Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 09, 2005 10:38pm | #1

   Click on the Advanced Search button near the top of the index frame on the left. Search for messages containing the exact phrase wood rat. Might not hurt to do another search for it as one word, woodrat.

1. 
   Miccosukee | Jan 10, 2005 05:08am | #2

   Thanks! This is my first time using this site.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 10, 2005 06:11am | #3

   Welcome to Knots. If you have trouble with the search, give us a holler.

2. 
   IainEdwards | Jan 10, 2005 01:49pm | #4

   I've had a rat for a couple of years.....they're incredibly versatile, at first view expensive but if you add up capability and then do a comparison with other jig's it works out....

   It's also totally infuriating, has a poorly written manual (IMHO) and is likely to take some time to get comfortable with....That said on balance I'd say worth it..Try the link below it has some woodrat stuff on....all the best Iain

   http://www.woodshopdemos.com

1. 
   Miccosukee | Jan 11, 2005 05:48am | #6

   Thanks for the link. I will definitely take a look at it!

3. 
   stephengaal | Jan 10, 2005 05:26pm | #5

   Dear David & Deke:

   I have had one for about a year. It is a superbly engineered piece of equipment. I had a Leigh dovetail jig for years and virtually never used it. It was a lot easier to do dovetails by hand than to fuss the with darn jig. The Woodrat, on the other hand, makes doing dovetails a cinch. The caveat is that there is a learning curve and it is somewhat non-intuitive, but very easy and accurate.

   I have a horizontal mortising capability as part of a European combination machine which I used to use to do mortise and tenons. (I make period reproduction furniture and therfore do lots of M&T and dovetails). I now use the Woodrat for those as well.

   Unlike a later respondent, I found the manual quite good with a few excruciating holes, such as mounting the router on the plate to get it dead center, and a few other things. There are updated versions avaialble on line, tech support via e-mail from England is quite good, and there is an excellent DVD done by the designer that you must see. I actually sometimes use it as a reference and review an operation I haven't done in a while.

   I strongly recommend this tool. It is one of the most heavily used tools in my shop. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you wish to peak further.

   Best wishes.

   [email protected]

   Stephen J. Gaal

    

    

1. 
   Miccosukee | Jan 11, 2005 05:59am | #7

   Thanks for the info! My main interest was in the M & T part of it. A couple years ago I bought a tabletop mortiser by Delta and ended up sending it back out of frustration. It just didn't live up to it's billing in my opinion. But I have to admit, the Wood Rat looks interesting with all the other options it has to offer.           Thanks again for your help!

4. 
   vern | Jan 11, 2005 07:24am | #8

   the Woodrat is a good addition to your tool inventory-- I have had one for about ten years and use it quite often I think I will order that DVD -- maybe I will learn something

   making sawdust
1. 
   Miccosukee | Jan 11, 2005 04:23pm | #9

   Thanks! I did order the dvd and it is pretty informative. Not exactly an Oscar winning production but it does what it is intended to do I think.  Thanks again!