Popular Woodworking 2004-10 № 143, страница 72

Popular Woodworking 2004-10 № 143, страница 72

Cordless Drill

Even though this category has hundreds of tools to choose from, we didn't hesitate a second in selecting our best value for the $1,500 shop. Trading little in performance or features for price, the Hitachi DS12DVF2 cordless drill packs 195 in./lbs. of torque, variable-speed control with electronic feedback for constant torque under load, a two-speed transmission, a 3/s" keyless chuck and a 22-position clutch. Oh, and they include two batteries and a flashlight. For $75, this is a heck of a deal.

HITACHI DS12DVF2 DRILL

BATTERY: 12 volt (2), 1.2 amp hour CHARGE TIME: 1 hour SPEEDS: 0-350/1,050 rpm CONTACT: Hitachi, 800-829-4752 or hitachi.com/hpt

Random-orbit Sander

This is another no-brainer category for us. We've been happily using the Porter-Cable 333 random-orbit sander for years. It removes material quickly, doesn't shake our hands to pieces and is capable of finesse work when required. Add to that its durability and easy hook-up to dust collection and it's a proven, useful tool. Costing only $60, we'll happily add it to this shop.

PORTER-CABLE 333 SANDER

MOTOR: 2.4 amp SPEED: 12,000 orbits per minute CONTACT: Porter-Cable, 800-487-8665 or porter-cable.com

Jigsaw

A jigsaw fits well in the $1,500 shop - it's the one tool that doesn't cut just straight. If you need a curve or circle, the jigsaw makes it easy and is significantly less expensive than a band saw. And if you need to trim a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood to a manageable size before heading to the table saw, the jigsaw is a good choice for the job. There are lots of jigsaws on the market. While we wanted to save money, we didn't want to give up performance. We came up with two options, both obvious in our book.

The Grizzly G8994Z looks like an older Bosch model and offers a screwdriver blade changing system. It also offers good performance provided by a 5-amp motor, variable speed and four-position orbital action. For $60, that's a fair deal.

Bosch's 1590EVS offers near-perfect toolless blade change, superior blade control, variable speed and the most powerful motor in its class. At $170, it's expensive. But it's also the last jigsaw you'll ever buy.

GRIZZLY G8994Z

MOTOR: 5 amp SPEED: 0 - 3,100 rpm CONTACT: Grizzly Industrial,

800-523-4777 or grizzly.com

BOSCH 1590EVS JIGSAW

MOTOR: 6.4 amp

SPEED: 500 - 2,800 rpm CONTACT: Bosch, 877-267-2499 or boschtools.com

Dust Collection

We opted for a shop vacuum and cyclone lid rather than the more common bag-based collector. Our rationale is two-fold. First, we like the benefits offered by a cyclonic dust collection system. Functioning as a two-stage dust collector, it allows the bulkier chips to be collected in one place and the fine particles to be more effectively collected in another.

This cuts down on trips to empty the vacuum. Second, the size and portability of a vacuum makes it easy to bring the dust collection to the machine without running extensive duct work.

The suction power and storage provided by this 6-hp, 16 gal. Craftsman vacuum (model #17761) is adequate to all small shop tasks. The Veritas Cyclone lid attaches to any standard garbage can and gives you two-stage performance at a drastically reduced price.

CRAFTSMAN 17761 WET-DRY VAC

MOTOR: 6 hp CAPACITY: 16 gallon

CONTACT: Craftsman, 800-377-7414 or sears.com

$33

VERITAS 05J30.01 CYCLONE HOSE INLET: 2V2" FITS: 19" - 23V2" dia. cans CONTACT: Lee Valley,

800-871-8158 or leevalley.com

popwood.com

69