Power: 11 amps Street price: $180 Cut quality: Very good Router accuracy: Very good Control and handling: Very good Cut visibility: Very good Ease of bit changes: Fair
The rack-and-pinion-type base on the Ridgid was easy to remove, the micro-adjustment scale was the most accurate, and the grips offer good control. Also, it has a work light, its variable-speed dial lists actual rpm, and it comes with a handy cone for centering the base. However, with one wrench and a spindle lock, removing the bit was a little awkward. And while it made good cuts, the motor had more vibration than we would like.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
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.
This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.
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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