By David A Thompson

There are two major players in the dustless drywall sander world. Porter Cable has a model popular with professionals that need high productivity. It features a large, rounded orbital sanding head with the electric motor mounted in the extension handle. The Dustless Technologies Turbo Drywall Sander features a smaller, rectangular orbital sanding head powered by the air flow from the vacuum. It is designed more for tight places and for sanding in corners.

The biggest problem with the Porter Cable Drywall Sander is its weight – 8.5 lbs. Holding that kind of weight shoulder-high will cause muscle burn within a few minutes and require frequent breaks. It can turn a sizable project into a misery marathon. Some people opt for manual pole sanding methods and put up with the dust to avoid the fatigue associated with the Porter Cable Drywall Sander.

The Porter Cable Drywall Sander is a good quality unit that has advantages too. For a professional drywall sander who needs a high productivity unit, it is a good choice because of it’s aggressive sanding action. It enables the operator to cover larger areas quickly, but you also pay a premium price for it. It sells for approximately $430, and that does not include a vacuum – just the drywall sanding unit. For small contractors, do-it-yourselfers and homeowners, the high price of the Porter Cable system may not be worth the expense.

And in tight places like bathrooms, the Porter Cable Drywall Sander is often not practical because the sanding head is too big; it’s rounded, so it won’t reach into corners; the long pole inhibits maneuverability, and you can’t adjust the angle of the head to reach everywhere you need to.

So, how do you handle these tight places? Manual sanding? No – that still creates dust that requires a lot of work to clean up. The Turbo Drywall Sander From Dustless Technologies goes where the Porter Cable unit cannot. It has a rectangular head so it can sand in corners. The pole is removable so you can convert the unit into a dustless hand sander – perfect for tight places. An adjustable knuckle enables you to set the angle of the head wherever you need it to accommodate even the most awkward working conditions.

The Dustless Turbo Drywall Sander is an excellent alternative to the Porter Cable Drywall Sander for people who want a lighter weight system at a lower cost. The Turbo Drywall Sander weighs only 4.5 lbs. and sells for less than half the price (only $180) of a Porter Cable unit ($430). It is also a great asset for professional drywall contractors who need the high productivity of the Porter Cable system, but also want a lightweight, more versatile system for small jobs, tight places and touch up.

A big consideration is the type of vacuum used along with the drywall sander. Porter Cable sells a 10 gallon wet/dry vacuum to go along with its model 7800 drywall sander for $370, bringing the total cost for the Porter Cable set up to $800. Dustless Technologies sells a 16 gallon wet/dry vacuum for $300, bringing the total cost for its turbo drywall sanding system to under $500.

For less money, the Dustless Technologies vacuum has some distinct advantages over the Porter Cable vacuum. While the Porter Cable Vacuum claims to deliver 99.85% efficiency, the Dustless vacuum goes further by capturing airborne particles down to .5 microns with its optional micro-prefilter. This is very close to HEPA-level performance, which captures down to .3 microns. When dealing with ultra-fine drywall dust, the extra filtration is noticeable.

Another consideration when choosing a drywall sanding system is the cost of the sand paper. The Porter Cable Drywall Sander uses proprietary sand paper that costs $5 a sheet. The Dustless Technologies Turbo Drywall Sander uses standards sized hook-and-loop sand paper sheets available at any hardware store for around a dollar a sheet.

Learn more about dust control systems at http://www.dustcollectionproducts.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_A_Thompson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Comparing-Dustless-Drywall-Sanders&id=1441370

By Jake Strong

You’ve got to have the right tool for the job. Today, we look the very nice Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit. This kit is a favorite of mine.

While some kits might be lacking in components, the Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit has a finish nailer, brad nailer, stapler, narrow crown stapler, air house, fasteners, nailer oil, manuals and more.

With tools, as you probably know, you really get what you pay for. While the Porter Cable kit normally runs $600, it can be had for 1/3rd of that. Talk about getting bang for your air power tool buck.

The Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit has a 120-volt, 10 amp pump. This baby provides some serious air. The portable 6-gallon air tank can also supply up to 150 psi for all those other air power tools you have. And if you don’t have any other air power tools, this is a great reason to go out and get some.

The 16-gauge finish nail gun, with -inch nails, is perfect for casings and moldings. It’s versatile. You can switch to 2-1/2-inch nails and secure some baseboard or moldings. It’s also good for door frames and jambs. And it’s just one feature of this Porter Cable combo kit. It’s very nice.

Whether you’re working on casings or upholstery or low voltage wiring, the Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit is a must have air power tool as far as I’m concerned. Just make sure you don’t pay $600 for it. It can be had for about $230-$300 at the right place.

One thing is for sure, once your buy the Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit, you’ll wish you’d done it sooner. One construction company owner, purchased a couple of them and he says they are a great investment. As C. Dwight Barnett said, “All you need is an outlet and an idea.”

If you’re interested in getting the Porter Cable three nailer and compressor combo kit for a fraction of the retail cost, click the link.

You can find other air power tools at a deep discount at Air-Power-Tools.com.

For high-quality, but dirt cheap, reconditioned power tools, click the power tools link.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Strong
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reviewing-Porter-Power-Tools&id=937381

Why Choose a Porter Cable Air Compressor?
By Mikael Dinar

There are several styles of Porter Cable Air Compressors available now. The Porter Cable Air Compressor brand of items is manufactured by Porter-Cable – a company that has been in business since 1906. The Porter Cable Air Compressors are affiliated with the Porta-Cable line of movable power tools for use in carpentry. Porta-Cable makes its products in Jackson, Tennessee, along with sister company Delta. Porter-Cable and Delta joined forces in the year 1960, but they give widely varied items

One such example is the 25 Gallon Vertical Air Compressor Portable 60 Gallon Tank 175 PSI. This product has a 175 PSI – 60 gallon equivalent tank size. Its high capacity air regulator has a starting PSI of 145, which tops out at 175 PSI. This product has the highest level of moderate-to-heavy use and off and on tool operation in its category. It has an oil-free design that is at once durable and low maintenance. It includes a direct-drive twin cylinder. Its 120 volt induction and robust torque motor offers trusty starting function, as well

Another of the Porter Cable Air Compressor models you should consider is the 20 Gallon Air Compressor 5.1 CFM @ 90 PSI model. This Porter Cable Air Compressor offers a 175 PSI – 49 gallon equivalent tank size. Its high-flow air regulator begins at 145 PSI and culminates at 175 PSI. This Porter Cable Air Compressor is built to match the strictest standards of moderate-to-heavy duty and intermittent tool operation in its product category. Trustworthy starting can be attained by its 120 volt induction and high torque engine. Its ’4 Pole’ 1725 RPM motor promises an extended operational life and brings down the level of noise emission. You gain remote air regulation plus control in the surrounding work area of the job site because of the remote ‘quadraport’ station. This product also includes a high-flow regulator and 4 quick connect bodies.

The last Porter Cable Air Compressor model on this list is called the Oil Free Induction Side Stack Compressor. This device has 6.0 SCFM that enables its 4.3 gallon tank to recharge faster. A longer tool run-time can be gained through the 150 PSI Max. 120 PSI cut-in pressure offers 30 PSI ‘Bonus Air’ prior to making a 90 PSI tool totally inoperable. Its 1.6 running HP induction engine was designed for lengthy use. It also comes with push to connect couplers, a High-FloSM air regulator, and an oil-free pump that will not cause oil spills; the pump needs absolutely no maintenance.

Mikael Dinar writes for an online project educating consumers about air compressors and their uses. His website is a great resource for reviews of various brands such as Porter Cable air compressors, Delta & more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mikael_Dinar
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Choose-a-Porter-Cable-Air-Compressor?&id=1405038

By Eric Griffin

We have always liked the Porter Cable Routers, but they still need to go through our power tool review steps. The first thing we noticed was the case. When we opened the case, the router was a tight fit. We usually like a little room for bits or other items that belong with the tool. We took the router out, unpacked everything, and tried to put it back. Obviously it fits back into the case, but there is no room for any other related items.

At first we though it might be heavier than the weight of 8lbs. After picking it up we found that it was extremely light because of the machined aluminum case and base it is made from. This is good news! You want a lighter router because you don’t want to fight the weight of the tool. Heavier tools create more force when used, and this can wear a user out.

The 1/4″ and the 1/2″ is a nice feature because most workers have both sizes of router bits. Putting the router bits in place is a breeze. The router comes with two wrenches that will let you tighten or loosen the collet. This is much easier if you set the router on a workbench instead of tying to hold on to the router. We were a little skeptical of the auto release system that keeps the bits from freezing up in the tool. Anyone who has ever had this happens knows it is very annoying. After setting the router up, the rest was a breeze. There is a t-bolt that will let you adjust the height of the router, this is a snap. Once you have the router at the proper height, you can fine tune the height using the micrometer adjustment. This is just a ring you turn with your hand. You can adjust it up to 1/128″

We started out with some sharp bits and ran it through pine. The router ate through that easily. The router just laughed at us. We went to a harder wood, oak, and then walnut. Again, it ran through these without heating up. Yes, we did have a sharp blade, but as a craftsman you should know that having a sharp blade is extremely important. Well, we were bored with this testing rather quick because the router was handling everything with ease. So we ran the router blade over a bunch of plywood, hoping the blade would dull down from the glue. Well, the router ran through that test fine. The bits didn’t dull as quickly as we had hoped, so we filed them dull and tried the test again. Through the pine, the router ran fine. Then the oak and Walnut caused the motor to fight a little for some air. We did have a big bit and had it set deep. We took that bit out of the tool and it did slide out with no effort, so the auto release system seemed to work fine, but we weren’t done testing it yet!

We put the bit back in and tightened it as much as possible. We then beat on the side of the bit to jam it in there. We also dropped the router straight on the top of the bit and then gave it a couple whacks with a hammer. We basically did everything possible to make sure the bit would not come out, even though no one in their right mind would do all these things. Next, we loosened the collet, and this time the bit didn’t come right out. We did wiggle it, and pulled with a pair of pliers and with that, the router bit came out. This told us two things. First, under normal wear and tear, the auto release system should work well, and the bits should not get stuck. Second, once the bit is in the router, it will stay in the router. You shouldn’t have any worries about it coming out, unless you want it to.

All the other tests we ran the router through passed with flying colors. We dropped the tool a couple different times and it held up fine. The max height we used for the drops was 7 feet. I was pleasantly surprised that the base of plastic didn’t crack.

With a couple of tricks, this router was very easy to turn into a table router for use on a table saw extension. This makes the tool that much more attractive

After using the tool for a long time, our arms felt fine. We did not experience any vibrations what so ever.

Over all, our power tool review for the Porter Cable router is EXCELLENT. We were extremely impressed with this power tool. This router has great power and wonderful features. Any craftsman should be proud to have this router in his/her wood shop

Pro’s
Good power, Comes with 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets, will also accept 3/8″, Depth Adjustment, Seal power switch.

Con’s
Case is very small – tight fit for the router

Learn more about power tools, see power tool reviews, visit our forums and more at http://www.professional-power-tool-guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Griffin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Porter-Cable-Router-Review—690LR&id=1258802

By Thomas Morva

Porter-Cable compressors are compressors manufactured by Porter Cable Corporation. Although Porter-Cable compressors are mostly used for homes/small businesses, the manufacturer provides a large range of compressors, each one with its very own characteristics.

First of all, Porter-Cable compressors produce horsepower ranging from 0.8HP up to 7.5HP. The majority of Porter-Cable compressors produce 1 to 2HP.

Regarding the external characteristics of Porter-Cable compressors, they all come with a built-in red tank, and they are equipped with wheels or extra frames in order to provide better mobility solutions. The smallest compressors do not occupy more volume than a mini-table does, while the bigger ones are of the same size as a normal table or a medium-sized refrigerator.

Another characteristic among the various Porter-Cable compressors that has great impact on the final size of the compressor is tank size, which is measured in gallons. The smallest tank size is four gallons (~15.4 liters), while the largest is 80 gallons (~302.9 liters). There are three major categories of tank sizes. The first one is 4 to 6 gallons (~15.4 to 22.72 liters), the second is 15 to 20 gallons (~56.79 to 75.72 liters) and the third is 60 to 80 gallons (~227.17 to 302.9 liters).

An important distinguishing characteristic of Porter-Cable compressors is whether they are oil-lubricated or oil-free. Although most Porter-Cable compressors are oil-free, the ones with the highest capacity and horsepower are not. To be specific, all compressors that have a capacity greater than 60 gallons are oil-lubricated. Smaller tank capacity compressors come in both oil-lubricated and oil-free models.

Finally, the compressors come with standard equipment such as mobility kits, ASME safety valves, air regulators and gauges, operation manuals, frames (for increased mobility), and oil.

Compressors provides detailed information on Air Compressors, Compressor Parts, Compressors, Gas Compressors and more. Compressors is affiliated with Electric Pressure Washers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Porter-Cable-Compressors&id=268992

Woodworking is a craft that uses wood to build or create things like tables, chairs, cabinets, and fixtures. It is a relaxing hobby for someone who likes to work with his hands, and could turn out to be a profitable business if you really become good at it.

If you are a beginning woodworker (i.e., you might have all the equipment you need in your workshop, but do not know where to begin), it is always best to learn from those who have had experience at it. That way, you can benefit from their experiences and avoid committing their mistakes  yourself. Also, by learning from the experienced woodworkers, you discover how to do things better than the conventional methods.

Some of the tips from those who have had experience in woodworking are as follows:

• When cutting plywood, cut against the grain as much as possible. Plywood is composed of bound thin layers of wood (called plies), and have the tendency to chip when the cut is along the grain. To lessen the risk of the fibers piling up when you are cutting, put masking tape along the cut line (you should always mark the cut –scored with a utility knife- you are going to make before you cut!).
• Tracing patterns onto wood is best accomplished with carbon paper. You can find carbon paper at any of your local craft store.
• If you are going to use a scroll saw to cut patterns, the best material to use to draw your pattern is carpet tape (the tape you use to secure your carpet). Attach enough carpet tape to the wood, and sketch in your pattern. After you are done, you simply remove the remaining tape and need not fear about any major residue being left.
• When you are using wood glues for your woodworking, remember that the best surfaces to join are the long grain to long grain surfaces. This is because this situation results in a firmer and better spread “grip”. Parallel surfaces joined together are long grain to long grain surface joining examples. In contrast joints involving short grain surfaces are weak and will need to be supported mechanically, e.g., using nails or braces. Perpendicular joints are normally joints with short grain surfaces.

The above tips can help you get on nicely in your woodworking adventure. You may not be able to immediately apply these in your projects but it is always good information to have in case you do run into a similar situation. These tips are not only useful for you as a newbie, but even when you gain years of experience, because these are fundamental tips that can never expire in their usefulness. Continue to search for tips from the masters, develop your own as you gain more experience, and you will be able to do you woodworking much better. Do not forget, of course, to share your knowledge and experience with others. This ensures that the craft of woodworking will continue to grow.

If you are the type who likes building or creating things with his own hands, then woodworking is a very good craft for you. Essentially, woodworking is anything that is built or created using wood, e.g., furniture, fixtures, sculptures, etc. Serious woodworkers have elevated the craft to the level of fine art, commanding high prices for their work which, in turn, appreciate in value over time.

Any good woodworker will tell you that you cannot work well with wood if you do not have the right tools for the right purpose, e.g., different kinds of saws to cut the wood in various shapes and sizes, planes and sandpaper to smoothen the surface, chisels to carve out intricate designs, drills for holes, etc. The early versions of these tools were quite cumbersome to use and only really good woodworkers were able to utilize them with skill. The challenge was not just in the creative aspect, but also on the “taming” of the tools. As a result, really good products of woodworking took a lot of time to finish.

Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, most woodworking tools are now powered by electricity and are simpler to use than their predecessors. Creativity still belongs in the mind of the craftsman but the fulfillment has become easier to accomplish. With the modern woodworking tools, you can focus on the creative aspect of the craft.

Some of these tools include:

• Routers – specialized power tools with shaped cutters that are used for cutting grooves into the wood. With these tools, it is possible to quickly carve out shapes and designs into the wood you are working on with a minimal chance of making mistakes.
• Table Saws – these tools really take out the pain from sawing. Equipped with a powerful motor with a rapidly-rotating circular saw half-exposed on a portion of the work table, table saws cut through wood that is passed through it evenly and in a very quick completion time. Guides installed in the table ensure that the wood is passed through evenly and steadily for a straight cut.
• Drill Presses – these power tools perform one task, i.e., drill a straight, precisely-sized hole into the wood each and every time that they are used. The advantage of a drill press versus a handheld drill is that it is more reliable and can drill through thick wood without the shakiness of the hands.
• Lathes – these tools spin a block of wood to which various operations can be conducted (e.g., cutting, sanding, drilling, knurling, etc.) to create a symmetrical piece about a certain axis. Table and chair legs as well as bed posts are common examples of items that are produced by these tools. You can create one of a kind symmetrical pieces or, if you have a lathe with cloning capability, you can several copies of a particular wood piece.
• Planers and Sanders – Planers make sure that pieces that are supposed to be flat are so before they are further worked on. Sanders on the other hand, smooth out the rough edges of the piece, normally prior to finishing.

When building cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, you may want to hire a contractor, but to do it yourself you will have the satisfaction that the job is done right and to your specification. Building cabinets yourself can be tedious work, but in the long run you will have final say so over your project and you can design your cabinets any way that you choose. You don’t have to follow the cookie cutter layouts that the contractors use and you can design and build anything, any size, and any design your heart desires. It not as difficult as you might think. With the right tools, plans, and a lot of patience, your kitchen or bathroom will look as good as new.

Before you start building cabinets on your own, you might want to look at some pre-formed plans to see if it is the direction that you want to go. An expert wood working person could do it by sight, but if you do not have this skill you need a base from which to work. The plans that you pick are not laid in stone and with a little imagination you can alter to plans to fit your room space with the aesthetics that you want. Once you have picked out a plan, you need to look at what materials you might need to finish your project. Do you have the right kind of tools? If not, do you want to build your cabinets with pre-fabricated materials or do you want to purchase the tools to build it from scratch. Your experience and your drive in building your own cabinets is the only guideline you need to follow.

Building cabinets is a fun job but not always an easy job. The finesse you need to make sure the corners are square and the agility and balance you need to make sure the doors sets right are skills that must be acquired. If you need guidance there are many books out there on cabinet building and even the internet has site where you can get beginning to end plans where you are led by hand through every step and procedure in the process. You can go to your local hardware store and find plenty of literature on cabinet building and you can get some first hand advice from the store workers.

Remember that your design is your own creation, but make sure that it can be done with the space you have. Cabinet building is tricky business and even an eighth of an inch outside the norm on a cut will cause your cabinets to look out of alignment and out of sink. You need reliable measuring tools and reliable cutting tools to get that professional look that you always wanted. After the cabinet is built you can put whatever stain or finish you want to add the personalized touch. Another important thing to remember is to consult the wife. Her input is the most valuable piece of advice you can get when cabinet building on your own.

DeWalt Wood Working Routers: The Best on the Market

When choosing a woodworking router there is no better router that you can buy than the DeWalt DW618PK. DeWalt wood working routers are the most durable and efficient routers on the market. What makes this router unique is that the router has combo kits that fix and combine one motor to two separate bases. The first base is a fixed base that fits as a table mounted router and the other is a plunge base that is good for cutting groves in the middle or interior of your piece of wood. The 2.25hp DeWalt wood working router has enough power for those serious jobs that need special attention and a speed that is comfortable for the user and at the same time, the best machine for the job.

If you decide to go with a DeWalt plunge router, remember it only takes a little force to overcome the springs for your depth control issues. You would use this router in a shallow or quick routing phase that is more for shaping then for cutting or trimming. The DeWalt wood working router has enough power for this task, but the job calls for a little more finesse and not that much horse power. When you use the router make sure that you make the cut at a single depth. The plunge router works better with a larger diameter and is a lot more efficient than a fixed base router. You do lose some control, but that is over passed by the plunging action that creates great cuts and trims neat and clean.

 
If you plan to use a desk attachable model you might want to make sure that the DeWalt wood working router has a pin and helix design. This is a secure system that uses four pins to lock the motor into place and provide stability and accuracy. With the pins in place the motor will not drop from the casing in case it is upside down or becomes unstable. This way you can position the router in any position that includes backwards, upside down, and sideways. These routers work best on a router table, but can be used without the table at all. These types of routers are so accurate you can cut within .001 inch of your intended cut.

Either model works well, but it is up to the craftsman or wood worker to decide which router is the best for their specific task and experience level. You do not want a piece of equipment that you cannot handle or one that has too much power for you. You want to make a clean cut and a straight routing line that will not hurt the integrity of your stock. No matter what DeWalt wood working router you choose, make sure you read the manufactures’’ instructions and warnings. Even if you are experienced, read the instruction book to make sure you are getting the most out of the product. You can ask your local hardware store for suggestions or you can go online and research the subject yourself.

Buying Router Bits Is Not Hard, But You Need The Right Tool For The Right Job

Routers are one of the most versatile tolls that you can buy for your workshop or wood shop. When buying router bits, you need to know what kind of bit you need for the job. With the right router you can put virtually any kind of design or cut into the edge of the wood you are working with. It is best to have a full array of router bits in your tool box so that you can tackle any job that comes your way or a job of your choosing. Whether you are cutting duplicate shapes or using the router to cut patterns, the right bit for the right job is pertinent to getting the job done and done right.

When buying router bits you might want to think of the two most popular routers on the market. The first is a fixed base router bit. The depth of the cut is pre-set so that you know your depth before you even turn on the power of the router. These routers do not have a plunge mechanism therefore they feel lighter and easier to control. Another router bit allows you to adjust how deep you want to make the cut as you are cutting your stock. The plunge mechanism adds weight to the router so it is more difficult to work with and you have to use a heavy hand that could lead to mistakes.

Buying router bits can be a little confusing, but each bit has been designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example a stile cutter router bit is good for cutting the inside grove or your stock or the same bit is excellent at beading on stile and arils in frame construction. The coping router bit is good at cutting and coping the ends and edges of rails in frame and panel construction. With the ball bearing pilot you can make sharp edges easily as the router slides through the stock. Even with a molding cutter router bit you can use the bit to cute multiple molding profiles. Using a table mounted router is best for this task, as it is safer and easier to use.

No matter what style of bits you purchase, when buying router bits there are three standard makes of the tool accessory. The first is the high speed steel router bit. These are inexpensive and good for most general routing tasks. Whether you are using softwoods or plastics this router bit will do wonders for your edging. The carbide tip is a little more expensive than the high speed steel and works great with hardwood materials or anything that is tougher than light plastic. The solid carbide router bit is one of the more costly router bits. These bits may look small, but they are specifically designed to specific tasks such as laminate trimming or cutting a patter in your stock.

Buying router bits is not rocket science, but if you are not sure of what kind of router bit you should buy, ask your local hardware store clerk or research the router bit online. You might want to experiment with different materials until you feel comfortable.