
The other carpenter on the shoot was Thad Mills, who grew up
in Alaska. A generation younger than Dewar, Mills had conflict
ing ambitions from the beginning. While finishing a four-year
journeyman construction course in Juneau, he found time to
chase a career in modeling. At an audition for Star Sem'ch,
AND INSTALL IT
Just before "the
reveal," Dewar
wrestles a floor
to-ceiling fireplace
surround into place,
as usuaJ working
on camera, around
unforeseen obsta
cles, and with the
homeowners.
Each of the two houses gets one box truck, loaded with
everything the carpenter will need, from tables to tools
and supplies.
Tents first. Collapsibfe canopies offer shefter from sun and
rain. Often these must go in a small driveway, but at this house
the neighbors said yes to a street setup.
Rolling carts. Over
its eight-year history,
Trading Spaces has
devefoped cfever carts
that can hofd ail of the
carpentry toofs and
supplies, be offloaded
easily, and then be
fatched together to
create a fong work
station.
26
the erstwhile TV talent show, Mills met an agent from The
Discovery Channel, which owns nc. That led to auditions in
New York and Los Angeles and his two-year stint on Trading
Spaces.
Taking two shops on the road
Reality remodeling shows crisscross the country to find camera
friendly homeowners and appropriate projects, doing similar
carpentry projects again and again on location. So long-running
shows like Trading Spaces have developed clever mobile work
shops, which can be set up in the smallest driveway yet hold
everything the carpenters need.
Trading Spaces sends a small box truck to each of the two
homes, and 1 watched Mills and Dewar roll out heavy carts and
latch them together to form what they cali "carpentry world,"
essentially a long workstation under white canopies. Inside the
carts are almost all of the power tools, hardware, and supplies the
carpenters will need. They also roll out a job-site tablesaw, and
there is a sliding miter saw bolted to one of the carts.
Basic for a reason-for woodworkers like Mike and me, with
home workshops, the tool kits seemed minimal. But they suit
Trading Spaces weIl. Not only do they ruck into the two small
trucks, but they fit the premise of the program, which is to show
homeowners what can be done with a few simple tools. "Most
homeowners have never pulied the trigger on a saw, and it's great
to see their eyes light up," Mills said. "1 heal' stories ail the time
about other projects they do Jater."
The show's sponsor is The Home Depot, so ail of the tools are
either Ridgid or Ryobi. But Dewar sneaks in a few of his favorites:
a Japanese pullsaw and a Festool saw on a long track. As for tools
he wishes he hac!: "A banc!saw and an HVLP sprayer." The former
won't fit in the truck, and the latter woulct ruin an important mo
ment on the show, Dewar explainec!, "when the homeowners are
slapping on paint and talking about the whole experience."
Mills wears the tool telt from his construction days, reaching
often for his familial' 22-oz. framing hammer, tape measure, Swan
son Speed Square, utility knife, and screwdrivers.
Design on a budget and on deadline
Adapted from a BBC show called Changing Raams, the Trading
Spaces premise is simple: Two neighbors exchange keys and
homes for two days, and remodel a room in each others' houses.
Each is assigned a professional designer and carpenter, and a
budget of $1,000, which has to cover carpentry materials, paint,
drapes, lighting, and other accessories. And neither side knows
what the other is doing until the reveal.
The carpenters usually get about $300 of the total $1,000 budget
at each house, so they must be very creative with MDF (medium
density fiberboard) and construction lumber. Unhappy with the
look of paint slapped onto MDF, Dewar has developed a leather-
How tokeep it simple
By sticking to sheet goods and presurfaced lumber, the
carpenters can cross a planer off thelr tool Ilst. And uslng
basic tools and materials keeps the projects more accessible
to the audience.
5ma" tablesaw handles ail rlpcuts. Note the portable tables
used for infeed and outfeed support.
Miter saw makes
the crosscuts.
For very wide cuts,
the carpenters
l'un a circulaI' saw
against a clamped
on straightedge.
Rough-andready
router table. The
Ridgid tablesaw's
extension table
telescopes out to
leave a handy gap
for a shopmade
router insert.
Stylish bench built on location
Dewar layered and
interlocked MDF
pieces to create two
thick, strong units.
Nails held everything
in place white the
glue dried (1). After
arranging the boards
for a nice grain
match, and gluing
them edge-to-edge
using bar clamps, he
used a belt sander to
level the surface (2)
before crosscutting
the ends square. Be
fore the she/lac could
dry, cast members
plopped down on
the finished walnut
seat for an interview
scene. But a quick
touchup covered the
bumprints (3).
~ O n l i n e Extra
For behind-the-scenes video from the set of Trading
Spaces, go to FlneWoodworklng.comjextras.
28
like finish for the tan fiberboard. He fills the edges with shellac or
spackle, wipes on Minwax walnut gel stain, and follows with a few
coats of shellac. The result has the leathery sheen of a club chair.
He also buys a board or two of solid walnut for face frames and
edging. "A $200 wall unit can look like a $5,000 built-in," he said.
Assigned to the living room at House Two, along with designer
Edward Walker, Dewar used his MDF finish on a curvy base for
a glass-topped table, as well as two support frames for a solid
walnut bench. He was done with both in a matter of hours, and
the results were excellent. He also used inexpensive hardwood
plywood, finished Iike the MDF, to make a big fireplace sur
round. Some hasry hearth measurements were off, and he also
had trouble sliding the top past the popcorn-ceiling finish, but he
had ta make it work, and so he did. "1 dry-fit pieces four times,
but still things go wrong when the camera is rolling," Dewar said.
"Parts go on backward and have to be tom off."
The carpenters also have to redo key steps for the camera, and
re-crea te natural moments. If there is friction between a carpenter
and a designer, for example, they'lI repeat it if necessary. Drama
is the currency of reality TV, even on The Leaming Channel.
Bloopers aJso make it onto the show, Dewar said. "People want
to see the crashes."
Over the two-plus days of filming, Dewar and Mills were pulled
in many directions and delayed often. As Mills described it: "Cut
it. Stop. Wait for the cameras and homeowners. Stop."
A handsome fireplace surround. Dewar used hardwood plywood
to make this floor-to-ceiling wall unit, with built-in, lighted shelving
and plenty of room for a flat-screen TIl.
Dewar's version: "They tell us, '\'(le neee! that piece clone in an
hour ... but for the next 45 minutes, c1on't run any saws because
we are shooting inside."
\'(Iorking on the family room at House One, with c1esigner Lauren
Makk. Mills usee! MDF and 2x3s ta make chairs and a long seating
unit that hacl a desk on one side and a sofa on the other. He fillecl
screw holes with putty, then sanclecl weIl to be sure the homeown
ers coule! do a decent paint job. "There is no time for dadoes and
rabbets," he saie!. "It's usually butt joints, glue, and nails."
ln the end, Trading Spaces is about possibilities, not perfection.
Mills's advice ta wannabe DIYers is simple: "Trial ancl error," he
saie!. "If you are human, you'll make mistakes. But you'll learn
from them. 50 try new things. Express yourself." 0
Asa Christiana is the editar af Fine Woodworking, and a past editar af the
Tooi Guide.
The final reveal
2x3 magic. Mil/s made these
chair frames from rough con
struction 2x3s, but once the
paint, cushions, and fabric were
added (/eft), the look was clean
and contemporary. He used
more 2x3s, plus MDF for the fiat
surfaces, to make a huge two
sided seating area for the family
room (below), with desk space
on one side and a simple sofa
on the other, facing the TIl.
www.finewoodworking.com TAUNTON 5 2009 TOOL GU1DE 29
------
POWER TOOLS ~ CIRCULAR SAWS
mm:m
Worm Drive Saws
; . . : ~
These are the most powerful and
durable circular saws, and new
models are more user-friendly
W
orm-drive saws get
their unusual name
from the wormlike
gear that helps transfer power
from the motor to the blade
arbor. They are heavier than
standard circular saws but offer
sorne unique advantages.
First, the mechanical advan
tage of the gear increases cut
ting torque while slowing the
blade to 4400 rpm (as opposed
ta about 5800 for a sidewind
el', or direct-drive saw). With a
thin-kerf carbide blade, these
saws are almost unstoppable.
Second, the blade sits on
the left side of the motor.
For those who cut with their
right hand, this orientation
makes the blade fully visible,
without the motor housing ob
stlUcting the view.
Third, the motor's body is
parallel to the direction of the
cut, making the saw longer
rather than wider and improv
ing the reach. This orientation
also makes the saw nose-heavy,
which can be a benefit if you
know how to handle it.
These qualities combine ta
make worm-drive saws ideal
for rough framing, but they
also come in handy for finish
work, cutting up sheet goods
in the shop, or job-site tasks
like cutting concrete, rebar, ce
ment siding, pve pipe, or any
thing else that gets in
the way.
Comparing the saws
Unlike a few years aga,
when Skil saws were
the standard for Worm
drives, today there are seven
professional-quality saws that
are widely available. They
boast features like plugs that
light up, rubberized levers,
and blade wrenches that ride
in the handle when not in use.
The seven saws reviewed here
use 7
1
A-in. blades and range in
price from $160 ta $200.
1t's worth re-emphasizing that
besides giving the saw more
power, the worm-drive gear
adds weight. The Skil SH077
weighs 16 lb. But by using
Iighter materials to construct
the baseplate and the housing,
other manufacturers have sig
nificantly reduced the weight
of their saws. The OeWalt and
Makita saws weigh 13 lb. and
are the lightest of the bunch.
(The average sidewinder, or
direct-drive saw, weighs around
Il lb.) Although we didn't as
sign specific grades for weight,
it was a significant factor in
our evaluation of the saws,
especially their balance and
handling.
We first used these saws in
the shop, where they were
Photos, except where noted, Krysta S. Doerfler; this page, John Ross 30
5KIL MAG 5HD77M
www.sklltools.com
STREET PRieE: $190
WEIGHT: 14 lb.
'.
: ',' 1
checked for their proficiency

at making miter and bevel cuts
and tested for their ability ta
hog through beam stock. Ver
satility was a prized feature in
these saws: Those that were
powerful but hard ta maneuver
didn't earn scores as high as
saws that bogged down when
really pushed but were easy ta
use in a variety of ways.
After our testing, we gath
ered together seven carpen
ters, ranging in discipline from
rough framer ta cabinetmaker,
and let them tly out the saws.
Accessories matter
AJ] these saws are equipped
with a top handle. More im
portant than helping ta lift the
saw, the handle helps the user
control the front of the saw.
We liked the top handle on
the Skil saws best. It's skewed
ta the line of the body and fits
Power A
BalancejhandlingA+
Beveljdepth B
BaseplateA
Extra features . B
Overall A
This saw is Iight, yet has lots of power and great balance. It
performs weil in every situation, from tricky finish work to the
demands of rough framing. The rolled-edge magnesium basepiate
is sturdy and Ilght. On both Skil models, we found the handles to
be more comfortable than those of the other saws. Also, the
durability track record is something we value. For those who
want an ali-around saw, this is it.
READERS' RATINGS: WORMDRIVE SAW
The Bosch took
1
4.46 BOSCH 1677M
first place among
readers, just
1 1
4.43 SKIL MAG SHD77M
sliding past the L
4.38 SKILSHD77
editors' best
1 4.32 MILWAUKEE 63776
overall choice, the
Skil Mag. The best- 1
4.19 RIDGID R3210
value Ridgid fell in 1 4.15 DEWALT DW378G
the middle of the
pack.
1
4.03 MAKITA 5377MG
Drawings: Dan ThornlOn
POWER TOOLS ~ CIRCULAR SAWS
RIDGID R3210 DEWALT DW378G
www.ridgid.com www.boschtools.com www.dewalt.com
STREET PRICE: $170 STREET PRICE: $200 STREET PRICE: $160
WEIGHT: 14 lb. WEIGHT: 14 lb. WEIGHT: 13 lb.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power A Power B Power B
Balancejhandling . B+ Balancejhandling ..... B+ Balancejhandling .... C
Beveljdepth ........... B+ Beveljdepth B+ Beveljdepth .......... B+
Baseplate B- Baseplate
...
A- Baseplate ...
. ...
B-
Extra features A Extra features .... B Extra features ......... B
Overall B+ Overall B+ Overall B
Ridgid has built a well-balanced saw The Bosch is a lot IIke the Skll Mag, and DeWalt has strayed from the classic
with loads of power. The white-on-black If you IIke the top handle more than the elongated shape of a worm drive, but if
bevel and cJepth numbers, onboard Allen SHD77M design, there is no reason not you are used to a sidewinder, this tool is
wrench, and Iighted plug (on a 9-ft. cord) to buy the Bosch. This saw lacks special a more approachable saw. The tilted mo
are ail smart features. Our main com features Iike an onboard Allen wrench or tor allows the handle to be closer to the
plaints are that without rolled edges, the rubberized levers. However, for $10 more, blade arbor. This design helps when you're
flat-metal baseplate is not as sturdy as you can get the direct-connect model, lifting the saw with one hand. The lower
those on other saws, and that the 51.5
0
which allows you to plug an extension blade guard works great and never bound
bevel positive stop is hard to operate with cord directly into the saw. up. We found the top handle awkward and
one hand. never got used to the balance.
comfortably in either hand. We wrench in the handle. Other back out of the way (an incred baseplate depth-arm attach
found DeWalt's hammerhead saws require the traditional ibly dangerous practice). Ali ment is tweaked.
top handle awkward and could stamped-metal wrench, which the guards worked weil, but The Ski! Mag has a magne
never find a way to control the is al ways somewhere else there are subtle differences sium plate with rolled edges
saw comfortably during two when a blade needs changing. among them. The two Ski! that resist bending on im
handed cuts except for vertical We like the way Makita stores saws got hung up more than pact. It also has the sturdiest
cuts above head height. Granted, the wrench inside the top the l'est. On the other hand, base/depth-arm attachment of
because of its light weight and handle. Milwaukee and Ridgid the DeWalt guard was hardly ail the saws. To test this, we
short profile, this saw was the store the wrench on the bot noticeable at ail. extended the depth adjustment
best at overhead cuts. tom side of the trigger handle, Baseplates are usually the to the shallowest setting and
Built-in rafter hooks come which seems to increase the weak link for a worm-drive then wrenched the saw's base
standard with every saw. Be chance of catching the wrench saw. If they are bent, they no plate from side to side. Ski!
yond that, Ridgid, Makita, and on something. longer l'un parallel with the has added guide notches for
Milwaukee ail have an Allen The new blade guards are sawblade, making it hard to cut the blade on the plate's edges
slot in the blade-arbor boit an improvement over the old, straight. Sometimes the plate it both in front of and behind the
and a matching onboard Allen which were sometimes pinned self bends, or sometimes the blade.
32
MAKITA 5377MG SKIL SHD77
www.makita.com www.milwaukeetool.com www.skiltools.com
STREET PRICE: $175 STREET PRICE: $195 STREET PRICE: $170
WEIGHT: 13 lb. WEIGHT: 14.75 lb. WEIGHT: 16 lb.
Power B Power
. . . . . . . . . . . .
A+ Power A
Balance/handling B+ Balance/handling B Balance/handling B+
. . . . . . . . . . .
Bevel/depth B+ Bevel/depth A Bevel/depth
........
B
Baseplate ;'
............
B- Baseplate
. . . . . . . . . .
B Baseplate
. . . . . . . .
B+
. . . . . . . . . . .........
Extra features A Extra features A Extra features none
Overall B+ Overall A- Overall B
The Makita is a nice saw, and it's a good From the oversize handles to the long Skil is synonymous with worm-drive
buy if you do more finish carpentry than composite baseplate, everything about design, and the company hasn't messed
framing. The motor is relatively quiet, this saw says it's big, burly, and ready for with a good thing. The only changes on
with hardly any startup kick. The handle work. It has a long-handled onboard Allen the latest model are a boost in amps from
and especially the bevel and depth le wrench, a view window to check oil, and 13 to 15 and a standard rafter hook. The
ver locks are easy on the hands. On the well-placed, easy-to-read bevel and depth top handle and trigger handle are the
downside, the hypoid-gear setup is under markings. At almost 15 lb., the saw's same as on the Skil Mag, and are more
powered (about equal to the DeWalt), weight is the only thing holding it back comfortable than on any other brand. This
and the baseplate bent with even a mlld from being a contender for best overall. saw is an indestructible powerhouse, but
impact. at 16 lb., it's the heaviest of the bunch.
The Milwaukee's composite stop must be manipulated so rainy morning. The other saws we appreciate details like the
baseplate is sturdy, but there that the saw can bevel fanher. use standard bent metal, which design of the top handle, the
is sorne play at the connection. Makita's saw has positive stops can be uncomfortable or hard sturdy baseplate, and the light
The Ridgid has an inherently at 22.5, 45, and 51.5. These to operate in the cold. None weight. That said, we also
weak flat plate. The Skil Mag stops seem extraneous; we al of the depth gauges are very wouldn't hesitate to get the
used to have this type of plate, ways visually check the bevel precise. Bosch 1677M. If you'lI use the
but has returned to a more rig setting regardless of the stop. saw only once a week, con
id rolled edge. Milwaukee's bevel and depth Ski! Mag still on top sider the Ridgid or the Makita
adjustments are the easiest to If you buy one of these saws, because of the extra features.
Bevel, depth adjustments read because the numbers are you'lI probably own it for the If you're looking at a big stack
are a mixed bag printed in white on a black next 10 years. of studs you want ta reduce to
Ali the saws except the Skil background and can be seen For those who use a circular sawdust, consider the Milwau
models bevel beyond 45. from behind the saw body. saw every day, the Skil Mag kee for its pure power. D
Many employ a positive-stop Makita's rubber-coated steel saw is rock solid with versatili
system so that the saw au levers are sturdy and easy on ty that no other saw can match. Scott Grice contributed ta this
tomatically stops at 45; the the hands, especially on a cold, While the design is streamlined, article.
POWER TOOLS DRIVERS
TOOL TEST
Cordless
Impact
Drivers
Compact, high-torque tools
outperform cordless drills,
making drilling and driving
faster and easier
A
n impact driver lets you apply a far
greater amouot of torque to a fas
tener or drill bit than any cordless
drill-driver. An 18v lithium-ion drill-driver
produces roughly 450 in.-Ib. of torque. An
impact driver powered by a comparable
battery produces roughly 1,400 in.-lb. of
torque. That translates ioto faster drilling
and driving times, with far less effort.
A tool for general and specialty use
Because of theil' torque-to-size ratio, im
pact drivers are particularly handy for
jobs that require great amounts of power
in areas of limited space or accessibility.
The torque of even the smallest of these
tools allows them to power through hard
materials, whether you are driving self
tapping screws into concrete or installing
hardwood and synthetic decking.
These tools have a gentler side for inte
rior work as weil. The impact action of the
driver engages und-=r only a certain amount
~ Online Extra
To see a video of the drivers in action,
go to FlneWoodworklng.comjTG2009.
of resistance, 50 for lighter-duty work like
installing switch plates and drawer slides,
an impact driver works perfectly weil. For
many people, a small impact driver may be
the only cordless drill they need.
Size and power affect versatility
We used more than a dozen different
drivers for a wide range of drilling and
driving tasks. We were most impressed
by the lithium-ion-powered models. Long
run times and lots of power harnessed in
lightweight batteries pay dividends in the
comfort and performance of each tool.
While smaller, more powerful battery
packs are nice, we noticed that the smaller
18v Makita (model BTD142HW) didn't ab
sorb nearly as much vibration as its bigger
brother, the BTD141, or other larger driv
ers. 1t's worth noting that the BTD141 was
the only midsize driver with a noticeably
shorter run time.
More important than battery size is pow
er capacity. For most tasks, a 12v, 14.4v, or
VIEW THE DRIVETRAIN
AS TWO SEPARATE ASSEMBLIES
The impact mass is turned by the motor. In
turn, it applies pressure to the wings on the
anvil, causing the anvil to spin.
l
When the screw encounters resistance, the
impact mass rises, slips past the anvil, and
impacts the anvil on the other side to create
added torque.
compact 18v impact driver works great.
These drivers are powerful, but small
enough to carry around without weighing
you down. The Ridgid offers more power,
but is just too heavy. 0
Michael Maines cantributed ta this article.
READERS' RATINGS: IMPACT DRIVERS
Readers and editors agreed: The Pana
sonic is the most well-rounded, best
equipped tool in the group. The best-value
Bosch came in second with readers.
] 4.6
CD 4.58
PANASONIC
EY7540LN2S
BOSCH PS40-2
] 4.41 MAKITA BTD142HW
1 4.39 MAKITA BTD141
) 4.22 RIDGID R8823 (24V)
Not Rated HITACHI WH14DL
Photos: slaff
34
Six staridout drivers
Oetermlnlng whlch driver is best depends on the jobs you do most market in terms of power, slze, and features. The six featured here
often and the features you find most valuable. We tested more are the ones that stood above the rest.
than a dozen drivers that represent what's available on the
www.bosehtools.eom
Street priee: $170
Voltage: 10.8v
As one of the smaller impact
drivers on the market, the
i0.8v Bosch has plenty of power
to handle almost any shop or light
remodeling work. Its unobtrusive
battery fits nicely inside the handle,
which increases its usefulness in
tight driving or drilling conditions.
The sleek design also allows it to be
stowed easily in an apron pocket or
tool pouch.
www.hitaehipowertools.eom
Street priee: $260
Voltage: 14.4v
Does a tool belt without a hammer
loop make sense? Neither does an
impact driver without a belt hook,
whether you're working off a ladder
hanging exterior trim or on the
ground hanging cabinets. In either
case, we Iike the i4.4v Hitachi's
five-position belt hook best because
it keeps the driver comfortably and
securely attached to the user's hip.
www.ridgid.eom
Street priee: $117
Voltage: 24v
The 24v Ridgid has more power
than any other driver we tested. It
performs really weil for short-term,
heavy-duty jobs like driving big lags
into deck assemblies or boring large
holes through studs and joists. For
lighter-duty work or all-day drilling
and driving tasks, this big driver is
simply overkill.
www.makita.eom
Street priee: $320
Voltage: 18v
The smallest drivers aren't always the
most comfortable. A driver weighing
less than 3 lb. doesn't dampen
enough of the tool's vibration or stay
nearly as stable as other drivers.
The consequences can be felt in
every joint from your fingertips to
your elbow. Drivers weighing more
than 3
1
12 lb. are too cumbersome. At
3
1
,4 lb., the i8v Makita offers a nice
blend of weight and performance.
www.makita.eom
Street priee: $190
Voltage: 18v
Most trigger-activated lights are
useful, but the Iight on this Makita,
which can be found on other Makita
drivers as weil, really shines. Located
high on the tool, this bright LED
stays on for several seconds after
the trigger is released, providing
illumination in dark spaces even after
driving tasks are complete.
Panasonic is the most well-rounded,
well-equipped driver of the bunch. It
features an LED light, an unobtrusive
belt hook, a moderately sensitive trig
ger, and a variable speed-adjustment
switch. It performed flawlessly at
every task, from rough construction
to finish carpentry.
With big capacity
and big priees, 12-i n.
models can do it ail,
trom construction
to crown molding
T
welve-inch sliding compound-miter
saws have the precision and accu
racy to eut miles of trim one day, and
the power to tackle a stack of framing lum
ber the next. This versatility makes them
the standard for many job sites and home
shops. But 12-in. sliders are bulky, heavy,
and expensive, which makes comparison
shopping critical. We tested the newest
top-of-the-line models from major manu
facturers, using them to eut a variety of
constntction materials, From splintery red
oak crown molding and melamine-covered
shelf stock to Douglas-fir 2xlOs and wet
pressure-treated posts. Each model costs
between $500 and $700 and weighs within
10 lb. of its competitors. Each can crosscut
a 2x12 at 90 and eut a 2x10 with both the
miter and bevel settings at 45.
Each model was evaluated based on its
features, its weight, its power, its ergonom
ies, and its portability. We tried each saw
with both its stock blade and a full-kerf
SO-tooth blade From CMT (www.cmtusa
.com). Although there are a few differ
ences, no saw was better by leaps and
bounds. In the end, the Makita edged out
the others, followed closely by the Bosch,
the Ridgid, and the DeWalt.
Kit Camp contributed to this article.
READERS' RATINGS: MITER SAWS
Like our review, reader scores reflected
only narrow differences among these
saws. Readers chose the Bosch over the
best-overall Makita and rated the best
value Ridgid slightly behind the DeWalt.
1
4.52 BOSCH 5412L
Il 4.40 MAKITA LS1214FL
1
4.36 DEWALT DW718
1
4.29 RIDGID MS1290LZA
Il
4.26 HITACHI C12LSH

'.
: ',' 1
www.makita.com Vertical capacity 5 in.
Street price $600 Miter range 53 left, 4r right
Weight 611b. Bevel range 45 left and right
Noise ratlng 111 db. Laser Under the blade guard
T
he Makita is beautifully engineered in every way, and it is relatively sma" and Iightweight.
The saw has the ideal combination of a large table and a smail footprint, and it has
plenty of handholds to make it comparatively easy to carry. The main strike against this
saw is that it has a more limited range of miter and bevel angles than its competitors. Also,
because the miter-scale indicator is on the surface of the cutting table, it's often covered by
the stock being eut. In the end, the Makita narrowly beat the Bosch for best overall.
Easy adjustment. The slide mech
anlsm (above) can be locked and
unlocked from the front of the saw.
The adjustable laser (right) sits just
above the blade guard, better than
arbor-mounted versions.
TAUNTON'$ 2009 TOOL GUIDE 37

POWER TOOLS ~ MITER SAWS
RIDGID MS1290LZA
. '
www.ridgid.com Vertical capacity 5:1f2 in.
Street priee $500 Miter range 60 left, 60 right
Welght 681b. Bevel range 50 left and right
Noise ratlng 104 db. Laser Arbor-mounted
T
he Ridgid is ideal for use in a shop. Its fit and finish are second to
none, and ifs a solid performer in nearly every area. For the priee,
the Ridgid is clearly the best value. But for those who have to pack
up tools and load them into a truck every day, ifs not the top choice
because of its bulky footprint and somewhat unreliable lock-down
function.
Easy access. The
bevel lock ;s oper
ated with a large
lever on the rear
left of the saw
(below). A spring
loaded pin locks
the detents.
~ Online Extra
For video highlights of each saw in the test,
go ta FineWoodworking.comjTG2009.
38
www.boschtools.com Vertical capacity Almost 5% in.
Welght 65.5 lb. Bevel range 4 JO left and right
Noise ratlng 99 db. Laser Arbor-mounted
T
he quiet Bosch is packed wlth smart features, the best
being excellent up-front contrais for both bevels and miters.
Unfortunately, the test model had too much side-ta-side play in the
head, and the saw's miter setting crept consistently ta the right as the
locking knob was tightened. A second saw had little play in the head,
but the miter-Iock creep problem persisted.
Smart features. The slide-out
extension wings (above) oper
ate smoothly and are perfect
Iy aligned with the table. The
multiposition handle (/eft) piv
ots to four different positions
to provide vertical, horizontal,
or diagonal grips.
Photos, s",FF
www.dewalt.com Vertical capacity 6% in.
Weight 58 lb. Bevel range 50 left and right
Noise ratlng 107 db. Laser Aftermarket option
T
he DeWalt saw is the lightest and most compact of the bunch,
making it the easiest to carry. This saw is an excellent choice for
those who install a lot of tall baseboard and large crown molding, or
for just about anyone who has to pack and unpack a saw every day.
We were sorry to see that the 718 didn't include the excellent vernier
scale indicator DeWalt features on its nonsliding miter saws.
User friendly. We found
the DeWalts trigger and
blade-guard combination to
be the easiest to use in the
group. Its easy to roll the
guard up and trigger the
saw with one hand.
Tall moldings? No sweat. The large
cutout in the back of the blade housing
gives this saw a huge 6%-in. vertical
cutting capacity.
www.hitachipowertools.com Vertical capacity 4314 in.
Street priee $600 Miter range 45 left, 5r right
Weight 69.5 lb. Bevel range 45 left and right
Noise rating 112 db. Laser Yes; adjustable
T
he futuristic-Iooking Hitachi has some distinctive features, most
notably the digital readout for the miter and bevel scales. There
were, however, some disappointments. For instance, there is more
play in the slides than we would like (about %2 in.). Adjusting the
fences, which arrived out of square, was dlfficult because they are
separate castings on each side. The manual offers no help. Finally,
the locking slide rails let the saw's head move like a radial-arm saw.
ln theory, this lets the saw sit closer ta a wall and still cut to its full
capacity. But the casting is so large that this provides Iittle advantage.
Top-heavy stance. This
saw has a small table and
large head assembly. You
may need an auxiliary
table on outboard supports
for some tasks, like cutting
7-in. crown molding.
Hard to reach. Bevel contro/s are on
the rear of the body, but they are hard
er to reach on this saw due to the large
casting that supports the slides. On the
plus side, there is a knurled knob for
microadjusting both bevel
and miter settings.
POWER TOOLS ROUTERS
TOOL TEST
Trim Routers
These compact tools are handy for small
routing tasks, and two are standouts
BOSCH PR20EVSK
www.boschtools.com
$110
This was the only router with both a good
fence and a threaded fine-adjustment screw,
with the added advantage of a quick coarse
adjustment. The fine adjuster dldn't work as
weil as we would have Iiked, and the depth
settlng tended to shlft off the mark as It was
locked in place, but these traits weren't deal
breakers. The bit was slightly out of square
with the base, but a paper shim under the
plastic baseplate squared lt. The contoured
houslng fit weil in the hand, and the soft-start
motor made the tool easler to handle. The
shaft-Iock button required an awkward grlp, but
the depth-Iock lever worked nicely. This router
is also avallable as a larger kit with specialty
bases for laminate work (about $175).
T
rim routers make short work of jobs
that are awkward to do with midsize
and large routers. Not much bigger
than a soda can, and with much lower
torque than their big brothers, they are
easily held and guided with just one hand,
leaving your other hand free to hoId down
stock or to keep the power cord from snag
ging. They are ideal for putting a quick
roundover or bevel on the edges of trim,
decking, or plywood. Because it's easy to
control, a trim router also works weIl for
quickly cleaning out a
mortise for a hinge.
Once you have one,
/ ~
READERS'
V
FEsrOOL MFK 700
www.festoolusa.com
$510
The MFK 700
has a fence and
depth controls
that tested out
50 precisely
theyalmost
made the other
machines look
IIke toys. This router comes with a tradltlonal
vertical base as weil as a horizontal base,
both of which can be changed without tools
and are compatible wlth Festool's dust
collection system. This model was blgger
and heavier than the others, almost
demanding a two-handed grip. And although
the depth could be set with an accuracy of
3/10 mm, the bit had no rough adjustment
and only a 1h-in. height-adjustment range
(compared to the 1 in. or more found on the
other trim routers).
you'Il use it aIl the time for jobs that you
previously did by hand or struggled to do
with a bigger machine.
Trim routers were originaIly caIled lami
nate trimmers. They were designed for
cutting and shaping the edges of plastic
laminate countertops. Several of the ma
chines tested for this article still appear
to have been designed specificaIly for this
task. They have comparatively large and
raIl motors, fairly precise depth controls,
~ Online Extra
For a series of videos showing other
important features of these routers,
go to FineWoodworking.comjTG2009.
tilt and offset bases, and trim guides in
stead of fenees. More-versatile trim routers,
such as the Bosch, Ridgid, Craftsman, and
Makita models, have smaller contoured
motor housings that are more cornfortable
to hold, and conventional fenees that make
them more useful for shaping work. D
John White contributed to this article.
READERS' RATINGS: TRIM ROUTERS
Readers liked the Festool best, ranking
it just above the Bosch, which was the
editors' choice for best overall.
4.63 FESTOOL MFK700
-
4.40 BOSCH PR20EVSK
0
4.08 PORTER-CABLE
7310
4.06 RIDGID R2400
3.88 FREUD FT750T
3.81 DEWALT 026670
3.58 RYOBI TR45K
3.41 CRAFTSMAN
28212
Not Rated MAKITA 3709
Photos, K r y s t ~ S. Doerfler 40
CRAFTSMAN 28212
www.craftsman.com
$110
The Craftsman had the sturdlest
metal base of ail the models
tested. The contoured housing
was comfortable to hold. The
Included two-handle base (not
shown) made it easy to keep the
tool steady along an edge. The
depth-Iock lever worked weil, but
the "fine adjuster" dld not.
PORTER-CABLE 7310
www.deltaportercable.com
$100
This tool comes with a full set
of accessory bases, including a
seam-trimmlng base, and a pair
of laminate-trimming bits. The
height adjuster worked easily
and preclsely. The lack of a fence
was the only real flaw, but It kept
the tool from being useful for
ordinary shop work.
DEWALTD26670
www.dewalt.com
$100
With only minor differences,
this machine is the same as the
Porter-Cable trimmer. It lacks a
fence and, IIke its twin, Is bulkier
than most others. With the same
priee and fewer accessorles than
the Porter-Cable, this tool offered
no real advantages, except for its
soft carrying case.
RIDGID R2400
www.ridgid.com
$120
This router excelled in many
ways but also had flaws. It has a
smooth soft start, a ball-bearing
guide, and a great fence. But the
small baseplate had a crown in It
that made the machine wobble.
The fine-adjustment function
didn't work weil, and bit changes
required removing the motor
from the base.
FREUD FT750T
www.freudtools.com
$100
Oeslgned for laminate work, the
Freud comes with a ball-bearing
guide and both tilt and offset
bases but, untortunately, no
fence. The height-adjustment
range was IImited, and the small
base opening restricted bit size.
The two included wrenches made
bit changes a breeze.
RYOBITR45K
www.ryobitools.com
$80
This tool was comtortable to
use and had good visibillty, but
it suffered trom vibration and
chatter when making cuts, and a
sllghtly crowned baseplate made
it wobble a bit. The motor didn't
sllde smoothly in the base, and
slipped even after the lever lock
was tightened. It includes no
fence or bearing guide.
MAKITA 3709
www.makita.com
$109
This compact, solid tool handled
very weil. It comes with a
conventional fence and a sturdy
bearing guide. The tool's plastic
base allowed great vislbillty, but
It lacked a way to make small
height adjustments-a drawback.
Tightenlng the height-adjuster
knob distorted the base's shape.
RYOBI P600 18V
CORDLESS
$50; battery and charger sold
separately
The only cordless trim router on
the market, it handled weil and
eut smoothly with no noticeable
dlfference in power compared
to the corded models. An 18v
NiCd battery with charger is $55.
The 18v lithium-ion battery with
charger sells for $120.
41
POWER lOOLS ~ . ROUlERS
,
TOOL TEST
Routers for
Router Tables
You can change bits and change height
without reaching under the table
R
outers are no longer just handheld
tools. More and more woodworkers
and carpenters keep one mounted
in a table. That gives more precise con
trol over a variety of work, using bits that
otherwise would be too big to use safely.
Until recently, the best way to marry
a router and a table was with a router
lift, an expensive deviee that holds the
router and allows you to change bits and
adjust cutting height from above
the table.
Now, a new generation of
routers with a specialized
base promises aboye-table
bit aeljustment without
the expense of a separate
router lift.
The tools testeel range in
priee from about $170 to $300.
They have V2-in. anel lA-in. col
lets, anel most have a 12-amp motor
for about 2
I
A hp. Most are fixed-base
models; some come with a separate
plunge base for handheld use. Ali have
at least 1Vs in. of bit travel with the crank,
an aelequate amount for aboye-table bit
changes.
TRITON MOF001KC
The Triton has the easiest bit-changing
design and an accu rate and easy-to-use
height adjuster. It had the lowest bit runout
measured, and it's the only one with good
dust control. The Triton was judged best
overall and, with its $210 street priee, the
best value.
Phow: Michael Pekovich 42
COMMENTS
--
1
MODEl/SOURCE
1
Bosch 1617EVS
$175
www.boschtools.com
Freud FT1700VCEK
$170
www.freudtools.com
Milwaukee 5625-20
$290
www.milwaukeetool.com
Porter-Cable 891
www.deltaporter $230
cable.com
Ridgid R2930
www.ridgid.com
$200
REST OVERAll _
('1101(,(.

Triton MOF001KC
C,o www.tritonwood $210
working.com
. 1
Adjustability varies widely
Easy bit-height adjustments from above the
tabletop are the most important feature in
this type of router and the one you'lI use
most often.
The Triton has the best design. lts plunge
base moves on a rack-and-pinion assembly.
You can make coarse and fine adjustments
to the bit height with an easily turned crank
handle. The Triton also has a motor lock.
But unlike most other routers, you don't
have to tighten it to maintain the cutting
height in use. However, the owner's man
ual recommends using the motor lock for
heavy cuts.
On the other routers, you need to unlock
the motor in order to move the bit up or
down, then lock the motor again.
On the Porter-Cable and the Freud, you
can lock or unlock the motor from above
the table. Motor clamps on the Bosch, Mil
waukee, and Ridgid routers can be worked
oilly by reaching under the table. That's less
convenient.
Two offer quick bit changes
The most difficult bit changes are on the
Bosch and the Milwaukee. Theil' collets
don't extend above the table and they don't
Bit-changing and height adjustment
Double
12 1% 3
11
/16 inconvenient. p1unge base included,
wrench
but lacks above-table adjustment.
Single Very easy to change bits. Height
13 l'la 3
11
/16
wrench adjuster also operates motor clamp.
Bit-changing and height adjustment
Double
15 1% 4 Inconvenient. Small on/off switch can
wrench
be awkward to use.
Above-table bit-changing, but with
Double
12 11/. 3314 two wrenches. Separate plunge base
wrench
included.
Single Bit-changing is inconvenient. Separate
12 1
13
/16 3%
wrench plunge base included.
Easiest bit-changing and height
Single
12 2114 31/8 adjustment. Templates, edge- and
wrench
circle-cutting guide included.
have spindle locks. You have to reach un Freud had 0.005 in., an amount normally
der the table with two wrenches or remove considered unsatisfactory.
the router from the table. However, both the Triton, with almost no
The Freud and the Triton have collets that runout, and the higher-runout Freud left
extend above the table and easy-to-reach chatter marks after one heavy pass. A sec
spindle locks. You need only one wrench. ond pass, taking a lighter cut and slowing
The Porter-Cable has a collet lock, but the feed rate, cleaned up the molding from
you can reach it oilly from below the table. both. So any of these routers will produce
To compensate, it cornes with a pair of smooth moldings if you slow the feed rate
wrenches; but to use them, you have to re and use more than one pass. 0
move a plastic chip guard/dust deflectof.
There are two ways to change bits on Roland Johnson contributed to this article.
the Ridgid, both inconvenient. You can
crank the collet nut above the table and
READERS' RAIINGS: ROUlERS
use one wrench, but you must reach under
the table to press the spindle lock. Or you
can use two wrenches, but you must take
the router out of the table.
Collet runout can affect performance
Too much collet runout can mean the dif
ference between a router that produces
a clean, smooth profile in one pass and
one that needs multiple passes to do a
decent job.
The Triton had less than 0.001 in. of
runout, with Milwaukee and Ridgid close
behind, at 0.001 in. exactly. The Bosch and
the Porter-Cable had runout of 0.003 in.
The Triton walked away with the triple
crown, wlnning best overall, best value,
and readers' choice. Readers rated the
Bosch as thelr second cholce.
4.59 TRITON MOF001KC
4.38 BOSCH 1617EVS
4.37 MILWAUKEE 5625-20
4.32 PORTER-CABLE 891
4.24 RIDGID R2930
4.03 FREUD FT1700VCEK
TAU NT 0 N . S 2 009 T 0 0 L GUI D E 43
POWER lOOL5 ~ ROUlERS
,
TOOl TEST
Router Bits
Our endurance test finds the
smoothest-cutting profile bits
T
he best router bits need to excel at two things: cutting cleanly
and staying sharp a long time. But with a long list of com
panies selling bits, it's hard to identify the top-of-the-line
performers. To find out how bits measure up when it comes to
smoothness and longevity, we purchased the sa me-style bit from
16 companies and tested the lot.
The design we chose, commonJy called a cove-and-bead bit,
also can be labeled a bead-and-cove bit, a rounding-over cove bit,
or a classical bit. We chose this bit because it cuts two profiles, a
coye and a bead, with a shallow step in between. As a result, we
couId evaluate the bit's ability to make a concave cut, a convex
cut, and two sharp corners.
Our goal was to use 1/z-in.-dia. shank, carbide-tipped router
bits, with a lA-in. radius on both the cave and the bead. However,
we soon learned that some are available only with a radius of
3/16 in., or a combination of 3/16 in. and % in. So, ail the bits we
tested have coye and bead radii that range from 1,/,1 in. to 3/16 in.
However, we did not see a significant correlation between size
of bit and test results.
How we tested the bits
The tests were done on a rock-sol id router table with a
massive fence made specifically for the test. A sturdy 3lA-hp
fixed-base router provided the get-up-and-go. A power feeder
ensured that the test stock was fed through each
bit at a constant rate of 5 ft. pel' minute (fpm),
Two bits stood out
At the end of the day, the Whiteside
(Ieft) and the Eagle (right) bits had
risen to the top of the mix, tying for the
highest score.
Lee Valley had the second-highest
score, followed by Southeast and Woodtek
in a tie for third.
We named the Eagle and Whiteside bits best
overall, and since both were among the
lowest priced of the top-scoring bits, we also
named them best value.
a speed that mimicked our typical hand-feed rate. Each bit was
tested with the fence in line with the bearing so that the bit would
make a full cut.
We tested a number of materials and grain orientations, as weil
as performance after a few hundred feet of wear. First, we made
edge-grain cuts on 30-in., knot-free lengths of sugar maple, black
cherry, red oak, and eastern white pine, four woods that offer a
mix of hardness and cutting characteristics. \Y/e also made end
grain cuts on 6-in.-wide sections of the same woods. Finally,
we made edge-grain cuts on 30-in. lengths of Premium MDF
(medium-density fiberboard), a product that, unlike regular MDF,
has the same density across the entire thickness, allowing us to
better evaluate the cut quality of each bit.
Then, to accelerate wear on each bit, we cut through
100 ft. of standard MDF, which, according to a number of
experts and manufacrurers, would equal at least 200 ft. of
hardwood. After that, we repeated the edge-grain, end
grain, and Premium MDF tests. Not surprisingly, ail
the bits 10st sharpness after cutting the 100 ft. of
MDF. \Y/hen the tests were completed, our cuts on
ail the bits totaled nearly a half mile.
Before the test started, to level the playing field, we
planed ail the boards to 3,/,1-in. thickness. AIso, because
wood can vary from board to board, we made sure that
each type of test cut was always made on the same
board.
At the end of the test, we had almost 200 carefully
labeled sample strips. Next, in a blind test, four editors
independently examined each strip. and rated them for
ROUTER-BIT SCORES
MODEl/SOURCE
1111I11_
AMANA 54134
$50 3.38 6.5 4 7.87 5.88 6.75 5.73 Good

www.amanatool.com
GRIZZLY C1755
www.grizzly.com
BC SAW 43272
$80 4.75 5.75 6.13 7.13 5.5 7.25 6.09 Very good
www.bcsaw.com
BOSCH 85605M
$40 4.88 6.25 6 6.88 5.13 5.75 5.82 Good
www.boschtools.com
$37 4.25 4.63 3.63 8 5.63 7.38 5.59 Good
$33 6 7.38 7.63 8.13 6.63 6.88 7.11 Excellent
$46 4.5 4 3.5 7.25 6 6.88 5.36 Good
$28 2.75 6.88 5.25 7.38 5.63 5.5 5.57 Good
INFINITY 44850
$35 5.13 6.75 6.25 7.75 6.75 7.63 6.71 Excellent
www.infinitytools.com
$33 5.5 7.88 7.25 6.75 7.13 7.38 6.98 Excellent
$30 4.13 4.75 4 7.13 4.5 6.63 5.19 Fair
$46 5.63 5.88 4.88 7 4.75 6 5.69 Good
ROCKLER 91680
$38 5.38 7.88 5 7.63 6.13 6.5 6.42 Very good
www.rockler.com
SOUTHEAST SE3212
$27 6.63 6.75 6.63 8.25 5.88 6.75 6.82 Excellent
www.southeasttool.com
110
", ",4' .. - ------------
DEST OVERALL WHITESIDE 3212
$31 6.63 7.5 7.13 7.63 6.38 7.38 7.11 Excellent
oHo:o oo.www.whitesiderouterbits.com
DE5T.VALUE.----------
OH".< WOODLINE WL.1253
$22 4.25 4 3.5 6.5 4.75 5.38 4.73 Fair
www.woodline.com
WOODTEK 820228
$32 5.63 7.75 6.88 6.88 6.63
www.woodworker.com
cut quality using a scale of 1 to 10, considering surface quality, tearout, and
Fair to excellent. We
burning. Then we averaged the scores for each bit.
rated the lowest
scoring bits "fair,"
How we ranked the bits
as they showed
Each bit was rated fair, good, very good, or excellent based on its overall
significant but still
average. A"poor" category wasn't included because none of the bits we tested
sandable amounts of
met our definition of poor-a bit that cut so badly that the molding was bumpiness, tearout,
unusable. To determine the range of each rating, we calculated the dif
and burning (top).
"Excellent" results
ference between the highest and lowest averages, and then divided that
(bottom) required little
number by four. 0
to no sanding.
Tom Begnal and John White contributed ta this article.
RIDGE 23515
www.ridgecarbidetool.com
www.finewoodworking.com TAU N TON' S 20 0 9 T 0 0 L G U [ D E 45
POWER TOOLS SANDERS
TOOL TEST
Belt
Sanders
These 3-in. by 21-in. models
combine abrasive power
with improved comfort,
convenience, and control

'.
: ',' 1
F
ew tools can remove wood as quick into scrap. Variable speed control comes
ly as a belt sander, which means a in handy any time you level a table, a
moment of inattention while sanding countertop, or any other glued-up assem
can result in disaster. These days, variable bly. With a fine-grit belt and lower motor
speed control is standard on many mod- speed, ifs even possible to sand veneer
els, including those in this plywood without white-knuckle dread.
review. This feature re Portable belt sanders come in a wide
duces the chances of array of sizes. We chose 3-in. by 2l-in.
turning a workpiece sanders for this review because of their
Hitachi SB 8V2
www.hitachipowertools.com
The Hitachi offers very good
sanding results with good speed
control and overall solid handling.
Belt changes could have been a
IiUle easier, but at $40 less than
the DeWalt, it's an easy choice
for best value.
R ~ ' Porter-Cable 352VS
,,\HOICjI
V www.deltaportercable.com
The Porter-Cable has very good belt
tracking and an excellent trigger
lock. Belt changes were more chal
lenging than the Hitachi.
versatility. They're small and light enough
to scribe a piece of trim, but beefy enough
to sand a large tabletop.
Belts should stay straight
A sanding belt that isn't tracking straight
can be frayed by the sander's body or even
fly off the tool completely. For propel' align
ment, these sanders use adjustment knobs
to tweak their undriven rollers back and
forth. Several of the sanders required no
fiddling at ail to get the belts running true.
The Porter-Cable was finicky to dial in,
though, and the Ridgid was even fussier.
Trigger and speed contrais vary
Most of the trigger-Iocking buttons on
these sanders were simple to operate: a
nudge of the thumb's knuckle to engage
the lock, an extra squeeze on the trigger
to release il. The collar around the Ridgid's
button, however, required a second hand
to depress il.
Like trigger locking, on-the-f1y speed
changes are convenient, especially when
delicate or detailed sanding tasks call for
slowing things down. Unfortunately, most
of the speed contraIs on these sanders were
disappointing. The Craftsman and Ridgid
dials were within reach of the trigger hand,
but they were too stiff to spin cornfortably.
~ Online Extra
For an online look at great belt-sander
accessories, go to FineWoodworking
.comjTG2009.
Photos: KrySla S. DoerOer 46

0
DeWalt433
www.dewalt.com
The DeWalt offers plenty of power and
Is as easy to control as a belt sander
gets. Belts were easy to change and
they tracked flawlessly. The sander's
optlonal sandlng frame Is nearly a
must-have.
Except for the Bosch, the dials on the other
sanders were too far from the trigger to al
low for adequate control of the tool while
making one-handed speed changes. The
Bosch's speed can be regulated by trigger
pressure, although not as precisely as we'd
Iike. Its trigger-mounted dial can also be
set to limit the tool's top speed.
Sander performance goes beyond
wood removal
Almost no one uses a belt sander un
tH it's time to remove wood in a hurry,
$160

$100
$190
$148
$190
$180
$160
which sorne of these tools do better than
others. But raw sanding power isn't useful
if it can't be managed. The DeWalt and
the Ridgid were the easiest sanders to
control. The Hitachi and the Makita were
similarly well-behaved, with the Bosch
close behind. The Craftsman and the
Porter-Cable were the most skittish. As for
dust control, none of these sanders stood
out. Their cloth dust bags filled up quickly
and their vacuum-hose connections were
irregularly sized.
Bosch, DeWalt, and Makita offer sand
ing frames as an option. They're basically
acljustable depth-limiting jigs with wide
footprints that also reduce left-to-right
tipping of the sander. Sanding frames
cost anywhere from $85 for the De
WaJt and the Makita to as much as $100
for the Bosch. Bench-mounted stands
with fences, handy for on-site finish
carpentry touch-ups, are also availabJe
from Bosch and DeWalt.
The best of the bunch
When it came to belt changes, tracking
adjustments, stock removal, and control,
SPEED RANGE
(surface feet
t
per minute)
550-1100 Excellent Good Excellent Fair Good Good
800-1300 Excellent Good Excellent Good Good Good
850-1400 Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent
820-1475 Excellent Good Excellent Good Very good Very good
Very
690-1440 Excellent Excellent Good Very good Very good
good
850-1300 Very good Fair Excellent Good Good Good
Very
800-1500 Good Fair Good Excellent Very good
good
the DeWalt was the pick of the litter. The
Ridgid, which includes amenities Iike a Vel
cro cord wrap, an adjustable three-position
front handle, and a soft-start function, also
scored weil. And at $148, the solid Hitachi
is our best-value winner.
Michael Standish contributed to this article.
READERS' RAlINGS: BELl SANDERS
Readers disagreed sharply with our
editors, ranking our best value pick, the
Hitachi, in sixth place. Our best overall,
the DeWalt, fared only slightly better with
readers, who favored the Porter-eable
and the Bosch.
4.2 PORTER-CABLE 352VS
4.18 BOSCH 1274DVS
4.01 MAKITA 9903
4.01 RIDGID R2720
3.96 DEWALT 433
3.8 HITACHI SB 8V2
3.34 CRAFTSMAN 11727
MACHINES ~ BANDSAWS
TOOl TEST
14in. Bandsaws
These popular models have the size to resaw
very wide boards, but can they handle the load?

'.
: l,"
/
READER5'
V
Smooth cutter
with power to spare
The laguna lT145E makes the most
demanding curve and resaw cuts with
ease. Fit and finish are excellent, with
large knobs to adjust tension and track
ing, though the table could use a bit more
width to the right of the blade. The ma
chine has no tension scale, so you have to
test blade tension using a gauge or your
finger. Ceramic guides offer support very
close to the top of a workpiece. The insert
plate is large, and its throat gives wide
open access to the lower guide adjusters,
making blade changes easy as pie.
$900
$3,300
$825
$575
Lots of features
for agood priee
$745
The Grizzly G0457 has plenty of resaw
power and capacity. The fit and finish are
$1,500
great. The wheel covers are hinged, and
they slide off easily so you have greater
access to the interior. Oust collection
works weil, though installing a blade is
$1,044
tough. The tension is easy to set and ad
just, with an intuitive quick-release mech
anism. The tracking knobs are a good $850
size. The tall fence included with the saw
slides smoothly, locks surely, and is great
STEEL CITY 50100
for resawing. Curve cuts were no problem, $700
www.steelcitytoolworks.com
and resaw cuts were of fine quality.
1
GRIZZLY G0555X
www.grizzly.com
1 RIKON 10-325
www.rikontools.com
T
he most recent generation of 14-in.
bandsaws offers greater power and
more resaw opacity than their fore
runners. Resawing means running a board
on edge through the blade to sJice off thin
ner pieces, and is the most trying task for
a bandsaw.
We looked at eight machines with a mini
mum resaw capacity of 10 in. and with
motors of at least 1
1
/2 hp. Some saws in this
group, such as the Delta, General, Grizzly
G0555X, Jet, and Powermatic, have the fa
miliar cast-iron frames but with enclosed
bases. Except for the General, ail of the
saws in this cast-iron family required a
riser block to achieve the minimum resaw
capacity for this review. The other saws
Grizzly G0457, Laguna, and Rikon-are
European style, with welcled steel frames
and the full capacity built in.
Close inspection of key components
Befme the cutting tests, we took a close
Jook at the essentiaJ components, check-
STREET
MaDEL/SOURCE
PRieE
Photos: Thomas McKenna 48
ing roundness of the wheels, table flatness,
functionality of the fence, and guide-post
alignment. Then we evaluated the ease
with which you could change blades.
Fortunately, ail of the machines had round
wheels and cast-iron tables that were near
Iy dead-flat. Ail tilting mechanisms worked
fine, too. The Grizzly saws have the best
fences-heavy duty and tall for resawing.
They siid smoothly, locked securely, and
can be adjusted for blade drift.
Guide-post alignment-If the guide
post, the rod that holds the upper guides,
is significantly misaligned, either front to
back or side to side, you'll have to fiddle
with the guides and thrust bearing every
time you move the post to keep the guides
close to the workpiece. That's a time-killer.
Fortunately, only three saws, the Gener
ai, the Jet, and the Rikon, had noticeable
guide-post alignment problems. The mis
alignment made moving the post fussier
but didn't affect the overal1 performance
of the saws.
RESAW
MOTOR
CAPACITY
GUIDES/THRUST
1:112 hp,
115v
11% in. Steel blocksjbearing
1:112 hp,
230v
121/a in.
Double bearingj
bearing
2 hp,
110v
lOVa in.
Double bearingj
bearing
1:112 hp,
110v
12Va in. Bearingjbearing
1:112 hp,
115v
12
1
/a in.
Graphite-impregnated
blocksjbearing
2 hp,
220v
12 in.
Ceramic blocksj
ceramic block
lV2 hp,
110v
12 in.
Double bearingj
bearing
lV2 hp,
115v
13
1
/a in. Bearingjbearing
lV2 hp,
115v
12 in.
Double bearingj
bearing
READERS' RATINGS: 14-IN. BANDSAWS
The editors' choice for best overall, the
Laguna, also got the highest rating from
readers. But the Grizzly G0457, rated
best value by the editors, came in at the
bottom of the pack. Readers gave the
Powermatic their second-highest rating.
4.51 LAGUNA LT14SE
4.40 POWERMATIC
PWBS-14CS
Il 4.36 RIKON 10-325
1 1
4.11 GRIZZLY G0555X
fJ
4.08 GENERAL 690-1
1 1
3.99 DELTA 28-475X
1 1
3.87 JET JWBS-14DX
II 1
3.57 GRIZZLY G0457
Not Rated
STEEL CITY 50100
Cutting tests gauge capacity and power
We did a series of cutting tests in hard
maple, both curve cuts and resaw cuts.
For consistency, we used the same brand
of ll2-in., 3-tpi, skip-tooth blade in each
machine for the gradual curves and for the
GUIDE
ADJUSTMENTS
Upper: easy
Lower: difficult
Upper: easy
Lower: difficult
Upper: very easy
Lower: difficult
Upper: very easy
Lower: easy
Upper: very easy
Lower: easy
Upper: easy
Lower: easy
Upper: very easy

Lower: easy
Upper: difficult
Lower: difficult
Upper: easy
Lower: difficult
BLADE
CHANGES
resawing, and a lA-in., 6-tpi, hook-tooth
blade for the tight curves.
First, we cut graduai curves along the
length of a 3A-in.-thick board; then we
made tighter, more demanding cuts, 2 in.
and IlJ4 in. dia. Ail of the saws did OK or
better in the curve-cutting tests, with the
Grizzly G0457, the Laguna, and the Power
matic the smoothest cutters.
To gauge resaw ability, we resawed
ll2-in.-thick boards as wel1 as Vs-in.-thick
slices from a lO-in.-wide, 12-in.-long hard
maple blank. The General, Grizzly G0457,
and Laguna saws cut the fastest and with
excel1ent results. 0
Thomas McKenna and John White contributed ta
this article.
~ F ~ I ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ u ~ of our tests
and favorite features, go to
FlneWoodworking.com/TG2009.
QUALITY OF
RESAW SPEED
RESAW CUTS
Very difficult Poor Poor
Veryeasy Excellent Excellent
Difficult Good Excellent
Easy Good Good
Easy Good Very good
Veryeasy Excellent Excellent
Easy Very good Good
Very difficult Good Good
Easy Good Good
MACHINES ~ DRILL PRESSES
BJmm
Benchtop Drill Presses
The best are as good as tloor-standing n10dels
The Grizzly G7943 earned high all
around marks, matching the Jet for
drilling power. Yet it's one of the least
expensive benchtops, at $225. The
only deficit is a weak depth stop.
T
his head-to-head test told us two
encouraging things about benchtop
drill presses: You do get what you
pay for, but you don't have to paya lot to
get power anel precision.
We tested an anay of medium to large
models, Iimiting the field to those with at
least a Y3-hp motor and a plunge at least
3 in. deep.
Testing for accuracy and power
To get consistently straight, perfectly
placed holes, the important parts of the
' .
1
'.
: ',' : ',' 1
GENERAL INT'L
75-100
The General stands o ~ t for performance The Jet shares top honors with the
and ease of use. It tested oost for drill General for its own standout perfor
ing power, and it was one of two mod mance in our tests. Its table is also
els with the least runout (0.002 in.). the biggest of the bunch.
machine must line up. Ail of the models
come with tables preset at zero (90
0
to the
spindle) for left-to-right tilt, which can be
adjusted by loosening a boit beneath the
table. None needed adjusting.
Front-to-back tilt is another matter, since
there is no adjustment for it on any of
these drill presses. Five of the models were
off-level, front to back. A1though none was
off by more than half a degree, even that
slight deviation gives you a gooel reason
to attach an auxiliary table (use plywood),
which you can shim level.
Accuracy also requires that the drill bit
spin without significant runout, or you'll
get oversize holes and, possibly, tearout
at the rim. Using a straight rod held in the
chuck, we found that every machine had at
least a small amount of runout. But when
we drilled hols with Y2-in. brad-point and
twist bits, each model made clean, accu
rately sized holes.
To test power, we set each drill press at
an appropriate speeel (500-600 l'pm) and
recorded how long it took to drive a 2-in.
Forstner bit 31 in. eleep into mapie with-
Photos, John Tetreault 50
2-IN.
HOLE
TEST
DEPTH-SET
EASE
COMMENTS
Craftsman 21914
www.craftsman.com
$200 213 hp 6 in. 0.004 in. 18 sec. Excellent
Laser, swivel knob, offset table
crank, work light, digital depth
readout, difficult speed change
MODEL/SOURCE
Delta DP350
www.deltaportercable $220 '13 hp 6 in. 0.004 in. 23 sec.
.com
$450 % hp 8'12 in. 0.002 in. 10 sec.
$225 % hp 7 in. 0.004 in. 12 sec.
$425 % hp 7'12 in. 0.004 in. 12 sec.
$170 Va hp 6 in. 0.008 in. 17 sec.
Shop Fox W1668
www.woodstockint.com
Shop Fox
M1102
$300 % hp
$320 '12 hp
out slowing down obviously or vibrating.
The results varied pretty much according
ta motor power, from 10 to 12 seconds for
two of the most-powerful (3)1 hp) models,
ail the way up to 23 seconds for one of the
least-powerful (V3 hp) models.
Ease of use is important, too
We rated each model for how easy it is to
set the plunge depth and to change drill
ing speeds.
Setting the piunge-All but two of the
models use threaded stop rods and stop
nuts for setting plunge depth. Problems
arase on some models with thin, hard-to
turn hex nuts or bendable stop brackets
that yielded an unwanted extra 1/64 in.
to V16 in. of depth. The Delta DP350, the
Shop Fox W1668, and the Grizzly G7943
fell short in this area, making depth setting
difficult and/or slightly inaccurate.
Two models made strong showings with
different kinds of depth-setting systems.
The Craftsman has its depth stop on the
shaft of the pull-down arm mechanism,
so there are no thin brackets or hex nuts
ta worry about, and its electronic, digital
6
5
/8 in. 0.003 in. 15 sec.
6'12 in. 0.002 in. 18 sec.
readout is pinpoint accurate. The Ryobi
DP121L has a scale ring on the pull-down
arm shaft, and a depth-set mechanism in
the form of a large winglike handle that
turns and 10cks in smoothly.
Changing speeds-Six of the models
require manual speed changes, which in
volves moving drive belts ta different pul
leys. The Ryobi and the Delta come with
variable-speed mechanisms. Both let you
change speeds etTortlessly, by turning an
arm while the motor is running.
And the winners are ...
The General International 75-100 tested
best for drilling power and all-around per
formance. If you can afford the $450 price,
this model is the best you can buy. The
Jet JDP-15M rated second for power (tie
with the Grizzly G7943) and among the
best for speed-change and depth-set ease.
It also has the largest table. We rated both
of these models best overall.
We gave the best-value award to the
Grizzly G7943. It scored among the highest
for drilling power and speed-change ease.
Its range of 12 speeds offers the lowest set-
Best work light, offset table
Fair
crank, variable speed
Least runout (Ue w/Shop Fox),
Excellent belt-change handle, light, deepest
chuck-post distance
Medium-size base, work light,
Fair belt-change handle, lowest speed
for large bits
Largest table,
Excellent large base, work light,
belt-change handle
Laser, variable speed, digital
Excellent speed readout, easy depth set
on pull-arm axle, work light
Oscillating spindle sanding,
Fair
difficult speed change
Good Largest base, work light
READERS' RATINGS: BENCHTOP DRILL PRESSES
Readers and editors agreed on one top
pick: the Jet. The General, meanwhile,
finished in the middle of the pack.
3.76 JET JDP-15M
3.75 SHOP FOX M1102
3.68 GRIZZLY G7943
3.68 GRIZZLY G7945'
3.65 DELTA DP350
3.53 GENERAL
INT'L 75100
3.42 RYOBI DP121L
3.20 SHOP FOX W1668
3.20 SHOP FOX W1669'
Flnd reviews of these drifl presses at FlneWoodworking.com.
ring of ail the test models, 140 rpm, ideal
for driving circle cutters and the largest of
bits. And its $225 price is among the lowest
of the pack. D
Charlie Reina cantributed ta this article.
MACHINES ~ LATHES
TOOl TEST
Heavy
DutY
Lathes
For turning
large workpieces,
two clear winners
/
READER5'
'iiii......~
NOVA 1624-44
This is a great basic lathe
and the editors' choice for
best value. It is Identlcal
to the Nova DVR-XP except
for the headstock and drive
mechanlsm. Both lathes are
IIght and beneflt from extra
ballast; we attached a wood
shelf to the legs and added
sand bags.
1
nterest in wood turning has explodecl in
the last decade. As a result, manufaetur
ers have steadily upgraded their lathes
to meet the demands of contemporary
turners. We looked at seven heavy-duty
lathes with priee tags of $3,200 or less and
features such as electronic speed control,
a 16-in. or 20-in. swing (the largest bowl
blank the machine can accommodate), a
bed measuring 42 in. between eenters, plus
beefier spindles and the torque needed to
turn large pieees. Our priee constraint gave
us a manageable number of machines to
review, but also eliminated sorne compa
rable lathes from respected manufacturers
like Oneway, Stubby, and others.
Measuring performance
Ail the lathes are well-machined, with per
fectly coneentric Morse tapers and head-
MODEL/SOURCE
General Int'I 25650
www.general.ca
Grizzly G0456
www.grizzly.com
Jet JWL1642EVS-2
www.jettools.com
stocks that could be aligned precisely with
the tailstocks. And ail are quiet.
Making the lathes walk-With a large,
out-of-balance bowl blank on each lathe,
speed was gradual1y increased until the ma
chine began to rock. A dial indicator on a
separate stand measured exact movement.
The Powermatic and Rikon lathes moved
no more than 0.005 in. until the speed ex
eeeded 500 rpm. That means these lathes
won't move when you begin turning
a large bowl and take a series of inter
rupted cuts to make the blank round. As
delivered, none of the other lathes couId
match that. Weighting the less-stable lathes
with 200 to 250 lb. of sand helped them
significantly
Trying to make them stall-A shop
made brake-and-lever setup was used to
measure each lathe's power at 100, 200,
DISTANCE
BETWEEN
CENTERS
-
$1,770 16 in. 43 in.
$1,600 20 in. 43 in.
$2,200 16 in. 42 in.
$2,200 16 in. 24 in.
$1,200 16 in. 24 in.
$3,200 20 in. 34% in.
$2,800 20 in. 36 in.
PhOlOS: staff
and General rests moved lJs in. or less.
~ q ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e ~ ~ ! r ~ r favorite big lathes The Rikon's moved lA in.
and see them work at FlneWoodworking
.com/TG2009.
Headstocks, tool rests, and tailstocks
Most lathes have electronic speed control
and 300 l'pm. The Nova DVR, the Power that allows a range of speeds not available
matie, and the Rikon had no significant on older designs. Ali but one could run at
speed loss even with the maximum 40 lb. about 200 rpm and still deliver the power
of weight on the bl'ake lever. The Grizzly to handle a large bowl blank.
lathe, howevel', could handle only 22 lb. Most have a headstock spindle of at least
before stopping. Il); in. dia. (It's 1
1
12 in. on the Grizzly.) A
Hammering the tool rest-A well farter spindle adds rigidity. We liked the
designed too1 rest will stay locked in po Rikon tool rest, but not its skimpy lever tbat
sition, allowing you to make heavy cuts digs into your palm. The Nova models use
safely when turning a bowl. With tbe l'est a thick rod capped with comfortable plastic
locked tightly, a length of heavy hal'dwood baUs. The Jet and Powermatic Jathes have
was allowed to swing freely to stl'ike one the best live centers-lal'ge, plated cones
end of the l'est. The rests on the Nova that tum smootbly. D
models and the Grizzly showed no mea
surable movement; the Jet, Powel'matic, Andy Barnum contributed to this article.
SPEED OUT BOARD n.
Il:1. 1":
RANGE (RPM) TURNING
Variable in three ranges: Yes

o to 1,100; (headstock
1.5/220 Good Fair Very good
o to 2,000; slides and
oto 3,750 swivels)
..
Continuously variable:
2/220 No Fair Good Fair
300 to 3,000
Variable in two ranges: Yes
o to 1,200; 2/220 (headstock Excellent Good Very good
o to 3,200 slides)
Yes
Continuously variable:
1. 75/120 (headstock Excellent Fair Excellent
100 to 3,500
swivels)
Yes
Eight-step pulley:
1.5/120 (headstock Very good Fair Excellent
215 to 3,600
swivels)
Variable in two ranges: Yes
50 to 1,200; 2/220 (headstock Excellent Excellent Very good
125 to 3,200 slides)
\
1
Variable in five ranges:
Yes
50 to 510; 90 to 910;
(headstock
170 to 1,740; 2/220 Excellent Excellent Good
has outboard
290 to 2,900;
spindle)
390 to 3,890
www.fjnewoodworking.com
READERS' RATINGS: HEAVYDUTY LATHES
Readers and editors chose the
Powermatic as their top pick, but the
Nova DVR was a very close second
among readers. The editors' choice
for best value, the Nova 1624-44, was
ranked fifth by readers.
ru 4.57 POWERMATIe 35208
ru 4.55 NOVA DVRXP
D 4.26 RIKON WOODFAST
SERIES 70-500
4.14 GENERAL INT'L
25-650
4.11 NOVA 1624-44
4.08 JET JWL-1642EVS2
3.58 GRIZZLY G0456
COMMENTS
Headstock spindle shaft only 1 in. dia.;
flexed under heavy load. Tool-rest extension
flexed under heavy load.
l'12-in.-dia. spindle, but undersize drive belt.
Auxiliary disk sander on headstock means
you can't use a knockout bar to free drive
center. Tool-rest base too short to allow
large bowl turning.
Tooi rest slipped slightly
in hammer test.
Stability improves to very good
when weighted with sand.
20-in. bed extension, $200; stand, $245;
outboard tool-rest holder, $270. Street price
includes the bed extension.
Stability improves to very good
when weighted with sand.
20-in. bed extension, $200; outboard tool
rest holder, $270. Street price includes the
bed extension.
Tooi rest slipped slightly in hammer test.
18-in. bed extension and tool-rest extension
for outboard turning, $400. Street price
includes the bed extension.
Tooi rest moved more than most in hammer
test; has undersize locking lever. Outboard
tool-rest holder, $200.
.
TAUNTON'$ 2009 TOOL GUIDE 53
MACHINES ~ PLANERS
TOOl TEST
Benchtop
Planers
Small machines offer
big performance
O
ver the years, benchtop planers have evolved from job
site workhorses to t00ls that can fill the needs of exacting
furniture makers. Nowadays, blade changes are easier,
innovative dust-collection systems are incorporated, and new gad
gets let you preset a depth stop.
Beyond the bells and whistles, though, a good planer must
perform a few tasks weil. It should minimize snipe and give you
acceptable surface qualiry, side-to-side unifonniry in terms of par
allelism, and easy depth-of-cut control.
How mueh power is enough?
Ali of these machines nIn on 120v household cUITent, and they
are not designed to take deep cuts on wide boards. Our test con
sisted of planing 40-in.-Iong white-oak boards, 5
1
12 in. wide and
8 in. wide, making passes at 1/32 in. and also at 3/32 in. deep, an
extremely heavy cut. Ali of the machines performed weil at 1/32-in.
depth of cut, but only the DeWalt 735, the Makita 2012NB, the
Ridgid R4330, and the Steel Ciry 40200 allowed full-width passes at
3/32 in. With motors this size, a better practice is repeated shallow
passes. With fresh blades and a shallow cut (J;32 in.), ail of the
machines produced clean surfaces, needing only light sanding or
one pass with a handplane to be perfect.
Snipe (the big issue) and depth of eut
The DeWalt 735 excelled at reducing snipe. Springs located at each
corner post supply constant downward pressure, eliminating any
movement in the cutterhead assembly. Other ways to combat snipe
include locking cutterheads and tilted infeed and outfeed tables.
The Makita, the Steel Ciry, and the DeWalt 734 also controlled
snipe weIl.
The Craftsman 21759, both DeWalts, and the
Ridgid, Steel Ciry, Sunhill, and Woodtek planers
CRAFTSMAN 21759
This Craftsman is a strong machine that leaves an excellent surface.
It has a consistent, repeatable digital depth gauge and impressive
dust collection. The turret-style depth stop broke on the first model
we tested, but Craftsman provided us with another planer, and the
stop didn't break on that one (we tried). In any case, the stops on ail
the machines in this test were less than accurate, and the Craftsman
includes a digital depth gauge, which is very accurate.
PhOIOS, Aniss. Kapsales
have depth-of-cut indicators, a bonus for quickly setting the cutter
head height ta the material and seeing how deep the cut will be.
On planers without indicators, like the Ryobi and the Craftsman
21758, you must rely on feel, setting the board in the planer and
gently cranking the cutterhead onto the board to find the right
setting, and then raising the cutterhead to remove the board, only
to drop it again for the cut.
Knife changes and dust collection made easy
These days, most planers come with disposable, double-sided
knives that are easy to change. The average changeout requires
about 10 minutes for a two-knife head, 15 minutes for three
knives. The Ridgid and Steel City planers have spring-Ioaded cover
plates that let the screws remain in the cutterhead du ring knife
changes while the springs automatically lift the plates free of the
!mife. The Ryobi planer uses disposable blades held in place with
gibs-traditional wedge-shaped retaining bars that tighten with
centrifugai force and captured screws to secure the knives. Ali the
other planers require removal of the screws and plates.
Ali of these planers come with a chute that connects the ma
chine to either a shop vacuum with a 2%-in. hose or a 4-in.
dust-collector hose. Two of them-the Craftsman 21759 and the
DeWalt 735-don't need dust collectors: They have built-in blow
ers that connect to a canister for chip collection.
The standouts
The sturdily built DeWalt 735 and Craftsman 21759 both produce
excellent finish surfaces and have lots of power with great dust
control. The low-priced Ryobi wins best value for its combination
of simplicity, light weight, good power, and dust collection.
Roland Johnson contributed ta this article.
Features
SNIPE
Planers tend to eut a bit more deeply
at the ends of boards. Snlpe that's
Just a couple of thousandths of an
inch deep can be worked out by
sanding or handplanlng and Is not a
concern.
DEPTH OF CUT
There are several ways to gauge
how much material will be removed.
Ridgld (Ieft) and other models use
a depth-of-cut Indlcator that glves
an exact measurement. Ryobl uses
a slmllar system, but without the
exact scale. Delta's "Blade-Zero"
device pops up when the cutterhead
Is even wlth the board's top surface;
the depth Is then set by turnlng the
crank a measurable amount.
THICKNESS OF MATERIAL
Planers use a digital dlsplay,
mechanlcal stops, or a simple scale
to Indlcate the thlckness of the
material. The Craftsman 21759
(Ieft) has a digital readout that is
extremely accurate. Scales and stops
are much less precise. Of course, you
can Just measure the stock Itself.

'3-
-
RYOBI AP1301 DEWAlT 735
This powerful planer has a compact, low-profile design and leaves a Considering the low priee, the Ryobi has an impressive amount of
great finished surface. It had no problem cutting 3132 in. off an 8-in. power. Despite the lack of extension tables to support the stock, we
wide white-oak board. There is good access to the knives for changing. didn't find excessive snipe while planing an 8-in.-wide by 40-in.-long
Dust collection is quite good, but the hose attaches directly above board. Add reasonably good dust collection (adjusts to blow chips out
the center of the outfeed table, which is slightly Inconvenient if the the back or hooks to a dust collector on the si de) and the package
hose isn't rigged out of the way. Also, the side crank handle for height becomes a great value for any shop.
adjustment is awkward compared to the top-mounted models.
MACHINES ~ PLANERS
TOOl TEST
CRAFT5MAN 21758
This is a lightweight, entry-Ievel, no-frills
planer. No cutterhead lock and short tables
are most likely the reasons for some exit
snipe. Oust collection is fair on this machine.
DEWALT 734
The OeWalt 734 has decent power and a nice,
simple depth-of-cut gauge that doubles as an
initial thickness indicator for easy setup. Oust
collection is good.
MAKITA 2012NB
The Makita is a good performer with a lot of
power. Blade changes are simple. However,
you have to eyeball the depth setting, and one
revolution of the crank handle does not move
the cutterhead an even fractional amount.
$400 3 12% in. 11:29 15 amp 0.002 0.001
$550 3 13 in. 13:37 15 amp 0.001
less than
0.001
$470 2 12 in. 9:17 15 amp 0.003
less than
0.001
$370 3 13 in. 11:38 15 amp 0.003 0.003
$260
$530
$200
$420
$300
$350
2
3
2
3
2
2
12% in.
13 in.
13 in.
13 in.
13 in.
13 in.
TIMED BLADE
CHANGE
(minutes)
8:16
13:02
8:29
10:25
9:35
8:33
12 amp
15 amp
15 amp
15 amp
2 hp
2 hp
1 INFEED SNIPE
(1I32-in. cut)
0.006
0.004
0.008
0.001
0.003
0.003
OUTFEED
SNIPE
(1I32-i n. cut)
0.001
0.003
0.005
0.003
0.003
0.002
56
RIDGID R4330
The Ridgid is a good, reasonably priced
machine. Oust collection is adequate with
or without a dust collector. Blade changes
were fussy because the small gap between
the frame and cutterhead made lifting the
STEEL CITY 40200
The Steel City planer offers two feed speeds,
a three-knife cutterhead, good power, good
dust collection, fast and easy knife changes,
and moderate weight. Ali this adds up to a
solid performer.
blade away from the cutterhead difficult.
OUT OF SURFACE QUALITY
PARALLEL RATING
0.005 Good
0.002 Excellent
0.001 Good
0.002 Excellent
0.002 Good
0.002 Good
0.002 Good
0.001 Very good
0.010 Good
0.002 Good
READERS' RATINGS: BENCHTOP PLAN ERS
Readers agreed with our editors on the
OeWalt 735, making it their top pick.
They parted company with our editors
on the Craftsman 21759, however,
ranking it near the bottom. They
preferred OeWalt's other entry, the
734, and the Ridgid machine.
4.44 DEWALT DW735
4.16 DEWALT DW734
4.16 RIDGID R4330
4.11 MAKITA 2012NB
3.63 RYOBI AP1301
3.62 CRAFTSMAN
21759
3.58 CRAFTSMAN
21758
Insufficient Data STEEL CITY 40200
Insufficient Data SUNHILL SM-346
Insufficient Data WOODTEK 115-946
SUNHILL SM-346 WOODTEK 115-946
We can't vouch for the internais such as motor windings and bearings, but other than
color, these machines appeared identical. Both have plenty of power, provide a good
surface finish, and allow easy knife changes. The crank handle for depth-of-cut control
can be located on the left or right, and dust collection is good. These machines rely
on a headlock for snipe control. Rollers on the infeed and outfeed tables add sorne
convenience, but the tables are lower than the planer bed where they meet and can't
be adjusted flush with the bed although they can be adjusted for tilt. These are a good
value, though the Sunhill was too far out of parallel.
MACHINES ~ 5ANDER5
TOOL TEST
Spindle
Sanders
Oscillating drums
smooth curves quickly
and easily
N
othing beats an oscillating spindle
sander for sanding curves. The up
and-down movemem helps keep
the sanding sleeve from clogging. Sanding
goes faster, the abrasive lasts longer, and
there's less risk of heat buildup.
The sanders tested sell for $150 to $700.
They're compact enough to sit on a work
bench, although a couple have a floor stand.
One, the Ridgid 4424, has the unique abil
iry to convert quickly from a spindle
sander to an oscillating 4x24
belt sander. Ali have the
power to sand 8/4 red
oak without slowing or
stalling. Motor speed, oscil
lations per minute, and spindle
stroke vary, but we also weighed
small differences like dust
ports and storage for sand
ing sleeves and tools.
A drum for every curve
These sanders typically come
with at least four spindles, ranging in
diameter from % in. to 2 in. That range
highlights a real benefit: You can change
the drum to suit any curve.
Drums smaller than 112 in. slide
onto metal spindles and are
secured by a washer on the
top or a clamp on the bottom.
Those larger than lf2 in. slide onto rub
ber drums that either fit the 112-in. spin
dIe or have a spindle of their own. To
hold the sanding sleeves in place, you
tighten a nut at the end of the spindle,
compressing the rubber drum against
the sleeve. That's easiest on the Ridgid.
Ridgid EB4424
The Ridgid is the only
machine that converts
from spindle to belt
sander. The changeover
takes about half a minute
and doesn't require tools.
The Ridgid was one of
only two machines in the

test with a miter slot, making it easy to sand end
grain. The slot fits a common %-in.-wide miter
gauge.
Clayton 140
The Clayton 140 offers nofrills dependability.
The unit features a very sturdily built cabinet
with a steel tabletop, a heavy-duty oscillating
mechanism, and a high-quality motor. Ali that
mass doesn't come cheap, however. At $700, the
Clayton costs more than twice as much as four of
the other sanders in the test.
Photos: David Heim (cap 1'vo); Roland Johnson (boltom) 58
It has knobs for drum changes, table tilt The Grizzly G9922 and the Jet are about
READERS' RATINGS: SPINDLE SANDERS
ing, and conversion from belt- to spindle 18 in. tall, much taller than the others, but
Readers voted the top-priced Clayton their
sanding mode. come with steel bases that put them at a
pick of the spindle sanders. The Ridgid
The Delta, the Grizzly G0538, and the handy height of 39 in. However, the Jet is
was their second choice, and it also picked
Ridgid store spindles, spare drums, and a benchtop-only machine and too tall to
up the editors' best-value and best-overall
tools on their bases. The Jet holds spare use comfortably at a 34lj2-in.-tall bench.
awards.
spindles, sanding drums, and table inserts, Overall, the Grizzly G0538, at Il lA in. tall,
but not tools. The Clayton has a separate is most suited to benchtop use.
4.36 CLAYTON 140
rack for spindles, but not tools. The Delta was best at the critical task
4.09 RIDGID E84424
of dust collection. Its spindle has a small
3.99 JET J80S-5
lesting alignment and dust collection fan that moves air down and out the dust
3.94 DELTA SA350K
To find out if the spindles were square to port. The sander cornes with a dust bag
the tables, we jointed the edge of a pieee that does a fair job of containing fine par
3.81 GRIZZLY G9922
of mahogany, drew pencil lines along that tides. But the Delta, like ail the other sand
3.77 GRIZZLY G0538
edge, and then sanded it. Remaining pencil ers, does a better job of dust collection
marks would show whether the spindle when it's connected to a shop vacuum.
was out of alignment. AlI the spindles were The Ridgid's dust-collection system was innovative design means it can work as
square. Five of the sanders had aceeptably reasonably good only when the machine both a spindle sander and a belt sander, it
low runout (spindle wobble) of less than was in spindle-sander mode. has versatility that the other sanders don't.
0005 in. The Grizzly G9922 had runout of And its $200 average priee makes it an
0.009 in. The prieey Clayton had an unac One clear winner excellent buy. 0
eeptable 0.012 in., so the company repaired The Ridgid EB4424 was judged the best
the machine, honoring its warranty. overall and the best value. Because its Roland Johnson contributed ta this article.
OSCILLATIONS SPINDLE SPINDLES

COMMENTS
PER MINUTE STROKE INCLUDED
Heavy-duty mechanism, high
quality motor. Steel table doesn't
'12 hp, '12, 3/4,
60 %in. tilt. Highest spindle runout
7.5 amp 2,3 in.
(0.012 in.) Manufacturer repaired
machine under warranty.
Cast-iron table does n0t tilt.
DELTA SA350K 1f4 hp, %,1,1'12, Lowest spindle runout (0.001 in.).
$250 60 1fa in.
www.deltaportercable.com 3.5 amp 2,3 in. Smallest dust port (1% in.). Base
holds drums, spindles, tools.
Laminate-covered MDF table does
not tilt. Oscillation mechanism
113 hp, '12, %, 1, 1'12,
$150 72 5/S in. may need periodic lubrication.
2.4 amp 2,3 in.
Base holds spare drums,
spindles, tools.
Cast-iran table tilts. Includes steel
GRIZZLY G9922 '12 hp, base. Noisiest sander tested.
$200 64 1 in. 2 in.
www.grizzly.com 4.6 amp 3,450 rpm (twice as fast as
others). 5fs-in. miter slot in base.
'12 hp, '14, '12, 5/S, Cast-iron table tilts. Very similar
$400 30 1 in.
5.7 amp 1'12, 2 in. to Grizzly G9922.
Unique design converts easily
from 4x24 oscillating belt sander
3/S hp, '12, 3/4 , 1, to spindle sander. Aluminum
$200 60 % in.
5 amp 1'12, 2 in. table tilts. %-in. miter slot in
base. Base holds spare drums,
spindles, tools.
MACHINES ~ TABLESAWS
TOOL TEST
Hybrid
Tablesaws
Serious cutting power
without the cost of a cabinet saw
U
ntil fairly recently, anyone shopping for a floor-standing
tablesaw had two basic choices-a contractor's saw or a
cabinet saw. Nowa third option, commonly callec! a hy
brid saw, fits between the two in price and performance. When it
cornes to power, hybric!s generally have between 1314 hp anc!2 hp.
Cabinet saws begin at 3 hp. Like contractor's saws, hybrids have
llOv motors, so you can plug them into any household groundec!
outlet. Cabinet saws run on 220v. Ali the testec! saws had good
rip fences and cut 3A-in.-thick stock easily. And all but the Hitachi
could hanc!le 2
3
A-in.-thick mapie when we fed the stock a little
slower. The Woodtek hac! the most power, the widest rip capacity,
and a roll-around stand (that worked wonderfully), earning it the
best-overall badge. Its low price made it the best value, too.
Tom Begnal cantributed ta this article.
Hybrid saws
Priee range: $700 to $1,100
01% hp to 2 hp, 110v
oMotor inside cabinet
oTrunnion assembly mounted to
oPriee range: $550 to $900 oPriee range: $975 to $2,100
ln terms of overall
underside of table or cabinet
1
1
h hP. HOv 3 hp to 5 hp, 220v
features, hybrlds
oBeefier trunnions than on
oMotor outside of cabinet Motor inside cabinet
generally fall between contractor's saws
oTrunnion assembly mounted Trunnion assembly mounted
contractor's saws oGood-quality rip fence
to underside of table to cabinet, making for easler
and cabinet saws. oCast-Iron wings (optional on the
oGenerally have stamped
adjustment
But on the important
DeWalt)
steel wings (cast-iron wings oBeefiest trunnions
Cabinet saws
Photos: staff
oCast-iron wings
...
optional) polnts-smoothness
of eut, dust collect
Ion, rip fence-hybrlds
have more in common
wlth the big guys.
60
---
READERS' RATINGS: HYBRID TABLESAWS
Four key tests
DArbor
tlange runout
Because the sawblade
mounts directly to the
arbor flange, any runout
on the flange is magnified
at the outside edge of the
blade, creating a wider
kerf and a rougher cut.
Manufacturers try to keep
this runout to a maximum
of 0.001 in. Only the
Craftsman, with a runout
of 0.002 in., exceeded
the Iimit, but it cut as
smoothly as the others.
RTrunnion
fi Rip tence
The importance of a good rip fence is"hard to overstate.
It should be sturdy, straight, square to the table, and
parallel to the sawblade. It should slide smoothly and
lock securely with little effort. When side pressure is
applied, fence deflection at the back of the saw should
be minimal. Ali these hybrids had good rip fences.
Some needed tweaking to get them parallel or square,
but that took only a minute or two. To get a sense of
how much each fence
might deflect, we used a
push-pull gauge to apply
6 lb. of force to the back
end. None deflected
more than 0.006 in., an
acceptable number.
The trunnion houses the arbor, the driveshaft to which the blade
is attached. It allows the blade to rlse up and down and to tilt from
0 to 45, so its alignment with the rest of the machine is critical.
The Craftsman and Steel City saws have
cabinet-mounted trunnions, allowing
the table to be independently adjusted
if the miter slots aren't parallel to the
blade. On the other eight hybrids, the
trunnions are attached to the underside
of the table, where they are much harder
to access.
Readers chose the Steel City and the
DeWalt, both of which scored reasonably
weil in our tests, as their top two. Not
enough readers had tried the Woodtek,
the editors' choice, to give it a rating.
4.37 STEEL CITY 35601
4.31 DEWALT DW746X
4.27 JET JPS-10TS
4.25 GRIZZLY G0478
4.12 DELTA36-717
3.69 HITACHI C10LA
Insufficlent Data SHOP FOX W1748
Insufficlent Data WOODTEK 148-271
Except for the Hitachi, ail the saws did
fine when ripping 1%-in.-thick stock at a
reasonable feed rate of about 5 ft. per
minute (fpm). On the Hitachi, the thermal
overload breaker popped and shut off the
saw a couple of times during each cut. When
the saws were pushed to a fairly aggressive
7112 fpm, the Woodtek was the only one that
didn't bog down. If
you rarely rip thick
stock (1112 in. to
2
1
12 in.), the motor's
horsepower is not
a big issue; just cut
slower.
MACHINES ~ TABLESAWS
Head to head
ln addition to the motor, fence, arbor flange,
and trunnions. other important factors in 1
3
/, hpj 27 in. by
www.craftsman.com $1,100
assessing a tablesaw are whether the blade 15 amps 44 in.
is parallel to the miter slots at ail angles and
whether the table and wings are fiat. Ali of
these saws passed those tests. They ail did
www.
1% hpj 27 in. by
deltaportercable $1,100
an adequate job of dust collection with a 15 amps 40212 in.
.com
2'
l
h hp, 220v dust collector attached to the
dust ports. Consider ail factors, from priee to
power to setup, when choosing a saw. 1% hpj 27 in. by
www.dewalt.com $1,200
15 amps 40% in.
2 hpj 27 in. by
www.grizzly.com $775
20 amps 39% in.
www.
1112 hpj 27 in. by
hitachipowertools $1,000
15 amps 40114 in.
.com
1% hpj 27 in. by
www.jettools.com $900
17.5 amps 41% in.
www.woodstockint 2 hpj 27 in. by
$980
.com 20 amps 39% in.
CRAFT5MAN 22124
Includes outfeed table and 12-in.-wide
side table; blade guard and splitter easy to
www.
1% hpj 27 in. by
steeIcitytooIworks $980
remove and replace; poor parallelism but
15 amps 44 in .
adjustment isn't difficult on this saw.
.com
2 hpj 27 in. by
www.woodworker.com $800
18 amps 44 in.
DELTA 36717
Includes 14-in.-wide side table with support
legs; fair parallelism (needed simple trunnion
adjustment, covered in manual).
DEWALT DW746X GRIZZLY G0478
~ Online Extra
Our video overvlew Includes a look at
Stamped steel wings; sliding table available Sawblade and power-eord plug not Included;
DeWalt's optional sliding table. Go to
as option; fair parallelism (needed simple blade-elevation crank turns easily; best overall
FineWoodworklng.comjTG2009.
trunnion adjustment). parallelism (needed no adjustment).
Drawings, Jim Richey
62
-
-
BLADE-TO-SLOT 1
RIP
PARALLELISM
.. : ...
.Tt
CAPACITY
.. : "'11:'
~ . _ .
!
30 in. 0.002 in. 0.001 in. 0.010 in. 0.001 in. Good
30 in. 0.001 in. 0.008 in. 0.008 in. 0.001 in. Good
WOODTEK 148271
28 in. 0.000 in. 0.001 in. 0.006 in. 0.003 in. Good
Digital angle readout; built-in rolling stand;
widest rip capacity; most cutting power;
blade-height crank among easiest to turn;
fair parallelism (needed simple trunnion
27112 in. 0.000 in. 0.005 in. 0.002 in. 0.003 in. Good 1
adjustment).
. " ~
, '
25112 in. 0.000 in. 0.007 in. 0.022 in. 0.001 in. Fair
HITACHI C10LA
Includes small outfeed table; blade-angle
scale is in tabletop; poor parallelism (required
difficult adjustment).
. ~ W1748 =

=
SHOP FOX W1748
JET JPS-10TS
Blade and power-eord plug not included;
Includes blade lock for one-wrench blade
blade-elevation crank easy to turn; poor
changing; easy blade-height crank; parallelism
parallelism required difficult adjustment.
required simple trunnion adjustment.
PNEUMATIC TOOLS ~ NAILERS
lIimIII&
Hose-Free
Framing Nailers
Cordless guns excel at small, interior jobs,
but fall short for full-time framing
W
ith a cordless nailer you can
build a soffit, change a door or
window opening, or frame a
doset in less time than it normally would
take to set up power and air for pneumatic
tools. Gas-powered guns are also great for
small jobs where you don't want to carry
a compressor up three f1ights of stairs, or
listen to it run constantly as you work in a
small, cramped room.
If you're an electrician or plumber who
only occasionally needs a framing nailer,
say to put up sorne blocking, these guns
definitely make sense. As long as you re
move the banery and the gas cartridge
between uses, half-charged batteries and
half-used fuel ceUs stay fine over several
weeks of inactivity.
To say that these guns are ready for full
time framing would be a stretch, however.
We liked climbing around with no hose
dragging behind, but the guns slowed us
down by misfiring, by not sinking nails
consistently, and by running out of gas or
battery power in the midclle of use.
Not one of these guns had the power
to drive l2d or l6d (3% in. or 3
1
/2 in.)
nails consistently aH the way into framing
lumber. They ail did OK with 3-in. na ils,
which is fine for interior framing but not
for fIoors, exterior walls, and roofs. They
also struggled with Sd ring-shank nails,
which some local codes require for ex
terior sheathing and shear waHs. Having
to drive home half of the protruding nails
with a hammer sort of defeats the purpose
of using a nail gun.
The nosepiece of ail these guns needs
to be c1epressed fully before the trigger
is pulled; they can't be bump-fired by
holding the trigger and pressing the nose
piece against the work. This safety feature
is good, but it definitely slows down the
work. The pressure required to press the
nosepiece fully can be awkward, especial
ly when reaching at arm's length.
Ali these guns came supplied with only
one battery. We initially thought that this
was a liability because any other cordless
tool is just about worthless for professional
use if it doesn't have a backup battery to
use while the first recharges. But we were
surprised to find that a fully charged bat
tery lasted aIl day most of the time, no
matter how hard the gun was working.
We chose the Paslode as best overaU,
but we didn't choose a best value because
ail of these cordless framing nailers cost
considerably more than their compressor
powered cousins. D
John Spier contributed to this article.

'.
: l,' 1
www.paslode.com
Street priee: $370
Weight: 7.4 lb.
Nal type: propfietary RounDrive,
or clipped head
Nal size: 2 in. to 3
1
,4 in.
Collation: 30, paper ta pe
Capaeity: 48 nails
T
he Paslode nailer is slightly smaller
and Iighter than the others, and its
plastic body seems fairly tough. It has
a well-protected battery slot, and the
reversible combination belt-and-rafter
hook is by far the best. The pinch-and
pull depth of drive works weil despite
the nailer's inability to drive some nails
ail the way. Paslode's nailer is the only
one to require that the nail-feeder slide
be pulled back before the gun is loaded.
The Paslode nailer never jammed in two
months of hard use, so we never had to
follow the manual's disassembly instruc
tions.
Paslode offers only one framing nailer,
which shoots full round-head nails collat
ed at the steeper angle of 30, commonly
seen only with clipped-head nails. PasIode
achieves this feat by offsetting the nail
shanks to the edge of the round heads.
The offset heads on these RounDrive nails
still meet building codes in areas where
full round heads are required, and Paslode
claims that the offset heads test compa
rably with conventional centered heads in
terms of pullout strength.
Paslode pioneered the technology that
makes gas-powered nailers possible, and
the company's 20-year head start is evi
dent. This gun is the one we'd keep in the
truck, based on its design, its features,
and its trouble-free operation.
64 Photos: stoff
M
ax makes one gun for round-head nails and one gun for clipped-head nails, and
the nailers have some redeeming features. The depth-of-drive adjustment was
fast and easy, and required no tools; it worked weil within each model's power limita
tions. The reverslble rafter/belt hook is effective. The spurred nosepiece is heavier
dutY than that on the Hitachi and Paslode models; after a few months of use, it was
still sharp, where the others were rounded over and dull. The Max round-head gun was
the only one that jammed during testlng, and it wasn't much fun to fix. We had to
remove the three hex-head screws holding the magazine in place and juggle several
small parts that can fall off in the process before accessing the jammed nails that
still had to be pried out. This happened twice, and we couldn't figure out why. We
checked the nails carefully to make sure we hadn't misloaded the gun, and we hadn't
hit anything very hard.
GS683CH
CUPPED HEAD
www.maxusacorp.com
Street priee: $330
Welght: 7.8 lb.
Nail size: up to 3
1
,4 in.
Collation: 34, paper
Capaelty: 40 nails
www.hitachipowertools.com
Street priee: $300
Weight: 7.9 lb.
Nail size: up to 31f2 in.
Collation: 20, plastic
Capaeity: 42 nails
GS683RH FULL
ROUND HEAD
www.maxusacorp.com
Street priee: $350
Weight: 7.8 lb.
Nail size: up to 3
1
,4 in.
Collation: 21, plastic
or paper
Capaelty: 32 nails
L
ike many other Hitachi tools, the
round-head nailer has a comfortable
grip, especially for smaller hands. The
fuel-cell loadlng door is designed nicely,
wlth a simple slldlng latch that doesn't
require finesse to open or close. Hitachi
Is also the only manufacturer to supply
a one-piece, one-hour battery charger
(charge time is 2 hours for the Paslode,
2
1
h hours for the Max nallers).
After these few positive pOints, the
Hitachi goes downhlll fast. It has the
least power of ail the guns, so we had to
use a hammer to set a lot of nails. The
depth-of-drive setting-which requires
an Allen wrench-worked but was often
pointless because the nails weren't set
to begin with. The nonreversible belt/raf
ter hook Is on the right-hand slde of the
nailer. That's fine for a left-handed car
penter, but for a rlghty, this placement
falls firmly into the "What were they
thlnklng1" department. And to top It ail
off, the Hitachi misfired more often than
ail the other guns comblned.
www.finewoodworking.com TAU NT 0 N 's 2 009 T 0 0 L GUIDE 65
PNEUMATIC TOOLS ~ NAILERS
n;mmm
Pin Nailers
The hottest new type of nail gun,
these leave almost no trace
L
ight and maneuverable, 23-ga. pin nailers fire narrow-gauge pins that
allow Vou to fasten delicate trim moldings without splitting the wood.
Likewise, woodworkers use pins to attach face frames and sohd-wood
edging almost invisibly. The nail holes are so tiny that one coat of paint
makes them nearly invisible. If you're using a cieal' coat, Vou can hide the
pins between moldings or use a tiny amount of wood putty.
Some of the pinners we tested were better than others. Don't buy an expen
sive gun that can fire 2-in. pins if most of yom work can be done with a Jess
expensive gun limited to ll/2-in. pins. If Vou want to spend the extra money,
put it toward a gun that can shoot both headless pins and slight-head brads,
which offer increased holding power. Look for a gun that has oversize slots
in the track to show the number of remaining pins or that inc1udes an anti
dry-fire feature so that vou don't think you're fi ring pins when you're really
just shooting air. D
Gary Striegler cantributed ta this article.
/
READER5'
One of two guns tested that flre both
23ga. pins and 23ga. sllghthead brads
This pinner holds two racks of headless
pins or slight-head brads in lengths up to
1
9
116 in. and is certainly the most compact
tool with such a large capacity. Headless
pins are not for every application, and we
like to have the option of using this tool to
fire slight-head brads rather than swapping
it out for an 18-ga. brad nailer. The Nikle
has an adjustable air exhaust and a nice
long nosepiece to get into tight places.
Our only complaints with this gun are that
it doesn't have an anti-dry-fire feature and
that there's just a small hole to check how
many pins remain. Still, the Nikle has a
nearly ideal combination of size, weight,
capacity, and power.
Good basic features for a great priee
Unlike a few of the other models in this
price range, the Bostitch comes with a
sturdy carrying case and 1,500 pins to get
you started. It holds two full racks of pins
up to 13116 in. in length, which is adequate
for most jobs, and doesn't incorporate a lot
of extra features that are seldom used. The
pinner has a long nosepiece to get into tight
places and an adjustable power level meant
to eliminate fussing with the compressor.
We never needed to turn down the power.
The only complaints were minor: The viewing
slot in the track is a bit too small, and the
trigger safety is a bit too large. The latter
might seem like a good thing, but after a
while, it can wear on your trigger finger and
become uncomfortable.
V
GREX P635
$198; www.grexusa.com
A convenlent belt hook, but
lowerthanaverage nall capaclty
This pinner can drive pins from 3/8 in. to
1% in. in length, but Grex has since re
leased a model that shoots 1%-in. pins as
weil (model P645; $280). We appreciated
the onboard wrench for clearing infrequent
jams-much more convenient than a wrench
that rides in the carrying case. This is the
first pinner we tried that has a pivoting
belt hook. Like the pocket on a shirt, most
people won't need it ail the time, but it can
come in handy. This pinner was a close sec
ond for best overall; it fell short because it
can't shoot slight-head brads and because
it holds fewer pins than the Nikle.
Phoros: Krysta S. Doerf1er 66
Swivel air-hose fitting
and rear exhaust
CADEX CPB23.50
$300; www.cadextooIS.com
Pricey, but loaded with features
If you're dead set on maximum fastener
length and capacity, this pinner is the one
for you. The Cadex shoots fasteners up to
2 in. in length, holds two full racks of either
headless pins or slight-head brads, and is
also the lightest model of the bunch. Some
of us liked the swivel air-hose fitting, but
the old-fashioned among us thought hooking
up the tool took too long. This gun also has
a thumb-operated dust blower, intended to
remove the sawdust from a surface before
fastening. Interesting idea, but when the
blower started leaking air, we found it to be
just another thing that can break.
SENCO FINISHPRO 10
$130; www.senco.com
One of the first on the market,
but now it's outdated
Senco made the first headless pinner one
of our testers ever owned. It was incredible
at the time, but the manufacturer has not
made any real improvements since then. This
gun falls short for several reasons. It fires
pins only up to 1 in. in length, the track holds
just a single rack at a time, and it must be
adjusted when switching to different fastener
lengths. The trigger also Ilas no safety, a
characteristic that we can't recommend.
Pins are hard to see when buried in wood
and even harder to see when buried in your
finger. Bottom line: This gun costs as much
as or more than guns with better features.
Large slot for viewing
the remaining pins
MAX NF235A/23-35
$217; www.maxusacorp.com
Exhausting in a good way
This tool is similar to the Grex P635 except
that the smallest pins it can fire are '12 in.
rather than 3fa in. The Max was the only
gun tested that had both a large slot in the
track for viewing pins and an anti-dry-fire
feature. The nailer is lightweight, and has a
belt hook and a comfortable grip. We liked
the rear-exhaust feature-no puff of air in
the face while working. Although we didn't
have much use for the removable no-mar
nosepiece (we've never had problems mar
ring surfaces with any pinner), some people
might find it useful.
Longer-than
SPOTNAILS SP2340
average track
$106; www.spotnails.com
An affordable heavyweight
If a framing contractor picked a headless
pinner, this would be the one. Although we
certainly wouldn't cali it heavy, at 2 lb. 9 oz.,
the Spotnails gun is the heaviest of the
bunch. On the other hand, it seemed to be
almost indestructible, and it made us wonder
if this tool originally was designed for use in
high-demand production facilities. The long
track on this tool is mystifying because it still
holds only two racks of pins, unless you start
breaking up full clips Into smaller sections to
max out the capacity. A maximum pin length
of 19116 in. is more than adequate, and the
priee is reasonable for what you get.
PORTER-CABLE PIN100
$110; www.deltaportercable.com
Limlted fastener length, but handy
in tight spaces
We found this model to be a no-frills,
economical choice, similar to the Senco.
The priee trade-off leaves you with a limited
fastener length of between '12 in. and 1 in.
Like the Senco, this pinner holds only a
single rack of pins; however, the track is a
bit better because it doesn't need adjusting
when swapping pin sizes. Although this tool
can't drive long fasteners, it is compact,
and we found ourselves using it a lot when
we needed to get into tight spots.
READERS' RATINGS: 23-GA. PIN NAILERS
Readers rated the similar Grex and Max
nailers first and second, respectively.
Their third-place choice, the Nikle, was
close behind and won the editors' pick
for best overall. The editors' pick for best
value, the Bostitch, was ranked seventh
by readers.
4.76 GREX P635
4.67 MAX NF235A/23-35
4.62 NIKLE NS2340
4.41 CADEX CPB23.50
4.18 PORTER-CABLE
PINI00
4.11 SENCO F1NISHPRO 10
4.04 BOSTITCH HP118K
3.61 SPOTNAILS SP2340
W
hen professional finishers talk about an "off
the-gun finish," they are describing a finish so
smooth that it doesn't require sanding. Achiev
ing this finishing perfection requires practice and knowl
edge of finishes, but above ail, the right equipment.
We looked at top-quality guns capable of spraying clear
furniture finishes. The two main types are those powered
bya turbine and those that run off an air compressor. We
focused this review further by considering only guns that
can spray water-based finishes, as most people don't own
explosion-proof spray booths and shouldn't spray solvent
based finishes. Also, water-based finishes are among the
most difficult to atomize, so if your gun can spray them
weil, it should be able to handle most solvent finishes and
paints. These requirements ruled out the $100 hardware
store spray guns, but we discovered that you can get a
beautiful finish for around $500-and spend far more for
inferior results.
What happens when you mix air and finish
To understand spraying, you need to grasp two conflicting
concepts: atomization and transfer efficiency. Atomization
is forcing a liquid to become small, round particles; the
smaller the particle, the better the look of the coating.
Large particles can produce an effect known as "orange
peel." There are many reasons for this pebbly look, but
poor atomization is one of the most common.
Eady spray guns used air at high pressure (45 to 90 lb. per
square inch, or psi) at the tip of the gun to blast the Iiquid
finish into a fine mist of tiny particles. This produced a beau
tiful, smooth finish, but only about 25% of the liquid ended
up on the object being sprayed. The rest missed the target
or bounced off because of the high pressure. To improve
SUCTION-CUP GUN
Tube
pressurizes
container
with air.
The most common type of spray gun has
the finish in a cup underneath. The fluid
can be sucked into the gun or, as in this
case, the cup can be pressurized by a
plastic tube from the gun.
Phoros: Mark Schofreld; drawings: Vince Babak
High-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns use enough air to atomize the fluid into small, even-sized particles, but at
lower pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (psi), so less spray bounces off the target.
Old-fashioned high-pressure
spray guns atomized the fin
ish into a fine mist. This gave
a good finish, but only about
25% of the Iiquid ended up on
the workpiece.
45-90 PSI

>"'.':':':
on this 25% transfer efficiency, high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP)
guns were developed. HVLP technology reduces to a maximum of
10 psi the amount of air needed to atomize liquid. This increases the
transfer efficiency to between 65% and 90%, but at a priee: You spray
more slowly and the quality of atomization varies among systems.
Making sense of this information
The first step is to decide if turbines or compressed-air guns are
right for you. You may decide it's worth paying for a turbine
system ta get the simpJicity of a whole system designed to work
together. We recommend you save money and only go for a
three-stage turbine. In our testing, we didn't see better results
with a four-stager.
1wr8U'Ulill!liliJ 1
Sophisticated HVLP guns also
give good atomization, but their
lower pressure means that far
more of the finish ends up on
the workpiece.
10 PSI

If you have a compressor, check its capacity and then have a
retailer match it to a suitable gun. If you intend to spray only
small projects, or a targe piece in sections, you can team a small
compressor with a low-air-consumption HVLP or LVLP gun such
as the Sata Minijet IV (around $300) or Kremlin's M22 HTIG
LVLP gun (around $400). If large tabletops are on your Iist of
things ta spray, use at least a midsize compressor and invest in
a pressure pot.
Whatever gun you choose, practice spraying on lA-in.-thick
plywood. Sooner than you think, you, tao, will achieve an off
the-gun finish. Good luck and have fun.
Mitchell Kahanek cantributed ta this article.
With the container
above the gun, the
finish f10ws into the gun by grav
ity alone. The gun can feel top
heavy, but will stop cleanly when
the cup is empty.
PRESSURE POT
Air
pressure
from
compressor
Without a cup of f1uid attached to it, a
spray gun is much more maneuverable
and can access tight spaces. Small
pressure pots can be carried or hung
from a belt.
TAU NTON' S 2 0 0 9 T 0 0 L G U l 0 E 69
fully with a por
table 1.6-hp,
4.5-gal.
A compresso,..
powered spray
system. A midsize
compressor is
enough for many
HVLP spray guns,
but you also will
need a hose and
a fi/ter.
PNEUMATIC TOOLS ~ SPRAY GUNS
Your first decision is whether ta buy a turbine system or a spray gun that uses a compressor.
70
'TURBINE: ONE-STOP SHOPPING
BUT BULKIER EQUIPMENT
T
urbines are matched with guns and hoses and sold as a com
plete package. They are rated by their number of fans (or stag
es), ranging from two to five. The higher the number, the greater the
volume and the pressure of air they can pump out. Ali turbines are
considered HVLP because they don't shoot more than 10 psi at the
tip of the gun. A good-quality three-stage turbine with around 6 psi
will spray the majority of water-based finishes and set you back
around $750; a four-stage
model with 8 psi gives
you the flexibility to
spray thicker
The turbine package. The advantage of buy
ing a turbine is that you get everything you
need to start spraying, with good instructions.
water-based finishes and paints, and to spray faster, but costs about
$200 more.
Turbine technology demands larger, heavier guns and hoses than
compressed-air guns, so consider the ergonomies of each type be
fore you buy. We tested three- and four-stage turbines from Apollo
and Turbinaire, two leading manufacturers, and could see
Iittle difference between the finishes. Each sample board
required only a light sanding between coats.
COMPRESSED AIR:
START HERE IF YOU'VE
GOT A COMPRESSOR
I
f you already have compressed air ln your
shop, you probably will opt for a compressor
driven gun. The capacity of the compressor, in
terms of how much air it can dellver in cubic
feet per minute (.cfm) at what psi, will deter
mine which gun is compatible. A 2- to 5-hp,
20- to 25-gal. midsize model ($350 to $600)
is adequate for many guns, and we even used
a Sata Minijet success

71 TAUNTON'S 2009
CHECK THE PRESSURE AT THE GUN
/
Long or small hoses cause the air
pressure to drop between com
pressor and gun. To measure the ex
act air pressure at the gun, attach
a pressure gauge or regulator.
VOU'LL NEED A FILTER
Compressed air leav
ing the tank contains
small amounts of water, oil,
and other contaminants. If allowed to pass through your gun,
they create unpleasant finishing defects. Vou need to invest in
some kind of filter. Disposable filters for around $30, attached
between the gun and the air hose, are worthwhile if you only
spray occasionally. The crystals inside turn from blue to mauve
as they become saturated
(above). If you intend to
spray regularly, invest in
a coalescing filter (right)
made up of a series of filters
you change every six to 12
months depending on the
amount of use. These run
$75 to $175 depending on
the specifications.
compressor (similar models cost $100 to $250).
The compressor ran continuously but it never
starved the gun of air. An advantage of com
pressor-driven guns is that they generally have
a greater maximum pressure at the tlp than a
turbine gun. This means you can Increase the psi
to achieve better atomizatlon of thicker finishes,
but at the cost of lower transfer efficiency. Uslng
a midsize compressor, we've had good results
from HVLP guns made by Binks, Kremlin, and
Sata, among others.
Compressed-air guns also come in an
LVLP (Iow-volume, low-pressure)
category. Because they use
less air, you can get by with
a smaller compressor, but
you generally pay the price in
slower spraying. Better guns are
constantly being developed, however.
ln a spray test, ail the com
pressed-alr guns recelved an
A grade for producing excel
lent off-the-gun finishes.
Vou'lI need the right sup
ply hose ($10 to $50) to
connect the compressor to
the gun. The smaller the
internai diameter (ID) of
the hose and the greater its
length, the more the pres
sure will drop between the
compressor and the gun. It
is recommended that an air hose
with a SAs-in. ID be Iimited to no more than 20 ft.,
a 3fs-in. ID hose to 50 ft., and a lh-in. ID hose to
100 ft. On many occasions the wrong hose size
is to blame for a poor finish, not the gun or the
coating. A good way to make sure that you have
sufficient pressure is to attach a pressure gauge
($15 to $40) at the base of the gun. Alternative
Iy, some guns come with a built-in digital readout
in the handle.
HAND TOOL5 ~ CHI5EL5
TOOL TEST
Hench
Chisels
We test 23 brands
on tough woodworking tasks
C
hisels are the epitome of simplicity: a sharpened
steel blade attached to a handle. Yet despite
their simple form, they possess an astounding
amount of utility. They can split, slice, scrape, chop,
and pare; they can be held in one hand and driven with
a maltet, or used two-handed for controlled paring cuts.
They work equally weil with hard or soft wood. They
are almost indifferent to whether they are working with
the grain, across the grain, or on end grain.
You can buy chisels c1esigned for a particular task,
such as mortising or paring, but the jack-of-all-trades
is the bench chisel. This general-purpose tool is suit
able for a broad range of tasks, including dovetailing
and mortise-and-tenoning, paring pegs flush, installing
hinges, chamfering edges, and even cleaning up glue
squeeze-out. We l'an 23 bench chisels through a variety
of woodworking tasks to fincl out which ones excel and
which come up short. Many of these would be overkill
for a carpenter or contractor, who work mostly in soft
wood and aren't creating precise furoiture joints.
The chisels reviewed range from 7% in. to 10% in. The
The dovetail test. We used each Why side beve/s are important. If a chisel's side bevels
chisel to clean up a dovetail joint to terminate in large, fiat sides, the chisel will not fit into
test how weil it handled light cuts for tight corners (/eft). Chisels with very narrow, fiat sides are
precision work. ideal for getting into dovetails (right).
Pharos, excepr where notecl: Mark SchofleJd; individual chisel pharos: John Terreault 72
There are many out
standing chisels on
the market today.
To find your ideal
tool, consider
a few things:
What chisel
best fits
your style
of work? Do you
mostly chop, mostly
pare, or an equal amount
of both? Longer chisels are
easier to hold; their greater
blade surface gives more
leverage and makes for a
steady, controlled cut when
paring two-handed. Short
chisels are easier to con
trol with a fingertip grasp
of the blade while driving
with a mallet. Consider,
too, the amount of prep
time you want to invest
to get the chisel working,
whether it be f1attening
the back or setting the
hoop. Vou may prefer to
spend more money and
less time.
This chisel was almost
flawless out of the
box. Its back was lapped
fiat and nearly polished,
and its beveled edges
were milled and tapered
precisely. However, it is the
tool's size and feel that
make this the ideal bench
chisel. It is lightweight and
balanced, yet stout enough
for rugged work, in part due
to its socket design. Its
mid-range length is great for
controlled detail work, yet
its blade is long enough for
moderate-range paring. The
A2 blade's durability found
a spot in the middle of the
pack, but in spite of this,
the ergonomics prevailed.
The beech
handle, with
a hoop and
ferrule, is easy
to grasp whether
chopping with one
hand or pa ring with
two. The back of the
chrome manganese
blade was nice
and fiat and the
edges were beveled
sufficiently for
excellent dovetailing.
The cutting edge
heId up quite weil,
and at $6, this is
the obvious choice
for best value
among Western-style
chi sels.
Made by a Japanese
blacksmith who has
been hand-forging
chi sels for 50 years,
this blue-steel chisel is
finely crafted and was
set to go out of the box.
The wood in the handle's
end is mushroomed to
secure the hoop and
create a comfortable
pad for your hand. The
blade held an edge with
the best, and is slightly
longer than the other
Japanese blades. At
$51, it's moderately
priced for such a high
quality chisel.
This chisel is a
diamond in the rough.
Its back was slightly
concave along its
length, but this lapped
out without much
trouble. The end of
the handle must be
mushroomed over to
set the hoop in place,
so plan on 30 minutes
per chisel for this task.
The finish on the handle
was a bit rough, but
fine sandpaper and
steel wool polished it
in a minute Of two. In
use, the tool performed
admirably, its edge held
up nicely, and at $14, it
is a real bargain.
Long blades pare better. Chisels with short blades,
such as Japanese-style ones, are not able to pare as wide
a joint as the longer-bladed chisels. Plus, there is less
blade to hold with the forward hand for fine control.
Cleaning up mortises. To see how
weil each chisel handled chopping,
we used them to c/ean up a mortise in
white oak.
Chop till they drop. To test each
chisels edge retention, we used them
to chop end grain on pine, cherry, and
white oak.
HAND TOOLS ~ CHISELS
EDGE DAMAGE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
To get a closer look at how the chisels fared after the edge
retention test, we shipped three of them to the Department of
Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland.
Under the direction of Pro
fessor David Matthiesen,
they were placed in a
scanning electron
microscope at 100X
resolution.
The best overall
Japanese-style chisel, the
Matsumura blue steel,
stayed very sharp with
minimal wear visible (top
photo), indicative of very
hard steel. The best over
ail Western-style chisel
was the Lie-Nielsen. Its A2
steel blade didn't hold up
as weil as the Matsumura,
and the wear (center) was
representative of the aver
age for Western-style chis
els. The worst performer
was the Grizzly Western
style chisel, whose edge
completely rolled over
(bottom).
longer chisels excel at two-handed paring, but are less ideal for
precision work or for tasks where the chisel is driven with a mal
let. To test ergonomics, we used each chisel to dovetail a joint with
cherry pins and maple tails. We also shaped a mortise-and-tenon
joint in straight-grained white oak, chopping and paring the tenon,
cleaning up a drilled-out mortise, and trimming the tenon to fit.
To test for edge retention, we re-honeel ail the chisels with a
30 beveJ. This went against the advice of sorne manufacturers of
A2 steel anel Japanese chisels, but a 30 bevel is better for most
chisel work and we wanted to see whether these blades wouId
holel up at the lower angle. We then trimmed 1/32 in. from the end
of three 10-in.-wide boards: soft pine, meelium-density cherry,
and hard white oak. We inspected the eelge for degradation. This
revealed the quality of each chisel's steel; sorne edges were barely
blemished, white others had collapsed under the strain. 0
Chris Gachnaur cantributed ta this article.
England
England
USA
USA
Sweden
England
England
Czech Republic
China
Germany
China
Japan
USA
Germany
Czech Republic
England
Switzerland
Germany
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Phmos, rhis page: Case \X'estern Reserve University 74
$35 10% in. / 3% in. .040 in. Good Good Very good Good Very good
$26
4 for $335
4 for $230
$18
$20
$18
6 for $80
8 for $44
$25
$12
$12
$50
$16
$6
$41
$31
$22
$51
$14
$42
$51
$45
7% in. / 2V2 in.
10% in. / 3% in.
8
15
116 in. / 4% in.
10% in. / 3% in.
10% in. / 4% in.
9
1
116 in. / 3% in.
10
5
116 in. / 4 in.
10% in. / 4% in.
10%6 in. / 4
1
/8 in.
10%6 in. / 4 in.
9
7
/8 in. / 4 in.
9 in. / 3% in.
10%6 in. / 4 in.
10% in. / 4% in.
10% in. / 4 in.
10% in. / 4 in.
10
5
116 in. / 4
1
/8 in.
8% in. / 2% in.
8
1
%6 in. / 2% in.
8
7
116 in. / 2% in.
8% in. / 2% in.
8
7
/8 in. / 2% in.
.025 in.
.032 in.
.010 in.
.100 in.
.080 in.
.115 in.
.055 in.
.065 in.
.080 in.
.080 in.
.122 in.
.025 in.
.088 in.
.062 in.
.040 in.
.080 in.
.080 in.
.092 in.
.110 in.
.080 in.
.075 in.
.087 in.
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Very good
Very good
Very good
Fair
Excellent
Good
Fair
Fair
Very good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Very good
Fair
Good
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Excellent
Very good
Good
Good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Fair
Good
Good
Fair
Very good
Good
Poor
Good
Good
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Very good
Good
Excellent
Very good
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Very good
Excellent
Good
Good
Fair
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Excellent
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Excellent
Very good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Very good
Very good
Good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Good
Very good
Good
Good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
1 Good
1 Excellent
1 Fair
Excellent
Good
Very good
Excellent
Good
Very good
Very good
Excellent
Very good
Excellent
Excellent
1 Excellent
1 Excellent
1 Excellent
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
HAND TOOL5 ~ KNIVES
TOOL TEST
They must do more than
follow a straightedge
T
he marking knife seems like such a
simple tool that it would be easy to
dismiss as little more than a blade
and a handle. But we ail know better:
Marking out with a knife instead of a
pencil means that you care about the de
tails. So it makes sense to focus on the
details when choosing the knife.
A good marking knife will do a num
ber of things weil. It will eut wood fibers
cleanly, leaving a narrow, crisply defined
line, easily visible and deep enough to an
chor a chise!. The blade will fit into tight
spaces and the tool will be easy ta hold in
a pencil-style grip.
That said, inclividual needs and prefer
ences do play a role when choosing a
marking knife. If you do a lot of inlay,
for example, a skew point with two bev-
Marking for dovetail pins. The narrow spac
ing of these dovetails puts a premium on
blade size and shape, testing each knife's
ability to strike a line in confined quarters.
Photos: Steve Seau
els and a slightly flexible blade is key for
accurately marking out bellflowers and
bandings. A\sO, if you move around the
shop a lot, you will probably choose a
small, Iightweight knife that fits in an
apron pocket. A simple X-Acto could be
just the thing.
On the other hand, woodworkers who
build tall case pieces with large dovetails
often prefer large marking knives with
long, thick blades. Those who do a vari
ety of different jobs may choose to keep a
collection of different marking knives on
hand. The bottom line: One size or style
does not fit ail.
We sought to keep that in mind as we sam
pied more than a dozen knives representing
the most common designs on the market.
Sorne are specificaUy for layout. Others are
carving or craft knives popular with wood
workers as layout tools.
Agood knife handles a variety of tasks
We put each knife through five tests, each
a real-world woodworking task:
Scoring a line-With the blade riding
against a combination square, we struck
a line across 5-in.-wide pieces of walnut
and curly maple. We were looking for
quality of line in both softer and harder
material.
Dovetailing-We marked out a pin
board for a set of narrowly spaced dove
tails across a 6-in.-wide piece of 3/4-in.
And the winners are ...
Three knives scored very highly on the
full range of tests, with hardly a scribe
line of space between them overall. Each
had Its own unique strengths. The Blue
Spruce felt great in the hand, and Its long,
reinforced spearpoint blade and fiat back
made it a champ at laying out dovetails.
Hock's double-beveled skew point features
a heavy blade that stayed solidly on track
in ail situations. The X-Acto's thin, flexible
blade left a deep, narrow line, carried a
line easily around a corner, and was nimble
enough to trace delicate inlays. The slim
cylindrical handle fit comfortably in the
hand and in an apron pocket.
We're hard-pressed to pick a favorite
among these three-any one of them is
a winner for a woodworker. However,
the low cost of the X-Acto makes it a
perfect first knife. And it is a great
choice for a careful carpenter.
X-ACTO
~ Online Extra
BLUE
SPRUCE
To see how we tested the knives,
go to FineWoodworklng.comjTG2009.
Traeing a hinge. This invo/ves cutting both Marking for a banding. This task is easier Traeing an inlay morfise. A flexible blade
with and across the grain. After tracing the with a knife that works weil cutting either works best for this intricate work. The lines
hinge, we made the lines deeper, testing how toward or away From the user. It also tested a must be crisp, but not too wide, because the
weil the knife tracked in a channel. knife's abi/ity to carry a line around a corner. inlay must fit tightly in the recess.
www.finewoodworking.com TAU N TON' S 2 0 0 9 T 0 0 L GUIDE 77
HAND TOOLS KNIVES
$4
$31
$16
$15
$32
$19
$22
$45
$18
$13
$39
$12
$20
$30
$19
$31
stock. The narrow spacing tested each
knife's abi!ity to strike a !ine in confined
quarters.
Laying out for a hinge mortise-We
set a l-in_ by 2
1
/2-in, hinge against the edge
of a walnut board and traced it out This
involves cutting both with and across the
grain, We set the marking knife on the
edge and cut back to the rear of the plate.
SPEARPOINT
These knives, single beveled
with a pointed tlp, performed
consistently weil. The blade
shape allowed them to easlly
"'" mark crlsp IInes golng ln
either direction. Steeper
points like those on the
Hock and Blue Spruce left
the most precise IInes and
easily fit into the spaces
between dovetalls. Models
wlth thlcker blades may feel
sturdier; however, the trade
off is a wider line at any
glven depth.
SINGLE-BEVEL SKEW
These tapered blades,
beveled on one side, are often
sold in matched pairs. They
are meant to be pulled in one
direction with the fiat back
riding against a straightedge.
Reverslng direction for
eJ...__ bandlngs or mortises was a
challenge. For closely spaced
dovetails, where the beveled
side of the blade must ride
the reference surface in tight
quarters, the thlcker blades
slmply couldn't do the job.

--. S--- .
TOOL TEST
. -- "
;..:..-..:. _ -.M4
CARVING KNIVES
Characterized by long,
narrow, twln-bevel blades that
resemble those on a small
pocket knife, most of these
performed adequately, leaving
fair to decent line quallty. The
blade's narrow profile and
long reach make It great for
tight spaces. The Flexcut had ----......-,l
an excellent blade, but its
handle, designed for rough
carving, wasn't sulted to the
pencil-style grip that is best
for layout.
DOUBLE-BEVEL SKEW
These perform equally weil
wlth elther side against the
work, so you can use them ln
either hand, whether pulling
toward or away from you. The
bevels on most are shallow
enough that the edge can be
held tight to the work wlthout
angllng the knlfe too steeply.
As wlth the single-bevel
skews, the wider blades sport
a much longer edge than is
necessary.
78
SCORING DOVETAILS HINGE BAN DING INLAY COMMENTS
WALNUT / MAPLE
Good / Fair
Good / Fair
Very good / Very good
Fair / Fair
Good / Good
Very good / Excellent
Excellent / Excellent
Fair / Fair
Good / Good
Very good
Poor
Very good
Poor
Good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Good
Fair
Good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Very good
Fair
Fair
Fair
Good
Poor
1
Fair
Poor
Excellent
Very good
Excellent
Very good
Fair
Good
Good
Good
Fair
Good
Fair
Good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Can be purchased in left- and right-handed pairs
Back is hollow ground for easier sharpening.
Excessive blade length makes sorne tasks
awkward.
Thick blade and short bevel performed poorly
in tight quarters.
Excessive blade length is awkward.
A single piece of steel forms both blade
and handle.
Similar in design and appearance to the Hock
Package of 5 Modified #11 replacement blades,
under $3 at www.dickblick.com
Sturdy blade, comfortable handle
Common straight-blade chip-carving design
Design very similar to Woodcraft
1
Very good Very good Very good Very good
Versatile blade design, comfortable turned
handle
Very good / Very good Very good Very good Good Very good Thicker blade than Blue Spruce
Excellent / Very good Very good Good Very good Good
Like Hock's violin knife, can be fitted
with a wooden handle
Excellent / Very good
1
Very good Fair Good Good Back is hollow ground.
1
Good Very good Very good Good
Terrifie blade. Handle shape is awkward
for sorne layout tasks.
Then we removed the hinge and made
the lines deeper by running the knife in
the channel. This tests the knife's ability to
track in an already established groove.
Marking out for a banding-We
scored one line running a11 the way around
a tapered walnut table leg, pulling the
knife away From the body. We then ran a
second line with the knife coming toward
the body. This test helped ta gauge the
ease of handling the knife and whether
both sides of the blade could easily be
held tight to the work. It also demonstrated
how easily each knife could carry a line
around a corner.
Tracing for a bellflower-This is in
tricate work best done with a thin blade.
Aline is scored around a sma11 petaI and
then excavated with a tiny router plane.
The knife lines must be precise enough
to ensure a snug fit for the inlay and deep
enough to provide a stop for the router
plane's iron. The line must be crisp but
not too wide, or the final recess will be
too big. D
Steve Latta cantributed ta this article.
TAU NT 0 N 's 2 0 0 9 T 0 0 L GUIDE 79
HAND TOOLS ~ PLANES
TOOL TEST
Block Planes
For fine 'furniture or finish
carpentry, these shaping and
smoothing specialists pick up
where power tools leave off
A
well-honed block plane is perfect for tasks like
tuning a miter joint, removing saw marks, cutting
a perfect chamfer, and even sharpening shims.
The planes highlighted here stand out for various
reasons. Neither the Stanley nor the Groz are among
the best planes on the market, but both are soUd, wel1
built tools. The Veritas and Lie-Nielsen planes are ex
eeptional. The Veritas is a great general-purpose block
plane with a standard bed angle. The Lie-Nielsen low
angle planes are expertly made and perfectly designed
for finish carpentry or fine woodworkihg. Finally, the
Stanley trimming plane works impressively weil for its
reasonable priee. D
Gary Striegler cantributed ta this article.
STANDARD VS. LOW ANGLE
Adjustable
throat plate
Standard bed
Throat
angle of 20
A standard bed angle of 20 Is good
for general-purpose shaping and
smoothing work. A low bed angle of
12allows the blade to shear end-grain
fibers more effectively. Conversely, when
planing with the grain, a low bed angle
is more likely to cause tearout, so a standard bed angle is
preferable. Wlth either type, using an adjustable throat plate
(available in some planes) to minimize the opening in front of
the blade (calied the throat) also helps to minimize tearout.
s o l e ~
80
www.stanleytools.com
Street priee: $36
Size: 6% in. by 2 in.
Weight: 1.75 lb.
The new plane used for this
revlew is very simllar to older
versions. It's small enough
to use with one hand and
comfortable to hold. The
adjustment levers feel sturdy,
if a IIttle rough. Unfortunately,
the thin blade was distresslngly
dull out of the box, and the sole
surface needed to be smoothed
wlth superfine sandpaper before
it was ready for use. Expect to
invest an hour tuning up this tool
before you can use it.
www.lie-nielsen.com
Street priee: $95
Size: 5% in. by 19116 in.
Weight: 1 1b.
The low-angle design of the
Lie-Nielsen apron plane is perfect
for finlsh-carpentry tasks such
as trimming and tuning miter
and butt joints. Woodworkers
Iike It for shaping and smoothing
curves, wide bevels, or simple
molding profiles. While it
lacks an adjustable throat, its
extrathlck blade provides sure,
stable cutting action. Cast from
manganese bronze, the plane's
body Is compact and Iightweight.
A cast-Iron version is available
for $10 less.
Photos, Krysla S. Doerfler, drawings, Vince Babak
GROZ BP/G05
www.groz-tools.com
Street priee: $30
Size: 6% in. by 1% in.
Weight: 1. 5 1b.
Some bargain-priced "contractor
grade" block planes wouldn't
earn their keep even if they were
free. However, the Groz is an
economically priced plane worth
holding onto. Made in India,
this low-angle plane is almost
an exact knockoff of Stanley's
version, but with slightly better
fit and finish. The size and
weight felt comfortable in the
hand and in the tool apron. The
major flaw with this plane is
that the adjustable throat plate
doesn't move close enough to
the blade.
L1E-NIELSEN G01h
www.lie-nielsen.com
Street priee: $150
Size: 6% in. by 1% in.
Welght: 1.6 lb.
Made from manganese bronze,
the large, rounded cap Iron on
this low-angle plane made it
more comfortable to hold than
any other model. When you
combine exceptional machining
with an extrathick (%6 in.) blade,
you get a tool that provides
unmatched control in removing
material. While lateral blade
adjustment is not quite as easy
as on the Veritas plane, we Iiked
the way the feed nut is tueked
partially under the cap Iron.
Together with the narrow profile,
this feature makes this plane
easy to use with one hand and
easy to carry in a tool bag.
VERITAS STANDARD
www.leevalley.com
Street priee: $130
Size: 6'12 in. by 2
1
116 in.
Welght: 1.85 lb.
If it were smaller, this plane
would rank among our favorites.
The blade needed IIttle or no
work before use. The fit and
finish and the adjustment
mechanisms are excellent.
This plane combines blade feed
and lateral adjustment, which
lets the user set the blade
quickly and precisely. It feels
solid, but the plane's weight
makes it harder to use with one
hand or carry in a tool apron.
Woodworkers can easily f1ush
trim dovetail pins or inlays. But
for finish-carpentry tasks Iike
trimming miters and butt joints,
the 15/s-ln. blade may be wider
than you need.
STANLEY 12-101
Street price: $10
Size: 3112 in. by
13
116 in.
Weight: 0.25 lb.
There's no sense in taking one of
your better planes outside when
the weather is bad. For these
situations, Stanley's smallest
plane works surprisingly weil. It
has a simple body of bent metal
and a thumbscrew that secures
the blade. If kept sharp, this
mini model is fine for trimming
shingles, shaping shims, and
other basic tasks. There is
no replacement blade, so if
you sharpen the blade beyon
usability, you'lI have to chuck the
body as weil. But by that time,
this plane will have paid for itself
many times over.

HAND TOOLS SAWS
TOOl TEST

Pullsaws
For joinery or trim work, these affordable
handsaws eut quickly and accurately
CHOOSING A PULLSAW
If you only want to eut dovetails, then buy
a ripsaw sueh as the Gyokueho 91,2 in.
(Ieft) or the Deluxe rip dozuki. For both
ripping and erosseuUing. the Dozuki OZ"
erosseut saw (right) is the best buy.
L
ike their Western counterparts, ]apa
nese handsaws come in a range of
styles depending'"on the type of cut
to be made and whether speed or smooth
ness is more important. The type of saw we
tested is known as a dozuki, which means
CROSSCUT (ALL-PURPOSE) SAWS
8
1
h-IN. DOVETAIL SAW
DELUXE DOZUKI
DELUXE DOZUKI
WITH REPLACEABLE BLADE
1 " 1
IKEDAME DOZUKI
JUNTARO MITSUKAWA
ODATE CROSSCUT DOVETAIL
1" 1 1.
TAKUMI DOZUKI
RIPSAWS (DOVETAIL ONLY)
l "
. . 1.

BEST,VALUE,

GYOKUCHO 9
1
h IN. ,
ODATE RIP DOVETAIL
www.japanwoodworker.com
(18.210.0)
www.toolsforworkingwood.com
(MS-JS320)
(MS-JS445)
www.woodcraft.com
(12F27)
www.highlandwoodworking.com
(056406)
(MS-JS420)
www.highlandwoodworking.com
(056423)
www.leevalley.com
(60r03.01)
www.woodcraft.com
(142421)
(MS-JS340)
www.japanwoodworker.com
(19.311.0)
(MS-JS340.01)
"tenon shou1der" in ]apanese. These saws
are most popular with woodworkers for
cutting predse joinelY, but finish carpenters
a1so like them for cutting trim on the spot
or for cutting other single pieces for which
a trip to the chopsaw would be incon
..

$42
$90
$40
$42
$50
$270
$50
$45
$56
$90
$39
$48
Photos, sraff 82
venient. The standard dozuki is a crosscut bard, bird's-eye maple to a depth of 3A in. As a group, pullsaws don't appreciate
saw, but rip dozukis are finding their way To measure the speed of each saw, we trying to correct a misaligned cut mid
into the market, and examples are included counted the number of strokes needed to stream. When using saws with a minimal
here. Like Western backsaws, these have a get to the final depth. We were startled by set of 2 to 3 thousandths of an inch Cgen
rigid spine along their top edge. how fast the one true ripsaw flew through erally higher-end saws), the only way to
Unlike Western saws, ]apanese saws cut the cuts. Thirteen strokes to get through correct a cut is to bring the blade back to
on the pull stroke, which allows the blade 3A-in. by 3A-in. cheny is preny remarkable, the top of the kerf and rework it. Saws
to be much thinner and still not buckle. especially when compared to the 30 to 40 with a set of at least 5 thousandths afford
Many users find the pull action easier than strokes it took some of the crosscut saws. some ability to COlTect a cut in progress,
the traditional push. ]apanese pullsaws also We also noted how weil the saw set in but less than most Western-style saws.
tend to be less expensive than high-quality when starting the cut, the smoothness of Choose a saw based on what you want
Western-style saws. the stroke, the ability to correct the cut, to use it for, your skilllevel, and your bud
A Western-style handsaw dulls more and the smoothness of the side walls. As get. While ripsaws cut dovetails well, they
quickly but can be resharpened. On the a group, the saws set in weil and started are quite rough for crosscuts. A crosscut
other hand, mosrJapanese saws stay sharp cuts easily. Ail cut straight down a line with saw, on the other hand, also rips smooth
longer, and the blade simply is replaced minimal guidance. ly, although more slowly. Thus a good
when it dulls, usually for $20 to $30. Ail the saws had a lovely, smooth action, quality saw with a crosscut or a modified
with the Ikeda tooth-pattern saw slightly rip-tooth pattern may be the best choice
Testing for speed and smoothness rougher than the standard crosscut saws, if you're buying just one. 0
We used each saw to cut a series of dove and ail the saws left smooth side walls that
tails in 3A-in.-thick cheny, soft maple, and would be fine as is for joinely. Charles Durfee cantributed ta this article.
TOOTH TEETH BLADE
RIP SPEED TEST RESULTS
TYPE PER THICKNESS
''" (average strokes per eut)
.',
INCH (inehes)
.';W"'W'W
Short blade,
Grosseut 30 0.008 0.010 Replace 21 35 64 A
but eleanest eut
Very IiUle set, so not
Grosseut 26 0.011 0.014 Sharpen 26 46 60 A+
a beginner's saw
Grosseut 26 0.011 0.017 Replace 26 55 70 B Decent basic dozuki
The best of the
basic dozukis
Ikeda Same maker as Dozuki
18 0.012 0.020 Replace 29 40 68 B
crosseut "Z" saw but with fewer tpi
Longest blade and handle
Grosseut 26 0.012 0.015 Sharpen 18 34 70 A
of saws tested
Rough stroke; slow due
Grosseut 23 0.011 0.016 Replace 40- 46 60 B to short blade; eloth
blade eover
Fewer tpi than most
Grosscut 18 0.011 0.017 Replace 30 43 74 B
erosseut saws
Enameled back
and long blade
COMMENTS
Rip
Modified
rip
Modified
rip
13
20
20
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.013
0.016
0.016
Sharpen
Replace
Replace
13
19
16
16
23
23
-
13
22
22
-
nia
nia
nia
Same maker as Deluxe
dozuki erosscut saw
A top performer. Gomes
with a replacement blade.
Short 7-in. blade;
cloth cover
HAND TOOLS ~ SCREWDRIVERS
imaIDI
Multibit

Screwdrivers
The $80 model is the best,
but you can do very well for $16
W
hether you' re a homeowner stocking a too l drawer or a
contractor buckling up a tool belt, you want to make sure
you have the basic, essential items: a hammer, a pencil,
a tape measure, a knife, and, finally, a multibit screwdr iver. Often
underappreciated, this tool has lots of value and uses on the job. But
not all multibit screwdr ivers are designed the same. Having a quality
one on your hip can have a real impact on your next job.
There are dozens of mul tibit screwdrivers availabl e, ranging in
price from:$2 to $80. Of the 30 we reviewed, we found seven that
we'd consider slipping into a tool bag. They range from basic models
designed for reliable use in rugged conditions to innovative designs
that let you swap bits without even having to touch them. 0
Rob Yagid contributed to this article.
IDIIB
I --------,
PHILLIPS BITS are among the most widely
used in the world and were created for
product ion-line work . They are designed
to slip out of a fastener under excessive
torque resistance.
POZIDRIVE BITS have added wings to
prevent bit slippage. Although they look like
Phillips bits, they are intended to be used
on Pozidrive fasteners only, which are more
popular in Europe than the United States.
SLOTTED BITS are often called flat-head
bit s. They are not self-aligning, and they
requi re more effort to connect with a
fast ener. The popularity of slotted screws
makes them a necessity, though.
TORXHEAD BITS have a star shape intended
to reduce slipping or str ipping out of the
screw. These fasteners are often used in
the automotive industry, but have growing
applications in residential construction.
SQUARE DRIVE BITS are also known as
Robertson bits and are designed to stay
in a fastener under extreme torque.
This makes them popular for use with
hardwood and outdoor-decking products.
SNAP-ON 5-POSITION
HANDLE RATCHETING
SCREWDRIVER
www.snapon.com
Street price: $80
Bits: #1 Phi ll ips, %-in.
slotted
Snap-on is a brand
that evokes images
of big-block vas, not
cabinet drawer slides
or electrical boxes.
But this screwdriver
was the best we used
mainly because of its
articulating handle, which
can be adjusted 30 and
60 both right and left.
It's comfortable in any
position and turns screws
in areas where other
drivers won't fit. The
ratcheting mechanism
is super smooth, and the
handle holds up to seven
standard bits.
I FELa BIT-BOY 373
www.f elo.com
Street price: $16
Bits: #1 and #2
Phil li ps, #1 and #2
Pozidrive, 7136-in. slotted,
T15, T20 , and T25 Torx
Measuring just 6 in. from
bit to butt, the Bit-Boy
fits nearly wherever your
hand can . The egg-shaped
handle is comfortable,
and the flared collar
allows maximum
pressure on a screw. The
eight bits are held in a
spring-loaded, revolving
magazine that pops out
of the handle. The bits
are easy to see, and the
magnetic magazine helps
prevent losing them.
The magnetic shank is
removable and fits in a
drill chuck.
PhOl05: Krysta S. Doerner 84
- ----
......
MEGAPRO
lCRAFTSMAN
IRWIN 9-IN-1

MULTI-TOOL BIT DRIVER
www.irwin.com www.rnegapro.net
Street price: $11 Street price: $35
Bits: #1 and #2 Phillips, Bits: #1 and #2 Phillips,
'kin. , 3A6-in. slotted, %4in. , 1fs-in.. s/32-in.,
#1 and #2 square 1%4in. slotted , #1 and
Nut drivers: 3fs in., %6 in., #2 square, screw starter
'!4 in. Nut drivers: 3A6 in., '!4 in.
The first thing we noticed With a total of 10 bit
about the 9-ln-l Multl- types and a shaft that
Tool was how solid it serves as a l.4-in. nut
felt. There's so little play driver, the Megapro may
between the mating parts be the most versatile of
that the tool feels more the group. Similar to the
like a conventional driver Felo, the Megapro's bits
than a modular one. Of are stored in Its handle,
all the screwdrivers we where they're clipped to
reviewed, It was one a revolving magazine that
of the few that we felt makes bit selection easy.
comfortable hitting with, The ratchetlng action
a hammer to cut through is handy, but the handle
layers of old paint to doesn't provide as sure or
contact a screw or to use as comfortable a grip as
as a small pry bar when on the other drivers.
in a bind.
I X-7
www.f irehawktech.com
Street price: $10
Bits: #1 to #3 Phillips,
'kin. and 3A6-in. slotted,
T15 Torx, #2 square
The X-7 from Picqulc has
3-ln.-long bits instead of
the l-In. bits found on
most drivers. These bits
let you connect easily
with deep pocket screws
and other hard-to-reach
fasteners. Their length
also figures In how they
are stowed and changed.
Pushing a bit Into the
butt of the handle ejects
a new one. The hex
shaped shank accepts a
Vls-in. wrench for a major
increase In torque when
trying to turn stubborn
screws.
AUTOLOADING
MULTI-BIT
www.sears.com
Street price: $20
Bits: #1 to #3
Phillips, '!4-in., 3A6in.,
and lfa-in. slotted
At first, the bit-changing
system on this Craftsman
driver seemed like a
gimmick. After testing it,
though, we can't deny Its
simple, reliable action. To
change a bit, pull down
the handle and rotate It
so that an arrow aligns
with the bit you need;
then slide the tool back
together. A rod pushes
the bit into the shank.
The many plastic parts
raise questions about this
driver's longevity. That's
OK, though , when you
can change out six bits In
nearly as many seconds.
[ IDEAL INDUSTRIES
.7-I N.1 TWIST.:..A-NUT
www.idealindustries.com
Street price: $11
Bits: #1 and #2 Phillips,
'!4-in . and 3A6in. slotted
Nut drivers: '!4 in., %6 in.
This electrician's
screwdriver holds two
double-ended bits in a
shaft that also serves as
a double-ended nut driver.
The wire-nut wrench on
the butt of the handle
fits Wing-nut, B-cap, wire
nut , and twister-type
wire connectors. It's
designed to relieve hand
fatigue If you make wire
connections often. i he
handle also has two holes
for bending wire to slip
over screw terminals.
www.finewoodworking.com T AUNTON ' S 2009 T OOL G U I D E 85
ACCESSORIES ~ CLAMPS
TOOL TEST
Small Clamps
We put dozens to the test, but only 7 emerged
as must-haves for woodworkers
A
good collection of small clamps is
helpful on a job site and invalu
able in the workshop . While long
clamps come in handy for specific jobs,
small damps are the real work horses.
The idea l small clamp wou ld work per
fectly in every imaginable application. That
means it wou ld open and close quickly,
tight en just as easily, and provide adequate
pressure. The jaws wouldn' t dent or stain
workpieces. Clamp ing press ure wo uldn't
cause workpieces to shift. It would clamp
non-parallel surfaces . And it would release
pressu re eas ily.
We've yet to find that mythical d amp,
but there is a growing array of sma ll
clamps on the market. We recentlytook
a close look at what's out there.
Two 6-in. Irwin
Quick-Grip
clamps
All told , we gathe red about 40 models
in the Fine Woodworking shop and set
about usi ng each one in a variety of
common ap plica tions. We tested several
sizes and model s in each clamp category.
Once the glue had set and the dust had
settled, we ended up with seven esse ntial
clamps .
By the way, a small d amp-at least ac
cording to our defini tion-has a maximum
jaw opening of 6 in. Because we focused
on the most common applications, this
article doesn ' t cover lesser-used, spe
cialty clamps such as toggle clamps,
miter-joint clamps, deep-throat
clamps, and the like.
Tom Begnal contributed to this
article.
Two NO.1
Jorgensen
hand screws
Four 2-i n.
spr ing
clamps
SMALL-CLAMP STARTER SET
For new woodworkers, we've put together a list of our favorite small clamps,
along with suggested quantities for each. Later, as you spend more time in the
shop, buy a few more of the clamps you find yourself using most often.
Photo" Kelly J. Dunton 86
Great for glue-ups. A good
bar clamp can produce a lot of
clamping force and is easy to
use, making it a good choice for
applying side pressure to a half
lap joint.
Uses: Tasks th at require lot s
of clamp pressure
Clamping force: 760 lb.
Our favorite: 6-in. Bess ey
Tradesm an, medium-duty, $10
Source: www.woodcraf t. com
Others tested: Irwin , Jorgen sen,
Lee Valley, Rockie r, Shop Fox,
Stee lex Plus (Grizzly), Woodt ek
BAR CLAMPS ARE
THE WORKHORSES
S
mall bar clamps get their
Y
OU can't beat a spring
clamp for ease of use.
As the name suggests,
a coiled spring creates the
clamping force. But spring
clamps don't generate much
pressure, so they aren't a
good choice when gluing large
Simple and fast. When attach
ing small parts like these glue
blocks, spring clamps make the
task quick and easy.
SPRING CLAMPS
GREAT IN A PINCH
Uses: Holding small parts;
li ght-dut y and temporary
clamping
Our favorite: 2-in . spring
name from the sturdy parts. For little parts, how
cl amp , $1
Source: The Home Depot
Others tested: Bessey spri ng
clamp, Bes sey VarioCli ppi x,
Pony hand clamp, molded grip
(Woodworker's Supply), Irwin
Hand i-Clamp, Ratchet-Lock
(GarrettWade)
ever, they often are your best
choice, and they cost under a
buck at home centers.
Because they are used one
handed, you can easily put one
or two spring clamps to work
holding a stop block in posi
tion. Or, when laying out join
ery, you can butt the parts to
gether face-to-face, hold them
in position with one hand, and
put a spring clamp on each
end to keep the parts aligned
as you transfer the lines from
one to the other.
Traditionally, spring
clamps were steel, but
some are now plastic
except for the spring. We
looked at generic steel
clamps from The Home
Depot and plastic ones
by Quick-Grip. Both
worked fine, but the ge
neric brand fit the hand better,
making them easier to squeeze.
We also tested hybrid spring
clamps that lock with ratchet
ing action and cost more. They
worked, but the classic steel
ones worked better.
Four 6-in.
Adjustable
C-clamps
steel bar that runs the length
of the clamp. They have two
jaws: a fixed one at the end of
the bar, and a sliding one that
includes a threaded rod (typi
cally an Acme thread) with a
handle on one end.
Among all the various
types of small clamps, the bar
clamp has a couple of advan
tages. It adjusts quickly and
easily. Plus, it provides plenty
of clamping force, around
760 lb. in our test.
For those reasons, we
reach for a short bar clamp
more than any other small
clamp. It is ideal for applying
side pressure to open mortise
and-tenon joints (also called
slip joints or bridle joints).
For bigger edge-gluing jobs,
like making a tabletop, short
bar clamps can be used to
squeeze the ends of clamping
cauls and the ends of boards
at the glueline.
When gluing bent lamina
tions, woodworkers take
advantage of the bar clamp's
wide capacity, quick adjust
ment, and substantial clamp
ing force. And we could easily
list a few dozen more places
where a short bar clamp gets
good use.
Clamp manufacturers typi
cally offer bar clamps in three
strengths: light duty, medium
(sometimes called standard)
duty, and heavy duty.
Our favorite bar clamp
is the Bessey medium-duty
Tradesman. It was easy to
handle, produced lots of pres
sure, and didn 't discolor the
wood. We liked the heavy
duty Jorgensen, but when the
clamp remained overnight
on a workpiece, the plastic
clamp pads sometimes left
the wood slightly discolored.
It took some light sanding to
remove the oily smudge.
TA U N T 0 N ' S 2 00 9 TOOL G U r D E 87 www.finew oodworkin g. com
'QUICK GRIPS'
DO JUST THAT
Uses: One-hand clamping;
dent-f ree clamping of stock to
wor kbench ; spr eading parts
Clamping force : 225 lb.
Our favorite: Irwin 6-in. Quick
Grip, $1 8
Source: www.rockl er.com
Others tested: Bessey
DuoKlamp, Midi Bar-Man,
Shop Fox
W
e're,oot crazy about
these. Bulky and a bit
awkward to use, they tend to
shift parts during glue-ups.
But they are useful for
some tasks. When one hand
is occupied positioning a
workpiece and a spring clamp
can 't open wide enough ,
you can use a one-hander to
temporarily clamp the parts
together until you can add a
bar clamp. They also work as
hold-downs and spreaders.
Our favorite is the Irwin
Quick-Grip. It has a big handle
and trigger, and oversize
clamp pads.
One-hand holder. Using Quick
Grip clamps, you can quickly
clamp a workpiece to the bench
and rout around it. Removing the
clamps is just as easy.
88
Uses: Appl icat ions where you
don't want parts to slide out of
posi tio n
Our favorite: 6-in. UniKlamp, $22
Source: www.
highl andwoodworking.com
Others tested: N/ A (none similar)
NEW CAM CLAMP
IS QUICK, STRONG,
AND LIGHT
Uses: Small , light -duty ta sks
Our favorite: 4-in. Bessey
KliKl amp , $19
Source: Hartv ille Tool (www.
hartv il letool. com)
Others tested: Klemmsi a
(wood), Shop Fox (wood)
Light assembly. Four UniKlamps
keep the box sides square and
apply force all along the joints.
sure was applied. That meant
workpieces were much less
likely to slide out of position
before the glue dried.
The shortest available
K-Body clamp is 12 in., too
long to be considered a small
clamp. However, a few years
ago, Bessey began making a
light-duty parallel clamp called
moderate pressure and the
the UniKlamp in a 6-in. length.
The UniKlamp generated
a respectable force of
about 325 lb. in our
test, yet it's relatively
light and the sliding jaw
moves without fuss. It's
great when you need
PARALLEL CLAMPS
workpiece would likely slip or
STAY SQUARE twist if squeezed by any other
P
arall el clamps, which have
been around for about 15
years, were f irst introduced by
Bessey and called the K-Body
clamp. The Bessey K-Body
was an immediate hit because
the jaws remained parallel no
matter how much clamp pres-
Easy repair. A small repair gen
erally requires only moderate
clamping force , so it's a perfect
spot for a convenient cam clamp.
clamp. We've use UniKlamps
when clamping a fence to the
base of a jig, because they
keep the fence in perfect posi
tion until screws are driven.
When gluing a box with rab
beted ends, the parallel jaws
allow you to apply even pres
sure all along the glue joints.
A
cam clamp is especially
quick to adjust, tighten,
and release. And it's light in
your hands. Then, too, thanks
to its clamping action, work
pieces are less likely to slide
or twist as pressure is applied.
So, a cam clamp is perfect
where you don't need a moun
tain of clamp force , such as
gluing small parts, doing re
pairs, and holding a template
in place for routing or layout .
The classic cam clamp has
wood jaws; we liked a metal
one by Bessey called the
KIiKlamp. Considering
how nicely this small
clamp works, it's go
ing on our list of keep
ers. Be aware that you
won't always have the room
you need to swing the lever.
1\1
Surprising uses. Clamped to the baseli ne of a dovetail layout , the jaw
of a hand screw ensures that the chisel stays square to the workpiece.
HAND SCREWS
STILL UNRIVALED
Uses: Deep-reach applications,
angled parts
Clamping force : 1,000 lb.
Our favorite: NO. 1 Jorgensen,
$23
Source: www.wo odworker.com
Others tested: Rocki er,
Wood craft
T
he woodworking hand
screw has been around
for hundreds of years. Hand
screws have long jaws, so
they offer a deeper reach
than other small clamps.
Also, the jaws can be angled,
so it's easier to clamp odd
shaped parts or to appl y
targeted pressure just at
the tips. Last , the jaws are
square, allowing a wide array
of clever uses.
The jaws crank out some
pretty serious clamping
force-about 1,000 lb. in our
test. And they open and close
pretty quickly; just grab a
handle in each hand and start
pedaling. We find that the
No. 1 Jorgensen hand screw
is a good size. Its jaws open
to a full 6 in. Rockier's clamps
worked almost as well , and
sell for just $13.
C-CLAMPS PACK
THE BIGGEST PUNCH
Uses: When maximum pressure
is needed
Clamping force : 1 ,100 lb.
Our favorite: 6-i n. Adjustabl e
brand , $8
Source: www. coasta lt ool .com
Others tested: Claw Clamp
(Shop Fox). Pony Deep Reach
C
ompared size-for-size to
other small clamps, the
C-clamp is unmatched when It
comes to clamping pressure.
For those occasions when you
need all the clamping muscle
you can get, the C-clamp is
hard to beat.
Small C-clamps are handy
in tight spots, such as clamp
ing a fence to a router base.
The main drawback to a
C-clamp Is that it's slow to
adjust. Also, C-clamps don't
come with clamp pads. You'll
need to add them to avoid
denting the workpleces.
A medium-duty Adjustable
brand is a good choice. It
produced about 1,100 lb. of
clamp pressure. If that 's not
enough, several manufactur
ers make heavy-duty models
that will get you more.
Clamping-force king. When you
need a lot of clamping force, li ke
when face-gluing stock to make
a single leg (left) , there 's no
better small clamp than a good
C-clamp.
www.f i newoodworking.com TAU N T O N' S 2 0 0 9 T O O L G U IDE 89
ACCESSORIES ~ DOVETAIL JIGS
IIimmm
MANY JOINTS ARE POSSIBLE
These samples provide
an overview of the
many joints and config
urations possible with
dovetail jigs. Other
Joints are possible, and
the spacing options
are endless. We used
the shorthand listed
below each sample to
denote the basic joints
each jig can produce.
THROUGH
DOVETAILS
(T)
HALF-BLIND
DOVETAILS
( HB)
VARIABLY
SPACED
THROUGH
DOVETAILS (VT)
VARIABLY
SPACED
HALF-BLIND
DOVETAILS
(VHB)
SLIDING
DOVETAILS (S)
BOX JOINTS (B) ISOLOC (I)
~ Online Extra
For a video look at the most versat ile j igs,
go to FineWoodworking.comjTG2009.
All can make precise
joints-but the best
are easier to use
T
o many woodworkers, a clean, snug
fitting row of dove tails is the hallmark
of craftsmanship. But cutting them by
hand is a skill that requires co nsiderable
practice and familiarit y with hand tools.
This is probably why you'll find more than
20 dovetail jigs on the market, each promis
ing to turn a time-consuming process into a
few foolproof passes with a router. To see
for ourselves, we gathered 10 of the mos t
versatile jigs for a thorough test.
Everyone of these jigs can produce a
snug and accurate dovetail joint. The fac
tors that separate them are the diversity of
joints they can create, the widt h of wor k
pieces they can handle, and the setup and
adjustment time they require .
The Leigh D4R is our favori te. It ca n
do it all and do it qui ckly. The recently
introd uced Porter -Cable Omni jig also
performed especially well, but it costs more
and weighs nearly 70 lb. For bes t valu e,
we reco mm end the Porter-Cab le 4212.
While only 12 in. wide, it offers a remark
able combination of price , options, and
ease of use. D
Tim Albers contributed to this article.
READERS' RATINGS: DOVETAIL JIGS
Readers gave the simple and fairly
economical clamp-on Gifkins jig their
highest rating. Close behind was the
Leigh D4R, which was also the editors'
choice for best overall. The Akeda jig was
also popular with readers.
I 4.62 GIFKINS JIG
I 4.50 LEIGH D4R
I 4.44 AKEDA DC16
I 4.22 KElLER PRO SERIES
I 4.06 KATIE JIG KJl12000001
I 3.94 PORTERCABLE 4212
I 3.84 FESTOOL VS-600
I 3.00 HART DESIGN GFK1800
No Ra ed LEIGH SUPER JIG
Not Rated PORTER-CABLE OMNIJIG
90 Photos, Asa Christian a
The Leigh jigs are built around a solid
aluminum base unit, with quick and solid
clamps, and a single ingenious template
that produces both through- and half-blind
dovetails with variable spacing, as well as
sliding dovetails. Cutters and guide bush
ings for these joints are included.
It took about a half-day to master the
basic joints, but then we were able to cut
a variety of joints very quickly. The sliding
template fingers let you arrange beautiful
dovetail configurations by eye, and the fin
gers always lock down level and straight.
$330
$460
$410
$230
$150
$270
$270
$370
$4 70
$500
$220
$300
$370
$170
$600
www.fi newoodwor k i n g.com
Porter-Cable 4212
At an average street price of $170, this j ig
is a real bargain. The base is solidly made
and uses fast-acting cam clamps. Setup
and adjustment went smoothly, with some
set up lines and inst ruct ions etched onto
the templates. Another nice feature is the
built-in gauges for setting the router-bit
height. The jig comes with 1h-in.-dia.-shank
rout er bits, which reduce vibration (most
others use 1,4-in. bits). After a few uses,
the system becomes pretty intuitive, and
switching between templates, joints, and
different-size boards goes quickly.
16 i n.
Yes VT, VHB, S
I 24 i n. I I
I 24
1
h in. I No I HB
I 12 in. I No I T
I
18 in.
I
No
I
HB
12 in. Yes VT
16 in.
24 in. No T
36 in.
24 in. Yes VT, VHB, S
12 in.
Gifkins jig
The Gifkins jig is intuitive, remarkably fast
to use, and especially suited for the router
table. It comes standard with a backer
board assembly and one phenolic template
of the buyer 's choice . The pin and tail
boards are mounted at the same time on
opposite sides of the fence , and aligned
with a very precise and stable stop. A vari
ety of optional templates can be purchased
for different dovetail sizes and spacings.
The jig came ready to use, aside from a
one-time adjustment to the shims used on
the pin side of the backer board .
Very good/
I " ~ ~ ~ ~ ' , ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ; _ w ,
Excellent
Very good
- ' ---' f ingers
T, S, B,
Fair/
I doweling jig, bits, Fai r
Good
dust port
18 in. Yes
1 VT, VHB, s, B I
elliptical
24 in.
I 1
template guide
I
12 in.
I
No
I
HB, T None
T, for other
I
spacings
I
T, small HB
None
Clamp kit
I, B, dust port
I, vacuum and
router support ,
Excellent
Very good/
Excellent
Very good
Good
Very good/
Good
--
Good/
Very good
Very good
Very good/
Excel lent
Excellent
Very good/
Very good
Very good/
Very good
Very good

Very good/
Very good
Excellent
VT, VHB, Excelle nt/ Bits , dust port ,
Very good
I
24 in.
I
Yes
I
t emplate guides HB,S Very good
T AU N TO N 'S 2 0 0 9 T OO L GUIDE 91
THREE GOOD REASONS TO USE THEM
Sharp rims, smooth walls. No other type of bit can
match a Forstner's quality of cut around the rim and
sides of a hole. Forstner bits also leave a flat
bottom, with the exception of a small
indentation left by the central
spur.
Drilling at an angle. The sharp rim Overlapping holes. Again, the rim
makes it easy to start the bit in a steep design allows you to drill clean over
ly angled workpiece, as when cutting lapping holes, as when excavating a
pocket holes in a table apron. mortise.
92
STAINLESS
STEEL
STEEL
CARBIDE
How the Forstner bit has changed over the years
The original Forstner bit did not have a center sp ur
and was guided so lely by the rim. The de
sign left a clean-sided , flat
bott ome d hole, but the bit
was hard to position. Most
of toda y's Forstne r bits have a
center spur and a partial rim.
The center spur positions the
bit pr ecisely on the workpiece
but leaves a small dimp le in the center of the
hole. In a stand-alone hole, the spur makes the
F
ew tasks are as frust rating as trying to bore
the perfect hole-accurately sized, accura tely
located, and with a cleanly cut rim. Standard
twist bits, originally designed to cut metal , often leave
ragged, inaccurate rims, are difficult to place precisely,
and can wa nder off course, resulting in uneven holes.
Brad-point bits are bett er, crea ting accurate, clea n
hole s, but they don't make it easy to bore overlapping
holes or enter the wood at a sharp angle.
The best desi gn for boring high-quality holes is a
Forstner bit, of which there are several varie ties. To
find out wh ich ones are best, we tested 18 brands.
The top scorers are listed her e; the rest are shown on
FineWoodworking.com.
initial contact with the wood, but in other cases the
rim alone can be in contact with the wood, guiding
the bit.
Testing for accuracy, design, and endurance
We tested Y2-in.-dia. and l-in.-dia. bits. The former
represent typical smaller bits used for drilling mor
tises and pocket holes, while the latter allowed us
to test the toothed rims that most manufacturers
use for larger bits.
We measured the diameter of each bit to see how
close it was to the specified size, and then we mea
sured the diameter of the hole itself. Most of the holes
were less than 0.005 in. larger than their respective bit,
an accept able amou nt. .
The next series of tests was to see how the Y2-in. bit
cut overla pping holes and holes drilled at an angle.
Bits with the largest rim did bes t at this test, while
those with little or no rim and only outside spurs were
at a disadvant age.
Bits choked with chips don't cut well-With
small er Forstner bits, the proper procedure is to lift the
bit out of the cut during deep boring to evacuate the
chips. If this isn't done, chips may become compacted
behind the bit, locking the bit in the hole and making it
difficult to extract. If the chips plug in the bit, you must
stop the drill and clear the blockage , a time-con suming
and annoying task. Aplugged bit simply won't cut well
and may increase friction and burning.
Sever al of the Y2-in. bits got plugged as soon as
the rim was fully enclosed in the bore. The large bits
Throat
spur
Clearance
notch
Chipper
ANATOMY OF
bevel
A FORSTNER
Although types vary, the Rim
cutting action is similar:
The spur touches down,
the rim keeps the bit on
track, and the chippers
create a flat bottom.
A GOOD BIT OF VARIETY
TOOTHED
RIM SPURS
STANDARD CUTTING
RIM
CENTER SPUR
CARBIDE VS.
DIFFERENT STEELS
Most Forstner bits are
steel , which usually
starts out sharper than
carbide but has a shorter
edge life. Other choices
include titanium-coated
steel, meant to increase
durability, or stainless
steel, ideal for working
with green wood, treated
material, or other high
moisture applications.
RIM STYLES VARY
Longer rims provide better
guidance but tend to
overheat. On this high
carbon-steel bit (far left),
heating may have removed
the temper. To overcome
heat, many manufacturers
give l-in.-dia. and larger
bits toothed rims (center).
Others, particularly on
smaller bits, use cutting
spurs only (right).
CENTER SPUR
OR FLAT BOTTOM?
A spurless bit creates a
perfectly flat bottom. The
spur boosts accuracy but
leaves a dimple.
FLAT BOTTOM
ww w.fi n e w ood wo rk i n g.c om T A U N T O N ' S 200 9 TO O L GU IDE 93
ACCESSORIES ~ DRILL BITS
ImmDI
Exactly the
dIameter claimed?
The actual diameter
of every bit was
measured (above)
and the discrepancy
with the stated di
ameter recorded.
Most holes were
slightly larger than
the bit that drilled
them , indicating
slight runout (right).
Plugged up. Many
of the :z-in.-dia.
bits became badly
plugged when the
head went below
the woods surface.
A pencil is used to
eject the plug.
Friction causes
heat. While cutting
100 holes in hickory,
the temperature of
each bit was
recorded 10 times
using a digital infra
red thermometer.
Bits that cut cleanly
generated less heat.
9 BITS MADE THE CUT
After all the tests were done, seven
steel bits stood out. Also shown are
the best carbide bit (Freud), and one
with no center spur (Morris), which
leaves a perfectl y flat bottom.
BOSCH FAMAG
www.tr adit ional
woodwor ker.com;
www.amazon.com
www.woodcraft
.com
$13
$68
set of 7
$19
.498 .500
.996 1 .0 0 5
.50 5 .50 0
1.001 1 .006
Clears Clears
Clears Clears
181 150
Very good Excellent
Very good Excellent
Excellent Excellent
Excellent Excellent
Very good Excel lent
had an easier time evacuating chips be cause they have larger
gullets be tween the chipper, or cutter, and the back edge of
the rim.
These bits can take the heat-To test their longevity, we
mounted each 1-in.-dia. bit in a drill press. We chose the larger
bits for this test because there is a greater area in cont act with the
wood , and the refore more friction. We set the speed to 480 rpm
and drilled 100 holes 1 in. deep in hickory, a wood known
for its ability to dull a sharp cutter. Every 10 bores, we used a
digital infrared thermometer to check eac h bit's temperature. An
increase in temperature could be a signal that the cutting edge
is becoming dull. While the average temperatu re ranged from
134F to 184F, none of the bits showed any significant elevation
in temperature or det erioration in hole quality toward the end
of the borings, indicating that they were still cutting as well (or
94
FISCH I FREUD I GRIZZLY I MORRIS PORTER-CABLE WOODCRAFT FREUD
. www.morriswood www.ama zon. www.woodcraft.
www.amazon.com I www.amazon .com I www.gnzzly.com I t I
com
www.amazon .com
00 .com com
$7 I
$4 2
I
$2 7
$28
$58
$4 .50 I $18
$12 I
set of 7 set of 16
$31
set of 12
$6.50 $25
.4 99 I .500 .500 .5005 ,501 .501 .502
1.001 I 1. 00 0 1 .002 1. 002 1.002 1. 003 1. 009
.507
I
.50 6 .500 .501 .503 .506 .50 2
1.003
I
1.004 1.003 1.004 1 .002 1 .003 1.009
Plugs
I
Minor plugg ing Clears Clea rs Clear s Clears Clears
Clears
I
Clears Clears Clears Clears Clears Clears
165 I 161 I 17 4 167 177 134 184
Very good
I
Very good
I
Very good
I
Good Excell ent Very good Very good
;. r
Excelle nt
I
Very good
I
Good
I
Very good Ver y good Very good Good
Very good
I
Very good Very good Poor Very good Very good
I
Very good
Excellent
I
Very good Very good Excellent Very good Very good
I
Good
Very good
I
Excell ent Excelle nt Excel lent Very good Very good I Good
as poorly) as at the start. In ge neral, bits that made cleaner cuts
generated less heat.
The best buy and the best bet
We chose Famag bits, sold by Traditional Woodworker and Wood
craft, as the best overa ll. They have the lon gest rims but tight
machining tolerances, so they cut accurately and run cool. The
Grizzly bits did a fine job of boring, cleared chips well, and stayed
at moderate temperatures. At less than $2 ap iece for a set of 16,
they are a rea l bargain. We found no advantage with carbide
over steel in our limited endurance test , but carbide should hold
an edge longer, so a production shop might want to go with the
Freud carbide bits. D
RolandJohnsoncontributed to this article.
READERS' RATINGS: FORSTNER BITS
Readers strongly agreed with our editors on the Famag bits,
ranking them highest in satisfaction. Fisch and Freud also scored
highly. The editors' best-value choice, the Grizzly bits, rated lower
with readers, however, despite the modest price.
STEEL BITS
! I I I I I I 3.74 WOODCRAFT
5.00 FAMAG
I I I I I I I 3.74 GRIZZLY
4.24 FISCH
Insufficient Data MORRIS
4.2 FREUD
CARBIDE BIT
4.1 PORTER
CABLE I I I I II I 4.2 FREUD
I 4.07 BOSCH
www.finewoodwo r k i ng. com TA UNTON 'S 2 0 0 9 TOOL GU I D E 95
ACCESSORI ES ~ EDGE GUIDES
DmImm
Power-Tool
Edge Guides
All of these work with circular
saws and routers to make
dead-stra lght cuts
we re looking for an edge
W
e
guide system that was reliably
straight and long enough to
allow 8-ft. rip cuts. We want ed fast and
accurate alignment; dependable, conve
nien t clamping; idiotproof saw control;
an d smooth , tearout-free cuts. Router
compatibi lity wo uld be handy, and-as
always-affordability wo uld be a plus.
For this test, we used models priced in
the $80 to $200 range, with one exception:
the Festool system that includes a circular
saw designed specifically for use with the
Festool edge gui de . We didn't test router
attachments, but we did note wha t the cost
would be to tool up for a router.
Using any of these guides turns cutting
down bulky sheet goods into a job that one
person can handle easily-a blessing on
job sites and in the woodshop, where an
edge guide eliminates the need for extra in
feed and outfeed space at the tablesaw. In
either place, you' re also much more likely
to get crisp, dead-straight cuts .
The fence is more than a straightedge
These sys tems include a carriage that
holds the saw (or router) and rides on or
along a rigid aluminum fence . Rollers and

' . / \
: 1 ' 1 READERS'
' \7
Festool GuideRail
and Saw
Festool USA;
www.festoolusa.com
St reet price: $475 (i ncludes saw)
Anchoring the fence and steering the saw.
An alignment rail that helps guide the saw
also provides a place for a Festool clamp to
secure the fence to the work. The channel is
also used to connect sect ions of fence to one
another.
The Festool edgeguidestandsout because of the dedicatedcircular sawthat's Integral
to the system. It has a largearbor that minimizes bladerunout anda built-Indust-collec
tion system. Thesaw's baseplate doubles as the carriage, riding ona matchingrail on
the fence, and Its uniqueconfiguration allows tilting the sawfor a bevel cut without af
fectingthe zero-clearancequalitiesof the fence, an excellent feature.
The fence Itself alsohas somestandout features. Thefriction stripsonthe underside
gripthe work like tape, eliminatingthe needfor clamps Inmost cases. Thefence Is light
andeasyto move around. If you're concerned about getting the fenceto the Job Intact,
you can buy shorter fences andconnect themon site.
Whenusingthe fence to guidea router, optional mini-barclamps slideIntothe fence
to provide extra holding power. You'll also need Festool's guide-rail adapter ($24 to $43 )
andone of t he company's routers. Festool Is really Inthe business of seilingsystems;
the fencesaloneare excellent enough, but theydon't make much sense without their
matching, dedicatedtools.
Photos: Krysta S. Doerfler 96
Quick clamping and
a carriage. Red-Line's
Red-Line Cutting Guide
Hartville Tool; www.hartvilletool.com
cam-lever clamp system
Street price: $85
is solid and easy to
adjust. The carriage is
Red-Line Is short money with long value , so it is our choice
designed to hold a Y4-in.
as the best value. It does make you work a bit more t han plywood zero-clearance
the EZ Smart or the Festool, which can add up in production base for a circular saw
or router. Unfortunately,
situations. But work It does, and most likely, you won't lose
the carriage has to slide
the thing even in the dark.
on and off the end of the
For this guide and the Veritas, you have to supply a
fence.
zero-clearance plate (a lA-in.-thick piece of 10-in. by 12-in.
plywood). To align the guide, you have to measure back
from the blade to the fence for each cut. (This is also true of any guide system where
the carriage is to the side of the fence.) The fence is basically an I-beam t hat comes in
two 55-in. lengths, which you can join with connectors and setscrews for longer cuts.
Although it is a little heavy, we felt like we could throw it in the back of a truck and not
worry too much about banging it up. And setting up to use a router won't cost you any
thing; it's just a matter of fitting another plywood insert on the carriage.
Carriage plate is user-supplied plywood .
Joi ning fence sections together involves
tighten ing setsc rews.
Fence comes in two 52- in. sections.
Carriage plate is user-supplied plywood.
St raight fen ces; roller carriage tracking is
smooth. Easy to attach saws to baseplate.
No provision fo r splinter reduct ion. Router
conversion kit is $ 70 .
Ant i-splinter provision was the best tested.
Fence comes in 50- i n. sections. No offset
between fen ce and cut li ne. Auxiliary route r
base is $138.
Saw's design allows it to tilt and cut a
bevel on the same line as a square cut.
Fence works only with Festool system tools,
i ncluding the company's router.
$85
$142
$475
$190
$150
a rib-and-groove design keep the car
riage connected to the fen ce and ensure
a straight ride . Clamps hold the fence in
place on the workpiece. Most fences come
in sections (good for 4-ft. cuts) that can be
linked together for cuts of 6 ft., 8 ft., or lon
ger. Festool offers dedicated single lengths
from about 2 ft. to 8 ft. and longer .
Aligning the EZ Smart and Festool fences
couldn't be eas ier: Set the edge of the fence
on the cut line, clamp , and cut. For the oth
ers, you need to know the distance from
the edge of the fence to the sawblade .
Zero-clearance cutting is a big benefit
With the exception of the Tool Trolley,
zero-clearance splinter reduction is used
by all the gu ides we tried . Because we
used a fresh blade for the field tests, even
the Tool Trolley's topside cross cuts were
surprisingly good.
EZ Smart and Tool Trolley offer auxiliary
bases des igned to acco mmodate routers ;
Red-Line and Veritas uni ts can be adapted
easily (with a scrap of lA-in. plywood and
20 minutes) . Festool's fen ce works we ll
with its router, but as with its circular saw, it
can be used only with the Festool system.
The bottom line
The bes t-overall gu ide is the Festool, with
EZ Smart a close runner-u p. Festool is a
man among the boys; too bad it's priced
accordingly. The best-value Red-Line guide
is sturdy, affordable, and easy to use . 0
Michael Standish contributed to this article.
READERS' RATINGS: EDGE GUIDES
The Festool guide was the editors' choice
as the best overall and was also a clear
winner among readers. Readers also
liked the Veritas guide, but ranked the
best-value Red Line guide fourth.
1 4.82 FESTOOL GUIDE RAIL
AND SAW
4.18 VERITAS POWER TOOL
GUIDE
3.97 EZ SMART GUIDE
SYSTEM
] 3.88 RED-LINE CUITING
GUIDE
3.52 UNIVERSAL TOOL
TROLLEY
www.finewoodwork in g.com TAU N TON ' S 2009 T O O L G U I D E 97
ACCESSO RIES ~ LE V E LS
Dot, line, and rotary lasers
will send your other layout tools
into retirement
L
aser levels might be one of the greatest tool inventi ons
since the cordl ess drill. There's no suc h thing as a laser
level that does it all, however. The key is matching a
level's features with the kind of work you do and the amount
you 're Willing to sp end. You might end up with one laser or
several. But if you make smart choices, these high-t ech de
vices will save you huge amou nts of time and trouble.
Several variables affect accu racy. The light-emitting diode
is one. A bigger dot or broader laser line is easier to see but
less accurate because level can be anywhere within the widt h
of the proj ected light . Better diodes emit tighter dots or lines.
More-accur ate laser levels usually cost more, but not every
one needs Ya-in. accuracy over 100 ft. When buying any laser
level, make sure the manufactu rer's accuracy rating meets the
tolerances for the work you do.
Perhaps the best thing about laser levels is that they don't
require a whole lot of user interaction. You simpl y place the
l aser somewhere, turn it on , and get to work. All laser levels
come ready to attach to a tripod .
The laser levels shown here were chos en to illustrate various
functions available with each type. For more manufacturers,
please visit www.finehomebuilding.com. 0
Gary M. Katz contributed to thisarticle.
Dot lasers
Ranging from under $20 to well over $500, the least-expenslve
shoot one dot from a torpedo-type level and are for interior use. The
priciest are self-leveling, shoot five dots, and can be used outside.
A dot laser Is great for aligning studs and rafters , setting footings
for decks, and transferring points from floor to ceiling for lights and
other fixtures. They are the brightest among laser-level types.

STANLEY FATMAX PB2
Street price: $100
Use and leveling: interior use,
self-leveling
Two dots: plumb
Working range: 100 ft.
Accuracy range: up Va in, over 50 ft .,
down t v. in. over 50 ft.
Worth mentioning: Comes with carrying
case that attaches to tool belt. The
built-in magnetic base adheres to pipe
and metal studs .
.
ROBOTOOLZ RT-7510-3
www.robotoolz.com ,
Street price: $100
Use and leveling: interior use,
self -leveling
Three dots: level and plumb
Accuracy range: tv. in. over 100 ft.
Worth mentioning: Comes with
carrying case that attaches to tool
belt. Can be recalibrated on-site. A
pendulum lock automatically engages
when the laser is off.

PLS5X
www.plslaser.com I
Street price: $400 without detector
Use and leveling: interior/ext erior use,
self-leveling
Five dots: level, plumb, and square
Working range: up to 250 ft.
with detector
Accuracy range: s in. over 100 ft.
Worth mentioning: Comes with case
and accessories. Works WIth a detector
($170; sold separately).

Photos, except where noted : Krys ta S. Doerfler; this page (left): Courtesy of Stabila 98
Line lasers Rota ry lasers
These range from $40 to more than $600 and cast a
line of colored light. They are good for install ing wall tile ,
windows , cabinets , and other wall-mounted items, including
artwork. The simplest units project from a torpedo or
similar level. Costlier models cast up to four lines 90 from
one another. Line lasers are not as bright as dot lasers; they
are generally limited to indoor use unless equipped to work
with detectors. Also, the farther the line is cast , the more it
degrades. Some are difficult to see in a large, bright room.
BLACK & DECKER
CROSSFIRE BDL310S
www.blackanddecker.com
Street price: $90
Use and leveling: i nterior use, self-leveling
Two lines : level and plumb
Accuracy range: Vain. over 10 ft.
Worth mentioning: Mounting options i ncl ude strap ,
wall -mount bracket, and tripod.
LASERMARK
ILMXTE
www.cstsurvey.com
Street price: $325
Use and leveling: interior/exterior use, self-leveling
Two lines: level and plumb
Working range: up to 100 ft. with detector
Accuracy range: 3f32 in. over 30 ft.
Worth mentioning: This kit includes magnet, mini
tripod, and detector.
www.fincwoodworkin g . com
Rotary lasers range in price from $250 to over $2,000 and shoot a
single bright dot that spins to create a 360 line. For new construction,
remodeling, and even foundation excavation, rotary lasers can't be beat.
Less-expensive models are manual-leveling and less accurate (:lf4 in. over
100 ft.) than high-end models. The more-expensive units project a highly
visible beam, automatically level themselves, and are more accurate
(Va in. over 100 ft.),
LASERMARK LM800DI
www.cstsurvey.com
Street price : $980
Use and leveling: interior/exterior use, automatic self -leveling
Functions: level , plumb, and square dot , line, and rotary functions
Diameter range: up to 2,800 ft. with detector
Accuracy range: %6 in. over 100 ft.
Worth mentioning: Kit includes detector, rechargeable battery,
wall-mounting bracket, and remote control. Laser is equipped with
battery-level i ndicator and out -of-level shutoff.
STABILA LAR-l00
www.stabila.com
Street price: $1,180
Use and leveling: interior/exterior use, automatic self-leveling
Functions: level, plumb, and square dot , line, and rotary functions
Diameter range: up to 980 ft. with detector
Accuracy range: Va in. over 100 ft .
Worth mentioning: Kit includes detector, remote control , and wall
mounting bracket. Equipped with out-of-level shutoff. Can project
lines at a slope.
TAU N TON 'S 2 0 0 9 TOO L G U IDE 99
ACCESSOR IES ~ SAF ETY
Eye
Protection
Stay safe with lightweight
glasses, goggles, and
face shields
L
ife-altering eye injuri es, in the shop or on
the job site, can be avoided by wea ring inex
pensive safery eyewear. Fortunately, there are
plenry of comfortable safery glasses and goggles out
there . Any protective eyewear should be marked
wit h the ANSI Z87+ safety standard de signation
from the American National Safery Inst itute. Here
are some tips on what to look for.
Glasses or goggles are a must
We liked safery glasses from Elvex (about $5) and
Edge Eyewear ($5) with large, wraparound lenses
for good per ipheral vision. UVEX, Crews, and AO
Safety also make suitable and inexpensive safety
glasses. Prescript ion lenses are also available, and
severa l manufacturers make safery glasses designed
to fit over your street glasses; the challenge lies in
getting a good fit.
Safety glasses ward off
small chips and dust
With impact-resistant lenses and frames, and wraparound protection, safety
glasses shield your eyes from small flying chips, whether they 're launched
by a powerful shop machine or a job-site power tool. There also are great op
tions for those with corrected vision.
GOOD PROTECTION,
DIRT CHEAP
For $5 , the Elvex Tri ad offers
no-nonsense eye protection in
sporty wraparound frames. The
glasses f eat ure a flexible nose
bridge and earpieces for added
comfort .
Elvex Tri ad
THE CADILLAC
The ESS ICE 2.4 offers
military-level impa ct resistance
and greater visibil ity. The
frameless design doesn't
int erfere with peri pheral Vision,
a common complaint about
some protect ive eyewear. The
mi lit ary cachet comes at a
price, though- $47 per pair.
ESS ICE 2.4
PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES
COME IN MANY STYLES
Optometrists, vision centers, and online ret ailers offer
plenty of styles for safety frames and prescription
lens es that meet indust ry st andards for impact
protection. Frame prices start as low as $25 for a
ut ilit arian pair.
,...
Phi ll i ps Safety Products
GLASSES OVER YOUR GLASSES
Safet y eyewear designed t o fit over st reet glasses i s a
rel at ively inexpensive way f or prescr iption wearer s t o
protect the ir eyes. This pair fro m EyeArmor ($25) offers a
snug fit .
EyeArmor
Photos: staff
For more comprehensive protection , choose gog
gles. For the best field of view, we pre ferr ed the
full-face models that rese mble a diver's mask to the
motorcyclist style with separate eye pieces . Some ,
like the gogg les you wore in high-school chemistry
lab, fit over glasses . Those very goggles, in fact, or
ones much like them (Pyrarnex, $3), are a great,
inexpensive way to protect your eyes. But with their
rubbery, scuba-mask feel , you might not wa nt to
wear them for long. A roomy, updated version from
Crews has baffled air vents and a foam lining. They
are more comfortable but still bulky.
When the heavy chips fly, use a face shield
Uvex makes an extended, con toured shield, while
Jack son 's "The Shield" co mbines safety goggles
with an impact-resistant lower shield. Inexpensive
shields are also available from Woodcraft. Because
a face shield is more or less open at the bottom,
wood chips or other projectiles could get past it and
into your eyes . For that reason, always wear safety
glasses or gogg les under a face shield. D
Steve Scott contributed to this article.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY
Safety eyewear is available at home centers
and online. Prescription safety glasses can be
found at your local eyewear shop .
Elvex, Edge Eyewear, ESS, Uvex Spoggles, Radians AV
U.S. Safety, Wiley-X, Crews,
www.woodcraft.com
AOSafety
www.safetyglassesusa
Prescription frames, lenses
.com www.phillips-safety.com
EyeArmor Face shields
www.heavygla re.com www.discountsafetygear
.com; www.labsafety.com
Goggles seal out dust
They offer the same impact protection as safety glasses,
but safety goggles close all the gaps between your face
and the lens with a foam or rubber lining. This full protec
tion is needed when you're filling the air with clouds of
fine dust.
LOW PROFILE
For folks who don't wear
prescription lenses, many
goggles off er a st reamlined
profile. Uvex Spoggl es ($18)
are one example.
Crews Verdict
Goggles
ROOMY ENOUGH TO
FIT OVER GLASSES
It's easy to find goggles
that fit comfortably over
your str eet glasses. Verdi ct
Goggles by Crews ($6)
off er indi rect air baffles
for fog control and spl ash
protecti on.
Wiley-X 5G1 CONVERTIBLE
MODELS
Some glasses or goggles
can be fitted with ins erts
that hold prescription opt ics.
Others, like the SG1 from
Wiley-X ($100), can be f itted
dir ectly wit h prescription
lense s.
Face shields protect head and neck
A face shield is essential at the lathe, which can spray its user with heavy chips. Flying sparks or
disintegrating grinder wheels also are a threat. Experts advise wearing safety glasses or goggles
underneath; flying debris can ricochet behind the mask.
UPDATED VERSIONS
OF THE BASIC SHIELD
Jackson and Uvex offer
slight ly different t akes on the
famili ar f ace-shiel d design.
Jackso n's "The Shi eld" ($17 )
mate s a set of safety goggles
with an impact-resistant
shi eld for the lower face. The
Bioni c Face Shield by Uvex
($35) provi des ext ended
coverage for the chin and the
Uvex Bionic
Jackson
top of the head.
Face Shi eld
"The Shield"
www.fi newoo dwor ki ng.com T AU NTON ' S 200 9 TO O L G U I D E 101
ACCESSORIES ~ SAFETY
TOOL TEST
Hearing
Protection
Our testers favored smart
new muffs, but low-cost plugs
prevent damage, too
H
earing protectors are as essential in your work
shop or toolbox as safety glasses and a dust
mask. Sounds that are too loud will damage
your hearing, even if they only last a short time. The
louder the sound, the faster it can cause harm. And
you don 't get used to loudness-you lose your hearing
and/or end up with tinnitus, a permanent ringing in
the ears . You probably need to wear hearing protec
tors more often than you thin k, but that no longer
has to mean using plugs that seem as form-fitting as a
tapered 2x4 or wearing muffs that make
you fee l as though you're in a
sou nd proof room .
Earplugs
Simple and Inexpensive, plugs can provide ample
hearing protection. New designs let normal sounds
through but block harmful ones. But the biggest
drawback of plugs Is difficulty of use. Most are tricky
to insert In the ear properly.
ZEM BY SENSGARD $25
Uses specially designed headband to
direct sounds awayfrom ears; filters out
the most damaging frequencies .
Panelists' comments: Picked up too
much ambient noise ("I could hear myself
chewing my own gum:') Hard to adjust.
Source: www.zemzone.com
BLASTBUSTER SHOOTER'S
EAR PLUGS $13
Reduces ambient noise levels by
about 75%, but limits impact noise
to 80-85 db.
, Panelists' comments: Particularly
easy to use if wearing eye protection.
Source: www.earplugstore.com
AOSAFETY RANGE E.A.R.
PLUGS $10
Provides two kinds of protection. Yellow
end gives variable protection for impulse
noises. Olive end gives constant noise
reduction.
Panelists' comments: Lets voices through.
Source: www.aosafety.com
HOCKS NOISE BRAKERS $18
Reduces all sound approximately to the
volume of normal speech. Designed
so that escaping sound waves cancel
dangerous noises.
Panelists' comments: Lets voices
through.
Source: www.noisebrakers.com
QUIETEAR $6
Reduces sound volume by half , with
addit ional protection above 85 db.
Panelists' comments: Couldn't
get them to fit.
Source: www.heartech.co.i1
102
PhOIOS: staff
Earmuffs
The simplest, least expensive earplugs and muffs
reduce sound levels unifor mly. The y're designed to
absorb some of the energy in the sound waves hitting
our ears, cutting it by, say, 20 db . Many newer products
are smarter, providing variable protection . Some plugs
have pinholes that allow 'lou to hear sounds at safe
levels but reduce louder, harmful noise s. Others have
various kinds of aco ustic baffles. Many promise im
proved comfort. Newer earmuff-style protectors come
with electronics to help minimize the plugged-up and
isolated feeling you can get from conventional muffs.
Some have a microphone that picks up nearby sounds;
others have an FM/ AM radi o. Still others combine the
two. These smart muffs all have the ability to cap the
noise level hitting your ears at 80 to 82 db .
All plugs and earmuffs can do the job,
so comfort and convenience are key
Any hearing protector on the market will cut sound by
10 db. or more. Some claim to reduce sou nd by 25 db .
or more. In fact, it'Spointles s to try to figur e out wh ich
specific product offers a higher leve l of protection .
Most hearing protectors carry a Noise Redu ction Rating,
or NRR. The number, derived from lab tests under ideal
conditions, is supposed to indicate how many decibels
of protection the product provides. But each manufac
turer does its own testing under different conditions, so
the NRR can' t be used to compare brands.
Hearing protectors range from disposable foam plugs
that cost about a dollar to electronics-laden earmuffs
that sell for close to $200. What's best? Every expert
we spoke with offered the same advice: The best hear
ing protectors are the ones you 'll wear regularly. That
means you want something comfortable and easy to
use. To gauge the comfor t and convenience of some
new prot ectors , we asked several Fine Woodworki ng
and Fine Homebu ilding editors to make informal com
pari sons. Each person tried four hearing protectors
two earmuffs with built-in rad ios, microphones, or
both , and two sets of earplugs . We chose the products
for testing based on advice from expe rts and our own
resea rch .
The panelists' favorites
Overall, people preferred earmuffs to plugs. It's easier
to pop a set of muffs over your ears than to insert
plugs every few minutes. Peltor Workt unes, a muff
with a built-in radio, was the overall favorite. Among
earplugs, users said the AOSafety and Noise Brakers
allowed them to hear normal conversation.
When it comes to getting comfortable with something
stuck inside your ear, personal preferences defi nitely
playa role. You may need to follow the testers' com
ments , and sample several types to find a favorite. 0
David Heim contributed to this article.
Sophisticated new earmuffs don't just cover your ears to block noise.
Some contain electronics that let you hear some normal sounds but keep
the noise at a safe level. Models are also available with built-in radios.
BILSOM ELECTO $135
Uses microphone to pick up ambient
noise, and has built-in FM/ AM radio.
Sounds from mic or radio limited
to 82 db.
Panelists' comments: Lightweight.
Source: www.hearingportal.com
BILSOM RADIO $60
Has built-in FM/AM radio. Radio's
loudness limited to 82 db.
Panelists' comments: Good radio, but
muffs not as comfortable as some
others.
Source: www.hearingportal.com
ELVEX QUIETUNES COM-660 $70
Has built-in FM/AM radio. Radio's
loudness limited to 82-85 db.
Panelists' comments: Radio picked up
static from shop machines.
Source: www.elvex.com
LEE VALLEY ELECTRONIC
HEARING PROTECTORS $30
Uses microphone to pick up ambient
noise. Sounds from mic limited to 85 db.
Panelists' comments: Liked ambient
noise through microphone. Easy to use
with eyeglasses.
Source: www.leevalley.com
PELTOR WORKTUNES-22 $54
Has built-in FM/ AM radio. Radio limited
to 82 db.
Panelists' comments: Fit better than
others over safety glasses. Controls easy
to use.
Source: www.peltor.com
www.finewoodworking. com TA U N TON ' S 2 0 0 9 T O O L G U I D E 103
ACCESSORI ES ~ SHOP STORAGE
Shop Storage
Shelves and cabinets that go up in a day, but
tame clutter for a lifetime
A
n old woodworking maxim tells us
that we never have enough clamps .
Well, he re's anot her truism: We
never have enough storage space.
Storage space is important beca use it
helps get the shop organized . When we're
orga nized, we find things faster and we
work more efficiently. When we work
more efficien tly, our time in the shop is
more productive and mo re enjoyable.
And, of course, enjoyment is what it's all
abou t.
When it comes to adding shop stor
age, you have two main options: buy it or
make it. Now, many of us will wince at the
thought of buying somet hing that we can
easily make. After all, we have all the tools
and skills to do the job.
But store-bought storage has several
pluses. For one thing, in today's market
place, you have lots of storage op tions ,
from simp le shelves to sturdy cabinets .
You can buy many of these product s in the
morning and put them up in the afternoon.
Also, they often cost less to buy than to
build. We did a comprehensive search for
www. fi ne woodworki ng.com
all manner of manufactured storage ideas,
and found some options that make a lot
of sense for the home shop.
Longevity trumps appearance
These storage units are going into a work
shop, so appearance shouldn't be a big
consideration. A flat-panel melamine door
might not look as good as a raised panel
in birch, but it will cost less and work as
well for just as long.
Above all, you wa nt the shelves and
cabinets in your shop to be sturdy. Some
of the really low- cost shelving systems
can be pretty rickety, although you usu
ally can solve that problem by mounting a
plywood gusset at each corner or securing
the unit to a wall.
Look for storage that fits your tools and
materials and how you use them. Also,
you 'll want drawers that slide easily and
smoothly. Full-extension slides are a plus,
as they extend the entire drawer out of the
cabinet. That makes it easie r to access any
thing in the back of the drawer. If you plan
to put heavy tools in the drawer, make sure
the slides can handle the weight without
sagging when the drawer is opened.
Lots of options and sources
When shopping for storage systems, there's
no sho rtage of places to look . The big-box
home centers, such as The Home Depot
(www. ho medepot.corn) or Lowe's (www.
lowes.corn) , are good places to start. Jum
bo department stores like Sears (www.
craftsman.com) also carry storage units .
Stores like Ikea (www.ikea.corn) that spe
cialize in home furnishings have sto rage
that adap ts well to the shop. Then, too, if
you do an online search of "garage stor
age," you'll find severa l mail-order stores
dedicated to these types of units.
All these ou tfits carry an assortment
of sto rage units. Materia ls range from
melami ne to plastic to stee l, or some com
bination of the three.
Some units are as simple as a shelf system.
Others are storage cabinets with various
mixes of doors, drawers, or shelves. And
still others are inexpensive kitchen-ca binet
units recruited for workshop duty. All
Shelvi ng units
For storage on a budget, or where you
want easy access, a simple shelving
system is hard to beat . This one, made
from steel, attaches to wall studs, creat
ing solid support for almost anything.
IKEA SHELVING UNIT
www.ikea.com
MODEL: Broder
PRICE: (as conf igured) $335
It's easy to adjust the Ikea shelves up or
down. Just reposition the horizontalsupport
bracketsin the posts (above).
TAUNTON 'S 2009 T OOL GUI DE 105
ACCESSORIES ~ SHOP STORAGE
Kitchen cabinets
Cabinets designed for the kitchen can be
put to good use in a workshop. No need
for fancy hardwood here. Just look for a
basic melamine cabinet with adequate
sturdiness to withstand shop abuse.
IKEA KITCHEN CABINETS
www.ikea.com
MODELS:
BASE AND WALL CABINETS: Akurum
DRAWERS: Ratione ll
DOOR AND DRAWER FRONTS: Sorbo
COUNTERTOP/ WORK SURFACE: Pronomen
(l1fs-in .-thick beech)
PRICE: (as conf igured) $650
ROLL-AROUND CART: Alex
PRICE: $120
A place for everything. Wire basket
drawers are lightweight and provide
easy access to power tools or small
boxes of hardware.
Have It your way.
One of Ikea's cabin
etry clerks configured
this system for us on
a computer, which
generated a parts list.
The white rolling cabi
net fits between the
base cabinets under
the bench.
require some assembly, most of which can
be done with little more than a hammer
and screwdriver. Qua lity and sturdiness
run the gamut from fair to pretty good.
Shelving units--Shelf systems come in
a variety of sizes, mat erials, and prices.
They tend to be cheaper and easier to as
semble than other storage un its. We prefer
steel units, mainly for strength.
On the downside , because shelves store
eve rything in the open, the y are not the
most aes theticalJy pJeasing option. Ex
posed storag e like this can make a shop
look cluttered .
Kitchen cabinets-There's no law that
says kitchen. cabinets must be used only
in the kitche n. In fact , they ada pt qui te
well to workshops. And you do n't need
to spend a lot of money. A low-end-but
more than st urdy enough-18-in.-wide
base cabi net made from mela mine wi th
three drawers costs about $100. A similar
wall un it (with a door rather than drawers)
measuring 18 in. wide by 30 in . tall sells for
around $175. You can reduce those prices
if you buy versions that require assembly.
Kitchen base cabinets can be transformed
into a sturdy work surface with out much
fuss. Just anchor two unit s to the wall, side
by side, and add a top mad e from pJy
wood or (better yet) but cher block. Add a
woodworker 's vise, and you instantly have
a rock-solid workbench.
Dedicated shop storage-Several stor
age systems are designed specifica lly for
ga rages or wor kshops. Typi cal syst ems
include tall and short base cabinets, wall
cabine ts, and wo rkbe nches. Some even
include color-matched flooring. Depend
ing on the brand or model , asse mbly can
vary. For the most part , steeJ is the material
of choi ce. Some units come with casters,
making them easy to roll around.
Gladiator has the best bench
Anyo ne in need of shop storage wo uld
welcome any of thes e systems . All ha d
enough strength and stiffness to hold a
good many tools.
We particularl y liked the extra sturdi
ness of the Gladiator workbench. We also
appreciated the flexibil ity it offered when
used with the Gea rTrack Channel. On the
downside, the system costs more than your
basic kitchen cabinets. D
Tom Begnal contributedto this article.
Photos: staff
Storagesystems
Cabinet syst ems designed specifically for
the garage or workshop offer lots of stor
age options. These versatile systems often
incorporate handy work surfaces.
SEARS CRAFTSMAN GARAGE STORAGE
www.sea rs.com
PRICE: (as configured) $1 ,200
Multipurpose storage. The five-drawer rolling
cabinet makes a fine tool stand (right) and fits
comfortably under the workbench unit (above).
GLADIATOR GARAGEWORKS
www.gladiatorgw.com
PRICE: (as configured) about $1 ,000
Storage system that works. The Gladia
tor system features a number of options
that make it more functional, such as a
fold-down work surface on a walJshelf
(above). The GearTrack Channel simpli
fies the hanging of walJ cabinets and also
accepts a wide assortment of Gladiator
hooks, holders, bins, and baskets.
T A U N T O N ' S 2009 TOO L GU IDE 107
ACCESSORIES ~ SHOP VACUUMS
I-Triggered
acuums
ommIm
To
These five machines
simplify cleanup
and protect
your lungs
T
ool-triggered vacuums are easy
to use. Connect the hose to the ex
haust port of a power tool, plug the
cord into the receptacle on the vac, and
press the switch or turn the dial that acti
vates the automatic function. The vacuum
starts when you turn on the tool or pull
its trigger. When the tool is shut off or the
trigger is released, the vacuum runs for
several seconds to extract dust left in the
hose. Of course, these vacuums also can be
used in normal mode.
We reviewed five high-powered vacs,
priced from $270 to $560. Each has a variety
of features that will sway purchasing deci
sions based on the type of work you do.
All the vacuums tested were powerful
enough to pick up larger shavings, stray
nails, and drywall screws with ease. In

FILTRATION/
DUST
COLLECTION
Very
$400 Good Fair Good
good
READERS' RATINGS: SHOP VACS
Readers and editors came to the
same conclusion. The Festool was
named readers' choice as well as the
editors' best overall, while the Fein
Turbo was the readers' second choice
and winner of the editors' best-value
award.
4.77 FESTOOL
CLEANTEC (CT) 33
4.64 FEIN TURBO II
4.33 BOSCH 3931A
4.25 PORTER-CABLE
7812
4.20 MILWAUKEE
8936-20
108
MODEL
BOSCH 3931A
www.boschtools.com
I
Very Very Very
$330 Good
good good good
Very Very
$560 Excellent Good
good good
MILWAUKEE 893620
$310 Good Good Good Good
www.milwaukeetool.com
PORTER-CABLE 7812 Very Very
$270 Good Good
www.deltaportercable.com good good
Photos: staff
fact, we never eve n clogged
a mach ine while using the m.
A few machines have power
management systems designed
to maximize tool performance
wit hout overloading elec tr i
cal circu its. The Festool and
the Bosch allow you to di al
down the power demand of
the vacuum mot or, allocating
more amps to the tool. The Mil
waukee automatically alters its
amperage draw to accommo
date different tools.
These vacs can be used with
or witho ut du st bags , but we
wou ldn't use the Bosch or the
Festool without one. Upending
either machine to empty the can
isters is awkward. All the vacs are
des igned to collect water as well as dry
deb ris. But the Bosch is the only machine
that has a drain plug. The Festool collects
water in a storage tank that needs to be
remo ved from the vacuum for emptying.
That's a better design than the other shop
vacuums, but it's still not as effective as
Bosch's system. The Fein , the Milwau kee,
and the Porter-Cable all lack a drain or a
water tank.
If using the vacuum regularly, filters need
frequent cleaning. Three models-the
Bosch, the Festool , and the Porte r-Cable
have an internal filter-cleaning mechanism
that makes the job easy. On the Fein and
the Milwaukee, the motor assembly must
be removed for filter cleaning.
The optional basic accessory package for
each vacuum includes a wide floor nozzle,
a crevice nozzle, a brush nozzle, and a long
attachment handle. All the vacuums but the
Bosch and the Porter-Cabl e also include
a 5-in. or 6-in. attachment for upholstery.
Fein 's kit contains a filter for water pickup
and a floor nozzle with a foot-activated
switch to ret ract an integrated brush. This
lets you move eas ily from hard to carpeted
floors without changing nozzles. The Fes
tool's kit comes with a water-pickup filter
as well, plus a wide -diameter hose and a
modular accessory-storage box. D
Rob Wotzak contributed to thisarticle.
www.finewo o d wo rki n g. c om
Festool Cleantec (CT) 33
www.festoolusa.com
Street price: $5 60 Noise: 75 db.
Dust bags : $6 each Weight: 32 lb.
Accessory kit: $68 Cord length: 24 ft.
Power: 10 amps Standard hose: 1 in. by 11'1> ft .
/ W'\
:
' .
I
Capacity: 8 .7 gal .
READERS'
.
I '
V ' PROS Good mobility for a large machi ne, unique
Syst ai ner syst em makes it easy to organize accesso
ries and other Festool tools, st rong wheel locks , blower
capability, integral st orage compar tment.
CONS Must use dust bags; awkward to empty otherwise.
BOTTOM LINE Quality const ruct ion and well-design ed
det ail s (like a separat e wat er cont ainer for wet picku p)
make this vacuum perform well in j ust about every
situation .
Ergonomic and effec
tive. The large handle
on the Festool's filter
cleaning system slides
easily in and out of the
rear of the machine to
rid the filters of debris.
Fein Turbo II
www.feinus.com
Str eet price: $330 Noise: 71 db.
Dust bags: $5 each Weight: 29 lb.
Accessory kit: $117 Cord length : 16 ft.
Power : 8.7 amps Standard hose: 1V. in. by 16 ft.
Capacity: 9 gal.
PROS Convenient cord st orage, large carryi ng handle,
quiet est vac t ested, dur abl e latches and casters, compact
shape and size.
CONS Small casters can hang up on debris, no drain for wet
conte nts, swi tches are diffi cult t o see.
BOTTOM LINE A quiet but powerful vac, the Fein is compact ,
easy to move around, and extremel y durable in design and
con str uct ion.
Simplicity is not always a benefit.
A large handle and well-thought-out
cord storage make this vac easy to
transport, but the switches are diffi
cult to tell apart.
T AU N T O N ' S 2 0 09 T O O L G U I DE 109
,..---
e' ve all been there: coming
around the bend on the inter
state to a sea of red brake lights.
You stop and inch forward for 10 minutes, eventually steering
your way around a pickup-sticks pile of splintered pine, a web
of twisted aluminum ladders, even a pulverized stack of plywood
sheets. And off on the shoulder is the pickup truck driver looking
angry and perplexed. He's thinking, "Darn, I thou ght all that stuff
would stay in the back of the bed because I was onl y going about
two miles back to the job." You're thinking, "I wish that fool had
a lumber rack on his truck ."
It used to be that if you wanted a rack for your truck, you went
to the local weld ing shop and got something made up . But the
popularity of pickups as both work and recreational vehicl es has
spawned a huge aftermarket busines s in truck racks. Choices are
daunting: Before buying a rack you 'll have to decide on a style, a
con struction material, and a brand , as well as a variety of acces
sories. And precautions abound: Getting materials home from the
mill or lumberyard requires some thinking about weight capaci
ties, handling charact eristics, and ways of securing your cargo.
Unless, of course, you want to stare down all the motorists inching
past your spilled load , giving you the hairy eyeball.
W
A variety of designs
The simplest rack is a single steel frame mounted at the front of
the bed. One end of the cargo rests on the frame and the other
end sits in the bed or is secured on top of the tailgate . Many com
pani es make single racks, some of which come with a "headache"
screen that prevents cargo in the bed from crashing through the
rear glass and into your noggin when you slam on the brakes.
Building on the single-frame idea , two individual frames used
in tandem- one at each end of the bed-get loads up off the
floor, freeing up space . The re are numerous configurations of this
type. TracRac (www.tracrac.corn) uses two single racks that slide
in an aluminum track mounted on the bed rail (see ph oto , left) .
If you're driving load less, you can simply unl ock and slide the
rear rack toward the front for a cleaner look and to make mor e
of the bed accessible.
As a rule , the sturdiest rack design con sists of a frame at each
end, tied together with fixed, front-to-rear support pieces. Adding
these truss-like supports increases a rack 's we ight capacity. On
many racks, these hori zontal supports ext end above the vehicle 's
roof to help hold long er and potentially floppy loads.
For smaller, lighter loads , and ladd ers, there are racks cons isting
of yoke-like brackets that attach to one side of a bed, freeing up
T AUNTO N ' S 2 0 0 9 T O OL G U I D E 111
ACCESSORIES ~ TRUCK RACKS
access to the unencumbered side. Cross Tread (www.crosstread
.com; 630-850-7100) , a Willow Springs, Ill. , company, makes the
alu minum or steel Moonlighter , an easy-to-remove, single-sided ~ ~ e S L - - _
Truck racks come i n a handful of basic desi gns, ranging from singl e
fr ame models that support one end of th e cargo to twin fr ames and
full racks that support the full load.
The slmplest rack
is a single frame.
On this frame
from Cross Tread
Industries ($320
as shown ), cargo is
secured to the ears
or crossbar, with
the opposite end
resting in the bed.
Twin frames free
up floor space.
With one frame at
each end, TracRac's
twin racks ($830
as shown) slide on
a rail and can be
pushed forward
when not in use.
Long loads go
over the roof.
When hauling
ladders, pipe , or
floppy moldings, a
rack that extends
over the truck cab
may be the way
to go. System One
racks ($900 as
shown ) use ladder
li ke aluminum rails
5 ~ in. tall.
rack that mounts to ei ther side of a be d. U.S. Rack (www. usrack
.com; 888-877-2257) makes the onl y three-ladder, side-mounted
rack tha t atta ches without drilling.
Just because yo ur truck has a cap ove r the bed doesn' t me an
you can' t have a rack, too. There are two basic ways to accom
modate a rack on a cap. The most obvious is to secure the rack
to the top of the cap. The ca pa city is dictated by the strength
of the cap. Thule (www.thuleracks.corn), the Swedish company
that seems to have outfitted half the Volvo station wagons in the
country with those vinyl roof-top luggage pods , also makes a
line of professional-grade truck racks. Their cap-rack Syste m 342
mounts through the roof of the cap with a series of brackets and
waterproof gaskets.
The other rac k-mounting method for capped trucks uses out
riggers tha t extend beyond the outside of the she ll and
attach either to those square stake hol es in
the front and back of t he truck body,
-!
or to an int egral rail system. These
racks have a high er weight capac
ity than cab-roof-mounted racks . Steel
or stainless-steel cap racks by Vanguard
Manufact uring (www.va ngua rd truck
racks .corn) have a 500-lb. we ight ca
pacity and can be removed without
disturbing the seal between cap an d
truck-bed rail.
How do they attach?
Man y newe r racks, ca lled bed- rail
syste ms, use a full-l ength rail that
sits atop the truck-bed rai l and dis
tributes the load's weight. Some of
the most heavy-duty racks bolt to a
truck's bed, instead of the rail, but
the advantage of a rail-mounted rack
is that it doesn' t take up valuable space in
the bed. Kargornaster of Ranch o Cordova, Calif.,
(www.kargomaster.com; 800-343-7486) offers a bed-support
bar that extends from a bed rail to the bed floor as a way to dis
trib ute the weight for extra-heavy loads.
Side-mount racks for lighter
loads. Units like these ladder
racks from Cross Tread ($265
as shown , above) and U.S. Rack
($250, right) mount on one side
of a bed, keeping the other side
access ibl e and open.
112
Ii
1 =-:: I ~ j j
Outriggers handle more weight. Tocarry heavier loads
roof. The weight capacity is dictated by the roof's from Vanguard ($270) has a SOO-Ib. capacity.
Racks can be mounted on the bed floor, the bed rail, or
above a cap. Some can be clamped to the rail without
drilling holes in the truck. Others can be beefed up to
support extra weight or fitted with accessories.
An over-thetop rack. If your truck has a cap,
one way to mount a rack like this one from Thule over a cap, consider a rack that mounts to the truck's bed
($330 as shown) is to fasten it through the cap's rails and extends around the outside of the cap. This model
strength.
Some of the bed-rail systems also let you attach integral tool
boxes or tie-downs. While some of the attachments are proprietary,
the System One bed rails (www.Iadderracks.com) have a T-slot in
the aluminum channe l that accommoda tes standard 5/ 16-in. car
riage bol ts, allowing use rs to fabricate their own custom-made
attachments, as well as use a variety of System One accessori es.
Manufacturers use diffe rent methods to attach their racks to
trucks. Some require drilling through the top or sides of the truck
bed or rails, but the latest trend is no-drill mounting systems.
Some of these attach with clamps to the underside of the bed
rail; oth ers lock into the stake holes through the use of bolts and
rubber blocks that compress and tight en when cinche d down.
Kargomaster and Vanguard both offer a no-drill clamp as an op
tion on some of their racks.
Chris Greene, owner of U.S. Rack in Madera, Calif., says that
drilling ca n void a truck 's paint wa rranty or jeopardize a lease
agreement. Becaus e of this, the products he sells rely on a sys
tem that clamps the racks to the underside lip of a bed rail. His
un iversal-fit Super Clamps can be used on ot her manufacturers'
racks, grippi ng tenaciously to the under
side of a bed rail , allowing a rack to be
installed or removed in minutes.
Rust never sleeps
Aluminu m seems to be the current mate rial
of choice for lumber racks. It costs mor e
than steel and isn't as strong, but custom
ers seem to like it for its ligh t weight and
sharp looks. Aluminum doesn't rust but it
does oxidize, forming an extremely hard
compound that helps protect the surface
from further corros ion. David Chr istense n,
owner of rack maker System One , says
Rail-to-floor support. As a way
to provide added weight capacity
to its heavy-duty racks, Kargo
master sells an optional support
that attaches in the front of the
bed from the rail to the floor of
the bed.
t
'" .
\'\
\"
v:"\ ' ,
, "-..;,
\
\
No-drill mounting. The Super
Clamp, sold by U.S. Rack ($80,
set of 4), allows rack mounting
without any drilling through the
truck bed, which can void paint
warranties or add fees to leasing
contracts.
In the groove.
Racks with full bed
rails can accom
modate add-ons. A
slot in the System
One bed rail ac
cepts standard
5h6-in. carriage
bolts, making it
easy to attach tool
boxes or other
accessories.
TAUN TON 'S 2009 T O OL G UID E 113
I
ACCESSORIES TRUCK RACKS
Most racks are
made of aluminum
or steel , but there
are some stalnless
steel products on th e
market as well.
Sturdy, light, and good
looking. Racks made from
aluminum weigh less than
steel and aren't as vulner
able to rust. That combina
tion helps make them the
most popular racks on the
market.
2-in. steel pipe means heavy-duty. The Pro II rack from Kargomaster
($616 as shown) has a weight capacity of 1,700 lb. A similarly built
rack made from 2-in. aluminum pipe has a capacity of 1,000 lb.
Stainless steel
costs a lot, lasts a lifetime.
A Vanguard stainless, over-the-cab
rack for a full-size truck costs more
than $2,400, but it comes with the
industry's only lifetime guarantee.
that 's all the prot ection an alumi num rack should need. System
One racks have no additiona l finish coating and "there has never
been a problem with ou r racks in a salt enviro nme nt," he said.
Another maker of a luminum racks, TracRac finishes all of its
aluminum products with a double powder coat. Tom Derecktor,
the company's owne r, says the resu lting finish "has a 2,000-hour
salt-spray-test rating."
The original lumber-rack ma teria l-steel-rema ins popular be
cause it has the great est load capacity. For example, the Pro II
rack by Kargomaster is made from 2-in.-di a. steel tubing and has
a load capacity of 1,700 lb. The compa ny's Pro IV, made from
2-in.-dia. aluminum tubing, has a capacity of 1,000 lb.
But steel also has a na tural tendency to oxi dize and corrode.
Most manufacturers combat thi s problem with powdercoat fin
ishe s. The powdered pai nt coating is typica lly applied e lectros tati
cally and then cured under heat to' form a skin that is tou gh e r
than co nventional paint.
Yet another way to keep a steel rack rust-free is to build wi th
stainless, as one New Hampsh ire compa ny is doing. Stainless,
though , is expen sive; an aver-cab rack for a full-size pic kup, mad e
by Vanguard , costs $2,400. Vang ua rd spokesman Rob Edmunds
says the compa ny's line of stainless racks (the only ones cur rently
on the market) are for the highl y commi tted truck owner.
"One cus tomer sa id to me, 'I pai d $50,000 for my truck. An
ot her 2,400 bu cks is a drop in the bucket.' " Edmunds notes. The
1,OOO-ib. capacity Vanguard racks are also t he only ones on the
market that come wi th a no-questions-asked , lifetime warran ty.
Shopping tips
Expect to pay at least a co uple hundred bucks for the Simples t
rack. Prices climb to nearly $1,000 for heavy-du ty racks built for
large trucks. In between, there is a huge amount of variation .
Some manufacturer s' We b sites ma intai n a searchable
dea ler locat or, and some
wil l se ll to you di rect ly.
Local dealers often offer
installation, but if you fee l
confid ent buil d ing a shed
or a Shaker table, chances
are you can inst all a rack
o n your vehicle. Many
manufactu rer s ites have
d o wnl o adabl e in s truc
tions.
If you order online , not e
the s hipping costs . Th ey

buyi ng locally. D
Freelance writer Jefferson
Kolle can't playhis truck's
radio loudenough to drown
out therattles andsqueaks coming
from therusty lumber rack built byan
anonymous welder some 172,000 miles ago.
Produ ct phot os courtesy of the manufactur ers
114
Securing the cargo
The market offers a host of options for making sure your load
stays where you put it while you' re t raveli ng. For those who
still like rope but don't like tying knots, the Figure 9 rope
tightener simplifies t he task of cinching thi ngs tight. Rat chet
straps (right) are avail able at home cent ers and auto-part s
stores. Some rack manufacturers make st raps and other
hardware to fit their own products. System One's Work Winch
attaches in minutes to one of the company's racks and uses a
nylon strap that goes around a load and a PVC beari ng. Other
accessories from a variety of manufacturers inc lude sliding
cargo anchors (r ight), ladder clamps, and roll ers that make it
easier to slide loads overhead. Also, Web sit es such as www.
pickupspeciallties.com, www.realtruck.com, and www.
jcwhitney.com sell lots of straps and tie-down devi ces that
make it easi er to secure a load.
Make sure the load is securely fastened. Kolle uses a sliding
cargo anchor and a ratchet strap to help secure a load of lumber
for travel.
Look ma, no knots. The
Figure 9 rope tightener
costs $7 and has a load
limit of 300 lb.
Tighten up.
While many
load-winching
devices are
available, the
Work Winch,
which unfor
tunately will
only fit System
One racks, has
a hand wheel
to take up the
slack and a
hand crank for
really cinching
down a load.
PROPER LOADING HOW HEAVY IS YOUR LOAD?
A heavy load overhead is more susceptible to tipping. Use common sense Some truck racks can handle more weight than the
when loading your rack. truck on which they are mounted, so it pays to know
your truck's carrying capacity, and to factor in the weight
of passengers and other cargo when loading the rack.
Some average weights for common building supplies are
c
Good
listed below.
ITEMS APPROX. WEIGHT
=
1.6 lb. per linear foot
2.6 lb. per linear foot
54 lb.
Put the shortest pieces of lumber Avoid stacking lumber so that
on the bottom of a load. The the pil e is wider than it is
32 lb.
sh orter boards will help support tall. Wide loads can get loose
the longer ones. This arrangement in the middle and bounce
will minimize the flapping that can free. For example, it is better
10.4 lb.
occur when long, thin boards are to stack a dozen 2x4s in
suspended off the front and rear three stacks of four than six 60-75 lb.
of a rack. stacks of two .
Photo s, this page (top right ) and p. 110, Steve Scott ; drawings, Clark Barre T A U NT ON ' S 2 0 09 TOOL GU ID E 115
ACCESSORIES ~ WORK STANDS
Il.mJmm
Miter-Saw
Stands
The best set up quickly, move easily,
and provide solid support
. .
M
iter-saw stands were
developed for home
bu ilders who use
them for all kinds of cutting,
from framing stock and de ck
ing lumber to beveled siding,
exterior trim, and finish-grade
hard woods. However, home
sho p woodworkers also make
use of these stands.
We tried out 15 stands , and
the six we discuss here are the
ones that really impr essed us
with how the saws are mount
ed, how the stands co llapse
for transport, and how exten
sion wings support the wor k.
Woodworkers should look for
models that have dependable
stop systems for accurate re
peat cutting. 0
Rick Arnold andMike Guertin
contributed to this article.
~
O I
n
Ine
E
X
t
ra
Ridgid AC 9944
www.ridgid.com; Street pr ice: $163
The Ridgid stand features quick-release saw
mounts, which improve versatility and help when
loading saw and stand into your truck. Rollers
that support the stock slide along the extension
arms, which reach out to almost 10 ft. Hinged
support legs are tucked inside the extension
arms. We found them too delicate for typical
job-site abuse, and pressing the buttons to work
the system is a little tricky. The large-diameter
wheels work on rough terrain and stairs, but
they sink into soft eart h and lawns. Opening and
closing the system requires the operator to walk
to each end of the stand in sequenc e, extending
the legs at one end, then lifting the table and
rolling out the wheels at the
Learn mor e about saw-stand types and see a other. Overall, the stand works
demonstration at FineWoodworking.comjTG2009. well and is a great value.
Trojan TWC-35
www.trojantools.com; Street price : $200
The Trojan system is deceptively simple: A pair of
clamp-on sawhorse legs locks onto a 2x "rail" that you
supply. The saw bolts to a wood table with aU-channel
beneath that straddles and clamps to the rail. Two
outfeed rollers with U-elamps mount anywhere along
the rail and easily adjust up and down. We tried the
system with a 12-ft.-long 2x6 and a 16-ft.-long 2x8.
It took three minutes to set up each time. The
saw simply sits on the saw table , and if needed,
quick-release clamps can hold the saw in place.
You can set the saw toward one end of the 2x rail ,
then set the two work supports on the same side,
creating a nice, long work platform.
PROS
+ Lightweight
+ Versatile
+ Longest supports
+ Stable on rough
terrain
+ Almost
indest ructible
+ Easily stores on
a shelf
CONS
- User must supply
2x rail
- Stores and
moves in several
parts
- Could improve
screw clamps for
roller and saw
table mounts
+ Quick-release saw
mounts
+ Collapsible base
-
-
Awkward setup
Fli msy extension
legs
+ Support rollers
extend almost
10 ft .
+ Stable on rough
terrain
+ Big wheels easily
tackle sta i rs
116 Photos, staff
Ryobi
A1BMS01
Delta 36-136
www.deltaportercable.com; Street price: $180
The Delta stand sets up fast: Push a lever,
then lift the handle until the table tops out
at full height. A gas-charged piston does the
heavy lifting. The work supports are nice, wide
rollers with stops and adjustable fences, but
they're a little awkward to adjust. The stand
stores upright with a saw mounted, so it uses
less storage space. Once the saw is bolted to
the table, though, it can be time-eonsuming
to remove and replace . To place a saw on the
stand without securing it , a wood worktable
must first be bolted to the metal saw mounts.
PROS
+ Fastest setup
+ Easy to move
around
+ Stores upright
in tight spaces
+ Work supports
include stop
system
CONS
- Difficult on
stairs
- Can be hard
to load and
unload
- Short (7 ft.)
work support
..
PROS
+ Compact
+ Stable
+ Portable
+ Stop system
+ Quick-release
saw mounts
+ Lowest price
CONS
- No support legs
for extension
wings
www.boschtools.com;
www.sawhelper.com;
Street price: $280
Street price: $540
The Bosch stand was the
If finish work is mostly what you
easiest to set up. Turn a lever,
do, the Sawhelper Ultrafence is the
gently lower the handle, and
best choice. Available in 50-in ., 84-in .,
the wheels roll toward you.
and 100-in. lengths, the aluminum
The saw rises up to work
extrusions provide continuous
height in one fluid motion.
work support and an integral fence
The dual-tube extension
designed for a self-adhering tape
Bosch T4B
supports have an 8-ft. 6-in.
measure and adjustable flip stops.
overall spread . The work
Each support locks onto the saw with
supports aren 't as big or as
special mounting hardware. The saw
stable as the Delta 's and
mounts on a compact folding stand.
www.ryobi tools.com; Street price: $100
The Ryobi is compact and stable, with
large push buttons that snap its stiff legs
firmly into place. The crossbars that mount
the saw to the stand are easy to operate
with quick-release locks that engage or
disengage in one easy movement.
Like all the quick-release saw mounts,
the crossbars have feet , so the saw can
be used on top of any flat surface if the
f ull stand is not needed . The work-support
uprights are wide chrome-coated tubes
with stops that slide up for repeat cuts
or slide down to be out of the way. Even
though the support arms flexed a bit when
fully extended, this is one of the more
stable systems.
Sawhelper
UBB
PROS
+ Excellent stops
+ Full work support
+ Integral tape
measure
CONS
- Multiple parts to
car ry
- Unstable on
uneven surface
and on di rt/lawn
- Time-eonsuming
initial setup
don't always support the
workpiece fully.
The medium-diameter
wheels make it easy to pull
the saw over rough terrain
and up stairs. The compact
length was good for transport,
and it is extremely stable
when stored upright. Like the
Ridgid, the Bosch combines
a collapsible base with quick
release saw mounts.
PROS CONS
+ Fast and easy - Heavy
setup - Short, narrow
+ Quick-release work support
saw mounts
+ Compact, stable
stor age
+ Stable on rough
grade
+ Easy on stairs
When set up on a subfloor where
the legs can bite into the wood for
stability, the system works great. The
work stops and measuring system are
precise enough to eliminate the need
to pull out a handheld tape for every
cut. The continuous work support
is especially nice for cutting shorter
pieces and long, floppy pieces of
plastic or MDF trim.
www.fi ne wood wo r k ing.com T A U NTON ' S 2 00 9 T O O L GU IDE 117
WtlJ
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8 hour Ni-MH battery includes charger
look for the Drill Doctor at Sears,
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118 FI N E WOODWORKI NG
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Forrest Blades
For.building cabinets andfine
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saw blades.
Craftsmen appreciate the way our
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produce exceptional results. In
fact, independent tests rateus #1
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"From the first cut on, I realized
that thisbladewasa bargain at
anyprice! NothingelseI have
cuts comparably. tr
Calvin Brodie, Spanaway, WA
Forrest Quality Shows
Woodworker II-Best rated,
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Chop Master-Perfect for tight,
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Order fromanyForrest dealer or
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TA UN TON 'S 200 9 TOO L GU IDE 119
ACloser Look at
Sharpening
Services
They give new life to dull
bits and blades, but are they
W
oodworkers and ca rpenters use al l sorts of cutting
tools, some powered by hand, othe rs by electric mo
tors. Either way, it's important that every edge is sharp.
Oth erwise, the tools don't wo rk as designed.
Typi cal hand tools, like ch isels and plane blades, shar pen rela
tively eas ily in minutes , right in the sho p. But motor-powered
cutting too ls are a different stor y. Tabl esaw blades, dado blades,
jointer knives, plan er kn ives, and router bits are best shar pen ed
by a professional. A good one will have the sophisticated eq uip
ment needed to shar pen these long , complex, or multiple edges,
many of the m hard tungs ten carbide . Most wi ll ship the tool back
to you within two to four days after it shows up in the ir sho p.
12-in.
jointer blade
6-in.
jointer blade
10-in. ,
40-tooth
blade
8-in. , 24-tooth
dado blade
I
Router bit
TOOL
I
I
worth the expense?
120
AVG.
AVG.COST MAIL-ORDER TOTAL AVG.
NEW SHIPPING COST NEW
COST *
Sharpening changes the size of a tool
Be awa re that the size of a cutting tool cha nges slightly after
sharpening. The diameter of a sawblacle or dado cutter becomes
Sharpen or replace?
$39 to
$29 to $105 $10
$115
$110 to
$95 to $300 $15
$315
$12 to
$3 to $140 $9
$149
$14 $7 $21
$22 $10 $32
Photos, staff draw ings, John Tetrea ult
slightly sma ller. So, too, does the diame ter of
a stra ight router bit . The cutting radius of a
roundover bit gets bigger, while the radius of
a cove bit get s smaller. Planer and jointer blades
end up na rrower.
Whether a smaller tool is an issue depends on the too l itself
and, to some extent, on how you plan to use it. It won' t rea lly
make a difference whe n the diameter of a sawblade measures
a few thousandths of an inch smaller after sharpening. A larger
radius usually wo n't be an issue either, unless it's a matched set
of router bits for cutting a rule joint on a dro p-leaf table. Whe n
installed , planer and jointer knives can be adjusted to account
for any change in width.
But if a bit is bea ring-guided, and the bearing is intended to
create a flush cut, the cut migh t not be flush after you 've sent
the bit out for a sharpening. The result may be a slight step
along the rou ted edge.
Matched rail-and-stile bits (also called cope-and-stick bits) are
designed to make mirror-image cuts that fit together perfectly.
Most users find that the bits can accept at least one sharpen
ing before the fit becomes less than perfect. Check
",
with your sharpener before se nding along
a set of these bits . Ot her types of cut
".l
ters usually can be resharpe ned sev
eral times . Sawblades and bi ts that
come with relativel y large carbide
tips typically allow a few more
sharpenings than blades wi th
smaller tips , something to co n
sider when buying.
Cost: sharpen vs. replace
Before shipping out your favori te
cu tting too l for sha rpening, find ou t if
Telltale sign of a dull blade. When
surfaces start to burn, despite proper
setup and a healthy feed rate, the blade
needs sharpening.
Sawblades'' : ' ~ ~ : ' ;
.. .. ., .:----
;# " .
G- -- . ~ ~ .- - - '.' /
- I ~ . J
......... .
~ " >
/ (C
../
,.,.
-:
~
121
Sharpening at the
shop. Professional
sharpen ing ser vices have
the equipment and know
how to turn dull bits and
blades int o sharp ones
(above). Most sharpen ing
services also can replace
chipped or broken car
bide teeth (right).
Sharp teeth produce
smooth cuts. Once
a sawblade is sharp-
ened, smooth, burn
free cuts are the norm .
/
AVG.COST
TO SHARPEN
$16
$40
$5
$4
AVG. COST TO
SHIP OUT AND
BACK *
$16
$25
$14
$14
TOTAL AVG.
SHARPENING
COST
$32
I I
$65
$19
$18
AMOUNT
SAVED BY
SHARPENING
$7 to $83 I
$45 to $250
I
-$7 to $130
$3
$8 $20 $28 $4
-
* Findi ng a local store to do your buying or sharpeni ng will save you the
shi pping costs and change the math.
Dull router bits cause
burning, too. Burning and
rough edges are common to
cuts made by dull bits.
Like new
again. In the
hands of a
good sharp
ener, it takes
just minutes
to turn a dull
router bit into
a sharp one.
Clean cutter. Expect
burning and tearout to
disappear once a router
bit is sharp.
TROUBLE WITH BEARING BITS
Invariably, sharpening a tool removes material
from a cutting edge. That means each sharpen
ing slightly reduces the cutting diameter of the
tool. For some tools, like tablesaw blades, the
size change doesn't make a real difference. How
ever, on cutting tools like flush-trimming router
bits, where the cutting diameter and bearing
diameter need to be just about the same, the
reduced cutting diameter can result in a bit that
trims less than perfectly flush.
it will be wo rth the expense. That means compa ring all the
costs of buying a new tool to all the costs assoc iated with
having the dull on e sharpened. The chart on pp. 120-121
offers guidance.
Most sharpening services make it easy to get prices .
Many list pr ices online. If not , you usually can get a quick
quote by phone or ema il. The prices shown are based
on a survey of eigh t sharpene rs located across the United
States.
When getting pri ces, be sure to fact or in the cost
of shipping the tool to and from the sharpene r. Some
times, especially when the too l to be sha rpened sells for a
bargain price, it's cheaper to buy a new too] than to pay
the cos t of sharpening, plus shippi ng, plus taxes if appli
cable.
If possible, try to ship several too ls at once. It's a good
way to reduce the shipping cost .
IO-in.-dia. carbide-tipped sawblades-You can expect
to pay around $12 to sharpen a 10-in.-dia. , 24-tooth carbi de
tipped blade, $14 for a 40-tooth blade, $17 for a 60-tooth
blade , and $4 per tooth should any need replacement . Some
sharpeners au tomatically replace sawblade tips that look
cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged. A few don't re
place tips at all.
Others won't replace damaged tips un less their number
exceeds 10% of the total nu mber of teeth. Tha t means if
you send them a 60-tooth blade with six chipped teet h,
they wo n't replace any unl ess you tell them to. But if tha t
same blade has eight chipped tips, they will replace two
tips to keep the number at or be low 10%. The think ing
here is that when 9 ou t of 10 teet h are fine, the blade can
still cut effectively.
Router bits-On avera ge, a straight router bit under 1 in .
dia. can be sha rpened for ab out $4 per flute (per cutter
edge, basically). Cove bits and roundover bits with a radius
Bearing
edge
Origi nal
cutting
radius
Cutter
befor e
shar peni ng
Cuttin g
radius after
sharpe ni ng is
small er than
bearing.
TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW
Bearing edge
~
Recessed
edge after
sharpen ing
122
GS1 Guide
System
Variable Feed
Motor
Heavy Duty Cords
Variable Feed
Control W/Magnetic
Dropout Switch
Steel Welded Stand
f
...

Nour (J(A.fjp.t
Setti."9C....mi'
-_.

111 ",i llt' lIll --,-'" l-
Got our magazines?
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
ADVERTISER web address page# ADVERTISER web address page#
Jet www.jettools.com p. 127 Adria Toolworks, Inc. www.adriatools.com p.125
Airware America www.airwareamerica.com p. JI8 jevons Tool Company www.jevonstoolco.com p. 125
Amana Tool Company www.amanatool.com p.21 Kcller & Company www.bestdovetails.com p.125
Apollo Sprayers HVLP www.hvlp.com/fwtgl 008.html p. 21 Leigh Industries www.leighj igs.com p. 17
Barr Specialty Tools www.barrtools.com p. 12 Leigh Industries www.leighjigs.com p. 119
The Beall Tool Co. www.bealltoo1. com p.125 Lie-NielsenToolwo rks www.lie-ni elsen.com
P 23
Berkshire Veneer Co. www.berkshireveneer.com p. 21 Lowell Thomas Tool Co. www.alphaclamps.com p.1 25
Bostitch www.bostitch.com p. 128 Miter-Gage www.rnitergage.corn p.1 25
c.a Onsrud www.cronsrud.com
P13
NovaWoodworking Chuck www. teknatool.com
P 13
CarveWright www.carvewright.comjfww p. 9 Osborne Wood Products www.osbornewood.com p.1 7
Colonial Chair Co. www.colonialchaircornpany.com p.125 Porter Cable www.deltaportercable.com/lp sander p.14
Connecticut Valley School of Powerrnatic www.powerrnatic.comjperfection p. 19
Woodworking www.schoolofwoodworking.com p. 9 Router Bits.corn www.routerbits.com p. 118
The Craftsman Gallery www.chipstly.com p. 7 SawStop www.sawstop.com p. 2-3
Delmhorst Instrument Co. www. delmhorst.com p. 119 Screw Products, Inc. www.screw-products.com
P 23
Dimitr ios Klitsas www.klitsas.com p. 125 Select Machinery www.selectmachineryinc.com p. 23
Dovetail Master www.dovetailmaster.com p.1 25 Select Machinery www.selectmachineryinc.com p. 119
Drill Doctor www.drilldoctor.com p. JI8 Senco Products, Inc. www.senco.com p. 17
Dura-Grit, II1C. www.duragrit .com/ fwtg p. 21 ThcSI. James Bay Tool Co . www.stjamesbaytoolco.com p. 125
Dylos Corporati on www.dylosproducts.com p.9 2M Fabrication www.2mfabrication.com p. 125
Eagle Woodworking p.125 Timberwolf Tools www.timberwolftools.com p. 125
Epi log Laser www.epiloglaser.corn/fw.htm p.13 Trend Routing Technology www.trend-usa.com . p. 19
Fesrool www.festoolusa.com p.11 The Veneer Store www.theveneerstore.com p.125
Pine wooduoru ngSlipcases www.finewoodworking.com/slipcase p. us Veto Pro Pac www.vetopropac.com
P 23
FincWoodworking.com www.flnewoodworklng.com/ t ryit p.1 26 Williams& Hussey Machine Co. www.williamsnhussey.com p. 123
Great Gear www.flnewoodworking.corn/ gear p. ll8 Wood Rat www.woodrat.com p. 19
Forrest Manufacturing www.forrestblades.com p. 119 Woodcraft www.woodcraft.comj pinnacle.aspx p. 3
Gorilla Wood Glue www.gorillatough.com p. 9 Woodworker's Suppl y www.pro.woodworker.com/ fww08 p. 7
Hart ville Tool Woodworking www.hartvilletool.com p. 123 Work Sharp www.worksharptools.com p. 7
www.finew o odworking.com TAU N TON'S 2 0 0 9 T O O L G U I D E 123
A Closer Look continued
Unwelcome ridges.
Thanks to two nicks
Ridge-free. Sharpen
ing the planer blades
in these planer
blades, boards leave
removes the nicks , so
the planed surface is
Dull no more. A grinding wheel passes
along the cutting edge of a jo inter knife,
the planer with a
couple of ridges.
glassy smooth.
leaving behind a sharp, nick-free surface.
less than about 1 in. will cost you about the same. Rail-and-stile
bits and raised-panel bits run $3 to $4 per flute .
If your bit has a bea ring, be awa re that some manufactur
ers insis t ,tr at you remove it before shipping. If a bearing is
attached, they'll add an extra buck or two to the order. And
they won' t be responsible
if a bearing gets damaged
~ Online Extra
or lost. Also, many services
To see a list of dozens of
sharpening services in the won' t sha rpen spiral bits. So
United States and Canada, go to
check first befor e se nd ing
FineWoodworking.com/TG2009.
one out. Most sha rpeners
also won't repl ace a dam
aged carbide tip on a router bit, mainly because the fix is more
expensive than buying a new bit.
Jointer and planer blades-The average price for sharpen
ing steel jointer and planer blades is around 67 per cutti ng inch .
Carbide blades run about $1.50 per inch. Several sh arpeners
have minimum rates , but all of the sharpe ning se rvices we looked
at charged less than $5. Some add on a $2 to $4 charge to cover
extra gri ndi ng time if the blade has nicks or chips deeper than
1/ 16 in.
Dado sets-Prices for sharpening car bide-tipped stacked dado
blade sets range from about $20 to mor e than $50, averaging
around $38. For that price , you get all the chippers sharpened,
and both of the ou tside blades. The cost to repl ace a damaged tip
is about $4, the same as you'd pay to replace a tip on a tablesaw
blade.
Adjustable dado se ts and steel dado sets can be sharpened, too.
But based on our narrow survey, only about half of the sharpeners
offer that service. D
Tom Begnal contributed to this article.
HOW TO KEEP EDGES SHARPER, LONGER
Carbide cutting tools can dull for
several reasons.
Abrasion 15 one cause. The cutting
edge simply wears away, and In the
process, changes a sharp angle to a
rounded one.
Resin buildup on the teeth can
cause problems In a couple of ways.
Chemicals In the resin can react with
the binder that holds all the tiny bits of
carbide together. When that happens,
the carbide bits begin to break away.
Resin is double
trouble. Resin
Also, resin buildup can cause
buildup on carbide
the blade to cut hotter, and a
teeth creates cor
hot-running blade can cause
rosion and extra
heat, and both are
bad news.
the binder to weaken.
A blade that encounters
a board with a hidden nail or
screw will come away from
the meeting with a few chipped teeth.
You can maximize time between
sharpenlngs simply by following a cou
ple of simple rules. Keep resin buildup
under control by cleaning the blade reg
ularly. (A product called Simple Green
works well, and It's available at most
supermarkets.) Beyond that, It's Just a
matter of keeping the blade a safe
distance from any nails and screws.
124
WOODWORKERS MART See ad Index on page 123 for reader service number.
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