Tag Archives: Tool Reviews

TFWWMoxonVise

Tool Test: Philadelphia Furniture Workshop Moxon Vise

by Megan Fitzpatrick
Page 14

From the April 2012 issue, #196

While Moxon-style twin-screw vises seem to be breeding like rabbits these days (see our November 2011 issue, #193 and our December 2010 issue, #187), this version, developed by Alan Turner and Mario Rodriguez at Philadelphia Furniture Workshop (and available through Tools for Working Wood) has some interesting features.

Perhaps most useful (for those who prefer to build furniture rather than shop fixtures) is that for just $30 more than the cost of the Benchcrafted twin-screw vise hardware alone, this vise arrives ready to use.

Web site: Tools for Working Wood Read more »

bessey

Tool Test: Bessey Auto-adjust Toggle Clamps

by Steve Shanesy
Page 12

From the April 2012 issue, #196

Toggle clamps are an indispensable workholding device for jigs, but they are a bit fussy to adjust to the desired height and clamp pressure. Leave it to Bessey to come up with clever innovations that give the traditional toggle clamp a big leap forward.

With these new versions, variation in thickness of the work is a non-issue. You can clamp a wide range of thicknesses, from a thin veneer to 23⁄4″ stock, without a single adjustment. Just lift the lever handle, change material and lower the lever. Done. A simple screw adjustment provides a clamping pressure range from 50-550 pounds per square inch, and the selected pressure does not change when the material’s thickness changes.

Web site: Bessey Tools
 Video: See this toggle clamp in action. Read more »

Rasps

Tool Test: Liogier Hand-cut Rasps

First-class shaping tools from France.

by Robert W. Lang
Page 12

From the April 2012 issue, #196

In 2004, Popular Woodworking introduced hand-cut French rasps to American woodworkers. Those tools from Auriou were definitely a cut above what was previously available, and we happily added them to our tool kits.

A few months ago, we learned about another French maker, Liogier – a company similar to Auriou Toolworks at Forge de Saint Juery (Auriou’s current name). Both are family owned and have been making these tools for generations. I ordered a couple of cabinetmaker’s rasps and have been using them for the last few months. As with the Auriou rasps, these tools are a delight to use, and well worth the price.

Web site: Liogier
Video: Watch how these tools are made. Read more »

BCMoxonNov_Page_1_Image_0001

Favorite New Tools of 2011

So, with hours to go before the year ends (at least in my time zone), I’ve one more post for 2011: some of Popular Woodworking Magazine‘s favorite new tools for 2011. Caveat: Because most of us have been out of the office over the holidays, the following were chosen by me, Steve Shanesy, Christopher Schwarz … Read more »

New Festool ZOBO Forstner-style Drill Bits

Festool has recently added a set of aggressive-cutting Forstner-style drill bits that have a new twist – a twist drill to be specific. Yes, these bits feature three interchangeable centers for various applications. You get the normal, shorter point, a longer point to assist in starting angled holes  and a twist-drill bit center. You’ll see … Read more »

Liog_1216

New (to the USA) Source for Hand-cut Rasps

In a recent post, I talked about using rasps and in a response to one of the comments, I mentioned that I was watching my mailbox for the arrival of a package from France. Yesterday the box arrived, containing two hand stitched rasps from Liogier. Until about a month ago, I wasn’t aware that this … Read more »