Generic Mini 1 x 30 Belt Sander Review

The Generic Mini 1 x 30 belt sander doesn’t exactly have the most inspiring of names but it is nevertheless a great little sander that definitely won’t break the bank but should still be up to most of the jobs you send its way. If you’re looking for something to smooth the odd piece of wood and you don’t need professional-grade performance, then you won’t go far wrong – although there are a few caveats to keep in mind. Read on for our full review.

Product Description: Definitely “Budget”

Generic is of course the name of the manufacturer, it’s just a shame that they chose a brand that literally means ‘in no way special’. And, without meaning to be too harsh here, that is a fair description of this sander. There’s nothing special here except the small size and the price but if that’s what you’re looking for, then it will certainly fulfil those criteria.

At 3,400 RPM and with 6.5 amps of power, this isn’t exactly the top performer but it’s also good enough for the vast majority of tasks you’re going to need to complete. The working surface isn’t huge and there are no fancy features here. There is automatic belt tracking however and a dust collection socket.

Pros and Cons: Cheap and Cheerful

When describing tools for woodwork and DIY, it is very often considered a good thing to be light. A light tool is an easy tool to use and to move around and that means that you’re not going to find yourself putting off using the machine. But in the case of a sander like this, it can also be a bad thing. That’s because a very light product is prone to shaking a little and can be somewhat more likely to fall over. This isn’t a huge problem here, because the sander is designed to be held as you use it. The Generic Mini 1 x 30 belt sander has a soft grip around the back and if you clamp your hands around that, then you won’t need to worry about it toppling over and sanding your arm instead of the wood you intended to sand…

But this also means that you’re not getting the same solid base or the kind of purchase that you would do with another benchtop sander. It means that this is very much inappropriate for heavy duty jobs. That is also true of the belt itself – if you apply too much pressure it is likely to tear. And at 120v, you’re not going to be sanding the toughest materials.

And when we said there were no fancy features… we really meant! There is a distinct lack of bells and whistles here – you don’t even get a carry case included, which is somewhat standard for a device this portable.

We had no problems during our review period but we would also be a little concerned about the plastic chassis itself breaking or snapping during intense use.
None of this is to say that this is a bad product. This is just a product that is very happy to be a cheap and cheerful options for hobbyists not looking for ultimate power in their worktools. If that’s you and if you’re happy with that, then you’ll save money by choosing something this small.

Conclusion: Not the Best but Good for the Money

The point to keep in mind is that there are better budget sanders out there, many of which we have reviewed on this very site. But then it all comes down to what you’re willing to spend. Experienced hobbyists will know by now that you very much always get what you pay for. If you spend a little more, you get a more resilient and sturdy machine that will chomp up wood like it was nothing. If you spend less, then you get something light and flimsy – but still capable of doing the job.

For hobbyists and those who just want a small and portable sander around the house for odd jobs, this is a very wallet-friendly option. If you think you’ll need something more powerful in the future, then spend wisely and invest in a more powerful machine.
BTW, if you are into building models…what a about getting a miniature table saw?

source http://www.toolerant.com/generic-mini-1-x-30-belt-sander-review/

Festool 574447 XL DF 700 Domino Joiner Set Review

Using a biscuit joiner is a great way to enhance the quality of any furniture you make. This cuts two small holes, thereby allowing you to insert a biscuit that will strengthen the joint and improve the quality. This is one of those things that many DIY hobbyists will go without for a long time but once you’ve used one and seen the difference for yourself, you’ll not want to go back to working without them! But if you want to get the very top performance, then using a Domino joiner can take things up a level. Joining is conventionally a slow and awkward process but the Festool Domino Joining system uses pre-fabricated, beech and sipo Domino tendons and utilizes smart indexing features to ensure that the mortises are perfect every time. This uses a patented cutting action that you just won’t get anywhere else.

So how did the Festool 574447 XL DF 700 Domino Joiner Set hold up during our testing? And is it worth the significant premium that you’ll pay in order to use the device?

The Fastest Joiner in the West (And East!)

This is a very expensive joining tool and it is certainly only for people who are committed to their craft – most likely professionals.
The unique, patented cutting action really does make a big difference, oscillating to create perfect and precise mortises every single time. You can simply turn a dial in order adjust the mortises, thereby allowing for simple and easy alignment for joining panels. Indexing pins also aid with rapid alignment against the edge of your work surface, while tenons are up to 5-1/2 inch for larger scale projects.

This being a professional piece of equipment, it’s not exactly light or small. It’s a heavy, cumbersome machine but this does add to the solid feel in the hands and ensures that you can keep it nicely stable and in place. The larger size over the 500 model will allow you to make larger joints – though if you don’t need that, then you can save a little cash and go for a smaller machine.

Pros and Cons: Massive Power and Speed at a Price

When you move to this system, you’ll be able to create joins that are just as strong and powerful as any mortise and tenon joins. The difference is the speed and you can expect to complete the same work in a fraction of the time – a big plus for anyone who is working on a lot of joints over the course of a day. The additional features help you to ensure that measuring mistakes are a thing of the past too and everything just fits together perfectly. The power will allow for the deepest cuts in the hardest woods and in short, you get performance to match that price point. During the review period we made all kinds of cuts with this machine and nothing we could throw at it gave it pause. This really is the ‘Daddy’ and if you’re going to be making lots of joins, then it may well be worth it.
But that price point… this really is an expensive piece of machinery, make no mistake. And for those who don’t spend a lot of time in the gym, the weight and size may well be a little intimidating. It’s also not quiet – people will know when you’re working!

Conclusion

Ultimately, this is a high-end joiner that you’ll pay quite a bit of money for. Whether or not this is going to be worth it for you, is going to depend entirely on your intended use and whether or not you’re someone who needs that professional level of power.

For those who are going to be making furniture as a hobby, then getting a joiner can help to improve the end products but you don’t need to spend this much money. This is for those who do this as a day job and who are looking away to save a lot of time and to ensure they’re able to cut anything that comes their way.
At the end of the day, this product is results in the highest quality of furniture and for many, that will be worth the steep price of entry…

source http://www.toolerant.com/festool-574447-xl-df-700-domino-joiner-set-review/

Black and Decker DS321 Dragster Review

The Black and Decker DS321 Dragster is a belt sander that is relatively portable at 3-by-21 inches and that has a smart design featuring a retractable hood. It’s not the most powerful sander in the world but for the money and convenience, it is a very compelling proposition indeed.

Product Description: Sleek Compact and Well Made

This machine is certainly sleek and has a compact profile that makes it very manoeuvrable and easy to use. Add in the smart retractable hood for hard-to-reach places and you have something that can sand pretty much any surface from nearly any angle! Need to sand the underside of a cabinet? Between two banisters? You’ll be able to do so. And because it’s so light, you won’t risk tearing your bicep while you’re working either.

And it is clear that this machine was built for comfort and convenience first as it also has a number of other features that fit this objective. There’s an adjustable handle for example which has three separate positions to help you find the one that suits you best in terms of control. Belt tracking is also very easy to adjust and this ensures that the belt is always exactly beneath the surface you’re sanding on. As you’d expect, it’s also very easy to change belts. In fact, you only need to flip a single switch in order for the action belt to release and then you can simply swap in a new one.

Also included is a dust bag. This is nice, seeing as many other more affordable options just give you a dust collector port and expect you to add this on yourself. For a small budget-friendly machine, this is a welcome addition that will save you a lot of time when it comes to clearing up sawdust and keeping your work area clean and ready to go.

Pros and Cons: Super Convenient, Could be More Powerful

We’ve seen this story a few times with our reviews. Once again, the Black and Decker DS321 Dragster is a sander that is highly convenient, nicely affordable but not the most powerful. With 7 amps, you should get decent results for most household tasks but this is not industrial grade by any means and isn’t going to be suitable for the majority of professionals either.

It is also very clearly plastic and while it looks nicely made (and felt good to hold when we were using it), it is still more likely to break than something with a bit more heft.

Those are the main drawbacks here and for something so light, they are very much fair and somewhat to be expected even. Whether or not this is a problem will ultimately come down to your intended use and what kind of work you’ll be doing.

But actually, before you write this off as a sander just for hobbyists, I would argue that there’s an alternative use case scenario here. If you’re a professional who sometimes finds themselves struggling to reach inaccessible areas with their sanders, then keeping something lighter and more versatile like this to hand could be a good move. That, and it can be useful to have something a bit smaller that you can chuck in your glove compartment and take with you on the road.
And the other big positive here is that you get so many extra features and smart decisions. Everything from the removable hood to the adjustable handle just makes good sense and makes a real difference when you’re using it.

Oh, one more con though? This is a corded sander. That means that it isn’t quite as versatile as it otherwise would be as you’re going to need to find a power outlet to use it. Don’t let that put you off though, as this does mean you don’t need to worry about your batteries running out at just the wrong time!

Conclusion: A Useful Little Tool

So whether you’re looking to augment your larger tools or you just need something small and convenient to get started with, the Black and Decker DS321 Dragster is a great entry-level sander that you can rely on to get the job done and that is particularly nice and easy to use.

source http://www.toolerant.com/black-and-decker-ds321-dragster-review/

Review: DEWALT DW682K – the best Amp Plate Joiner ?

Every professional contractor and DIY hobbyist should have a plate joiner in their collection, although it is one of those tools that is very often overlooked. The job of a plate joiner is of course to make two precise cuts into a piece of wood, which will then allow a wood biscuit to be glued in place. That then provides stability for joints and ensures joints will line up perfectly. Adding a biscuit joint can really make a big difference to your constructions and is a must for anyone who wants to make professional-grade furniture. Can you live without a joiner? Probably – but once you’ve seen the difference you’ll not want to go back.

The question is: can the DEWALT DW682K 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner be the tool to help you do that?

Everything You Could Want in a Joiner

A good plate joiner should be able to cut with consistent precision with the desired depth and location. You should also keep an eye out for safety features (and general features generally), the versatility, preset stops and the power.

The good news is that the DEWALT DW682K 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner really excels when it comes to most of these criteria. It is a nicely made product and has a great design. The name DEWALT also always inspires confidence. At 10.6 pounds, it’s not terribly light but it is very well balanced and is generally ergonomic.

The fence can be adjusted between 0 and 90 degrees and is made from one piece, which ensures the blade and fence stay parallel. It can also make flush cuts at zero degrees with no need to remove the fence – something that you won’t find with a lot of these tools.

In terms of features, the DeWalt DW682K 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner comes with heavy-duty non-marring aliminum shoe. This helps to protect the wood around the area that you are cutting, which of course is a very handy feature unless you want your furniture to look dented and battered!

Preset depth stops are also handy and include the most common biscuit sizes (0, 10 and 20). This makes it very easy to set everything up and means you can be certain that the depth is accurate and you aren’t going to cut too deep or too shallow. This comes in very handy if you use the tool frequently. Oh, and it’s powerful too with a 6.5 amp motor capable of driving the carbide blade at 10,000. This allows cutting depths up to 20mm in even the hardest woods and you should have zero probably cutting through oak or maple.

Pros and Cons: Power and Performance… If You Don’t Mind the Noise!

The DeWalt DW682K 6.5 Amp Plate Joiner is simply a very well made tool from a highly respected manufacturer. It has a lot of extra features, including the shoe and the preset stops and these help to make it easier and faster to accurately create your joins. It’s powerful enough to handle the toughest of tasks and in general will be ‘future proof’. If you’re a hobbyist now hoping to take on bigger projects in the future, then the tool will be likely to grow with you. In our tests, this has been a joy to use.

Another pro here is the smorgasbord of extras that come packed in. You get the carbide blade, the dust bag, vacuum adaptor, torx key, wrench and even a kitbox.

On the downside though, this is a noisy device. And at $354.18 (at full price) it’s also not expensive. And while the machine is actually fairly light considering its capability, it’s still definitely heavier than some tools you’ll have lying around.

Conclusion

As ever, the suitability of this joiner comes down to your requirements. If you’re a pro and you design furniture for a living, then you’re going to need a joiner and this model is as good as any. Likewise, if you’re a hobbyist and you want to really step-up your game and potentially sell your work in future, then this will help you do that.

But for those who just ‘dabble’ it may not be essential and you might not want to store something so big and loud.

source http://www.toolerant.com/review-dewalt-dw682k-the-best-amp-plate-joiner/