Replies

1. 
   Ginzb | May 30, 2002 10:35pm | #1

   I work in a workshop in Cornwall SW U.K. and have used the wood rat for the past 18 months. The manual lists a wide variety of uses most of which I haven't even attempted, mainly due to the type of work we produce but cutting tennons and dovetailing are easy with the rat and we have come to rely on it.

2. 
   Douglass | May 30, 2002 11:02pm | #2

   Ref The Woodrat.

   Hi,  I recently purchased a Baby rat from a wood show over here in the UK and I can only say that I am delighted with it.

   It does all that they say, and makes the wood working more a style of precise engineering, than any other table or dovetail jig that I have seen or used.

   The dovetails are able to be cut so fine that they look like hand made work, and the other joints and cuts are just as good. So long as you practice and work to a fine pencil line the results will be more than pleasing.

   Its not just a pick up and use tool, you will need to use both your brain and wood working skills, but well worth the effort and pleasure.

   GO FOR IT!

3. 
   Cornishmaid | May 30, 2002 11:13pm | #3

   I've had a Woodrat for a couple of years and can only agree with the others. It is tricky to get to grips with, but the finished results are worth the initial head-scratching. Dovetails are where it really excells, but I've used it for tenoning, dadoing and even morticing with good results.

   Cheers, Alf

   Incidentally I'm in Cornwall too, but I don't think that's a necessary qualification to use it ;~)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/30/2002 4:16:54 PM ET by Alf

1. 
   forestgirl | May 30, 2002 11:24pm | #5

   Ooooo, I like the ~     Think I'll steal that one!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;~)

4. 
   sschefer | May 30, 2002 11:16pm | #4

   Have you been to their website http://www.woodrat.com

   Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   forestgirl | May 30, 2002 11:28pm | #6

   Did you see the plunge bars?  I like them!  Might make the Freud more manageable.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   sschefer | May 30, 2002 11:44pm | #7

   Yeah they are pretty cool. I think I can make one, they don't look all that complicated.

   Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   wbwood | May 31, 2002 02:00am | #8

   Hey all, thanks for the response. Pretty positive sounding. I've read two reviews on the Rat, one at Woodshop demos.com, and the other at Benchmark. Both reviews were up beat also. Sometimes I'm not so sure about reviews..., so it's really good to hear from folks who are actually out there using the specific tool. I have been to their website, I even have their video, and it looks to me like it would be well worth the investment, if only for its apparent ability with tenoning;really looks like it would excel there let alone for other tasks. wb