Popular Woodworking 2009-08 № 177, страница 24

Czeck Edge Marking Tools

Yes, you can mark oui your joints with a pocket knife, a craft knife or a sharpened piece of Chevy bumper But once you've tried a well-made markingknife, you're unlikely to go back to your old ways.

Czeck Edge Hand Tools i s one of t he newest makers of marking tools in the market, so 1 purchased two of the company's knives and a bird cage awl l his summe r to give t hem a workout.

All in all, 1 was impressed. All three tools were finely turned and finished. The steel and brass components were melded seamlessly into the wooden handles. And I he steel was very good.

The Kerf Kadel knife($37.95 to $41.95, depending on the wood) is well suiled for woodworkers who cut dovetails by sawing thetails first, The spear-point knife is thinat ,028" withan l⁵/i6"-longblade. I particularly liked the three ridges on the tool's ferrule, which make the tool easy to grip when you are holding it like a pencil.

The Pattern Pilot knife ($43,95 to $47.95) isabeef-ier knife for bigger hands and general joinery tasks The blade is .058" thickand l⁷/s" long. The handle is also Lhicker and a shade longer.

The bird cage awl ($49.95 to $53.95) isn't really a marking tool as much as it is a boring tool (You can. however, use the tip like a scratch awl.)By twistingthe toolbackand forth, you can easily make screw holes for hinges or bore holes for installing lock sets. They are easier to use than a gimlet or even a cordlessdrill when you have just a few holes. The ornate shape ofthe awl makes iicom Tenable to grip, and the tool really beavers through the wood.

I f you're ready to put your Boy Scout knife away, the Czeck Edge tools will make

Czeck Edge ■bobzajicekl@gmail.com

or czeckedge.com Street price ■ $37.95 to $53.95

for more information, f;o to pwireeintb.ccn.

it easier to scribe fine lines, and let you do it with class,

—Christopher Schwarz

Milwaukee M18 Jigsaw

A Beefy, Battery-powered Jigsaw

Milwaukee ■ 1 -800-729-3878 or milwaukectools.com

Street price:

■ 2645-22. $370

• 2645-20 (tool only)-$225

■ Replacement battery ■ 586

For more information, go to Qwiitfinfo.com.

this jigsaw is the one Lo have. But for the substantial dollars invested, I'll sLick with my old corded model.

—GH

Milwaukee has added a jigsaw to its M18 line oriools-M18 refers to the 18-voltline of Lithium-ion battery-powered tools.

This jigsaw features tool-free adjustments in two key areas. The standout area is shoe-angle adjustment with just a flip of a lever. Milwaukee's lever is longwith a full-size "landing pad," so it's a snap to catch t he lever with your thumb or finger. When locked, the lever is positioned directly under the body so it'sout ofthe way.

Slide the lever to the right to unlock the shoe, slide the shoe assembly forward and set it to whatever angle you need, then flip lhe lever back to lock. There are detents for seven common angles - 0° and 15°, 30" or 45° to either side of 0° - and in-between angles are easily and quickly set.

Blade change is tool-free as well. Simply lift the Quik-Loc tension lever fully open, install any T-shank blade and release the lever. You have to fully install the blade -pushit in 11 rmly- lo achieve t he correct hold lfnot properly installed, the leverclosesbut the blade can fall out.

The blade travelsatamaximumof2,200 strokes perminute and varies with the pull

ofyourtrigger(l preferadial to set my stroke speed). Total travel ofthe blade is 1" with five orbit-action settings.

The Milwaukee cordless jigsaw is properly balanced, and heavy. At 7³A pounds, it takesastrongarm to hold this Lool as you start your cut. After you're into the cut and theshoe is fully planted on the workpiece, the M18 jigsaw is easily maneuvered and is weighty enough to not bounce around.

Ofthe cordlessjigsawsl've tested, thisis the only tool thatsits upright onthe battery (other saws rest on the shoe). This keeps the handle positioned and accessible for increased production. Also included is a shoe cover, anti-splinter device and trigger lock- not a big deal, but nice,

The M18 jigsaw kit (2645-22) comes withthe jigsaw (2645-20), two 1.4amp-hour batteries and a 30-minute charger.

If you're a battery-powered tool fan, or have purchased other Milwaukee M18 tools.

popul a rwoodwork ing.com ■ 29