>'Ratters - don't take this the wrong way.
Don't worry - we won't!
>I'm sure you all find the Woodrat a very useful machine.
Correct, very useful, more so than any other machine in the workshop possibly.
>I too have seen it demonstrated and agree with Neils comments - put >me right off.
I agree! As I said, the demo is awful.
>I also have the cd with the videos - they didn't inspire me too much either.
Well, they are the same people as demonstrating, but granted, perhaps they are difficult.
>That's not to say it's not capable of some impressive stuff
I pointed a good few out. Mainly dovetails etc.
>- but then would I be with just a hand saw and some chisels if I had the time, patience and skill!!
Yes, and it's the time one, which for most people is the ultimate limiting factor. It speeds repetative tasks up signficiantly.
>Same seems to go for the woodrat - you seem to have to invest a lot of time (and expensive courses!) for any benefit.
No, to get the basics out, you can use it out the box - if you have used a milling machine, you will "get-it" immediately, for basic stuff. For more advanced use, you will have to delve into the manual. The same applies for anything mind, you want to do clever joints on your table saw, - you gotta read up.
>A fair few people I know just seem to end up using it as a dovetail jig.
Thats whats it is most marketed as. However, its a infinately variable dovetail jig - and I'm making a dovetailed box at the moment, you can increase the pin size on one pin only a fraction, so when you cut all the way round, the dovetails all appear the same size - now thats smart - it looks more professional - and its what you would do if you were hand cutting them.
>With the recent price hike (it was a fortune before) - that's an expensive dovetail jig!
No quite sure why they are not using it for cutting the shoulders on tenons, for rebates, raised panels, housings, etc. I agree on its own, its expensive, but in the future they may choose to extend thier capabilities, and they won't end up with router table AND a woodrat. It's covering for the future perhaps?
>And I don't agree that it replaces a morticer or leigh dovetail jig or router table for that matter.
Why ever not, certainly it replaces the Leigh Dovetail jig, in fact (ok, trying to overcome my bias) in many ways it surpasses it as it is infinately adjustable (so is the leigh I know) but over a wider width, and with infinately different kinds of dovetail bits. Thats means you don't have to use "manufacturer" specific cutters. I cut all my precision housings, rebates, finger joints and mortice and tenons on it. I also use it for raised panels. So it is a replacement in my workshop. Without trying to stir too much what do you think it is for as I consider it to be exactly for the things mentioned above (morticer or leigh dovetail jig or router table)
>You have to build an extra jig to use it as a morticer
Nope. Not neccesary although it makes it quicker though. I do all my mortices on it without any jig.
>and you still get round edges - and have to take several passes etc.
As you do with the trend M/T for example. And square edged mortices are only like that for historical hand-cut reasons. Round can be just as good. Although I do like mine square!!
>Router tables are simple to use - you don't need to really think to use them. Etc etc.
I agree, but coming from an engineering background, it's just a "wood" milling machine, and I think thats very intuative. And it is a lot safer and accurate for things like tenon shoulders as well.
>I know we all how to justify our purchases (
) - but I'm not sure advising that someone gets a woodrat (who's new to this game) may not give the wrong idea.
:shock: :lol:
. I feel perhaps slightly able to comment, as I bought a woodrat before I had any other tool, or even a workshop. I used to use it strapped to a workmate on the lawn. I had only two chisels and a claw hammer to assist me with everything else. I think it was a *great* purchase as a beginner and really pleased I plumped for it so early in my purchases.
>A router table is far easier to get on with - not to mention cheaper and you can if you so choose build it yourself.
Certainly. And building one is itself, a lot of fun.
>Whoops this sounds like a rant - not meant to be!
me too - I hope you don't mind me replying to your reply. I won't continue on as this thread will turn into a woodrat thread instead!!!!
Non- 'Ratters - don't take this the wrong way. (esp Gidon!!)
Adam
