The Porter-Cable has one usable tool rest that’s ground flat; the other has a drill trough cast into the platform, making it useless for narrow chisels. That’s too bad because the rests are the easiest of the group to adjust via thumbscrews. The only inhibiting factor in the angle adjustments is the detents in the mechanism that limit the settings; I had to override them with a washer spacer. Once set, the platforms held their settings. The grinder ran with very little vibration, after adjusting the flanges to correct wheel wobble. The Porter-Cable comes with a diamond wheel dresser and a handy work light. At $120, you’ll have some money left over to replace one of the tool rests with an excellent aftermarket version.

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.

Buy at Amazon

Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor

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.

Buy at Amazon

Makita SP6000J1 Track Saw

With enough power to slice through thick hardwoods, the Makita makes smooth, chip-free cuts in all materials.

Buy at Amazon