With the average woodworker in mind, the author tested five midrange scroll saws with throat depths between 18 in. and 22 in. He put the machines through a variety of tasks, and all made acceptable cuts. The author evaluated the saws in four areas: ease of tensioning and changing the blade, ability to change speeds quickly, stroke length (longer is better), and stability of the table and upper arm. The Delta made excellent cuts and scored well in all areas except ease of changing speed, which was fair.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure
With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.
The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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