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Hand Tools & Routers
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Tool Case
I swing these doors open on every project I build! It is
very handy to have the tools all in one place AND protected from
rust. The little gray and white box in the center of the case
contains silica. I purchased it from
Lee Valley. Ever since placing this renewable bag of silica
in this case, I have not had a speck of rust show up on any
iron.
Inside the Case
(Left to Right, top to bottom)
1. Speed square, 6" & 12" Stanley squares,
bevel gauge (behind square), SmartTool (see below), Dial
indicator with multiple tips (red case) and dial caliper
graduated to a 1/64".
2.
Lee Valley marking gauge, green Exacto knife, compass, 12"
rule, 12" center finding rule, angle finder, set of Marples
chisels. In front of the chisels at the bottom of the case are
various pairs of earplugs.
3. The four files I use all the time:
double/single cut flat file,
#49 Pattern maker’s rasp, single cut triangle file, single
cut round file. Next to that is the
Veritas MKII sharpening jig
and at the top right, is a small
Stanley Gents saw.
4. Planes and scrapers.
Lie Nielsen low Angle Block Plane, Stanley block plane, #5 1/4 &
#5 Stanley jack planes,
Veritas Low Angle smoother,
Veritas scraping plane,
Veritas bevel-up jointer. The tools above the planes are a
Veritas medium shoulder plane, and
Veritas cabinet scraper.
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Straight Edge and Levels
Like most shops, we have a number of levels of various sizes
and lengths. The SmartTool (below) add to this arsenal of level
finding tools. We also picked up a straight edge from Lee Valley
(have you been able to catch on who our favorite tool supplier
is?) This is a great tool and worthy of consideration. If you
need a dead flat reverence, this is a great tool at a great
price.
SmartTool Level
 If
you need a dead on accurate level and a tool to find any angle
with accuracy to 1/10 of a degree, this is the tool to get! It
displays measurements in three modes: degrees, percentage slope,
or pitch (inches of rise per foot). The tool calibrates to dead
zero (0.0) with a push of a button. This digital level makes it
a breeze to get your jointer tables; table saw wings and
out-feed tables coplanar. Costs about the same amount as a good
48" straightedge, but does tons more! All of the fences of my
machines are set dead on 90 degrees! Moreover, if you need the
length of a 2', 4', or 6' level, the module is design to bolt
onto any standard American aluminum level. This little tool was
a Godsend in my shop. An online friend,
Sonny Edmonds,
recommends it to me. I purchased the SmartTool at Amazon. Highly
recommended.
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Routers and Bits
Rockler opened a sister sight called
RouterMania.com. It is a good place to check prices. My only
reservation is their bits. If they are the standard Rockler
bits, you can likely do better with another brand (see below).
-
Bosch 1617EVSPK -- A GREAT router value. Tons of power
and the best micro adjustment I have seen. A best buy if you
want to buy one router for your shop and two machines for
the price of one!
-
Porter Cable 691 D-handle -- This is usually the first
machine I reach for. I really like the control of the
D-Handle and Porter Cable simply makes a machine that will
NOT quit!
-
Porter-Cable Trim Router is a VERY handy tool to have
around the shop. Not only is it the perfect tool for flush
trimming laminate, as it was designed, and I find in my shop
that I always have a Whiteside 1/8” round-over bit checked
up in it to take a sharp edge off a board. A great tool,
highly recommended. I wore this machine out and replaced it
with a
Ridgid trim router. WOW! Is this a tool worthy of
consideration!
-
Rockler Guide Bushing Set -- a must have accessory!
-
Speed Controller -- spinning large bits at high speeds
is dangerous and gives poor cutting performance. One of
these nifty little devices allows you to slow the speed of
that bit down.
- Bits. I have bought
a number of brands.
MLCS makes a very good bit for light duty work. I
have a number of these. Their customer service is absolutely
TOPS and shipping is free! Their
Katana line is actually a pretty good bit and worth the
extra money in my opinion. I have a few Oldham Viper (Home
Depot) these too are a very a good bit but hard to find
profiles at Home Depot with a 1/2" shaft. Whiteside are the
priciest bit I own but I have found that they are the best
hands down! Great fit and finish and nice thick carbon
cutters! Worth every $$ I have spent on them!
Routerbits.com (they
sell Whiteside) also has excellent customer service! I also
have a few CMT bits. Excellent quality!
SAFETY NOTE: Cutting devices (bits and blades) are NOT a
place you want to try and save money. With a router bit rotating
some 25,000 RPMs, if it fails, you do NOT want to be around it.
For safety sake, spend your money on good quality bits and
blades—it is good insurance!
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