Popular Woodworking 2007-04 № 161, страница 17
Tool Test Blue Spruce Dovetail Chisels Using a garden-variety bevel-edge chisel when dovetailing can be frustrating. The bevels on the side of the tool are supposed to allow you to clean any junk out of the acute corners of the joint. But the problem is that the bevels are too chunky and you end up damaging the walls of your tails. Many woodworkers will grind down the side bevels of their chisels to a knife edge or they will purchase a Japanese chisel specifically designed for this task. But now Blue Spruce Toolworks (makers of our favorite marking knife) makes chisels in four sizes (V8", V4", 3/8" and V2") that are perfectly suited to dovetailing. Not only are the chisels ground down to a knife edge on the sides, but those side bevels are actually concave. There is little opportunity for you to bruise the side of your joint with these tools. And perhaps because of the reduced friction, the tools seem to glide through the work. Hands down, these are the most gorgeous chisels I have ever handled. They are perfect in every detail and under the highest scrutiny. Bosch Router Table Benchtop router tables have been around long enough that all the bugs should be worked out of them. This new one from Bosch has all the features you could want in an easy-to-assemble compact package. The cabinet helps reduce noise and control dust, and includes a safety-switch controlled electrical outlet that provides a place to plug in your shop vacuum as well as your router. The fence is taller than most, and has easy-to-adjust MDF faceplates as well as a slotted track to mount the two included featherboards and a clear plastic safety guard. Shims are also provided to allow for offsetting the outfeed fence. The router mounting plate is cast aluminum with plastic inserts, and the laminated tabletop includes a second track extrusion. The plate can be leveled to the table from above, and all the adjustments for the fence use knobs, allowing toolless setup. The only complaints I had were minor; it's hard to see and reach the outlet when plugging in the router and vacuum, and the dust-collection port behind the fence is so close to the knobs for the guard that the hose must The ferrules have one closed end (an unusual detail) and are fitted perfectly over the tool's tang. The cocobolo handles are exquisitely turned, with a dainty V8" bead tucked behind the ferrule. These tools are simply over the top in every way. Do they cut wood, you might ask? Indeed. The blades are made from A2 steel, which, when ground at a 30° angle, is stout. The two sets of chisels we have tested were heat-treated well - they weren't warped in any way and the unbeveled side of the tool was dead flat. You probably don't need the whole set ($220), but having one in your arsenal (I'd get the V4" or the 3/8") would be a worthwhile extravagance. Highly recommended. — CS For more information, circle # 107 on Free Information Card. SPECIFICATIoNS Blue Spruce Toolworks Chisels Street price: $220/set of four, $50-$65/each Overall length: 8V2" to 73/4" Handle diameter: 1" max. Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$$$ Blue Spruce: bluesprucetoolworks.com be removed to adjust the guard. The plusses far outweigh the minuses. This router table is well-made, convenient and easy to use. PW — Robert W. Lang For more information, circle # 167 on Free Information Card. SPECIFICATIONS Bosch RA1171 Router Table Street price: $169.99 Fence: Aluminum with MDF faces Mounting Plate: Aluminum Electrical: Two switch-controlled outlets Performance: ••••O Price range: $$$ Bosch: 877-267-2499 or boschtools.com 30 Popular Woodworking April 2007 |
