Right away we noticed something different about the CS20: There is no power cord, but there is a convenient rafter hook. The saw also has Bosch’s Direct Connect system, with recessed, male electronic prongs in the handle. Plug in a heavy-duty extension cord and thread it through a slot and hook to prevent disconnections.
The spring-loaded lever locks for depth and bevel can be pulled outward and repositioned. The bevel adjustment has details at 22.5° and 45°, and the depth adjuster has detents at common dimensions, but none were positive enough to rely on without looking at the scales. The CS20 weighs 10.4 ib. and has a hang-up-resistant blade guard.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Makita XTR01Z 18V LXT
Power: Excellent
Cut visibility: Excellent
Control: Good (with standard fixed base)
Bit changes: Excellent
Depth adjustment: Fair
This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.
The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.
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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