Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
powered); so where do I spend my money?
I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
precision
planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
(I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
nothing?)
band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
capabilities.
--
McQualude
"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
> powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
> --
> McQualude
Out of the five tools you mention, the jointer gets the most use, followed
by the planer, and the drill press. My bandsaw is rarely used, but will see
more use when the lathe finally gets put back into service. You almost have
to buy a jointer and planer together, unless you work with stock that is
already surfaced two sides. Then, just the jointer. I work only with rough
lumber, so the pair is a necessity. The drill press gets used on all kinds
of odd jobs, from sanding to drilling to polishing, etc.
Jon
I bought a Delata small drillpress and was amazed that the locking pin
for the table allowed a LOT of rotation. I'm using scraps under it to
hold it horizontal in place at 90°.
On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 16:42:17 -0500, Ramsey <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Move the drill press up to second place, BAndsaw third.
Of the stationary tools I have this is the order I place on their importance to
me:
Tablesaw,
6" Jointer
Drill Press,
Radial saw,
Bandsaw,
Planer.
Phil
McQualude wrote:
> Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
> powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
> --
> McQualude
On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 04:31:42 GMT, McQualude <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
>powered); so where do I spend my money?
There's good news and bad news. The bad news is you're eventually
going to have everything on your list. The good news is the next one
isn't going to be the most expensive.
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
>precision
Although this was probably my second major tool, in the grand scheme
of things (and I just got my third one) I could have done without it
for quite a bit longer.
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
Spending $$$ on a planer to save ¢¢¢ is like fighting for peace or
screwing for virginity. Although eventually you will wonder how you
did without it, I would have this next to last on your list.
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
>cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
>(I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
>nothing?)
I have often said the drill press is the most used tool in my shop. Of
course I don't use it strictly for woodworking, so that may skew the
data a bit. Even so, I think this would probably be my first choice of
next tool.
Although a benchtop would be better than nothing, you're only talking
$300-400 for a good floor model, which still makes it the cheapest
tool of the list. This is where I'd throw my money.
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
>year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
Very useful. This is almost a tie for first choice for me. Actually,
though, replacing that 20 year old Crapsman with a Bosch 1584 (or
1587) would do you almost as well, for now.
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
Fun tool. Horrible time thief. Turning is a specialty subset of
woodworking, much like scroll sawing. If you're building furniture,
you don't NEED a lathe. It's a nice-to-have tool, but it's the last
tool you need to be spending money on.
By the way, as long as you already have a router, build yourself a
router table. Keep it simple; it won't be your last one. Do it even if
your router is only a 1-2 hp class router; just don't turn big bits
with it.
My tool list at my website has some information on my particular tool
complement that may or may not be useful to you. There is also an
article on table router/router table philosophy that should be helpful
as well as an article on your first/next router purchase.
I hope this helps.
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
You can possibly get away without a jointer. I use a router table for
simple smooth jointing.
As you said you have a saber saw that does the basic work of a band saw.
Drill Presses can be relatively cheap. But if you have a hand drill you can
get away with out one (for the moment)
Now we come to the planer, very hard to find a substitute (other than a wide
belt sander or drum sander), You can get a descent portable planer for
$300-400. However I am already running into size trouble at 12" so if you
can afford (have room) one of those 15" or bigger planers, go for it.
The Lathe is something else that is hard to duplicate. If you find you are
doing lot of projects with round parts it is something to consider. The
lathe can be a Hobby in itself.
My list would go
Planer,
Bandsaw,
Jointer/drill press (whichever opportunity arises first)
And a Lathe whenever I see a great deal. (like a nice used one or $100 off a
Jet deal or something)
--
Young Carpenter
"Save a Tree, Build Furniture"
"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
> powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
> --
> McQualude
-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
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"Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri 22 Aug 2003 11:31:42p, McQualude <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
-snippage-
> > planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> The other posters who've said it doesn't save enough money to make dollars
> the only reason for buying it are right. The way I look at it, I'm not
> forced to use the "finished" stuff any more. I can use any lumber I find,
> and I can make different thicknesses out of it. Don't have to run out and
> find something similar in the right thickness any more. That makes it
worth
> it in my book. But it's not what I'd get next if I were you.
One point I'd like to bring up - this is the best reason for owning a planer
or other thicknesser (I have a drum sander too). All of the lumber I have
been using recently, and has been drying in my lumber stack, is lumber that
I would be hard pressed to find *easily*. I had most of it cut for me, cut
some of it myself, and bought the rest rough and green.
In the stack is 6/4 white ash cut from a tree in my backyard, about 200 bf
of clear cherry from a power line clearing project, a decent amount of maple
with both curl *and* birdseye in it, some hackberry, pin oak, black oak,
white birch, larch, black locust; and my favorite, about 150 board feet of
8/4 native Vermont apple, 6' lengths and 10-12" wide. I dare anyone to
spend less than a couple weeks finding decent quantities of any of that
stuff sold as surfaced, jointed and kiln-dried stock.
Instead of buying the common-as-horse-dung lumber sold in the better yards.
or the pre-warped-for-your-convenience toothpicks at the Borg, I am saving
my dollahs for a new Woodmaster 4-in-1 machine.
Jon E
- meepmeep vrooooom
I'd go for a drill press. I use mine a lot. I have a Delta floor model. I
wish I had a variable speed model but the price is steep.
If you go with a bench top model, check out Delta's DP350. It is a 12"
variable speed model (no pulley changing). Tool Crib/Amazon has it for
$209.99.
Rob
"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
> powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
> --
> McQualude
On Fri 22 Aug 2003 11:31:42p, McQualude <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should
> improve precision
I got along without one for a long time, till I came across an old
craftsman 4'' jointer for 75 bucks. Actually I found it so recently I
haven't used it yet. Too many house/yard projects in the way.
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
The other posters who've said it doesn't save enough money to make dollars
the only reason for buying it are right. The way I look at it, I'm not
forced to use the "finished" stuff any more. I can use any lumber I find,
and I can make different thicknesses out of it. Don't have to run out and
find something similar in the right thickness any more. That makes it worth
it in my book. But it's not what I'd get next if I were you.
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner
> bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90
> degrees (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be
> better than nothing?)
I've got a Harbor Freight benchtop. Sixty or seventy bucks, if I remember
correctly. There's been a FEW times I wished I had something with a longer
stroke, but not many. And it just gets used and used and used. Not just for
woodworking. The longer it's around, the more it comes in really handy.
A friend just gave me a Craftsman 17'' floor model that needs a motor and a
few other parts. It'll go in the garage shop. The cheapo HF will stay in
the basement.
THAT'S what I'd get next. In fact if I recall, I was just about exactly in
your situation when I did and I don't regret it one bit. I needed to drill
the holes for a set of european hinges, and it turned out great. All the
uses for it are a bonus.
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use
> that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
Now that I've got a jointer and planer, the bandsaw's next on my list. But
I'm going to look till I find something that'll resaw at least eight
inches. Twelve would be better. It's not like the drill press; I don't
think I want to get a smaller one while I look for what I really want. :-)
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
Last on my list. Nice to have, would be fun - actually I know it'll be fun
because I *will* own one but not till after I've got a big ol' bandsaw, an
eight-inch jointer, and probably a sliding compound miter saw. Then I'll
get a nice lathe and my plans for world domination will be complete.
(All of the above gets thrown out the window if I run across a sweet price
on any of that stuff.)
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the
> bandsaw has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and
> increases my capabilities.
Out of the ones you mention here, I'd go for the band saw. But I'm standing
by my first position: I think you'll get more out of the drill press than
the band saw.
Then of course, I'm not you. Bottom line is, go ahead and ask around and
then go do exactly what you want. It's your hobby and it's supposed to make
you feel empowered, dammit. If I had to measure the usage fun factor
between band saw and drill press, I think the bandsaw wins. :-)
Dan
Lots of thoughtful responses. The drill press and jointer were the
overwhelming favorites. By my count, the DP got 4 recommendations and the
jointer got 3. The rest of the posts were somewhat mixed bandsaw & planer.
I think I will buy a cheap DP for now and look for a good used jointer. I
really don't drill many holes, maybe I will. Thanks for the responses.
--
McQualude
On Sat 23 Aug 2003 04:59:36p, "Jon Endres, PE" <[email protected]>
wrote in news:[email protected]:
> Nice to have big horsie, not essential. I have a 1-1/2 horse motor on
> my Delta 14" saw, with a riser, I can cut 12" thick. The right blade,
> blade tension and tuning of the saw are critcial. I have been using a
> Lenox 3 tpi carbide-tipped blade lately for all resawing, and it works
> wonders (and is worth the clams). A bit slow, but does the job. If I
> wanted speed, I'd find a dedicated resaw.
Thanks Jon, that's good to know. I should have mentioned that speed wasn't
a factor; I just want the capability and I'll be doing it infrequently so
changing to a special blade isn't a problem. And if my tablesaw is any
indicator, when I do get my first bandsaw the first few weeks it'll be
about fifty-fifty fiddling with it and actually using it. Not sure if it's
to be certain it's tuned right or I just like playing with my toys. :-)
Dan
In article <[email protected]>, McQualude <[email protected]> wrote:
>Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
>powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
>I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
>so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
If you build furniture, get a jointer and planer. Go with used equipment if
you need to for budget reasons, but get both. They will save you so much time
compared to hand planing and jointing, that you'll wonder how you ever managed
without them. And you can buy your lumber rough, and surface it yourself to
exactly the dimensions you want.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)
Yep. Definitley not a 14" Jet/Delta/whatever. I had a MiniMax thet I
would have done it wil. They run around $1000-1400 I believe. Laguna
sells some good stuff too in my opinion.
On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 17:42:41 -0400, "Morgans" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>> Now that I've got a jointer and planer, the bandsaw's next on my list. But
>> I'm going to look till I find something that'll resaw at least eight
>> inches. Twelve would be better.
>
>OOOOH you will need LOTS of HP for that. I have a 3 HP on a 20 (old Delta)
>and it's still not enough.
You really have to be careful of a lathe. It is the most dangerous tool
in the shop! Responsible for more missed commitments and blown budgets than
Congress! OK, you have been warned!
Sounds like you are not particularly pressed for time so:
Planer - cuts hand planing in half and allows pretty much standard
dimensioning of stock for any given project.
Band Saw - one of the most versatile tools in a shop.
Drill Press - bench model fine on a stand as long as you have a minimum of
16 inch swing.
Jointer - bigger is better depending on space available and budget.
It is a pretty hard call actually. I keep a shop fund. When I get to the
point I can no longer stand being without a tool and there is money
available, I start looking for the best price. Last Saturday I found a Delta
14 inch bandsaw with a Baldor 3/4 HP motor on a moveable stand for $150.
Looks like a pair of new thrust bearings and some rust removal from the
table will bring this saw up to speed. Mad money is nice to have when
opportunity knocks. Good luck with your shop! ;)
Dan
"Eccentric by Nature"
"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
> powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
> --
> McQualude
"Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You really have to be careful of a lathe. It is the most dangerous tool
> in the shop! Responsible for more missed commitments and blown budgets
than
> Congress! OK, you have been warned!
>
Absolutely, stay away from a lathe! You cannot imagine what a mess a tool
can make until you set out to remove everything that doesn't look like a
bowl from a piece of fire wood. Also, walking into the house with a
finished project after a few hours in the shop is not near as satisfying as
spending weeks of evenings and weekends to finish a square project. And the
distraction factor: you go out to the shop to work on a project, and find
yourself saying "well, just a few minutes turning." So much for the original
project (see missed committments above.) And speaking of budgets: there is
not tool in the shop that has as many accessories available for it as a
lathe.
Gene
> I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build
furniture
> so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
Easy. Decide which would be the *handiest*, and save the *most* time!
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
If it's saving you money, that's hard to ignore.
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
I use a $50 Harbor Freight bench-top drill press, and I love it. There
are, of course, jobs where it doesn't have the capacity, but that doesn't
mean it's not incredibly useful for the majority of things I do. And you
can get a fairly nice standing drill-press much cheaper than a planer or
jointer, to boot.
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
The lathe is the cheap part. Then you need chisels, a grinder, a
grinding jig, chucks, jaws, etc.. By the time you're set up to do much
of a variety, the price of the lathe itself doesn't seem so bad. Besides
that, once you start on the lathe, it'll be so fun, you'll start
neglecting all of your tools that aren't used to prep wood for the lathe!
steve
"Morgans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> > Now that I've got a jointer and planer, the bandsaw's next on my list.
But
> > I'm going to look till I find something that'll resaw at least eight
> > inches. Twelve would be better.
>
> OOOOH you will need LOTS of HP for that. I have a 3 HP on a 20 (old
Delta)
> and it's still not enough.
> --
> Jim in NC
>
Nice to have big horsie, not essential. I have a 1-1/2 horse motor on my
Delta 14" saw, with a riser, I can cut 12" thick. The right blade, blade
tension and tuning of the saw are critcial. I have been using a Lenox 3 tpi
carbide-tipped blade lately for all resawing, and it works wonders (and is
worth the clams). A bit slow, but does the job. If I wanted speed, I'd
find a dedicated resaw.
JonE
McQualude <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
Well, if you'd prefer to stop neandering, then this tool becomes
essential
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
yep, *can* pay for itself over time. To me, the planer and jointer go
together, almost need to get as a package deal, although some poster
on the wreck joint their wood with their planer.
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
No. Save for a floor one, I first bought a benchtop, it's capacity is
very limited, it is relegated to use as a drum sander ... you might
see it on eBay someday. If you can afford a jointer, planer, bandsaw
or lathe you can afford a floor DP
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
A great highly versatile tool
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
Slippery slope here - you are warned. Turning is FUN. Nice to knock
out a beautiful bowl, completely finished, in a couple hours at most.
Highly impressive to SWMBOs. HOWEVER, by the time you get a lathe,
convince yourself you NEED all the associated turning tools and
doodads, you'll have spent as much as you would have to buy every
other tool on this list.
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
One of each is best ;-) Although you didn't mention budget, if
there's a way to swing it, even though there's nothing sexy about
them, I'd put the jointer & planer at the top of the list so you can
start getting rough sawn.
McQualude <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
Well, if you'd prefer to stop neandering, then this tool becomes
essential
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
yep, *can* pay for itself over time. To me, the planer and jointer go
together, almost need to get as a package deal, although some poster
on the wreck joint their wood with their planer.
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
No. Save for a floor one, I first bought a benchtop, it's capacity is
very limited, it is relegated to use as a drum sander ... you might
see it on eBay someday. If you can afford a jointer, planer, bandsaw
or lathe you can afford a floor DP
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
A great highly versatile tool
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
Slippery slope here - you are warned. Turning is FUN. Nice to knock
out a beautiful bowl, completely finished, in a couple hours at most.
Highly impressive to SWMBOs. HOWEVER, by the time you get a lathe,
convince yourself you NEED all the associated turning tools and
doodads, you'll have spent as much as you would have to buy every
other tool on this list.
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
One of each is best ;-) Although you didn't mention budget, if
there's a way to swing it, even though there's nothing sexy about
them, I'd put the jointer & planer at the top of the list so you can
start getting rough sawn.
Probably the jointer. I think a table and jointer are two tools I use
together. I bought a surface planer when I started making drawers, as
I needed 1/2" thick stock and that's hard to find except for ply. I'd
probably get the lathe last, but it is the most "fun" machine in my
shop.
On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 04:31:42 GMT, McQualude <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Basically I have a TS, router and hand tools (some of the hand tools are
>powered); so where do I spend my money?
>
>I know... the answer depends on how I work. Well I mostly build furniture
>so any of them would be handy and would save considerable time.
>
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
>precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
>cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
>(I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
>nothing?)
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
>year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>
>I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
>wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
>has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
>capabilities.
Nicest feature of a drill press is the indexing vise you can buy for
it. Saves bunches of time in lining things up.
On 24 Aug 2003 14:40:21 -0700, [email protected] (Tom Bergman)
wrote:
>McQualude <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
>> precision
>
>Well, if you'd prefer to stop neandering, then this tool becomes
>essential
>
>>
>> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
>
>yep, *can* pay for itself over time. To me, the planer and jointer go
>together, almost need to get as a package deal, although some poster
>on the wreck joint their wood with their planer.
>>
>> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
>> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
>> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
>> nothing?)
>
>No. Save for a floor one, I first bought a benchtop, it's capacity is
>very limited, it is relegated to use as a drum sander ... you might
>see it on eBay someday. If you can afford a jointer, planer, bandsaw
>or lathe you can afford a floor DP
>>
>> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
>> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
>>
>A great highly versatile tool
>
>> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
>>
>Slippery slope here - you are warned. Turning is FUN. Nice to knock
>out a beautiful bowl, completely finished, in a couple hours at most.
>Highly impressive to SWMBOs. HOWEVER, by the time you get a lathe,
>convince yourself you NEED all the associated turning tools and
>doodads, you'll have spent as much as you would have to buy every
>other tool on this list.
>
>> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
>> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
>> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
>> capabilities.
>One of each is best ;-) Although you didn't mention budget, if
>there's a way to swing it, even though there's nothing sexy about
>them, I'd put the jointer & planer at the top of the list so you can
>start getting rough sawn.
McQualude wrote:
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
This is a no brainer. Buy the drill press. A drill press is the most
useful stationary power tool any human being can own.
A benchtop is OK. I used a 10" benchtop on its own table for a long time,
but I just traded up for a 15" floor model, and I'm very glad I did. If
you have space and capital, I'd go for the floor model straight off.
Especially for woodworking, where a small DP really limits the size of the
pieces you can effectively work on.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17306 Approximate word count: 519180
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
"McQualude" <[email protected]> wrote in message >
> jointer - save lot's of time over hand planing, should improve
> precision
>
> planer - would save me some money, I wouldn't have to buy S2S
Both would be nice. I can get jointed wood for about the same price as
rough, so I bought the planer first. Still don't have the jointer, but it
is next on the list. For no additional cost my supplier can plane to
thickness on both sides at the same time and will cut a straight edge.
Given that service, I'n not in a hurry to get the jointer.
>
> drill press - it would be nice to be able to use forstner bits, plug
> cutters, sanding drums and of course, to be able to drill at 90 degrees
> (I know everyone hates them, but would a bench size press be better than
> nothing?)
My bench top dp serves me well. Paid $179. So far, I can't say I've ever
needed a larger one, but of course that day will come.
>
> band saw - resawing, pattern cutting, wouldn't have to use that 20
> year old Crapsman sabre saw nearly as much
You can save money by resawing also. Before I had mine, I'd often use wood
that was really thicker than what was needed, but since I had no practical
way of cutting it down or planing it down, I used it. This is a vey
practical step for $600 and up. Don't bother with a small ones, you should
get the 14" or better.
>
> lathe - obvious reason, I won't be limited to square stock
That is last on my list. Unless you are into turning bowls and the like,
the lathe is probably used much less than the other tools you mentioned.
When I needed some spindles, I was able to buy them too cheap to worry about
buying a lathe.
>
> I am leaning toward jointer, band saw or lathe. I think I should maybe
> wait on the lathe. The jointer makes me more efficient, but the bandsaw
> has a higher fun factor, the lathe is more fun yet and increases my
> capabilities.
I think you are correct. The lathe looks like fun to use, but the other
tools are much more practical for what you do every day.
Ed
"Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Now that I've got a jointer and planer, the bandsaw's next on my list. But
> I'm going to look till I find something that'll resaw at least eight
> inches. Twelve would be better.
OOOOH you will need LOTS of HP for that. I have a 3 HP on a 20 (old Delta)
and it's still not enough.
--
Jim in NC