Popular Woodworking 2003-12 № 138, страница 89
DeWalt DW735 13" Planer With the DW73 5 planer, DeWalt has done a nice job of making a user-friendly, ergonomically intelligent, high-quality machine. The features include three double-sided disposable knives that are easily changed and can be adjusted laterally to avoid nicks; a two-speed feed rate (96 or 179 cuts per inch) for a better finish on the final pass; and a four-post chain-driven cutterhead height-adjustment system that is under spring tension to give you snipe-free planing (yes, really!) without a head lock. The planer also has a fan-assisted chip-ejection system to make the dust collection even more efficient, a single oversized table, a material removal scale and a single on-board tool for all adjustments. Right out of the box I was able to produce snipe-free work when taking Vs" cuts in both maple and pine. The cutterhead's height adjustment is smooth and all of the scales were easy to read and understand. Changing blades (or adjusting to avoid a nick) is easy with ample access to the cutterhead. While this planer is pricey at $479, we'd say the thought and engineering that went into it more than compensates for the cost. — DT Contact DeWalt at 800-433-9258 or dewalt.com Veritas Medium Shoulder Plane Shoulder planes are the secret to perfectly fitting mortise-and-tenon joints. But many woodworkers complain that traditional shoulder planes are difficult (or at least awkward) to hold. The most noteworthy innovation Veritas has on its first shoulder plane is that it is comfortable to hold and use. The rear of the plane and the finger hole are designed to fit your hand and allow you to grasp the tool firmly during each stroke. It's especially comfortable when trimming tenon cheeks and the bottoms of dados. Another nice touch is the set screws on the sides, which guide the plane's cutter and keep it perfectly positioned in the plane's body. We're told that wider and narrower versions of this tool are likely on the way, which is good news. This medium shoulder plane is just shy of 3/4" wide, which is good for a lot of work. But we commonly use tenons that are 1" long, so a 11/8"-wide plane is ideal for trimming tenon cheeks. One more thing: This plane is an excellent value. At $139, it is $85 cheaper than its closest competition, with more features. Look for this plane to be in every woodworker's tool box. — CS Contact Lee Valley Tools at 800-871-8158 or leevalley.com Leigh Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig If you're considering purchasing the Leigh Frame Mortise and Tenon Jig, the No. 1 question has to be: Is this worth $800? If you cut a lot of mortises and tenons, the answer is a resounding yes. After hours and hours of use and many projects, we're sold. Everything about the jig is slick and intelligent. It turned out accurate joints with more consistency than any other time-tested shop method we know. The jig's precision is impressive. You can cut tight mortises and tenons in stock up to 3" x 51/2", or as small as a matchstick. Both the mor-tise-and-tenon cuts are guided by a single snap-in guide. Tapered guide pins in a sub-base for your router follow the guide and offer .001" accuracy. The sub-base itself allows the router to be removed for other uses, then reinstalled to the same accurate setup in a couple of minutes. The initial setup on the base takes a little bit of time and care, but once you have it set, you don't need to worry about it again. Other important features include an easily adjustable clamping plate with a 30° range for angled joints, a retractable sighting system to quickly locate mortise-and-tenon locations in the material, and table-limiting stops for easy single-joint setup or for repeatable multiple-joint use. — CS Contact Leigh Industries at 800-663-8932 or leighjigs.com 108 Popular Woodworking December 2003 |
