Lee Valley Reviews

The Pica markers remain in my overall pocket at all times having the docking case keeps it off of dirty work surfaces during use. Above all it’s the German made quality that out preforms all other.

Universal Vise is a tool I like and would buy again. It has some design problems. The jaws have wood/urethane liners. The website description indicates “…this versatile vise is particularly helpful when holding irregular shapes at odd angles.” The first thing I did was clamp an axe head (irregular shape) in the vise so as to apply a patina to the metal surface. Once the jaw was starting to clamp one of the wooden jaws broke. The wood is a soft wood (which is not as advertised) which apparently can break. The orientation of the wood in the jaws is horizontal, and the wooden jaws are larger than the metal jaws. With the overhanging wood the wood failed along the grain where it was not supported by metal. I ended up replacing the softwood jaws with Purpleheart Wood finished with Watco Danish Oil – Neutral, which is a hard wood, and I have not experienced any further issues. After replacing the wooden/urethane jaw liners I found that the vise clamps well and at this time do not see the need for urethane liners. I considered this issue a product failure. If someone is considering buying this vise I recommend the soft wood jaws are replaced as you see fit. There are two flat metal components that are on each side of the vise holding it together and guiding it as it opens and closes. The inner distance they are from each other result in a very loose relationship making the vise assembly a bit floppy. I am contemplating modifying the components to make them operate more uniformly. I do not consider this issue a product failure. I consider it a flaw. If someone is considering buying this vise I wanted you to know this. It doesn’t make the vise “not work”, it just makes the product lack working perfectly in my opinion. Assembly and installation was very easy. I know many people drill a series of uniform holes in their benches to facilitate options to move the vise about. I just thought about a spot and picked a place opposite from my Wilton Pivot Jaw Woodworkers Vise and find it gives a nice variety of clamping pieces in a wide range of orientations. A slight loosening of the vise under the bench and you can rotate it with ease, tighten it and right back to work. I would buy this vise again despite the aforementioned issues.

I have a lot of bread books. They end up on the shelf. This one I have read cover to cover and made bread with. The explanation, the technique and, of course, the bread itself are all superb. He gives detailed instructions on how to deal with challenges and variations of outcome. There are no machines used, no extra ingredients but always a very slow rise (very small quantities of yeast). You need a couple of bowls to mix and watch the rise, an accurate thermometer to measure temperatures and a dutch oven or bread cloche. Airy delicious bread with a flavourful and chewy crust. Can't be beat and you just want to keep making bread. All recipes designed for a home kitchen and do not require keeping a baker's waking hours. I love this book and am making my best bread ever. Worth every penny if you love delicious home baked bread.

"Works decently for sharpening the 1\/2\u201d blade but a bit tricky to assemble properly."

"Rock solid and ready to use straight away."

"This is a very well-made shutoff valve, and makes using the hose much more convenient."

"They really need something to secure them into the ground. The first wind toppled both obelisk. Not that strong\r\nEnough to hold the plants."