Recent content by RueFondary

I had promised to post a review of sorts following my purchase over the summer of a Startrite 403 bandsaw (it was probably one of the last ones on sale). While I haven’t intensively used it so far, I’ve set it up and tested it in my workshop. Without further due, here are my findings and initial...

I have both Parkside and Festool track saws. They will deliver the same quality of cut (after upgrading the Parkside blade to a Triton TTS60), and this would be my first purchase, as track saws are very convenient for precision cuts with sheet goods (and the occasional bit of real wood). I'm not...

My TRA001 is mounted in a cast aluminium table top next to my table saw and find that it works fairly well. It's install in a way which makes it easy to adjust the router height from the below table (quick and micro) and to use the locking mechanism (this way, height adjustments are much faster...

In a pinch, you can get a thicknesser to act as a planer (mounting boards on a rigid and flat surface which will slide into the thicknesser)... and 'lunch box' thicknesser are relatively affordable and compact, while accepting fairly wide boards (300mm/12" is typical). For one off needs, this is...

Regarding Axminster (and other suppliers), I've found that they are fairly quick when it comes to shipping (provided that you want is in stock, as otherwise it's a lottery, especially this year) and that they have a pretty extensive offering. Pricing will vary, but they tend to be a bit above...

You may find the thread on £1000 bandsaws useful: £1000 Bandsaws (Again!) Axi vs SIP vs Sabre 350 If I were you, I'd stretch to the Record Sabre 350 which is still transportable, and just slightly above your stated budget

I have a basic corded Dremel (3000). I use it very very occasionally, but a bit like and oscillating multitool (aka Fein multimaster), it can be very useful in a few odd situations, such as cutting openings in (plastic) project/electrical boxes or for enlarging/sculpting holes in hard materials...

This may not be the answer you're looking for, but in this price range there is no clear winner. Some people like the Bosch PBD40 but it's hardly a precision machine and I'm not sure how it will fare in the long run. I ended up buying a Wabeco BF1243 stand with a 'top of the range' Bosch drill...

In my experience, the large Lidl F clamps are quite good especially for the price. They will rust compared to the equivalent Bessey which are my gold standard for this type of clamps. The small Lidl F clamps are not as good IMO. I'd stay well clear of the Lidl quick clamps (the Irwin quick...

I also have the Kreg jig and the Festool LR32 setup (not the full kit, but close to it, as buying piecemeal everything but the 35mm cutter and the systainer box resulted in a significant saving)... The Kreg jig is fine to add extra holes in situ, but the result is definitely not as good as what...

It depends... My lunchbox thicknesser didn't come with a dust hood. It worked but made a big mess each time I used it. I have since built a proper dust hood attached to a CamVac 4" shop vac, and there is now hardly any dust and everything works very well, even if it's not a HVLP system. I've...

Yes, it's a sad state of affairs! Looking at the Instruction Manual supplied with my Startrite 403 (Version 3.1 from June 2015), I was surprised by the number of errors, inaccuracies and plain omissions on things such as the electrical diagram! The manual on the Record/Startrite website...

A few thoughts... If you already have router bits with 8mm, 12mm or 1/4" collets, you may want to consider buying the matching collet for the Triton as these sizes (and possibly others) are available for the TRA001. If you plan on getting another router with a smaller collet at a later stage...

I did dig quite deep :wink: as tend to keep my equipment for decades and didn't want to have to go through the hunt again! I must say that it was surprisingly difficult to find reliable information, even from distributors/importers/resellers... The advice given on the Startrite from these...

I've just been though a process similar to CaptainBarnacles... The number of new options in the £1000-£2000 range is actually quite limited... There is basically the Record Power family (Sabre 350, Record BS400, Sabre 450), the Lagunas 1412 and 14BX, and, towards the upper range of this budget...