Fine Woodworking editors are attending IWF this week, where 1400 tool makers have set up booths to hawk their products. Best of all, we are in earshot of all the major tool makers who are ready to answer questions about their products and business.
If you have a question for a tool maker, post it here and we’ll see what we can do about getting an answer direct from the source. Of course, there are only so many hours in the day so I can’t gaurantee that all questions will be answered.
I’ll check in throughout the day and post responses through the end of the week.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
P.S. Follow our editors blog for news from the show
Replies
Matt
I want to be the first on your list.
I would deeply appreciate getting a handle on where battery technology is going. I have a flock of battery operated tools that I rely on and they are nearing the end of their useful battery life. I just hate the idea of having to buy a whole new tool just because it costs less to buy the tool, batteries, and charger than it is to buy a replacement battery.
Someone needs to figure out how to hook a wire to the tool so that you can use it while it is charging (saving the need for extra batteries) and to cost effectively replace the cells. I don't mind paying the price for a tool that will last, but tossing out a perfectly tool because it is the cheapest alternative sticks in my craw.
Thx...
I agree with Dockside regarding the battery issue. Years ago I decided to use Makita cordless tools to use one type of battery. In the past I used Dewalt and experenced repeted problems with batteries. I rebuilt a few of the defective battery packs myself but it isn't cheap. Finally got to the point where I removed the batteries from a pack and attached a cord to a DC power supply and converted the cordless to a corded tool for shop use.A few years back I did some tool testing for Makita and suggested they come up with a corded option for cordless tools. Now be honest, many times your working only 10' away from a plug and don't need a cordless tool.DJK
DJK, been there don that I've converted several cordless to corded easily by using ####transformer(AC) and ####Full wave diode ( rectifier
to convert to DC) Even made a few to plug into my cigarette lighter.(No converter needed) Steinmetz.
I'm going to hit the floor with this question because it sounds like a neat idea to have an optional plug for your cordless, and I'm interested in what companies might say about that.
My guess is that the focus right now in the cordless tool market is on lithium-ion technology. Every major tool company has either released lithium-ion tools recently or is planning to in the next six months. Many of these tools need to be redesigned to support the new batteries so I image a lot of R&D money is going into that.
Now, back to the show...
Matt
Thanks Matt!
BTW.. I'm up for adoption if your looking for someone to help with your job. (;-)
Edited 8/24/2006 11:16 am ET by Dockside
maybe i'm missing the point...what would the advantage of a cordless drill with an optional cord be over a regular corded drill? if you want to use a drill with a cord just buy one....they're cheap...
it seems kind of wierd that the next step in the evolution of the cordless drill would be......a cord....call me crazy...
This is basically the reaction I got from most of the people I talked to yesterday about the cordless tool conundrum. Why buy a cordless tool if you can get a corded one for less money and in some cases better performance (that's me talking, not the manufacturers)?
The other problem was adressed by another poster in this discussion. The motor on a cordless tool draws power differently than the motor on a corded tool, so any auxilliary plug would require some technology that allowed it to convert the power source appropriately.
As for why cordless batteries cost so much when purchased solo, the only answer I can derive is: that's business. The economy of cordless tools doesn't support a customer running the same tool for years and years.
For these reasons, I own a corded and cordless drill.
- Matt
Thanks Matt
I had a hunch it was driven by money. Built in obsolance. I imagine you did not get a warm response from the manufacturers with a question that was "peeking under the rug" so to speak, so I'm sorry if it put you in an awkward position.
We are very blessed in this country to have the resourses for a market in disposable tools. I just hope my grandkids are not stuck with the tab for landfills filled with dead batteries.
DeWalt actually tried that with their "cordless circular saw a number of years back. They actually had an "inverter" (?) or some d#@mn thing that plugged into where the battery went. The whole mess went for something like $350.00 when their corded circular saw was going for $149.00. I saw it being demonstrated by a DeWalt rep and asked if that meant that for an additional $200.00 we would get the inconvenience of a cord with the power of a cordless? He sort of looked at me like "Why are you here?" and mumbled something about how it's a back up. Needless to say, the corded, "cordless" didn't take off. Best,John
We have been hearing about some new initiatives for TS. Specifically, will riving knives become more common on North American models- e.g. General, Delta, Jet, etc.? Will any of these manufacturers consider SawStop-type brakes or other significant safety improvements in the next 12 months?
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Hi Glaucon,
There is some progress in the tablesaw front. Grizzley has introduced here a 12-in., 5 HP cabinet saw with a Euro-style riving knife. It might not sound like something for the hobby woodworker, but it is less than $2000, which makes it competitive with the standard 3 HP cabinetsaws. The motor mount works similar to the new Powermatic and Saw Stop, which move up and down on two rods, rather than swing like the traditional U.S. saws.
I would guess that the popularity of these new tools are going to push the other manufacturers to catch up. Delta, for example, has told us that they are working hard to innovate the Unisaw, so that might be something to look out for from them.
I had an interesting coversation with Saw Stop yesterday. They're still working on the contractor-style tablesaw with thier blade-stopping technology, but it's still about six months away from being ready. Apparantly, they have a few dozen out in the field for testing right now and are still making design tweaks.
More interesting is that the next saw release from Saw Stop will feature a smarter computer chip that will be able to tell the difference between metal and flesh (or hotdogs). If the blade hits metal, it will shut off the motor rather than setting off the cartridge, which can cost about $150 after replacing the cartridge and blade. THe company said a retrofit for the existing saws will follow a few months after.
- Matt
Interesting... and thanks. I hate to waste good tube steaks (or fingers).Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
This falls into the same general category as several of the other questions. How about seeing some reasonably priced saws from the American/Asian makers that would emulate the euro pattern saws. Integrated sliding table, etc. I know Grizzly has a couple but those saws are aimed at professional cabinet shops.
Hi PolarSea,
You are going to be hard pressed to find a tablesaw with all of the bells and whistles in one package for a reasonable price. The bottom line is that manufacturers tack on a few hundred dollars for every innovation they add to a tool.
I talked to a Jet/Powermatic rep about why it's so hard to find an american saw with all the great safety and pro features and they told me its because most consumers just don't want to pay for them. That's not the answer you're looking for, but I got the impression that their research shows that only a small percentage of the mainstream market really want the extras. For example, the Powermatic PM2000 is not selling in high numbers despite having the great new features like built-in casters and a riving knife. It's that kind of response that keeps them from pursuing those markets.
I did see two small tablesaws with sliding tables that you might want to look at. DeWalt's $900 hybrid-style tablesaw has a sliding table attachment with what appears to be a 30-in. crosscut capacity. And Jet has a $1500 sliding cab saw that is a variation on the standard JTAS-10x.
If you want to crosscut a full sheet of plywood you're going to have to graduate to one of the industrial-size tablesaws or European combo machines.
- Matt
Saw the "Hoverpad" on FW site. Does anyone know the price of it and where to get it.
Hi Matt,
Thanks so much for being our eyes and ears at the 2006 IWF wood show. This is a great service to all your Fine Woodworking readers and we do appreciate it. I know your busy so I'll get to the point. Since I retired from UPS last year I have been in the market for an upgrade to my Powermatic 66 table saw in the interest of safety and performance. I'm making more cabinets now and have decided I need a scoring saw with a sliding fence.To meet the constraints of budget and shop floor space I have narrowed my choices down to the Laguna TSS, Hammer K3 Winner, and the Rojeck PK250A. Since the wood show is the only place all these saws can be viewed together I'm hoping you can give me at least a general feel of which of these machines you might choose based on your overall impressions. I'm leaning toward the Laguna TSS based on it's many features, but am a little concerned because their customer service has been some what thrashed by others on this Knot's site. Your two cents would be greatly appreciated ,if you can spare it among all your other requests.Thanks again for your daily blogs about the show.
Danny, in San Diego
Edited 8/25/2006 12:53 am ET by brownman
Matt,
the question from PolarSeal is a good one. The very reason that I am looking at the table saws that I listed in my last post is because none of the American Companies currently offer a good quality cabinet saw with a sliding cut off fence. At least Saw Stop and the new Powermatic has a riving knife. That's a good start, but it appears that they are out of touch with the real woodworker or at least the serious hobbyist. How long have we been making sliding jigs for our table saws, so we can accurately square up panels? How long have we been settling for clumsy add on sliders? We want a good quality slider with our cabinet saw so we can square up panels larger than our home made jigs can cut. The European Co's have already seen this market and are moving in for the sale. You would have thought a new Co. like Steel City Tool would have seen this and jumped on it to set themselves apart. That's why I like the saws that I listed in my previous post. They have a small footprint,and a small price in comparison with the full on panel saws costing upwards of 5 grand. So please ask the American machine Co's when they are going to catch up and give us what we want and need. Thanks so much again for all your help.
TSS.. Hammer K3 Winner..Rojek PK 250A
Be at the show tomorrow between around 11 AM and 5 PM when it shuts down. It's a very big show and I'm be there for a specific reason, but will try to swing by those booths for a casual look at those models. Can't make a promise I may not be able to keep, but I will do my best if time permits.
Race the truck....... :>)
Regards...
SARGE..
Thanks Sarge! Hope you enjoyed the show. I'll be there next year when it's in Vegas, as I have a daughter that lives there I can visit also. And yes I did race the truck for 29 years. I miss the people but not the work Thanks, Danny
Evening Danny...
I'm sitting to type as 3 1/2 miles of aisles, even with a map can be a bit taxing. I actually found both booths. As simple as that would appear to be on the surface, you would have to see the Georgia World Congress center inside it's building A - B - C with 6 zillion manufacturers camped somewhere amidst the miles of wire, lights and carpet.
Hammer K3 Winner: Pros... Very nice appearance. Sliders were solid and the bearing were smooth. Cast iron table flat enough not to be an issue. Controls were easy to adjust and operated smoothly. I didn't get a look at the guts as the Hammers sit behind the Felders and plenty of people were looking at the Felders. Spent about 20 minutes going over the saw and hoping someone would come over so I could see those guts closer. From what I could see it's a nice saw! I suppose the Felder clientele take priority as I never got to speak to a rep and they were busy? :>)
Cons: Everything was metric. All scorers are metric as only Euro manufacturers make them. That is to be expected as about the only thing on the Rojek that is metric is the scorer. The saw doesn't have a stop-brake. The sliding support to left of blade is not that large as it is expected on the K3 Comfort with the swing arm. The height adjuster is on the left of the saw. I prefer front as I bend down and blade sight it allowing me to crank with the right hand (just my preference). Using my blade sight method would require cranking with the left hand and I'm a righty.
Rojek PK 250 A: Pros.. Riving knife under inspection plate comes off by loosening 1 large nut. The dust cover over it is held with two allen heads. Took about 30 seconds to remove the knife. Sliders were smooth and accurate on their bearings. Table flat within tolerance. Controls in front of table were smooth. The guts (arbor, gears, shroud, etc. etc.) were cast well and seemed very solid. I liked the little extra table to the left of the main slider for extra side support. As the Hammer, not the PK 350 with the swivel arm support. They throw in an Incra mitre to fit the American standard slot.
Cons... The mitre fence is not quite as robust as the Hammer. On both saws they are aluminum and in no way either has a a rip fencd quite as accurate as a Bie (on a slider, that slack is taken up not as much pure ripping). The Rojek will accept a Bie and the Hammer won't if you wanted that feature. The Hammer had a slightly better paint job, but putting on a pretty uniform will not indicate how well you fight when things get hostile.
How I summed them up:... I liked both saws. The fences on either are not as good as a Bie, but I use a short Euro fence over my regular fence, so not a factor to me. I thought the Hammer fence rail was machined slightly better, but both saws rails were relatively accurate and acceptably smooth. It could be done better and was on the upper tier of both lines. The riving knives and the plastic guard on both saws rotate up with over-head dust extraction. I prefer a fixed (but quick release) "crown guard" that will absorb shock if stock gets kicked up. I noticed the new Power-matic had the raising upper plastic guard also.
I think the saws are very comparable and would give the edge to the Hammer on the better re-inforced fence and mitre gauge. But, take it right back with their motor stop and position of wheel crank.
Which would I buy as the saws are so close..................?
When one of the owners of Tech-mark and his tech crawled all over and inside the saw with me showing and making points..
When they have a very large inventory of spare parts on hand in their Arkansas location which has been the distributor for the saw since it was introduced around 10 years ago..
When both the owner (family business) and tech (one of two who is not family) handed me their business card with work, home and cell phone number and said to call even after business hours if their was a problem..
Could the Hammer have a good inventory and you can call them day or night? I dunno.. nobody ever came to answer my questions as they seemed to be all tied up with the Felder shoppers. Nobody even ventured over to say they would be with me as soon as they cleared their current customers. And I had a few questions to ask.. indeed I did.
Well... It's your call! Sorry to post so long, but I did tell you I would check em out and not just pass by and make a call on which was prettier.
Good luck...
SARGE..
Edited 8/26/2006 9:24 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Edited 8/26/2006 9:28 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Edited 8/26/2006 9:32 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Edited 8/26/2006 9:39 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Sarge,
Thanks so much for taking the time to check these saws out for me, a stranger you have never met. You are the Man! On Friday I did spend some time on the phone with both the Rojek and Hammer sales people and both were very helpful,knowledgeable and friendly. Your right about the Hammer being all metric. I would have to get all my saw blades bored to accept their larger metric spindle. The Hammer will accept a dado blade only if you pay extra to have it tooled for such and then it will only accept their dado head which costs between three and four hundred dollars, so dado is out for me on this saw. I had the same problem with their sales people at the show last year when I was checking out their machines. The salesman I talked with on the phone said that they don't sell a lot of their Hammer line at this show, as most that attend are in business and are looking to buy bigger and better which I can totally understand as their Hammer line is more for the serious hobbyist like myself. He said that their Hammer line is made right along side their Felder line at the same Factories in Austria and that they are less expensive because they are smaller machines, with smaller motors, less features and have lighter duty bearings on their sliders. They do have a good inventory of parts here in the States and can get parts from Austria in two days if needed. If for some reason they don't have apart you need Stateside then it would take several months to get if you did't want to pay air freight. I've decided to keep my Powermatic 66 so I'm not worried about being without a saw if one should go down. I'll just leave my Dado blade on the Powermatic, which would solve the dado problem with the Hammer. The sales person at Hammer had heard complaints from others about Laguna service and didn't try to trash them in any way. The Rojek people were also very nice and helpful.It was obvious from talking with them that if I ever did have problems with their equipment that it would be easier to get service and parts from them than Hammer. In fact you may have talked with the same person,( Lester Mariconi), I talked with on the phone as he was just getting ready to leave for the show. You have had the same impressions that I am having with these saws, so I guess it's decision time for me. It seems that I couldn't go wrong with either one. I did my best bargaining over the phone with these two companies and to get the same equipment on the Hammer(minus the dado capability and brake) that comes standard with the Rojek it costs about $1,400.00 more. So I need to decide if the nicer fit and finish and beefier fence and slider on the Hammer is worth the extra money. Thanks again Sarge for all your input and efforts and for listing to all my decision making babble. I'll let you know on Monday what I decided. Hope you had a great time at the show and please have a safe trip home.
Thanks,
DannyEdited 8/27/2006 3:51 am ET by brownmanEdited 8/27/2006 3:52 am ET by brownman
Edited 8/27/2006 3:54 am ET by brownman
Sounds as if you've done your home-work as you should when making an investment of this nature. And yes, it was Lester and his tech I crawled through the saw with. I do believe if I ask them to completely dis-assemble it, they would have. :>)
I had heard that if a part was not in the U.S. on the Hammer, that it could take several months unless you paid the freight. I didn't mention it as it would have been here-say and here-say does not always stand up. And you know that is expensive with any international carrier (our company ships 1200 to 2000 packages a day UPS with around 50 UPS Internationals). But you have a fall-back with keeping the PM and aren't left playing the waiting game.
Good luck with your decision as it's a close call and I think you will come out fine on either. I did want to ask the Hammer folks if a larger extension was available as an add-on left of slider? That would be a plus if you are really deep into panels as an everyday event.
BTW.. my trip home took about 40 minutes as I live 31 miles from the parking deck at the adjacent GWCC, Ga. Dome, Phillips Arena and new Ga. Aquarium. Come to think of it, in Atlanta traffic well wishes for a safe trip home is not a bad idea! ha.. ha...
Regards...
SARGE..
Hi Sarge,
Hammer does have a table that can be purchased and put to the left of the slider for support , which I will purchase if I decide to go with them. So did you enjoy your experience at the show? Did you make any purchases yourself or see anything new that you think would be beneficial in making your woodworking better? So what was it that you do for work again? I've been retired from UPS for almost two years now and have been keeping busy remodeling and maintaining our home and setting up my workshop that I built in my backyard. I retired at 51 so all my friends are jealous. I started woodworking as a hobby nearly 20 years ago and have been learning and growing in my skills ever since, although I still haven't done any mortise and tenon joints or hand cut any dovetails. I've built enough pieces of furniture and cabinets to be considered a professional woodworker but I wouldn't consider myself a craftsman. I started building my workshop about two years before I retired and have been slowly working on it since then. I finally got it finished enough to move all my tools in from the garage this last December and have been slowly organizing it in between home remodeling projects. I built as much of the shop as I could myself. I had friends and family do the foundation, framing, siding and roof. I did all the electrical,insulation,drywall,paneling and acoustic ceiling.I'm now trying to get it all set up just the way I want it. All my stand alone tools run on 220, even my slide miter, which I purchased from a tool wholesaler here in this area. I didn't know that it was already wired for 220 until after I opened it. Apparently this wholesaler wasn't aware that he had some of these European versions in the lot he had purchased. I wished that I had put in a few more 220 outlets ,as I've run out already.I live about 20 miles east of the city of San Diego here in southern Ca. The wife an I are empty nesters now as all eight of our children are now out of the house. I'm guessing by your blog name that you were probably in the military at one time. So what does the "grinder" part have reference to? Thanks again for your time and I guess I owe you one. I'll be at next years show in Vegas if you need me to check something out for you then.
Danny
I enjoyed the shows immensely, Danny. I love machines and this is the place you get to see most that are even remotely related to WW. I did not purchase at the show, but did deposit on a MM 16 BS before the show. I had already cut a deal with some extras thrown in, but wanted to get a first hand look at the competitors before I made the final plunge. After confirming what I expected, the MM 16 will be shipped in a couple of weeks to co-incide with a week off after Labor day.
I don't need much as I have accumulated tools over the past 34 years when I first strapped a circular under a 2 X 4 piece of plywood and called it "my tablesaw". About the only other thing I need is a larger jointer to replace my 6" as I find myself being given and buying a lot of rough at the local hard-wood mill. I can squeeze it out with the 6" fine, but a larger minimal 8" - 16" one would save time.
Retired at 51, huh! :>).... I am going to hang with it till 62 which is 3 more years. I had my own company and sold it 9 years ago. I work part time (if 7 hours is part time) for the leading company that supplies restoration parts for mid 60'-70's American muscle cars. The site will give you the picture. http://www.yearone.com
The SARGE is from Ranger's in VN. Did my 3 years and felt $13.88 a day which included combat pay wasn't exactly a bargain at the time. Grinder is just my approach to a calculated, methodical, cautious way of getting the job done. 47 is my birthday.
Hope you get in that new shop soon. Regardless of the amount of space, time or tools that each of us have to work with: where there's a will, there's a way. The key is to take whatever you have to work with and surpass expected results.
As far as owing me, you don't owe me a thing. Where I grew up, we consider giving an assist the "neighborly thing to do". "Thanks" is payment enough, "You're welcome" is your receipt!
Regards...
SARGE..
Edited 8/27/2006 10:20 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Sarge,
A jointer is one of the tools I didn't have until this year. Don't know how I survived this long without one. I ended up getting the new Grizzly G0490 8". Haven't used it a lot yet but it seems to work real well. I too have been getting some rough lumber as it is less expensive and more often than not free, so I thought it wise to finally purchase a jointer. At last years show I purchased the the Grizzly GO441 two stage cyclone system for whole shop dust collection and their 18" wide belt sander. I'm not a fan of sanding so the wide belt sander has really been a joy. A few years back I wouldn't have bought a Grizzly tool, but they seem to have gotten a lot better in quality and so far I'm very pleased with the tools I've purchased from them and their service is great. I'm already in my new shop, I'm just not completely organized yet. UPS has a decent retirement and it's not the easiest work in the world so I got out when I could, and still get full retirement.I guess you could say "that's what Brown did for me." My wife works as a nurse, so we aren't hurting for income. I'm always turning people away that want me to either build furniture or cabinets, so if I ever need to supplement my income then I'll be ready. I don't want the work right now anyway as I'm still remodeling our home and organizing my shop. That's enough work for now. Hang in there Sarge, retirement is just around the corner for you. Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself.
Danny
Hey Sarge,
Just thought I'd get back to you on my purchase. I spent a lot of time researching and talking with salesman and had deals going with Rojeck and Hammer but in the end I just couldn't do it. I was in deep with Hammer as I really liked their saws the best. The base price they list on their web-site looks real good but by the time you add on all the things that make the saw really useful you add on a thousand or two. So it just got to the point of being ridiculous and I just couldn't do it. I started out at $4,445.00 and by the time I got all the things on the saw I needed it got up to around $6,500.00. I just decided I'm going to wait for a year or two and see what else comes out in the market.As far as price/value ratio is concerned I think Laguna and Rojek really are better deals as each of these come with everything you need. On the Hammer you have to pay extra for the following items on the K3, table to the left of the blade that mounts on slider($94.00), scoring unit(three hundred something), hold down clamp($169.00), bolt to make the hold down clamp work($41.00),tooling to make it possible to use a dado blade.(And only their dado blades)($260.00). And then their dado blade is 300 something. The shipping and taxes together were nearly a thousand dollars This should be enough to give you a picture of what I'm talking about.It shouldn't be to much of a wonder why they aren't selling a lot of these. Definitely a finely made tool but I never was much of a fan of BMW's as they were and always have been over priced for what you get. This brings up a question. Aren't the Japanese making a professional slide miter scoring saw? I'm sure they could make it a much better value than Hammer. where are all the Nissan, Infinity ,Toyota and Honda table saws? Guess I'll just have to wait. Have a good one Sarge!
At $6500, you're half-way home to a Mini-Max 300 Smart with slider, 12" planer, 12" jointer, shaper and slot mortiser. Have a look at the Grizzly G0460 12" 5 HP single phase. Go to the grizzly web-site and hit machinery and then click on Tablesaws.. Scroll down to the bottom to find it.
Another idea would be to keep your eye open for used as their is always someone going to trade up. And my hat's off to you for passing on the bottom line price after the "starting at"... additional may be extra deal.
With that PM, you are in the drivers seat. You have no immediate need and that is the best ground you can be standing on to sniff out a deal.
Regards...
SARGE..
I did check out the Grizzly last year at the IWF and I just wasn't impressed with their panel saw at the time, although I don't think they had their smaller one's then.I may just keep my eye open for a used one. Thanks, Dan
Sarge,
" but will try to swing by those booths for a casual look at those models".
Here in New Zealand some pictures of the models would go down well. Don't be shy.
Philip Marcou
Edited 8/26/2006 4:29 am by philip
Morning Phil...
Getting ready to leave for the show now. I admit I am not a camera carrying person. I regret not taking pics in V-Nam, from my old skiing days and sky-diving while I still had knees; but I feel more comfortable with a .45 Auto strapped on than a camera. I can now take pics in my shop with one of those digital thingie's, but the computer oriented "First Lady" has to make them show up on screen. :>)
If you Google up the web-sites, you can see all that iron nicely laid out by professional photographers who have a clue. But... what you can't do is put your hand on the "iron" and see if it vibrates from just touch. Nor can you follow a piece of "iron" in a pic to it's point of origin and see what makes it tick and if you think the idea is clever enough to with-stand the "test of time".
So.. pics, probably not for this ole southern boy. But in recon I have a decent track record and intend to give the "iron" an "up close and in-your-face" going over. Might even unload a clip of rounds from the .45 in one of those things just to see how tough they really are. ha.. ha...
Regards...
SARGE..
Sarge, I get the picturer, rofl. Just carry out a recce and give me a sitrep.Philip Marcou
Hi Matt,
I'd love to know if any router manufacturers have a BIG variable speed tool specifically designed for installation in a router table - without resorting to the after-market to make them function effectively. They seem really timid about making a router that can't also be hand-held, which generally makes table-mounted use an expensive compromise.
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hi Jazzdog,
I'm back from the show but didn't forget to look into this question. The good news is a number of tool makers are going after the issue of router table compatibility.
There are seven companies that have come out with new routers that feature bit changing, bit lock, and bit-height adjustment through holes in the router base, which means they are great for use in a router table. I really like the Triton version, but Porter-Cable, Freud, and some others have pretty good solutions as well. Freud showed one router at the show that had all of these above-the-table adjustments with a 3-1/4 HP motor. I didn't get the specs on variable-speed but that is another feature that you should look for so it can handle large-diameter bits.
As far as designing a router for a router table, I think most manufacturers have finally got it right.
- Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the update!
It's great to know you're in "our" corner,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Chronic, potentially terminal.
I was in a major hurry this morning and didnt catch the original post from you until just a few minutes ago. I replied this morning to the 2nd post not knowing there was a 1st nor it's content. ha.. ha...
And yes.. all was very well thank you! I checked out every booth that had a munu-facuturer I couldn't read in English as I knew that I would get a preview of the Euro model that was "man-ning" the booth. :>)
SARGE..
e
I would like to know the "inside" scoop on what the heck the cheapo imports, not the quality imports, but the real cheapo imports are gonna do to the overall tool marketplace.
Are the makers of even reasonable qaulity tools gonna have to "dump and dive" to stay in the marketplace, so that even if yer used to buying quality from XYZ co, are we gonna find that they is gonna slack off on the QC aspect, dump the parts and support infrastructure just to survive, or are they gonna take another perhaps more agressive tack.
Eric
Matt -
This thread is a great idea. Maybe it could become a regular thread here - lol.
I have two questions for the tool folks:
Thanks
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