Woodworker's Journal 2009-33-1, страница 62
Today's Shop "Few woodworking power tools are as useful as a router." er) motors, and they offer three inches of quill travel, enough for all but the deepest holes. Simpler drill presses have stepped pulleys and belts that allow speed changes. More advanced models, like the Ryobi DP121L, (bottom photo, previous page) feature mechanical variable speed — handy for quickly matching motor rpm to the size of the bit and the application. For example, a quicker speed yields cleaner results when boring softer materials with a small-diameter bit. Some benchtop drill presses accept mortising chisel attachments, allowing you to "drill" square holes for joinery or decoration. Bench Dog's cast-iron topped router table is the top of the line when it comes to under-the-table mounted router woodworking. Or remove the router to do a variety of tasks as a handheld tool. A cabinet-style router table can be used for storage, a work table and also as an outfeed table for your table saw. Small-shop owners need to allocate their floor space carefully as they outfit their shops. Router, in a Table or Handheld Few woodworking power tools are as useful as a router. But you'll get even more out of this versatile machine if you mount it in a router table. A good table's large surface, sturdy fence and slot-guided accessories (miter gauge, coping sled, etc.) allow a router to perform as a mini shaper or, fitted with a straight bit and offset fence faces, even as a jointer for straight-edging long boards. As a bonus, you can always remove a router from its table (photo above) to use it freehand. (Hint: buy a router kit with two bases and leave one mounted in the table). A benchtop router table, like the Bosch RA1181, is light and easy to store, making it great for a cramped workspace. But if you have the room, buy a larger router table and stand or base cabinet, like the Bench Dog ProMax. A big router table not only offers better support when routing large panels and heavy boards, but it also can serve as an ample outfeed table for a table saw or other benchtop tool (see the photo, below left). A router table's cabinet base also offers useful storage for bits, tools and accessories. Planer for Thicknessing At some point in your woodworking, you'll no longer settle for building with pre-surfaced lumber that comes in standard thicknesses (3/4", 8/4, etc.). A portable thickness planer quickly turns rough planks into smooth boards that are just the right thickness for your project. Among the many planers to choose from, my favorite portables offer 13" width capacity that can handle wide stock and glued-up panels. I prefer planer models that feature reversible blades that are easy to change when dull and three-knife cutterheads, which yield more cuts per inch (for a smoother overall cut). Today's Shop continues on page 64 ... 62 February 2009 Woodworker's Journal |
