Any comments on the circular saw reviews in the latest issue of Fine Homebuilding?
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Makita 2012NB Planer
Of the planers with two-knife cutterheads, the Makita produced the best surface quality. The knives are very narrow and a bit tricky to change, but Makita provides two magnets for lifting them off the cutterhead, and these make it easier. The machine’s dust port is an odd size, with an outside diameter of approximately 2-7/8 in. I used an adapter to connect it to a 4-in.-dia. hose, but dust collection was only fair. Finally, a full revolution of the height-adjustment wheel moves the cutterhead 3/32 in. The other machines move 1/16 in. with a complete revolution of the handle, a dimension that’s much easier to work with because the most common thicknesses for furniture are in multiples of 1/16 in.
Genesis GBS321 Belt Sander
Weight: 7.8 lb. Amps: 8 Variable speed: Yes Belt alignment: Excellent Material removal rate: Good Sanding flatness: Fair Shaping/scribing: Very good Handling on side: Good Dust collection with hose: N/A
Veritas Precision Square
This precision square is incredibly versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.
Black & Decker Dragster, DS321 Belt Sander
Weight: 6.5 lb. Amps: 7 Variable speed: No Belt alignment: Poor Material removal rate: Poor Sanding flatness: Very good Shaping/scribing: Good Handling on side: Very good Dust collection with hose: N/A
Armor Pocket Hole Jig Model APJ14001
The jig’s primary design feature is that the depth guide on the drill bit is set when you clamp material into the jig, so it is always right for the material thickness (from 1⁄2 in. to 1 1⁄2 in.). A color-coded system of screws tells you which screw length to use for each material thickness. A starter set of screws is included. The jig and screw system work as designed, with the exit holes well centered in material of varying thicknesses.
Replies
imho, Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin gave a great overview of what's out there for sidewinder tho' my favorites might be a little different. If I were in the market for a new saw, the Porter Cable, Milwaukee, and Makita would be on my final list to choose from. All three feel more comfortable to me than the Bosch. It really comes down to personal preference; a circular saw is one tool where you have to try it out or at least pick it up and see how it feels- being comfortable to use counts for a lot. Features that rank high for Rick and Mike might not be as important to you or me . Cost, power, weight, dust collection etc etc.
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