Popular Woodworking 2008-10 № 171, страница 18

lointer 4061 SC. A straight dead flat fence on a jointer translates into accurate fence adjustments and perfect 90° cuts.

dard saw. and the flatter, smoother surface was a subtle but noticcable improvement.

Jointer Fence a Huge Improvement

The most noticeable, and likely most significant, improvement that we saw in performance was in the jointer. The tablesate still cast iron, but the granite fence makes this jointer what a jointer ought to be.

Cast iron jointer fences arc notorious for being warped, and having a straight fence made a profound improv ement in both set-tingthc fence square to the table and in milling stock.

Smooth Operating Band Saw

Band saw cuts arc all about maintaining control, and the flat surface with less vibra

tion isa nice improvement. It isn't adraniatk change, but it is better. Other fcaturcsof the saw-the guides, adjustmcntsand components - are all top-notch, reminiscent of older Amcncan-madc machines.

OvcralLgranitc is an idea that works well. If you're a perfectionist, you'll appreciate the flat surfaces. Cast iron comes close to perfection. but there ate always slight deviations todeal with. Granite isn't fragile.and holds up well under normal use. And ifyourshop is in an area where humidity makes rust an issue, you will want to make the change.

—Robert W. Lang

Festool Router:

Innovative in Every Detail

If you look at the price of this new Festool router before reading this review, you're going to miss the details ofan extremely innovative tool. So resist that urge. 1 think many-router manufacturers will copy features of the Festool OF2200 for many years.

When I say extremely innovative, it's st ill an understatement . Let me begin with a feature that every router user will appreciate: changing router bits. This task is no longer a knuckle-busting event. Festool incorporated a single-tool ratchet action for changing bits. Depress the rocker-style spindle lock (one direction to tighten, the other direction to loosen), then use the wrench in a ratcheting motion to do the work.

Another innovation is the clip-on base plates. This routcrcomcs with a single base plate that clips to the tool (the 3 V«* opening is large enough for most router bits). Flip a spring-kiadcd lever to remove the plate: to attach adiffercnt plate, simply inscn the two tabs into the slotsand push the plate tight to the tool until it snaps into position.

What makes this feature worthwhile besides providing easy access to the collet? Two things stand out. First. Festool has int roduced magnets to the template guides -there'sanothcr innovative idea. Small magnets hold the guides, which arc positioned into keyed sockets, to the routers. The guides sclf-ccntcrand are given additional support by the clip-on base.

The second reason for t he newly designed base is improved dust collection. Keep the base-plate opening close to the router bit size and dust collection is more efficient. That's a bigdeal at Festool. So. the company offers an accessory kit with four additional base plates and four various-sized template guides, along with a parallel edge guide and dust-extraction hood.

Another dust-collection accessory isa rttractablc.spring-foadcd dust shroud. With a flip ofa lever, a 360" shroud springs from

Festool USA ■ 888-337-B600 or Festoolusa.com

Street price: Router • $800 Accessory Kit« S310

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the motor housingtoencase the router-bit area and further increase dust collection. Plunge the router to full depth to retract the shroud, or retract it manually.

If you're looking for negatives about this router, the only apparent downside isthc mass of the tool. The Festool OF2200 weighs in at just more than 17 pounds. That'squitc a bit when you're runningan edge profile without an offset base. But. it's just heavy enough lo sit perfectly still until you move it when you're routing for inlay.

Now take a look at the price. It's worth every dollar. Or euro. — Gfen D. Huey

Interchangeable plates. Ctip-on base plates allow you access to the router bits for fast changes, at urfas increased dint collection.

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