Popular Woodworking 2004-10 № 143, страница 74

ROUTER

The value offered in a two-base router kit is obvious, but the DeWalt , f

DW618PK also ^V offers precise and easy-to-use depth adjustment, through-the-column dust collection, both V4" and V2" collets and a powerful 12-amp motor that makes any task easy. At $225 it's worth the extra money.

PLANER

Aside from increasing capacity and switching to an induction motor (both expensive upgrades), there is another way to improve planer performance and still stay in an affordable range. The Delta 22-580 13" planer offers two feed speeds (20 and 30 feet per minute) as well as a four-post head lock to provide a smoother finished pass and reduce snipe. At $365 it's a step up in price and performance

$230

DEWALT DW618PK ROUTER

MOTOR: 2V4 hp, 12 amp COLLETS: V4"& V2" SPEED: 8K - 24K rpm CONTACT: DeWalt, 800-433-9258 or dewalt.com

$365

DELTA 22-580 PLANER

MOTOR: 15 amp

MAX DEPTH OF CUT: V8" on 6" stock PERFORMANCE: 83/56 cuts per inch CONTACT: Delta, 800-438-2486

or deltawoodworking.com

DUST COLLECTOR

While the shop vacuum will do a good job, sometimes you want to run two machines at a time. That's why we stepped up to the Penn State DC1BXL with 850 cubic feet per minute performance and 1 -micron bags for very efficient dust management.

PENN STATE DC1BXL DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM

MOTOR: 1 hp, 110/220 volt CFM:850

BAG: 1 micron, 25 gal. CONTACT: Penn State, 800-377-7297 or pennstateind.com

TOOL PRICES ABOUT TO GO UP

For years we've been saying that woodworking machines keep getting better and their prices often are lower than they were 20 years ago. Unfortunately, that trend is swinging the other way.

As mainland China continues to face a booming industrial economy, more steel is required to feed that growth. China's iron ore production isn't able to meet the need, so ore and steel are being purchased from other countries. This problem is not affecting only China. Taiwan is experiencing as bad - or worse - shortages. Some smaller factories can't buy the raw materials even if they have the cash, manufacturers tell us.

And the problem extends to all raw materials. Anything related to manufacturing, including fuel, trucking and freight expenses, are all tied together. As all of these factors impact the market, it will cause a ripple effect that will ultimately hit our woodworking pocketbooks.

While China is working hard to meet the growing demand, "it takes five or six years to build a foundry," says Shiraz Balolia, president of Grizzly Industrial. China's infrastructure also is being stretched by the economy's rapid growth. Balolia says there also is a shortage of power. "Energy is government-regulated, and in many cases the foundries may only get three days of electricity," he says.

In Balolia's opinion, China is in the middle of this growth process and it may take another two to three years to resolve. In the meantime, he anticipates price increases in Far East woodworking machinery of at least 10 - 15 percent by the beginning of 2005.

Tim Hewitt, president of HTC Products (makers of mobile bases), sent out a letter to its current customer list in April 2004 that warns of price increases. The company relies heavily on steel, and the letter says steel costs increased 70 percent in the beginning of the year. Hewitt warned customers of an average (fluctuating) price increase of about 9.5 percent.

"[Machinery] prices have been depressed for many years," says Balolia, "but they're making up for that five or seven year's difference in just a couple of months."

Scott Box, vice president of marketing and product management for WMH Tool Group (owners of Jet, Powermatic, Performax and Wilton tools), said WMH saw significant price increases because of the shortages. "We were hit with requests of 14 percent to 34 percent increases from our Asian suppliers. We absorbed some of the costs and, when necessary, went looking for other vendors. We did have to pass along an 8 percent surcharge, though."

Balolia adds that Grizzly intends to absorb price increases to keep prices where they are until the end of year, but then prices will have to be increased to meet costs. He anticipates that some areas of the woodworking machinery market will see inventory shortages because of the situation. But, Balolia added, Grizzly anticipated the shortage difficulties and has good inventory, so there should be no delivery problems for them.

He does say to expect a lack of discounts in Christmas catalogs. "We just can't do it," Balolia says. "Everything is costing us more. The prices you see now are as low as you're ever going to see it. If they can afford it, they need to buy it now. It'll never be cheaper."

Box's outlook isn't as dark. He says he thinks prices are stabilizing now, and while there had been inventory shortages, they too are stabilized and are no longer a problem.

Knowing the mind set of most woodworkers, they'll find a way to keep woodworking, no matter what the cost. — DT

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