Popular Woodworking 2007-11 № 165, страница 34
Tool Test CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 Metabo Random-orbit Sander is Easy on the Hands Stop in most any woodshop and you'll find a random-orbit sander or two whirling away while preparing a project for the finishing steps. In the shop, these small hand-held sanders have assumed the majority of the sanding work - at least that of final sanding. Metabo's FSX200 is listed as a palm-grip random-orbit sander. Don't confuse it with a regular 1/4-sheet palm sander; this is a true random-orbit sander. The palm grip describes how the sander conforms to the operator's hand. It fits comfortably to say the least. Once you place your hand around the non-slip soft rubber grip body, you'll notice how your index finger is appropriately located in line with the sealed, dust-resistant on/off switch. The rubber coating also reduces vibration, and that translates into less operator fatigue during prolonged use. The FSX200 possesses the necessary features to make it a top-notch sander. The 2.2-amp motor spins the hook-and-loop pad at 9,500 orbits per minute. With an orbit size of 1/8", the sander allows you to maintain control of the tool while sanding, and you'll find it aggressive enough to remove material while using a coarse sanding disc. Install a finer disc on the 5", eight-hole pad and the sander performs equally well. The FSX200 sander is light at 3.4 pounds, making it practical for one-handed operation. Metabo has taken steps to cover both vacuum-free and vacuum-assisted dust collection. Vacuum-free dust collection is achieved with an onboard collection box and a fluted filter. Flip open the flap, pull the filter from the box and knock off the dust. Remove any residual dust with a brush, then replace the reusable filter for further sanding. If you like to connect to a vacuum system, Metabo has added a dust-extraction connec Metabo USA- 800-638-2264 or metabousa.com Street price ■ $80 For more information, circle #170 on Free Information Card. tion that fits directly to a 11/2" hose. Slip off the collection box, snap on the connection and you're all set to work. — GH Lee Valley Squirrel-tail Planes are Handy Little Tools Small planes are great for small jobs, not only in the workshop but also around the house. I've long kept a little guy in my tool bucket for adjusting sticky cabinet doors and flushing up trim around the house. Lee Valley Tools has just released two little planes (under its new Utilitas brand) that should go on your Christmas list. These two planes are identical except for their soles. One has a flat sole. The other has a spoon-shaped sole, which makes it useful for hollowing out concave surfaces. The sole of that plane curves in a 11/2" radius side-to-side and a 12" radius front to back. It is similar to an old Stanley model that was designed for model makers, though I've also found the tool useful for the final shaping of the saddle of a Windsor chair seat. Both planes have a rear handle that resembles a squirrel's tail. This makes the plane easy to hold and keeps your palm away from the rear edge of the tool's cutter. The blade-clamping mechanism is dead-nuts simple and ingenious. There's a star-shaped wheel 32 ■ Popular Woodworking November 2007 below the cutter that levers the cutter up against two metal bosses in the sidewalls of the tool. The mechanism, though simple, is rock-solid. The tool won't chatter on you during a cut. Once you secure the cutter you can adjust it in the mouth of the tool using small hammer taps or by other means. Both of these tools have wide-open mouths with the cutter bedded at 45°, so they shouldn't be your first choice for dealing with tricky woods or for lots of end-grain trimming. But for the face grain and edge grain of softwoods and mild hardwoods, the planes do a great job. Setting up these tools for use is perhaps their most stunning feature. Lee Valley has lapped the cutters dead flat, so honing the 1"-wide cutter takes just a few minutes at most. The soles also are lapped flat. These tools have tolerances that a machinist would love. Squirrel-tail Planes Lee Valley Tools ■ 800-871-8158 or leevalley.com Street price ■ $36 and $42 For more information, circle #171 on Free Information Card. Despite the premium manufacturing and materials, the prices of each are reasonable. The flat-soled plane is $36. The curved-sole plane is $42. — Christopher Schwarz CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 |
