Popular Woodworking 2009-04 № 175, страница 24
Tool Test Vesper Sliding Bevel Locks Like a Rock Here's the problem: The best sliding T-bev-els stink. Even if you lock them down hard enough to pop a vein, they will still shift out of position in the middle ofa project. In our shop, I have tried every brand of sliding bevel, both new and vintage. The ones that lock the best are the sliding bevels made by Chris Vesper of Australia. These tools use an old patented mechanism that Vesper improved to make the square very difficult to knock out of position. Yes, it will moveifyou really abuse it, but its grip is stronger than you need for the shop. And that's all that counts. Plus, the blade's locking knob is never in the way - it's smaller than the body of the tool. That is so simple yet so clever. In case someone is reading this article to you from across the room, you have to take a gander at thistool. It isdrop-dead gorgeous in every detail. All the components fit together like a Swiss watch. The stainless steel blade slides smoothly and resists casual bending. The wood infill is perfectly mated in its brass body. The knurling is exquisite. You can order these bevels with a variety of Australian woods for the infill, including Tasmanian blackwood, lace sheoak and black red gum. The wood you choose and the length ofthe blade will ultimately determine the price. The bevels are available in three blade lengths: 4", 7" and 10". The prices range from $124 to $211. Vesper Tools ■ +61 3 5977 8901 or vespertools.com Street price ■ $124 to $211 For more information, circle * 152 on Free Information Card. These are - without a doubt - the best looking and functioning sliding bevels I've ever used. If you work with angles, these will set you straight. — Christopher Schwarz Craftsman's Router for Light-duty Work Through the years I've turned my small router (a.k.a laminate trimmer, trim router or palm router) into my top choice for light-duty edge work of all kinds. A trim router isn't going to hog off scads of waste while it produces a profiled edge-at least not without multiple steps as you work. But for router work that's detail-oriented, a palm router is first-rate. Craftsman's newest small router is the "Professional 6.5-amp Palm Router" (model #28212). It's a 1 'A-horsepower tool that handles enly VV'-shank router bits. (One drawback to makinga palm router your go-to router for all tasks is that these tools will not accept !/2"-shank router bits.) Bit change is achieved via a spindle lock and a single wrench. This palm router has a soft-start feature to help reduce start-up torque and has variable speeds set between 18,000 - 28,000 rpm that are controlled with a thumb knob that's within easy reach as you hold the tool to work - as is the rocker-style on/off switch. Out of the box, the buckle-style cam lock had to be adjusted to keep the motor (and as a result the bit), from creeping in its base during operation. But once tightened, the tool held its position. This kit includes an extra base that features twin joystick hancles that are comfortable to use. The additional base adds some width to the router and trumps the too-small base that comes attached to the router. Because this router is a bit tall and top-heavy, I suggest switching bases from the get-go, unless you're working in light quarters. Also, guide bushings are not usable with either base, which limits the tool's utility. A couple nice features that Craftsman added to this router are an 8' cord and a live-tool indicator light to remind you that the tool is plugged in. But I'm not impressed with the tool's two built-in, clear blue ambient LEDs for illumination. The view areas of the bases are so small that the light doesn't add significantly to the ease of view. Craftsman ■ 800-549-4505 or craftsman.com Street price "$120 For more information, circle * 153 on Free Information Card. All in all, this router should be relegated to a back-up role in a busy woodwokringshop, but it could take the lead for most homeowner uses. PW —GH 10 ■ Popular Woodworking April 2009 |
