Popular Woodworking 2005-12 № 152, страница 85
Tool Test Kreg's Band Saw Fence for the Picky Woodworker For many woodworkers, a board clamped across the table makes a fine band saw fence. If you're feeling ambitious you might even make it L-shaped for extra support and added height for resawing. So why spend more than $100 for a manufactured band saw fence? I'll give you a three-word-answer: accuracy, adjustability and stability. If you learn anything as a woodworker, learn that wood continues to move. It shrinks and expands, so when you're counting on accuracy, having the dimensions of your fence change isn't acceptable. The aluminum guide bar and fence of the Kreg fence are rigid and stable. The well-marked tape measure and easy-to-read indicator cursor make accurate set-up a snap. Another advantage of this fence is its adjustability. The fence can be angled for blade drift and just as easily adjusted to make sure the fence face is square to the table - all from above with the fence in place. Assembly is also relatively easy with holes pre-drilled in the guide bar to fit most of the major-brand band saws. The Kreg fence requires only a front rail, and the fence assembly mounts easily to the bar (locking into a dovetailed track with the single front knob) for positive alignment. We found this fence to be accurate, adjustable and stable. We also felt there was a little too much metal-to-metal rubbing when moving the fence, so we added a strip of ultra-high molecular weight self-adhesive tape to the bottom of the fence to make things slicker. Because the fence height was also an easy adjustment, the addition of the UHMW tape was no problem. The fence is also set up to add an accessory micro-adjuster for even more accuracy (although it's fussy to set up) and resaw guides in two different heights (41/2" and 7"). If your woodworking demands more than just a wooden fence and a couple of clamps, take a look at what Kreg has to offer. — DT For more information, circle # 184 on Free information Card. SPECIFICATIONS Kreg Precision Band Saw Fence Street price: $107.99 Mounts to: Most 14" band saws Optional accessories: Micro-adjuster and resaw guide Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$$ Kreg: 800-447-8638 or kregtools.com Woodpecker Aluminum Squares - Accurate but Delicate Today's CNC machining can produce incredibly accurate results. This new line of squares is an example of that. They are guaranteed to be accurate to .001" over their entire length, and are also guaranteed to stay that way. I looked at the Precision Woodworking T-Square, the Precision Aluminum Square and the Mini Square and found them all to be as accurate as claimed. But aluminum is fragile - using a marking knife or bumping it on a table saw top can damage these tools' reference edges. The Precision Aluminum Square is the familiar try-square form, with an extra ledge in the stock that allows it to lay flat on the work. A scale is engraved on the blade, but the thickness of the blade made it difficult to transfer measurements. It is also an unusual size - in between a try-square and a framing square - which may or may not fit your needs or working habits. The T-square has beveled edges on its scales, making it easier to use for layout work. In addition, it has a series of holes at precise V16" intervals. Put the point of your pencil in the hole you need, and making lines parallel to an edge is quick and precise. For layout work, it acts like a drafting machine, letting you mark and measure with the same device. The numerical scale on the blade is in V32" increments, allowing finer divisions than the holes allow. A 24"-long version is also available. The Mini Square, at 15/8" x 25/8", is designed to be small enough to check chisel edges during grinding and sharpening without interfering with the chisel handle. It's a handy size, but the semi-circular cut-out at the inside corner made it difficult for me to check the corner of the chisel. If you're willing to pay a prem ium price for reference and layout tools, and willing to adapt how you work to how these tools function, then you will be happy with these squares. PW — RL For more information, circle # 185 on Free Information Card. SPECIFICATIONS Woodpecker Squares Street price: $29.95 to $129.95 Performance: •••OO Price range: $$$$$ Woodpeckers: 800-752-0725 or woodpeck.com 86 Popular Woodworking December 2005 |
