Ridgid R3030 One-Handed Reciprocating Saw Review

The first reciprocating saws hit the market in the 1950's and remodeling projects were never the same. This one tool makes demolition so much faster than using hammers, crow bars and hand saws.

The one drawback to the reciprocating saw has been that they have traditionally been a workhorse, one-size fits all type of tool that requires two hands to operate. For some tasks, a two-handed tool designed for big jobs was too cumbersome, particularly for contractors who need to work in tight spaces.

Ridgid has addressed this limitation with the Ridgid R3030 One-Handed Reciprocating Saw. This lightweight, one-handed reciprocating saw is perfectly suited for smaller jobs and tight spaces, and even has some really thoughtful features that will be ideally suited for such tasks. Learn all about this smaller reciprocating saw in this Woodworking Tool Review.

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Ridgid R2900 Router Review

The Ridgid R2900 Fixed Base and Plunge Router Kit has some innovative touches that aren't typically found in other router kits. It is very solidly built, using Magnesium construction, and is comfortable to operate.

There are also some features that could be improved upon. For instance, the spindle lock must be depressed in order to remove the motor from the base, which is a pinched finger waiting to happen. A true variable speed mechanism (as opposed to the current nine-level variable speed) would also be a welcome addition.

All-in-all, this is a solid router kit that could be special with some refinement.

We put the Ridgid R2900 through a number of projects, using it with a dovetail jig, routing edges with the plunge base and working in a router table. The 2-1/4 HP motor started smoothly and handled every task we put it through with little drop in bit speed.

The unit is easy to control and the depth adjustments are accurate. There are some innovations that have been well-thought out, such as the Plunge Depth Adjustment Knob on the plunge base. This replaces the rotating turret found on many different plunge bases, and allows for 1/64" depth adjustments with a quarter-turn of the knob.

There are also some items that could be improved, which would take this router kit to a higher echelon. For instance, if you remove the subbase from the fixed base (to use the unit in a router table), re-attaching the subbase to the fixed base requires installing the centering tool and a cone to center the subbase (as there is about 1/8" of play in positioning the subbase).

Centering the subbase becomes crucial when you intend to use a dovetail jig with a collar. A simpler solution would be for Ridgid's engineers to employ tapered bores in the subbase with tapered screw heads that would automatically center the subbase to the fixed base.

The R2900 includes a T-Handle that allows for above-the-table depth adjustments when using the fixed base in a router table. However, it would be nice if the fixed base's travel would move a little deeper for easier access to the collet above the table. Additionally, if the spindle lock were to engage when the depth adjustment were extended, the user wouldn't have to reach under the table to engage the spindle lock. These two changes would allow for much easier bit changes above the table.

The Ridgid R2900 Router really grew on us the more we used it. With some refinements, this could be a great woodworking tool.

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Tool Review - Ridgid Laminate Trim Router

The Ridgid Lamminate Trimmer is basically a small hand-held router and in many ways similar to the Bosch, Makita and other small 1/4 inch mini routers. The Ridgid Trim Router features a moulded grip that makes the router easy to hold on to and seems to conform to your hand as you hold it, and when you think about it, a hand held router should feel good to hold onto, after all it IS a hand held unit.

The Ridgid trim router that we tested also comes with a nice canvas case and includes both a square and a circular base, and even and edge guide along with the chuck wrench for installing and uninstalling bits. This unit is one of the few laminate trimmers that also features variable speed. At the outset, having variable speed may seem like a small feature but if you are using the trimmer for a variety of jobs, you NEED variable speed because trimming different materials requires a different speeds, like triming laminate or arborite uses a different speed than trimming burl wood veneers. The one thing we loved was the location and ease of changing speeds with this unit.

We found changing bits was a wee bit awkward as the base really needs to be removed altogether. To help facilitate this there is a quick release, but then there is also "stop" near the end that needs even more effort to get past. All in all, changing bits was not a big issue. just something we needed to get used to. We weren't thrilled with the off on switch which is a indented square block at the top (in fact we to really look to see where the off/on switch was). On the other hand we didn't know what we would do to improve this and we did appreciate that this design although not as easy to turn the trimmer on, is VERY easy to turn the trimmer off which is more important.

In using the router we came to like the micro adjustment that changes the height of the bit in relationship to the base. We found that we could some very accurate cuts and lock the position firmly and that it was positive and smooth to operate, but held firmly.

Laminate trimmers have been around for quite some time but have never been wildly popular and now that we have used this unit, we wonder why that is? These small hand held routers are convient, easy to use and have a multitude of uses such as ...

... doing quick round-overs of edges of boards and shelves with a variety of roundover bits that are available. Trimming edges and uneven cuts on a variety of surfaces, cutting small intricate inlays and edge banding jobs that require rabbeting, and of course the reason for laminate trimmers in the first place is in making counter tops.

Before the popularity of dedicated kitchen coutertop businesses, many carpenters and woodworkers had to make their own counter tops. This was done by contact cementing laminate or aborite to a substrate material (usually plywood) then trimming the top and edges flush ... which was the primary use of laminate trimmers. Many carpenters would purchase a small laminate trimmer, install a flush trim bit in the unit and NEVER take it out until the bit got damaged or dull. It was the only bit they would ever use which is sad because these little routers have a much greater ability than doing one singular job.

All in all we were very pleased with the Ridgid Laminate Trimmer. It worked well and was easy to use and convenient. A well made tool that we enjoyed using and would easily recommend.

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Hardware Review: Ansaldi & Sons Campaign Hardware

While Horton Brasses has agreed to produce some custom pieces of campaign hardware for the chest/secretary I’m building for Popular Woodworking Magazine, that doesn’t squelch my desire to see what other makers have on offer.

So I ordered a load of campaign brasses from Ansaldi & Sons of Hudson, N.H. The company has a wide range of different forms of campaign hardware, which is a big plus. Some hardware companies carry just a few pieces of the stuff. That doesn’t help the builder – especially when you are trying to match color and finish.

The Ansaldi & Sons stuff has good and bad points. Let’s look at each major component in turn. Note that some of the hardware is located here and some is located here. Like I said, the company has a large line of campaign hardware compared to many suppliers.

Surface Pulls (shown above)
Ansaldi & Sons carries several forms of pulls – I ordered the classic shape, which is a brass-plated zinc casting. Sadly, these are too lightweight for my taste. They have a hollow feel to them and the pulls drop in place with a lightweight “tink” instead of the “donk!” you hope for.

They look OK, but as soon as you grab them, they feel too light to be the real deal. However, at less than $8, some people will bite.

Plain Corner Trim (2-1/2” x 2-1/2” x 2-1/2”)
These are winners. Made in Hong Kong, these corner guards have a handmade irregularity an a brushed brass finish. The one open seam of the corner guard is brazed or soldered, and that seam is left a little rough. I love it. These are secured with escutcheon pins – included – that look real deal. I’ll be using these. And they are compatible with 3/4”-thick material.

Plain Side Trim (2-1/2” x 4” x 3/4”)
These are from the same family as the trim above. They are made for 3/4” material and use the same escutcheon pins. Plus they have the same finish. And this is a somewhat unusual and useful shape for campaign chests. These are also excellent.

Corner Ornament (5293)
These have the nice ogee shape that appears on some chests, and they have nice weight and a handmade feel. They are too small for a full-size campaign chest/secretary in my opinion. They are 2” x 2” x 3/4”. I’d use these in a minute on a smaller chest. These are also secured with escutcheon pins.

Corner Ornament (A9622, 3” x 3” x 1”)
These are too big when working with 3/4” material but they are the right length for a full-size chest – 3”. They are secured with escutcheon pins. If you have full 1” material these will work, but they are not compatible with the 3/4”-based hardware above.

Corner Ornament (E307, 2” x 2” x 3/4”)
This is the most disappointing piece of hardware from Ansaldi. It’s the right size for a small chest, but the seam that holds the whole thing square and tight is left unbrazed. You can bend it easily and – worse – it looks a little cheap.

6” Chest Lift
I also picked up a 6” chest lift from Ansaldi to see how it compared to the one I purchased from Horton. I prefer the Horton version. Horton’s has a heavier feel and uses more screws to secure the rosettes to the work.

So again, it’s a mixed bag of hardware. Some of the stuff from Ansaldi is great. Some of it’s not so. You have to be picky and learn to color your own hardware.

— Christopher Schwarz

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