Popular Woodworking 2008-06 № 169, страница 19
-- Tool Test ■- Blue Spruce Paring Chisels Approach Perfection Paring chisels were once a common and important part ofa woodworker's tool kit, but nowadays few manufacturers make them anymore and even fewer make them well. The problem with all paring chisels is that they are difficult to manufacture so that they work correctly. A paring chisel should have a nice flat back (what some people call the "face" of the chisel). The flat back allows you to plant it on your work and pare a plug or other proud area flush. If the blade is warped, the tool will either dig into your nice workpiece or it won't cut the plug flush. Leave it to Blue Spruce Toolworks to make a paring chisel that is exquisite, comfortable to hold and perfectly functional. For the last month I've been testing out 34"- and V^-wide paring chisels in our shop and have been impressed. The tools are I2V2" long overall, the blades are Vs" thick and use a tang-style construction. But most important, the blades are dead straight and flat. Not only does this make them easy to use, it makes them easy to sharpen and set up. Perhaps part of the reason the blades are so flat is that they are made from A2 steel, which warps less than high-carbon steel when it is heat-treated. I was initially worried that A2 was the wrong steel for a paring chisel. A2 holds its edge best when it's sharpened at 30° (which is how these come from the maker). Most traditional paring chisels are sharpened at a lower angle, even as low as 20°. However, the Blue Spruce chisels worked fine sharpened at 30°, even in end grain. If you've struggled with setting up vintage paring chisels or those from another company, I can highly recommend the Blue Spruce versions of this valuable tool. The chisels are available in six sizes with prices ranging from $65 to $88 each with handles in a variety of woods to suit your taste. Sets are also available. —CS Blue Spruce Toolworks ■ bluesprucelool works.com Street price ■ $255 for a set of four For more information, circle * 1on Free Information Card. Milwaukee Compact Driver Milwaukee has long been a top choice for drills, and this compact 12-volt Lithium-ion driver continues that tradition of excellence. This new battery technology allows for more power in a small, easy-to-handle lightweight tool. This little guy performs comparably to older drills that are much larger and heavier. Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, the kit includes two batteries, a charger and a canvas carrying case. 1 decided to test the driver by drilling countersunk pilot holes and #6x2" screws in cherry. After driving and removing 100 screws, I decided the drill might outlast me, so I switched to drilling '^"-diameter holes with a spade bit. On hole number 12 the battery finally expired. The speed is variable, with a maximum of 500 rpm. The gear drive is all metal and the 14-position clutch works well and locks out for drilling. Recharge time is less than an hour, and 1 doubt that you could run the battery down in that time doing normal work. The Lithium-ion batteries also maintain a charge when not in use, and battery life is longer than with Nickel-Cadmium batteries. The drill was comfortable to use, due to its light weight and rubber grip. There is an onboard LED just above the trigger that illuminates the work, and an electronic "fuel indicator" that displays the remaining charge on the battery. The revers-ingswitch islocatedjust above the trigger, and some users may need to adjust their grips to keep from hitting it accidentally. The chuck is a quick-release sleeve that accepts only hex-shank bits. A Jacobs-style chuck would be more versatile, but the tradeoff would be an increase in overall length, weight and cost. The upside is that with a hex-shank countersink and bit holder, tool changes can be made quickly when drilling holes and driving screws. This tool is ideal for working in a tight, dark space but that doesn't mean you'll be making any compromises in day-in, day-out use. It's a good drill that happens to be small. It works hard and works well, and to my aging
Milwaukee Tool ■ 800-729-3878 or milwaukeetool.corr Milwaukee Tool ■ 800-729-3878 or milwaukeetool.corr Street price-$125 wrist, the small size and easy maneuverability make this my go-to drill. My older 12v drill has been gathering dust since the Milwaukee arrived, and I'm impressed enough to consider retiring it permanently. PW —Robert W.Lang Blue Spruce Paring Chisels 12 ■ Popular Woodworking June 2008 |
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