The Porter-Cable has one usable tool rest that’s ground flat; the other has a drill trough cast into the platform, making it useless for narrow chisels. That’s too bad because the rests are the easiest of the group to adjust via thumbscrews. The only inhibiting factor in the angle adjustments is the detents in the mechanism that limit the settings; I had to override them with a washer spacer. Once set, the platforms held their settings. The grinder ran with very little vibration, after adjusting the flanges to correct wheel wobble. The Porter-Cable comes with a diamond wheel dresser and a handy work light. At $120, you’ll have some money left over to replace one of the tool rests with an excellent aftermarket version.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Bosch 12V Trim Router

Trim routers are easier to handle when you cut the cord, and the Bosch’s compact, curvy shape and unique base give it unmatched control.

Buy at Amazon

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.

Buy at Amazon

Festool Rotex FEQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander

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.

Buy at Amazon