With lights in its base, this router had great overall visibility and sight lines. I also appreciated the very aggressive spindle brake, as it minimized the time wasted between mortises. The plunge lock worked well, and the depth rod and turret system were easy to adjust. However, the plunge mechanism was weak, and I occasionally had to help the router back up. The power switch was a nuisance, too. To turn the router on, you must first depress a lockout switch meant to prevent accidental starts. If you don’t immediately release the safety switch, the router is locked on and turning it off can be a nuisance.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure
With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.
While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
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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