Tool Reviews
Our tool reviews are different. Rather than use pseudo-science, we use the tools in the shop (we’re all experienced woodworkers), and report back how they perform.
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
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.
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.
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 Continue reading»
Tool Test: BLOKKZ Universal Clamping Blocks
By Steve Shanesy
Page: 16
From the February 2012 issue #195.
Buy the issue now.
I’ve made dozens of clamping cauls over the years to address the wide variety of oddball clamping conditions we run into in the shop. Some were simple and quick to make; others took more time.
Some worked perfectly; others just got me through.
VIDEO: See these clamps in action.
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 Continue reading»
Itty Bitty Router Plane & New Gent’s Saws from Veritas
The first thing I did this morning was polish the blade on the Veritas Miniature Router Plane and try it out on a hinge mortise (the pre-dawn use explains the mood lighting in the pictures). As advertised, the wee router plane works like its larger sibling. In practical use, it’s best-suited for the smallest of Continue reading»
