By Steve Shanesy
Page 16
In the world of routers and routing accessories, it seems that small is big these days. The popularity of trim routers has been growing for some time; in fact, it’s now been a couple years since we praised Micro Fence’s plunge router base for the Bosch Colt, and we recently reviewed Makita’s compact router.
Video: Watch a short video on line-and-berry inlay using a router. Read more
I don’t generally think of power tools in the same reverential, (perhaps) overly romanticized tones that come to mind when I consider hand tools. I can stare at my grandfather’s 8 oz. Kentucky Bluegrass claw hammer for hours daydreaming about what may have caused the nicks and wear. Or imagine the unknown maker who’s hands … Read more
By Steve Shanesy
Page 18
The biscuit or plate joiner category of the hand-held power tool world has been pretty sleepy over the past few years. But Makita has introduced a new model that, while not revolutionary, adds some nice, user-friendly features.
The PJ7000 packs plenty of power in its 5.6-amp motor, yet the motor has a relatively small circumference making it comfortable to grip, even for smaller hands. The top handle is comfortable as well. Combined, these holding features provide solid control and less user fatigue. And at just 5.5 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight – about 20 percent less than most competitor models.
Article: Read “A New Manual for Biscuit Joiners” on our web site. Read more
By Robert W. Lang
Page 18
Whenever I use a 23-gauge pneumatic pin nailer, I feel like I’m cheating. It is a fast, easy and reliable way to attach moulding or other parts without much need to disguise the evidence. The slim fasteners leave tiny holes behind that are nearly invisible. This new gun from Bosch has several features in a well-designed tool that make it a great choice at a reasonable price.
Bosch has devoted its efforts recently to tools that are lighter and more powerful than previous versions. The FNS138-23 has 10 percent more power than the previous model, allowing for deeper sinking of fasteners, or operation with lower air pressure.
Articles: Visit our web site to read more tool tests from our editors. Read more
This one-page basic guide will get you up to speed on drill bits and drilling. Includes: Visual guide to basic types of drill bits Eight common drilling problems and solutions Chart of suggested speeds for different bit styles, sizes and types of wood Download the PDF here: Your Guide to Drill Bits – Tom Nunlist … Read more
We wanted perfect dados: precise in size and location. All it took was a router and a simple T-square jig. By Robert Lang From the Spring 2005 issue of Woodworking Magazine, pages 25-27 Dados are a “bread and butter” kind of joint. They’re simple and strong, and a router with a straight bit and a … Read more
By Matthew Teague
Page 16
Festool recently released the Domino XL DF 700, big brother to its revolutionary Domino DF 500, one of the most innovative tools of the last few decades. Aside from the size, the loose-tenon joints created by the XL are the same as with the earlier version. From a machine that resembles a biscuit joiner, a router-type bit both plunges and oscillates to cut mortises in mating parts. Into each mortise fits a loose tenon, or “Domino.”
How’s the fit? As good as I’ve seen, whether cut by hand or power. And lining up the joint couldn’t be easier.Cut butt joints on square or angled parts, align the two mating pieces and mark the tenon location on both pieces with one quick swipe of your pencil. Line up the machine and make the plunge cuts. The XL also has an improved indexing system that allows for even less measuring.
For the combination of speed and strength, this joinery system is tough to beat.
Video: See a collection of XL reviews. Read more
