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2,045 Posts
I have posted before about the lack of confidence in the wheel system for the Laguna 14-12 and after a reply from Dirt Dobber I bought and installed 2 PM-3500 mobile bases and used one on the 14-12 and the other on the Powermatic 60A jointer. Bother heavy machines and now very stable to move anywhere in the shop. The Laguna 3 wheel system always felt tipsy which just feel safe although I never had an issue as I was always aware and very careful. The new base just takes that fear out of the equation. Not saying the Laguna is a bad mobile choice it just wasn't a good one for me. The band saw itself is great and now it's ultra stable to move. The jointer is very easy to maneuver as well.
Then there's the new Panto Router and Jay Bates's designed cart with two drawers. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Panto Router and immediately started watching videos. This lead me to Jay's site and his video build for the cart. As I like my tools mobile I decided to build this cart which has M & T frame from milled 2x4s which would give me a practical use for my 1st M&Ts on this cart. I have to say it was easy and fast although I took my time as making the tenons requires a few passes to cut out the outside waste and you don't want too much too fast. It just takes a few light passes 1st and you get used to this pretty fast .
Getting the proper fit, not too tight or loose takes a test or two but once found you can knock out as many needed fairly quickly and accurately as log as you took the time to set the new machine up carefully. Doesn't take long and getting answers to the few questions I had was fast and easy just calling and asking. Customer support was super fast and great.The drawers were made of red oak as I had some left from a project and this was going to be my 1st time doing box joints on the PR. Again a bit of setup and a test or two and off we went.
I'm both impressed and happy with the Panto Router. What it does it does very well and very accurately again as long as you do due villigence setting it up. Once set you shouldn't need to again except for your templates. Finding the center of the table is needed and the more accurate the better the results. After doing a few procedures, the box joints and the M&Ts, I feel confident but will take it slow again until I feel more familiar. I may end up selling my new Powermatic mortiser that I spent a good deal of time and energy building that X/Y table and cart for.
Then there's the new Panto Router and Jay Bates's designed cart with two drawers. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Panto Router and immediately started watching videos. This lead me to Jay's site and his video build for the cart. As I like my tools mobile I decided to build this cart which has M & T frame from milled 2x4s which would give me a practical use for my 1st M&Ts on this cart. I have to say it was easy and fast although I took my time as making the tenons requires a few passes to cut out the outside waste and you don't want too much too fast. It just takes a few light passes 1st and you get used to this pretty fast .
Getting the proper fit, not too tight or loose takes a test or two but once found you can knock out as many needed fairly quickly and accurately as log as you took the time to set the new machine up carefully. Doesn't take long and getting answers to the few questions I had was fast and easy just calling and asking. Customer support was super fast and great.The drawers were made of red oak as I had some left from a project and this was going to be my 1st time doing box joints on the PR. Again a bit of setup and a test or two and off we went.
I'm both impressed and happy with the Panto Router. What it does it does very well and very accurately again as long as you do due villigence setting it up. Once set you shouldn't need to again except for your templates. Finding the center of the table is needed and the more accurate the better the results. After doing a few procedures, the box joints and the M&Ts, I feel confident but will take it slow again until I feel more familiar. I may end up selling my new Powermatic mortiser that I spent a good deal of time and energy building that X/Y table and cart for.