85 - Router Table, страница 47
THE LEECRAFT__ I like to think of the melamine-coated phenolic insert shown at right as the standard workhorse in the lineup. It has everything needed to do the job well and make it easy to use. It starts with a smooth, stable surface created by the '/V'-thick, solid phenolic plate. The insert can be quickly adjusted flush to the table with four easy-to-reach screws. A second set of screws, one in the end and one on the side, allows you to eliminate any play in the opening for a snug fit. Flip the insert over for a look at the underside and you'll find a narrow "starter" slot positioned directly over the blade. This slot provides tire clearance needed for installation on some saws. THE WOODHAVEN INSERT_ Woodhaven takes another route by making their inserts out of 3/}"-thick melamine-coated MDF. Tire idea here is that MDF is less abrasive on your saw blades, so they'll stay sharp longer. This makes sense and MDF shouldn't give you problems with flatness or stability. This insert comes with all the standard features — set screws to adjust the height, two screws in the edge to fit it snugly to the opening and a retaining clip to lock the back end down. But the difference here is that all this hardware has to be installed by tire user. And don't be thrown by the complicated look of the underside. You'll find a starter slot for the blade and a splitter, but the rest of tire cutouts simply allow the thicker plate to sit flush to the table. THE BETTERLEY TRU-CUT When you take a good look at the Tru-Cut Blade Insert Si/stem at right, you quickly see that it's a cut above the rest. This two-part insert consists of a precisely machined aluminum insert plate that holds replaceable phenolic kerf inserts. The advantage to this approach is that once the aluminum insert plate is installed in your saw, it becomes permanent. You'll only be changing out the kerf inserts, saving yourself effort. And when it comes to bells and whistles, you'll find them all. First off, two spring-loaded ball plungers on tire side of the plate, hold it rattle-free in the table opening. Then two separate sets of set screws allow you "flush out" both the insert plate and the kerf inserts. You'll even find a slot for use with a splitter. Tire only downside I see to dre Tru-Cut is the cost, about $80 with one kerf insert. A Shop Tip: Cutting a SlotOnce vou've picked up a new throat insert, the next step is to put it to work on your table saw. And there's one thing about this that needs a little bit of explanation. To fnstall the insert, you'll first have to crank the blade down to its lowest point. Then you can make any adjustments needed to fit the insert snugly in the opening and flush to the table surface. Now, the trick is to safely cut a slot for the blade. The photo at right shows a good way to do this. A scrap of 2x4 is clamped to the rip fence, snug to the table and positioned over the side of the insert. If dre back end of your fence doesn't lock down, clamp it to tire table. Tire 2x4 will hold tire insert down as you slowly raise the spinning blade to the desired height. 47 Pre-cut blade starter slot Price $18 - $20 Tensioning screw Screws used to adjust insert flush to saw table i ii ly&i hole for easy removal Plate is 3A" MDF Pre-cut starter slot Retaining clip Tensioning Set screws used to adjust insert flush to saw table Anodized aluminum plate Replaceable phenolic inserts Price about$80 Slot for Spring-loaded tension points Set screws used to adjust insert flush to saw table i |
