Rigid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt and Spindle Sander Review

This is both a belt and spindle sander that will help you to smooth off curved and straight edges and remove any likelihood of getting splinters from your lovingly-crafted woodwork. For anyone looking for an affordable but highly capable sander, then the Rigid EB4424 oscillating edge belt and spindle sander should be at the top of your list of considerations.

Product Description: An Impressive 2-in-1

The first thing that is noteworthy about the Rigid EB4424 oscillating edge belt and spindle sander is the fact that it offers that two-in-one functionality. This is not common and actually it is one of the only products on the market that can serve dual purpose like this. It just requires a quick changeover and then it will be ready for the next task.

Another thing that’s appealing is the price. While more affordable sanders do exist, a professional-grade model will often set you back around much more.

The machine is actually more powerful than you might expect (see below) and has a lot of nice touches. There is more than ample work surface for example, tons of on-board storage for keeping the various sanding implements and very effective tracking adjustment. There’s even a good quality dust extraction system which is superior to many more expensive products on the market. This will help you to clear up sawdust as you go, keeping your workspace clear and reducing the amount of work you’re going to have to do afterward considerably.

In terms of power, this is actually very good for the price point. You’re not getting top-of-the range but this feels weighty and will handle most jobs you throw at it without feeling like it’s going to shake itself apart. It should provide enough oomph for most users with a little to spare.

Pros and Cons: Power and Convenience With a Couple of Mis-Steps

The obvious advantage of this product is the dual functionality. If you are someone who needs to sand a lot, then you’ll find you may need an oscillating spindle sander and a belt sander. That not only doubles your expense; it also means that you now need to find space for two pieces of equipment and you need to go and dig the other one out whenever you need it.

So that is a BIG pro for someone who finds themselves sanding a lot. And adding to the excellent value is the fact that you get a lot of extras in the packaging: abrasives for the belt and spindle, drum and sanding sleeves and everything else you need to get started.

The question really is whether or not a two in one at a very low price point like this can really compete with more expensive units. And of course, you’re not going to get the same level of performance as you would do with an industrial-grade piece of equipment. However, what you do get is a surprising amount of power. It’s also very quick to change the utility of the machine – switching it from a spindle sander to an edge belt sander is a matter of removing a knob, swapping the belt assemble for the sanding drum (or the other way around)… and that’s it! And the table tilts from 0-48 degrees to allow for accurate sanding.

So what about the downsides? Well, while the overall quality of this machine is very good, the table finish could be better. In our tests, continuous use began to wear down the finish on the table and this of course is a bit disappointing after you’ve spent a fair bit of cash on the device. It’s also worth noting that a couple of people have reported having parts break on them and some of the included pieces are a little flimsy. It’s not that this is cheaply made, it’s just that you’re getting what you’re paying for.

Conclusions: Great Value and Highly Unique

Overall though, this is still a fantastic purchase. While the build quality could arguably be slightly better in places, the overall value for money is hard to fault and as a way to essentially get two well-made pieces of equipment for the price of one, it’s an excellent choice.

 

Source: http://www.toolerant.com/rigid-eb4424-oscillating-edge-belt-and-spindle-sander-review/

source https://toolerantcom.wordpress.com/2017/04/28/rigid-eb4424-oscillating-edge-belt-and-spindle-sander-review/

Milwaukee 2429-2: The best sub compact bandsaw ?

Finding the perfect tool is an amazing feeling that always reminds of the scene where Harry Potter is choosing the wand. You don’t choose the wand – it chooses you! That is to say that when you find the perfect tool, you know it.

And the perfect tool will vary from person to person. It all depends on the kind of work you intend to do, the way you prefer to operate and even little details like how strong you are or how big your hands are. But when you find the right match for you, it will fit snugly into your hand, glide through whatever material you throw at it and ultimately help you to up your game. It becomes an extension of your own arm, a joy to use and something you are always reaching for.

 

Is the Milwaukee 2429-21 the perfect cordless bandsaw for you?

 

When you picture a bandsaw, you might well think of a benchtop bandsaw or a free-standing unit. The Milwaukee 2429-21 is far removed from those types of saws though and is instead a light tool that can be held in one hand in order to make quick and dirty cuts.

The design is built around this notion. It has a nice, slim and ergonomic handle along the top, a trigger located in just the right place and a rugged design in red and black. The cordless nature of the bandsaw makes it more versatile still, meaning you don’t need to worry about finding a power outlet or having cabled dangling all over the material you’re trying to cut.

The blade length is 27” x ½” x .020”. This gives a 1-5/8” cut capacity, which is fairly good for the small size. It is a 12V tool and has an SFPM of 280. While this can be used for cutting wood then, the small cutting depth means that it is going to be somewhat limited in that regard. Therefore you may find you are more likely to use it for cutting pipes or tubing. For cutting thicker wood, you’ll either need to spend a little more, or you’ll need to consider using a reciprocating saw instead. Think of it as your perfect replacement for a hacksaw.

The battery will give you up to 150 cuts per charge.

Lightweight but powerful enough ?

The Milwaukee 2429-21 is a very lightweight and easy-to-use saw that is perfect as a replacement for a hacksaw. If you are tired of sawing through thin branches or cutting through piping, then you’ll find that having something powered to do the same job is a life saver.

As for woodwork, this certainly can be useful for cutting through thin pieces of wood if that’s something you find yourself doing often. It’s not so precise as using a tabletop bandsaw or as easy to control as a jigsaw but in a pinch, it will do the job.

The tool looks good too and comes with a couple of nice extra features. For instance, there is an LED light that highlights the cutline for you and the pack includes a carry case and charger. Another pro is the safety. This is suitable for one handed use and meets the OSHA guarding requirements.

The drawback of course is that you’re not going to use this for cutting through thicker materials and you’re not going to use it for very precise jobs. This is more of a DIY tool to keep around the house in other words.

Another slight drawback is the omission of a hook. There are ways around this limitations but it would have been nice for those who like to hang their tools on the wall and it’s a shame not to see it included here.

Opinion

In conclusion then, the Milwaukee 2429-21 is a handy tool to keep around if you are looking to cut through piping and tubing. It has a range of other great uses too but isn’t going to replace a table-top bandsaw anytime soon. If you are looking for a useful cutting implement you can use to save yourself some elbow grease, then this is well made with lots of positive reviews and we can recommend it!

Source: http://www.toolerant.com/milwaukee-2429-2-the-best-sub-compact-bandsaw/

source https://toolerantcom.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/milwaukee-2429-2-the-best-sub-compact-bandsaw/

Hitachi M12VC Router Review: Meet Mr.Woodgilder!

Some people claim that the router is the single most versatile tool in any workshop. It’s easy to see why: with a router you can make nice deep cuts in any surface, starting right from the middle if it is a plunge router. You can then use this to do everything from cutting grooves, to cutting straight through wood, to making intricate patterns and decorative fluting. It can take the place of a miter saw by allowing you to make stunning bevel cuts, it can round of edges and when you own one you’ll constantly find new things for it to do besides.

With all that in mind then, it follows that getting the right router is a good investment. This is a tool you’re going to find yourself constantly reaching for and it’s a tool that can take the place of many others. But not every router is made equal and in order to get the very best results, you need to do your research and ensure you are spending your money well.

So the question is: is the Hitachi M12VC money well-spent?

Gliding through wood…

The Hitachi M12VC is a powerful looking tool that has a lot of heft to it. It’s particularly thick and wide and has an imposing grey and green colorscheme. The top of the router has the appearance almost of a robotic visor. All in all, it makes a good first impression and looks and feels well made and like a serious piece of kit.

What’s more important when it comes to design though is just how the tool feels to hold. The good news is that it is very comfortable and ergonomically designed. You should have no problem using this for long stretches without feeling too much fatigue.

So far so good. But how does it actually perform?

Well, with a 2-1/4 HP motor powering it, you can rest assured that this is no slouch in the power department. The Hitachi M12VC has no problem whatsoever when it comes to gliding through a range of woods and other materials and for the price you really are getting a lot of power here – we were very impressed in our reviews and found that it made some other routers we’ve used lately seem relatively underpowered!

Better yet is the fact that the motor is also a variable speed. That means you can adjust the speed to suit the nature of the job you’re doing – speeding it up if you’re cutting through tough woods for instance or slowing it down where a little more delicate care is required.

Also impressive is the usual electronic speed control to ensure constant RPMs under heavy loads. This results in some vary straight and smooth cuts. The noise level is also low and with a 2-stage motor release clamp, depth adjustments are also easy.

The good and bad

This is a router that has an awful lot going for it. It is incredibly powerful for the amount you’re paying, it is very well made and it has a lot of functionality thanks to the variable speed controls, easy depth adjustment and more. In short, it really is up to most tasks you can throw at it and it represents particularly good value for money.

But there are a couple of faults that prevent this from being an absolutely perfect experience. For one, the plunge base is a little stiff out of the box and requires some adjustment. Likewise, bits can occasionally come lose if you aren’t cautious.

Summary & Conclusion

These flaws are minor though and can be easily fixed. You will need to do a little adjusting and for that reason, absolute beginners might be better off with something else. But if you’re willing to tweak, then you’re getting one of the best routers out there in terms of the power, function and price. It is rare to see something this powerful for such a low cost and especially with variable speed control as well. This is highly recommended for pros and intermediates.

So what do you think? Is the Hitachi M12VC a great deal? Let us know in the comments below or check out some of our other reviews for a range of other great tools!

Source: http://www.toolerant.com/hitachi-m12vc-router-review-meet-mr-woodgilder/

source https://toolerantcom.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/hitachi-m12vc-router-review-meet-mr-woodgilder/

Testing the BLACK & DECKER BDCR20B – The archetypical Recip Saw ?

A new tool for your workshop means new possibilities and new things you can do. Moreover, it often also means fewer things that you can’t do. Fewer scenarios where you need to fix something around the house and just don’t have the available tool for the job. Fewer situations where you try and cut that piece of pipe, cord or wood and find that the equipment you have just isn’t up to the task.

This is certainly the case when you add a reciprocating saw to your arsenal. This is a tool that lacks finesse. This is not a piece of equipment for woodworkers who take pride in creating beautiful and perfect pieces of furniture. Neither is it something that you will enjoy using to make intricate patterns.

What it is is a tool that you’re going to pull out time and time again for all manner of odd jobs around the house. This is something you can use free hand and that will give you plenty of power for reaching into crevices and even around corners in some case. It is power on a stick.

And for those reasons, it doesn’t need to be particularly fancy or expensive – but you should get yourself one.

So how does the BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B stack up?

A typical recip saw ?

If a reciprocating saw is a down and dirty piece of equipment, then this is the archetypal reciprocating saw. That is to say that there are no fancy features here and this is no beautiful or powerful-looking piece of equipment. It’s just an orange and black handle with a saw poking out the end and that’s fine.

It’s still good quality for the money though and you know it’s going to do the job from the name alone. Black and Decker make highly reliable and functional tools and this one is no different.

The stroke length is 7/8-inch. There is a pivoting shoe to give you a little more versatility in terms of how you’re working and the saw is capable of 3,000 strokes per minute. The good news is that you also get variable speed in the trigger, this is very important because it means you can choose precisely how much power you want to use and how much speed – when cutting through metal for instance, you are going to find yourself using a much slower speed but you still need that power.

What’s also always important with a reciprocating saw is that the blade be easy to change. This is a tool-less job, which means you can easily pop the blade out and stick a new one in to suit the type of job that you’re doing.

This is a battery powered saw that will last a decent amount of time but note that this is sold as a bare tool, so you’ll need to get all your bits and pieces separately.

The good and the bad …

The good thing about this tool is that it is powerful and versatile for the price. The pivoting shoe really is very handy and this is great when combined with the variable speeds. In short, you can use this to tackle a range of jobs. The power is also going to be more than adequate for most household tasks, even if there are beefier tools out there.

The weight is good and this makes it easier to work at unusual angles. Of course this is a big advantage of any battery-powered recip saw.

On the negative end of things though, you will find that the tool vibrates a little bit during use and can occasionally show its limitations in that regard. The price is very good but of course it’s important to remember that this is a bare tool and to factor that in when considering the total cost.

What is left to say ?

Overall, this is a good if very basic recip saw. It does what it says on the tin, which is to lie in weight, always ready to go and capable of cutting through all manner of things when you don’t need any particular precision. This is a tool that you’ll find yourself reaching for often and while this certainly isn’t the most advanced of its kind, it’s perfectly fit for purpose and offers everything that most people will need.

Source: http://www.toolerant.com/testing-the-black-decker-bdcr20b-the-archetypical-recip-saw/

source https://toolerantcom.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/testing-the-black-decker-bdcr20b-the-archetypical-recip-saw/

Weekend Project: Make a Wooden Chair from One Board (for $8!)

At its core, a chair is simply a seat with a back. And while they often have legs and arms and complex joinery for strength, sometimes, a little physics can accomplish the same thing.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/3482-weekend-project-make-a-wooden-chair-from-one-board-for-8

The Process: Making A Pen On The Lathe

I know it's a small thing, but your choice in writing implements can say a lot about you. Do you carry a simple plastic tube with cheap ink, or do you hold a solid, well-made piece that makes an impression? Or do you not carry anything at all? A pen holds stories and signatures, words and dreams, and you can make one that leaves an impression every time you put some words to that page.

That's why you should carry something impressive, and why you definitely should make your own.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/david/posts/4606-the-process-making-a-pen-on-the-lathe

5 Things You Should Take with You on Every Single Bike Ride

Says Ernest Hemingway, "it is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” 

We couldn't agree more. Nowhere looks more like itself than the way it looks on two wheels. And no matter your pursuit, there's a bike for it. Whether you're looking to spin for miles through country lanes on a road bike, run errands on a stout commuter bike built for comfort on city streets, or zip down tree-lined single track on a mountain bike, at the end of all the fun and adventure, you're going to have to get back to where you started. Safely, efficiently, and, hopefully, comfortably.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/users/chris/posts/4213-5-things-you-should-take-with-you-on-every-single-bike-ride