Gary Junken
Turning multiple matching spindles on the lathe can be a chore. If it’s one that you find yourself doing regularly, you might consider speeding up the process with a lathe duplicator.
On the road at the Association for Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) annual tradeshow in Las Vegas, we took a look at the Pro Lathe Duplicator from lathe and tool maker Vega. Designed as an attachment for most standard lathes, the duplicator can be used to turn matching spindles from a template.
See how the tool works and learn about its best applications in this short video, filmed at the Vega booth at AWFS.
Ernie Conover is a woodworker, author, and teacher in Parkham, Ohio.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
DeWalt 735X Planer
The DeWalt 735X produced two faces perfectly parallel to one another, with surfaces far superior to what the other machines produced, thanks to its two feed speeds. 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, with spacious access to the cutterhead from the top and a gib screw wrench that doubles as a magnetic lift to remove the knives. The 735X also has great dust collection, thanks to an internal blower that helps evacuate chips. The port has a 2-1/2-in.-dia. opening, but has a built-in adapter for 4-in.-dia. hoses. My only complaint is the location of the dust port. It’s on the outfeed side of the machine, and exits straight back. If you don’t pull the hose to the side, it interferes with material as it leaves the machine. The top is large and flat, so it’s a great place to set material in between passes through the machine.
Freud Super Dado Saw Blade Set 8" x 5/8" Bore
Leaves a dado with a flat bottom and even performs excellent on plywood and melamine.
- Two 8", 24-tooth blades
- Six chippers; one 3/32" thick
Ridgid R4331 Planer
Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X, but it created less tearout than all but one of the other machines (the DeWalt 734 was its equal). Knife changes were quick and easy with the provided T-handle wrench. Dust collection was good, assisted by an internal fan. The 2-1/2-in.-dia. port on the outfeed side of the machine is directed to the side, so the hose is out of the way. The planer’s top is flat and provides a good surface for holding stock between passes.
Shop Fox W1826
The thick, felted bag on this Shop Fox is a plus and a minus. On one hand, it makes the unit much less expensive than collectors with canister filters, and also lighter and easier to hang on the wall. Without a separate plastic bag to catch chips, however, they stay in the felt bag, and the shortish zipper on the bottom makes it tough to shake them out. Otherwise, the W1826 is an excellent value.
Starrett 12-in. combination square
This accurate, robust, well-machined, easy-to-read combo square is as great as ever.
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