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■ Popular Woodworking December 2007 popularwoodworking.com
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JET JPS-10TS Hybrid Table Saw
The two most important parts of a table saw are its rip fence and its motor. These two
components are responsible for making the table saw what it is today: An awesome
ripping and joint-cutting machine.
This year we tested hybrid table saws and brought in examples of all the major
brands; we had Contributing Editor Troy Sexton go over the saws in detail. Now
Troy is hard to impress. He has nice professional machines and knows his stuff. So
when Troy freaked out about the Jet model, we knew that something was up. After
we started using the Jet’s rip fence, we knew exactly what Troy was talking about.
The fence slides over the tabletop like it’s an air hockey game. You actually have to be
careful to make sure the fence doesn’t hit the blade sometimes. Add to that the fact
that you can adjust the rip fence in all three axes and add jigs to the aluminum faces
via T-slots, you might understand why it garnered an “Editor’s Choice” award and
now also earns a “Best New Tool” award.
So how did the Jet do when it came to raw power? Very well. If you’re in the market
for a hybrid table saw, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything better, especially for
the price (about $750).
MILWAUKEE 5616-24 Two-base Router
The Milwaukee BodyGrip fixed-base router has been a shop favorite since the day it
was introduced. It’s stout, accurate and easy to adjust. But Milwaukee didn’t have a
plunge router to go with it, or even a second plunge base for the BodyGrip’s motor.
But in 2007 Milwaukee introduced a plunge base that is worthy of the BodyGrip’s
reputation. Hands down, the Milwaukee is our favorite two-base router kit. Compared
to its competitors, we found that the Milwaukee vibrated the
least and had the smoothest plunging operation. The controls
are right where you want them. It has power in spades. Switch-
ing between the two bases is easy and (more important)
this router is the easiest when it comes to
changing bits – something you do every
day. The only thing we’d change on this
outstanding tool is to substitute a base
with a square shape instead of a round
one. But that’s something you can eas-
ily do with a piece of scrap plastic or
thin plywood.
FULLPRO
SoundVision
Combining ear muffs and eye protection
has always been a problem in the work-
shop. The two safety devices just don’t play
well together. Now FullPro has used the
power of Velcro to fix the problem. Put on
the muffs, then attach the eye protection to
the muffs using the Velcro straps. It’s easy
and comfortable. Even after six months
of testing, we still like the SoundVision
FullPro Protective Gear and use it any time
we crank up the big machines.
VERITAS
Small Plow Plane
The Veritas Small Plow Plane is a gem made of
iron, steel and brass. Well-made, thoughtfully
designed and quite useful, the plow plane will
quickly become your favorite tool for making
grooves and small rabbets, especially if you value
a little peace and quiet while cutting joinery.
We’ve written a full-page review of this tool in
the Tool Test section of this magazine (see page 32),
so let us just say here that we think that this plane
is further evidence that traditional hand skills are
on the rise – after years of neglect and decay. Once
you pick up one of these tools and try it a few times,
you’ll see that the barriers to learning to use hand
tools are mostly in your head.
LIE-NIELSEN
Large Router Plane
The Lie-Nielsen Large Router Plane might
look like the old Stanley No. 71 it’s based
on, but the Lie-Nielsen is worlds better.
It’s easier to adjust the cutter and infinitely
better when you want to set the tool’s depth
stop. Plus, as always, the manufacturing
quality of the tool is first-rate.
Router planes are great tools for adjust-
ing your joinery, especially dados, tenon
cheeks and hinge mortises. Buy one, and
you’ll be amazed by how many tasks this
tool can make easier.
STEEL CITY Granite-top Saw
The first time we heard a rumor about a granite-top table saw from Steel City
Tool Works, we all thought someone was playing a trick on us. Two seconds
later, we realized that it was such a brilliant idea that it couldn’t be a joke.
Think on this: Granite doesn’t rust. It stays flat. It’s heavy. When thick
enough, it’s very durable and long-lasting. And it can be made very smooth
and astonishingly flat.
When we first got a gander at the initial Steel City saw with this feature,
the 35915G, our suspicions were confirmed. It looks like a great idea. Steel
City also is adding granite to the top of its 14" band saw and (most amazingly)
to part of its jointer line as the fence. Anyone who has had a jointer with a
warped fence (that is, almost everyone) will see the utility of having a granite
fence. We’re scheduled to receive one of these saws soon. So look for a full
review in a future issue.
WORK SHARP WS3000
We’ve worked with a lot of sandpaper sharpening machines, but
this new Work Sharp unit has some features that really set it apart.
First, there’s the tool rest that is also a heat sink. It really works to
keep the tool cool during sharpening. Also, the slotted Edge-Vision
wheel allows you to see your tool’s edge as it is being shaped.
For woodworkers who dislike hand-sharpening, we think the
Work Sharp is the perfect package. PW
LAMELLO Fixo Biscuits
The knock against biscuit joining has always been that biscuits
don’t work well in joining narrow stock. This led to the popu-
larity of pocket screws and the Festool Domino. Lamello has
fixed that with its new Fixo biscuits. These barbed, half biscuits
act as clamps, pulling joints tightly together from behind. Fast
and effective in our tests, and using a tool that we already own,
make Fixo biscuits a winner for everyday joinery.
Jet ■ 800-274-6848 or jettools.com
Milwaukee ■ 800-729-3878 or
milwaukeetool.com
Lie-Nielsen ■ 800-729-3878 or
lie-nielsen.com
FullPro ■ 888-873-8557 or fullpro.com
Lee Valley Tools ■ 800-871-8158 or leevalley.comSteel City ■ 877-724-8665 or steelcitytoolworks.com
Work Sharp ■ 800-597-6170 or worksharptools.comLamello ■ 781-585-4364 or csaw.com
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