Popular Woodworking 2006-12 № 159, страница 47

★ Panasonic Lithium-ion 14.4-volt Drill/Driver

We test a lot of drills. But there are two brands we really like: Festool and Panasonic. So when Panasonic showed us a new 14.4v cobalt lithium-ion drill (the EY7440LN2S), we were eager to try it. The drill is light at 3.5 lbs. and compact at 7¹/2" long. And with Panasonic's battery technology (the cobalt lithium-ion batteries run cool with high output), we know it will be a winner. 800-405-0652 or panasonic.com/cordlesstools

★Freud Premier Fusion Blade

In the world of table saw blades, the Forrest Woodworker II has long been the blade to beat. Many tooling manufacturers have tried to capture that carbide-tipped crown, but we don't think they've succeeded.

However, this year could be the year. This summer Freud demonstrated its new Premier Fusion blade, a 40-tooth blade with a novel combination of high-quality carbide, a high alternate-top-bevel grind and a secondary bevel on the sides of the teeth. Company officials demonstrated the blade with rips, crosscuts and work in veneered material. The resulting cuts were as clean as any I'd seen. The $99 blade is headed for our shop now for an extensive round of tests. If the blade cuts as well as the dem

onstration blade, I think we can guarantee that our arbor wrench will see a lot less use when it comes to changing blades.

800-472-7307 or freudtools.com

★ Veritas Plane Irons

With many toolmakers switching to long-wearing A2 steels, why would we honor an old-fashioned high-carbon blade ? Simple. These aren't your ancestor's O1 blades.

Veritas has developed a way to lap the unbeveled side of the blade dead flat - it took me about 60 seconds to polish each of the four blades I tested. That's a big deal because that process is the worst part of setting up a new blade and is the place where an error can ruin a blade. Some woodworkers prefer this old-fashioned steel, saying it's easier to sharpen and takes a keener edge (though it's less durable than A2). These blades are available for the Veritas planes and other bench planes and block planes.

800-871-8158 or leevalley.com

★ General's Hoverpad

When I first saw this mobile base in action, I went into denial. With the turn of a switch, Arra David made the shaper, shown at right, float on a cushion of air. And then he pushed the machine around with one finger.

The Hoverpad is probably the highest tech mobile base ever. You need only a pancake compressor to run it, and you can cut either size of Hoverpad down to fit most machines. While it won't work on all floors (shag carpet, for example), the Hoverpad can float an 800-pound cabinet saw with ease. Priced between $169 and $249, it's not cheap, but it is amazing.

514-326-1161 or general.ca

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Popular Woodworking December 2006