Shopsmith Forums

Ed in Tampa wrote:Hey look at this way you if you buy it and it becomes a pain in the butt you have two lasers to tease the cat with.

I do not like felines either!:rolleyes:

Sorry! Just don't understand the use of a laser to line up drilling in wood. Could someone please enlighten me as to why this is a good idea?

Of course if a woodworker uses only twist bits there may be a little doubt of the exact center hole. Using a brad point bit or Forstner bit leaves absolutely no doubt of the center of a hole. All that's needed is to lightly insert a spinning bit's center spur into the wood. There!!!!!:D the center is marked. Also it is easy to move that center, if needed, before drilling.

A person can also just barely touch a spinning twist bit into wood to find an approximate hole center.

charlese wrote:Sorry! Just don't understand the use of a laser to line up drilling in wood. Could someone please enlighten me as to why this is a good idea?

Of course if a woodworker uses only twist bits there may be a little doubt of the exact center hole. Using a brad point bit or Forstner bit leaves absolutely no doubt of the center of a hole. All that's needed is to lightly insert a spinning bit's center spur into the wood. There!!!!!:D the center is marked. Also it is easy to move that center, if needed, before drilling.

A person can also just barely touch a spinning twist bit into wood to find an approximate hole center.

All of which is moot if you have center punched before hand, and allow the 'center' to pull the dimple under it prior to applying pressure.

charlese wrote:Sorry! Just don't understand the use of a laser to line up drilling in wood. Could someone please enlighten me as to why this is a good idea?

Of course if a woodworker uses only twist bits there may be a little doubt of the exact center hole. Using a brad point bit or Forstner bit leaves absolutely no doubt of the center of a hole. All that's needed is to lightly insert a spinning bit's center spur into the wood. There!!!!!:D the center is marked. Also it is easy to move that center, if needed, before drilling.

A person can also just barely touch a spinning twist bit into wood to find an approximate hole center.

Probably for the same reason that someone wants a laser guided hand saw or jig saw. Skill not required.

I find lasers to be mostly a sales gimmick targeted at mid level tools. Look at the high end professional equipment out there and you won't see the lasers or not nearly as much.

I find the laser on my Sliding Compound Miter is hit and miss and if I want truly accurate cuts. Measure twice mark clearly and sneak up on the final cut.

charlese wrote:Sorry! Just don't understand the use of a laser to line up drilling in wood. Could someone please enlighten me as to why this is a good idea?

*IF* the lasers (takes two) are lined up right, you can set the work piece in position right there on the base, and not have to move the drill head up and down, recentering the piece you are going to be drilling. That's nice when dealing with fiddly things that are a pain to get into just the right position.

foxtrapper wrote:*IF* the lasers (takes two) are lined up right, you can set the work piece in position right there on the base, and not have to move the drill head up and down, recentering the piece you are going to be drilling. That's nice when dealing with fiddly things that are a pain to get into just the right position.

That sums up my opinion of the device(s) in post two of this thread!

Thanks for you answers, jpg, anmius, terrydowning, and foxtrapper Happy to see your opinions the same as mine.

Well, after careful consideration and reading these posts as well as other threads related to accuracy, I had decided against purchasing this particular item. That's why I value this forum so much: it definitely helps to have input from others in order to make an informed decision.

BPR