A fence that holds up
Bow XT XTENDER Fence
PRICE: 24” $79.99, 36” $129.99, 46” $149.99, bow-products.com
Bow’s XT Xtender is an excellent auxiliary fence that attaches to your machine’s existing fence, enhancing its functionality. Five inches tall, made of extruded aluminum with integral T-track slots, and available in lengths of 24, 36, or 46 inches, it’s all you could want in a fence. But Bow’s fence is better thought of as the backbone of a full system that includes the fence, T-track clamps, and Bow’s XT1 feed supports. I like the system on my bandsaw, where the feed supports effectively increase the table size and the tall fence makes resawing more accurate. Or mount it on the existing fence of a contractor, jobsite, or cabinet table saw. Even on a quality fence, it’s useful for adding height, and its 1-inch thickness maintains your built-in rule through some quick mental math. T-track slots on the fence face and top accept featherboards, jigs, and accessories. And multiple slots in the fence back let you easily attach Bow’s fence to your standard fence with T-track clamps. Once the Bow fence is clamped in place, consider adding feed supports for extra support. Split them between infeed and outfeed, or employ them on the same end as needed. The feed supports attach securely to the fence with three large knob-controlled bolts; one engages the T-track on the backside of the fence, and two connect to its underside. The feed supports are stout and don’t bend under most loads. But they do have a cavity that accepts a 2×4 crutch for additional stability if needed. My only complaint is that the system isn’t available as a package, and instead has to be purchased as separate components.
Derek Richmond
Practically perfect screw holes
WL Fuller #8 Countersink Set
PRICE: $137.17, jamestowndistributors.com
For nearly 100 years, the WL Fuller Company has been making high-quality drill bits, plug cutters, and countersinks here in the U.S. I recently picked up their #8 countersink set and have been very pleased with it. The set includes five tapered drill bits that make holes perfectly-sized for #6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 screws respectively and the accompanying countersinks leave crisp, clean 3/8” or 1/2” diameter holes ready for plugging. I can cut those plugs with the two included plug cutters that make what are perhaps the best-fitting plugs I’ve ever encountered. The set also includes a 3/8” and a 1/2” stop collar along with the necessary Allen keys for setting them. Everything fits neatly in a hinged wooden case with a secure latch that will prevent the set from dumping out in the bottom of my traveling tool bag. It’s nice to know there are still family-owned, American companies with a commitment to producing top-quality tooling.
Ken Burton
Easy acrylic turning
Sorby Modular Micro Resin Pen Set
PRICE: $99.99, woodcraft.com, #187708
Acrylic and resin blanks have vastly expanded the array of colors and materials available to pen, ring, and handle turners. But the tough, brittle nature of those materials calls for sharp tools and a steady hand. Renowned British toolmaker Robert Sorby has introduced a set of pen-turning tools designed specifically for manmade materials. The set includes a shallow-fluted spindle roughing gouge for initial shaping, and a scraping cutter with a replaceable four-sided high-speed steel tip. Both tool shafts attach securely to the 7-3/4” long anodized aluminum handle by way of two set screws. The traditional gouge is easily sharpened and its shallow flute reduces chipping while rounding the blank. The scraper’s four sides are gently radiused and make incredibly smooth cuts, peeling off long strings of the solid-surface material. When one edge dulls, use the included hex key to rotate to the next; when they’re all dulled—it will take a while—they’re easily sharpened by running a diamond file across the cutter’s top surface. I find the long, deeply knurled handle gives me full control over the tool heads, making for clean cuts without blowouts. They work great on acrylics, alumilite, acrylester and other polyester resins, and even burl-resin hybrids.
Derek Richmond
