Popular Woodworking 2007-10 № 164, страница 29
Tool Test Dispoz-A-Blade Cutters Changing planer knives is on the same list of jobs I hate to do as digging a hole or fixing a roof. I put it off until I absolutely have to do it, and when I do get around to it, I fuss and complain the entire time. A little more than a year ago, we changed the standard knives in our 20" planer for a set of Dispoz-A-Blade replaceable knives. The system consists of permanent knife holders, tiny magnets that locate the knives in the cutterhead, and disposable two-sided knives. The initial changeover was faster than a regular knife change because the usual ritual of setting the knives in relation to the cutterhead was eliminated. The results were better than I expected. In a planer as wide as ours it is tough to get all the knives set to exactly the same height. The new knives were set more consistently, and the quality of cut was significantly improved. Fast forward six months to the first knife change, and I was done before I had the chance to get cranky. The gib bolts were loosened, the knife holders removed and the knives were flipped over to fresh sharp edges. The gib bolts were retightened and the deed was done. There is a bit of sticker shock for the initial setup, but replacement knives can cost less than sending knives out for resharpening. Factor in the time savings and convenience and this system is a winner. Knives are avail ESTA USA ■ 800-557-8092 or estausa.com Street price ■ startup package: 6"-$169, 24"-$375 Replacement knives: $25-$70 For more information, circle #160 on Free Information Card. able for most models and sizes of jointers and planers. — RL CMT Dado Pro Makes the Cut Mention dado stacks and my mind wanders back to the set I used as a youngster. The blades were a larger diameter than the chippers. Yuk! However, the 8" dado set from CMT, the Dado Pro, pushes that memory farther into the deepest recesses of my mind. And CMT has taken great strides to make this dado stack user-friendly. The Dado Pro set includes two 12-tooth outside blades, four Vs" and one V16" two-tooth chippers and a set of shims for fine-tuning any cut. Each carbide tooth is set to a negative hook angle (-12°). This angle is less aggressive and prevents self-feeding, giving the operator more control -just what you want in a dado blade when you're making wide cuts. As a result, the Dado Pro works equally well with cabinet- and contractor-type saws. So how does one dado stack rise above others? In details and precise workmanship, that's how. Each chipper, as well as the entire shim set, is labeled for size. That's a feature not seen on many dado stacks. No guesswork is needed. Choose the appropriate size shim or chipper required for the job at hand. Fine-tuning is a breeze. And how about precision? The two blades stacked together should be .25" in width. The Dado Pro was at .2505". Stacked according to the sizing chart provided, the 3/4"-blade/ chipper combination measured 3/4" spot-on. In addition, each shim matched the labeled sizes with a variation of only .005". But the bottom-line test of any dado stack is the cut. With the CMT Dado Pro, the 3/4"-dado cut left a dead-flat bottom - no indication of an elevation change between the blades and chippers - and the sides were smooth. The same held true whether plowing with the grain or across, in plywood, cherry or oak. No tear-out was evident in any material. Finally, the CMT Dado Pro is packaged in a plastic carrying case and the entire set stores in a form-fitted foam nest. — GH CMT Dado Pro CMT ■ 888-268-2487 or cmtusa.com Street price ■ $107 For more information, circle #161 on Free Information Card. 32 ■ Popular Woodworking October 2007 |
