Popular Woodworking 2004-08 № 142, страница 27

ProTop Gets an Upgrade

We've always been big fans of Bench Dog's ProTop router table, and with some recent upgrades we like it even more.

First, the cabinet is now made of a high-density plywood rather than laminate-covered fiberboard. This adds a great deal of strength and material stability to the case.

The cabinet rests on rubber feet to keep the unit from moving during operation. And if you want to mount the table permanently, the feet are hollow and allow access to the threaded T-nuts for easy attachment.

Then there's the top. Bench Dog moved the location of the bit closer to the front edge for more stability when using a miter gauge. A new second set of fence attachment slots allow you to turn the fence around and use the larger rear surface of the table for routing large panels, which is a plus.

Last but not least, the support system for the insert plate is now a pair of steel brackets, adding strength to protect against the table warping and adding a more solid mounting

specifications

Bench Dog ProTop

Street price: $240

Size: Top - 16" x 24"; inside - 15" high

Weight: 46 lbs.

Performance: ••••O

Price range: $$$$

Bench Dog: 800-786-8902

or benchdog.com

point for the eight height-adjustment screws. All this, and the new version costs only a few dollars more. Good Dog! — DT

For more information, circle #157 on Free information Card.

TopSaver Takes Care of Rust - and Your Machines

Getting rust off your machines is half the battle. Keeping it off is the other, and Empire Manufacturing's TopSaver tackles both. It's a combination rust remover-lubricant-sealant-conditioner for all your metal surfaces.

The TopSaver System comes with one 8-ounce bottle of fluid, one set of disposable gloves, two abrasive pads (coarse and ultra-fine) and four cotton towels - everything you need to protect your machines.

To test this product, we took a rusted and encrusted table-saw wing outside (good ventilation is needed with this product), sprayed a liberal amount of fluid onto the wing and rubbed it in with the abrasive pads as per the instructions. This turned the entire wing brown, but after wiping the surface clean and drying it, all the rust had been removed. There was still some evidence of tarnishing and discoloration, which we attributed to the long period of time we waited before cleaning the damaged wing.

Next, we wanted to see how well TopSaver would prevent rust. We left the wing outside for a few days in early April - after 48 hours,

specifications

Empire TopSaver System Street price: $20 for 8 oz. system pack; $15 for a refill 8 oz. bottle; $90 for a gallon Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$ Empire: 866-700-LUBE (5823) or empiremfg.com

it was holding up nicely; after 72 hours, well, we got a little rain, so the rust reappeared. But another quick cleaning with TopSaver and the piece was back to its old self.

— Michael A. Rabkin For more information, circle #158 on Free information Card.

NEW TITEBOND III GLUE

The new Titebond iii is supposed to be waterproof, not just water-resistant like the great Titebond ii. To test this, we exposed a panel made using the new glue to the rigors of water, heat and steam in a dishwasher. For comparison, we also made panels using interior-grade Elmer's Carpenter Wood Glue and Gorilla Glue brand polyurethane glue.

The results were impressive. As expected, the Elmer's glue joints failed during the first dishwashing cycle. The boards glued using Titebond iii and Gorilla Glue were as sound as before the test, if a bit waterlogged. After five more cycles in the dishwasher, neither the Titebond iii nor the Gorilla showed any signs of giving up at the glue line.

Titebond iii offers higher bond strength (4,000 pounds per square inch), longer open time (10 minutes) and lower working temperature (47°) than Titebond or Titebond ii. The glue sands easily without softening, cleans up with water, passes the glue industry's test for waterproof glues and is approved by the FDA for indirect food contact. — Steve Shanesy

Street price: $14 for a quart Performance: ••••• Price range: $$

Titebond: 800-877-4583 or titebond.com

For information, circle #159 on Free information Card.

tool ratings

Performance is rated on a one-to-five scale. You won't see a low rating ("one" or "two") because we don't publicize inferior tools. "Five" indicates the leader in the category. Five dollar signs indicates highest price in the category; three indicates an average price. if you have tool questions, call me at 513531-2690 ext. 1255, or send me an e-mail at david.thiel@fwpubs.com.

— David Thiel, senior editor

popwood.com

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