Popular Woodworking 2006-06 № 155, страница 30
Tool Test Ridgid Router a Bright Addition to the Category This is the first true router to bear the Ridgid name. A trim router was introduced about one year ago, but this is the one we've been waiting for. And for a first router this dual-base model, well ... shines! First off, this router performs well. The 12-amp motor with electronic feedback provides plenty of power. I tested edge profiles and 3/4"-x V2"-deep groove cuts in a single pass in white oak with no problems. The motor's soft start provides a pleasant and safe experience, and the noise level isn't unpleasant, either. Both bases have clear baseplates that provide a good view of the work. Even better, a pair of L.E.D. lights mounted to the motor wash the work area in illumination. Though the motor has a collet lock, Ridgid also included two wrenches. I appreciate this little extra as I find uses for both methods during different routing operations. The plunge base was smooth during use, but I thought the plunge lock flipped too far to the center of the router, making it a reach for my hands to grab while I was holding on to the handles. I appreciated the addition of a dust-collection-attachment accessory for the plunge base, but with shorter bits the hole in the accessory was too small to allow the collet to reach far enough to make the cut. The depth adj ustment was decent, but nothing special. I'd still like to see a micro adjust that works on one of these two-base plunge router kits. The fixed base comes with a useful centering cone. The base is set up for use in a router table and includes a through-the-base adjustment mechanism. One upgrade might be to have indicator marks on the wrench and the base to gauge the changes in bit height in a router table. This feature is offered when using the router freehand. The quick bypass on the depth adjustment is nice, allowing fast adjustments with or without the fine-adjust mechanism in play. The Ridgid R2930 is a good addition to SPECIFICATIONS Ridgid R2930 Router Street price: $199 Motor: 12 amp, variable speed (10k - 23k) Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$ Ridgid: 800-474-3443 or ridgid.com the dual-base router category. It's priced competitively and with the added bonus of work lights, it stands apart from the crowd. — David Thiel For more information, circle # 164 on Free Information Card. Quick-Stop Drill Press Table Dead-on accuracy from a drill press table isn't necessary for woodworkers. But it sure is nice to be able to hold your work securely, and have a fence that guides the work with convenient stops for repeated cuts. Drill-press manufacturers haven't bothered to provide such an animal with their machines, so it's up to us to add it after the fact. Aftermarket drill press tables either go too far or not far enough. The Quick-Stop LP from Woodpeckers is just about right. Priced at $129 (which is a little higher than we'd prefer, but acceptable) you get a good-sized table with four T-track inserts (two with scales). The tracks support the included two hold-downs (nice, convenient and solid) and a just-right fence. The fence is a good length for woodworking needs and isn't so tall that it interferes with the drill press chuck or handles. While the fence provides the necessary height for most drill press activities, there are applications where a taller fence would be advantageous, such as mortising. In those instances an auxiliary fence can be added. The fence is easily adjusted to the left or right with quick-release cam locks and from front to back with knurled knobs. But my favorite features are the two 1"-wide flip stops - there when you need them, and out of the way easily when you don't. Every woodworking drill press should come from the manufacturer complete with a table like this. But until that happens, it's nice to know that the Woodpeckers Quick-Stop table is there for us. — DT For more information, circle # 165 on Free Information Card. SPECIFICATIONS Quick-Stop LP Drill Press Table Street price: $129 Table size: 233/4" x 173/4" Fence size: V2" x 1V4" x 36" Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$$ Woodpeckers: 800-752-0725 or woodpeck.com 28 Popular Woodworking June 2006 |
