Essentially a mobile base, General’s Hoverpad floats a machine on a 1/8-in. to 1/2-in. cushion of air. It comes in two sizes-18 in. by 24 in. (model 10-824, $165) and 29 in. by 29 in. (model 10-929, $265)-with all the necessary fittings to attach to a compressor. The smaller model is rated to lift up to 600 lb.; the larger, up to 1,200 lb. A 500-lb. load will need between 2.5 cfm and 3.5 cfm at about 90 psi, while heavier loads require 5 cfm to 6 cfm at around 120 psi. We tried the 29-in.-sq. model, using it to move a floor-standing hollow-chisel mortiser that weighs about 360 lb. In areas where our shop floor was smooth semigloss paint, the Hoverpad worked great. In areas where the floor was rough or pitted, the Hoverpad did not work. General says the pad requires a hard, airtight floor surface and recommends you do a suction-cup test before buying. If the suction cup sticks to the floor, even slightly, the Hoverpad will fly. If it doesn’t stick, you’ll need to treat or cover the floor in some way to make a suitable, airtight runway. For more information, visit www.general.ca.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
DeWalt 735X Planer
At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.
This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.
The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.
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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