ATOT Woodworkers, unite!

[blurredvision]

A couple years ago, I wanted to get started into woodworking. I caught the bug pretty bad, as I was reading woodworking magazines, recording any show with Norm in it, and buying tools left and right. However, after spending over a grand on various tools over the course of a couple months, I started to become discouraged because I realized that I still didn't have everything I needed/wanted, and I was tired of draining money into it. I kinda decided that I was just going to quit spending money and pick it back up at a later time.

It's 2 years later, and I'm now thinking about setting a budget of $2k to get serious with this. I really want to put to use some of the tools I've already purchased, and buy the rest of what I need or upgrade what I have to something better. I'd like to see what you guys advise.

Here's what I have, and a note about each:

10" Craftsman Table Saw
- Bought this for around $200 at Sears. It works, but I don't like it because it's fairly small and isn't too sturdy. I can't cut stuff that's too big because the table size just isn't that large, and I can't even think about heavier materials because the unit is top heavy and wants to tip over. I just can't do anything substantial with it. But, like I said before, it works, just with smaller stuff and less dense woods.

Craftsman Miter Saw
- I've used this unit a lot, and I don't have too many issues with it. It works as advertised, although it is hard to calibrate.

12 1/2" Craftsman Planer
- This is the entry level planer in the Craftsman line, typically goes for around $200-$300. I've not used it much at all, but what I have used of it, it's worked fine. I've cut through walnut and cherry without any problems and have gotten smooth surfaces.

DeWalt Fixed/Plunge Router Combo
- I love this router, it's great, no issues with it. When I shopped for a router, I bought the top-of-the-line DeWalt unit, and I'm glad I did. Plenty of power, easy to control.

Various Other Tools
- I have various other tools, like a cord and cordless drill, the high-end DeWalt jig saw, hand planer, etc.

Here's what I'm thinking about getting, or what I would like:

New Table Saw
- I've been looking over the Grizzly catalog the past couple of days, eyeing their cheaper cabinet table saws. I've often looked at a table saw as one of the most important parts of a woodworking shop, but I'm not sure if this is the correct viewpoint. If I were to get a new table saw, this would easily eat up half of my budget or more, especially considering that I would want to buy a mobile base for it as well (I need mobility around the garage). Advantages of a new cabinet table saw would be more power and sturdiness of the table. Disadvantages are that the table size isn't really any better than what I have now unless I spend another few hunderd dollars on a table extension.

Jointer
- I've yet to buy a jointer, and this would be a must. Not sure if I should buy a smaller 4-6" benchtop unit, or spend a couple hundred more and get a stand-up unit.

Drill Press
- I feel like I need a drill press, because sometimes I'm just no good with a drill. A press makes everything easier, which I like. I think I'd be fine with a benchtop unit, but I don't like the small vertical working space with those (typically around 4" if I remember correctly).

Bandsaw
- Another piece of machinery I'd love to have. Would come in handy to be able to easily resaw lumber as well as making curved cuts (would be easier with a band saw than my jig saw, although I can handle the jig saw pretty well).

Scroll Saw
- Another nicety, but not a must.

Clamps
- I'm in need of a LOT of clamps, but damn they are expensive.

Various
- I'd love to have any number of various tools, such as dovetail jigs, mortise drills, grinder, etc. Specialty stuff that isn't needed, but would be nice to have in the shop.

 

[waggy]

10" Craftsman Table Saw
- Bought this for around $200 at Sears. It works, but I don't like it because it's fairly small and isn't too sturdy. I can't cut stuff that's too big because the table size just isn't that large, and I can't even think about heavier materials because the unit is top heavy and wants to tip over. I just can't do anything substantial with it. But, like I said before, it works, just with smaller stuff and less dense woods.



a buddy of mine has this problem. and one of the woodworking mazazines just happened to have a fix. you build a table around it. it gave the guy a lot of room and helped make it stable.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Tablesaw - I have a Ridgid 10" contractor TS. It comes with a mobile base (I use part of my 2 car garage as a ww shop). I did a lot of reviews before I bought it (I looked at Jet, Grizzly, etc.) and found that this was my best bang for the buck. It is a solid saw and cuts very true and the fence is accurate with no play.

Another TS I had considered was a Delta with a Biesemeyer fence. Lowe's had a special on these with a free mobile base at the time I purchasesd mine.

Router - I have a Bosch fix/plunge router combo that works great. If I didn't get the Bosch I would have went with a DeWalt.

Bandsaw - I was thinking of getting a bandsaw but read that if you want to do any serious work with it (resawing) you need a floor model (maybe 18-20" size). The smaller benchtop type don't hold up well, though they would work well for cutting craft type stuff (maybe 1/4"-1/2" ply?).

Clamps - Sams has good deals on the Irwin Quik clamps sometimes. I have a few of these as well as a few Bessey bar clamps and some pipe clamps. Bar/pipe clamps are a must for large projects (cabinets, etc.).

Various - Sometimes you can make your own jigs for dovetails, mortises, etc. with some scrap stock and a few bits of hardware. I've made taper jigs, runners, circle cutters, straight edges and a few other things with scrap. Doing this helps you hone your ww skills as well. A good set of wood chisels are nice to have. You can use them to clean up dadoes and stuff.

 

[amdskip]

table saw

A friend has this saw and loves it. He is a cabinet builder by trade. Anyone else have one?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: waggy
a buddy of mine has this problem. and one of the woodworking mazazines just happened to have a fix. you build a table around it. it gave the guy a lot of room and helped make it stable.

Not a bad idea, but I need for it to be mobile. I work in the garage, and I like to have the open space, so I move all unused tools up against the wall.

Originally posted by: amdskip
table saw

A friend has this saw and loves it. He is a cabinet builder by trade. Anyone else have one?

So does he not have any problems with sturdiness?

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: waggy
a buddy of mine has this problem. and one of the woodworking mazazines just happened to have a fix. you build a table around it. it gave the guy a lot of room and helped make it stable.

Not a bad idea, but I need for it to be mobile. I work in the garage, and I like to have the open space, so I move all unused tools up against the wall.

I built a rolling cabinet. It stores other tools underneath and doubles as an extra benchtop (I use it for glue ups and such). But it's intended purpose is an outfeed table for cutting larger stock. When not in use it gets pushed against the wall.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: waggy
a buddy of mine has this problem. and one of the woodworking mazazines just happened to have a fix. you build a table around it. it gave the guy a lot of room and helped make it stable.

Not a bad idea, but I need for it to be mobile. I work in the garage, and I like to have the open space, so I move all unused tools up against the wall.

I built a rolling cabinet. It stores other tools underneath and doubles as an extra benchtop (I use it for glue ups and such). But it's intended purpose is an outfeed table for cutting larger stock. When not in use it gets pushed against the wall.

yeap. i forgot to mention that. he has both the table and woodsaw on soem coasters. so he can move them as needed. When not in use the table is pushed into the corner.

his wood shop is kinda small. so he does hthis to save room. he also has his standing bandsaw on them also.


the ones he has are kinda expensive (like $90 a set).

 

[Greenman]

I use one of these http://www.rousseauco.com/ and a Makita table saw. It's an outstanding set up, light, portable, easy to set up and durable, I've build custom cabinets with it. Another option for cutting plywood is a Festool saw and guide, I love mine, very easy to get perfect cuts in fragile material. Of the three miter saws I own, I find the 12" Dewalt compound miter saw to be the most useful, an outstanding tool. Before you buy a jointer or drill press, you should invest in a compressor and air nailer.

 

[Gothgar]

vote for bandsaw

those things are great and pretty easy to use

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
vote for bandsaw

those things are great and pretty easy to use

This. And you should try and use bsaic hand tools where possible.

Pics of your work?

I crafted a coffee table for my sisters wedding present.

 

[alkemyst]

Look for a Ridgid TS3660 or TS3650 in your area for about $350.

ridgidforums.com has the info.

I picked up a incra 1000SE miter gauge, miter express, and a Infinity blade.

The ridgid drill press is another good deal at $299.

I have just a 10" bandsaw but it works for my needs.

was far as the tools though what are you building....a guy making pens has a lot of different needs compared to someone building 10' wall units.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Look for a Ridgid TS3660 or TS3650 in your area for about $350.

ridgidforums.com has the info.

:thumbsup: That's what I have. Bought it a few years ago at HD for about $500. Good solid saw for the money.

And that website has good info on building outfeed tables and router extensions for the Ridgid TS. Look in their forums area.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Look for a Ridgid TS3660 or TS3650 in your area for about $350.

ridgidforums.com has the info.

:thumbsup: That's what I have. Bought it a few years ago at HD for about $500. Good solid saw for the money.

And that website has good info on building outfeed tables and router extensions for the Ridgid TS. Look in their forums area.

very nice. i been talking with my wife to turn my garage (2 car) into a workshop. she has agreed. sure it would mean leaving the cars out in the winter.

its tempting to get that sounds like a good table.

 

[Homerboy]

I vote drill press. While a fairly "boring" tool, you simply can not over estimate the power of a perfectly drilled hole. Perfect depth, perfectly vertical... I run into the need so very often.

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: Greenman
I use one of these http://www.rousseauco.com/ and a Makita table saw. It's an outstanding set up, light, portable, easy to set up and durable, I've build custom cabinets with it. Another option for cutting plywood is a Festool saw and guide, I love mine, very easy to get perfect cuts in fragile material. Of the three miter saws I own, I find the 12" Dewalt compound miter saw to be the most useful, an outstanding tool. Before you buy a jointer or drill press, you should invest in a compressor and air nailer.

Listen to this guy, he is a pro. The Rousseau/Makita combo is practically an industry standard with remodelers. My dad (contractor) has carried this in his work van for about 10 years and never needed to replace. Every time he hires subcontractors that use table saws (flooring guys etc.) they are using the Makita. No problem ripping full sheets of plywood and highly portable/compact. (I can remember ripping 2x12 soaking wet pressure treated fur for a porch with the thing. We had somone feeding the work, someone receiving it, and one person holding the saw in place. lol.)

Coincidentaly, my dad also uses the 12" Dewalt Compound miter saw, but it's an expensive and heavy saw, so I just use a 10" Makita myself, it gets the job done.

I also agree that you should probably get an air compressor and a finish nailer and a brad nailer before a jointer or drill press. My dad has always used Bostich nailers, but I recently got a Rigid brad nailer and stapler and they are really good.

 

[Squisher]

You'll use a new table saw more than the other tools. That Bosch looks intriguing.

Next up would be a band saw. I've seen 14" Delta's for $200 on CL. Those things are tanks. I got a 12" Craftsman for $50 all because the people I bought it from didn't know how to adjust it. The blade must have been wandering something awful.

I'd get a router table for that router before a drill press. I've got a shaper rather than a router table and I love it. Like you said, floor standing drill presses are worth it, although you can mount a table top model near the edge of a bench for long stuff, but you won't be able to drill too deep without finagling.

For clamps, I've gone with pipe clamps so I can just swap out pipes to make them bigger or smaller.


There are a ton of lightly used tools out there for sale from people with more money than desire to use them.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200

I also agree that you should probably get an air compressor and a finish nailer and a brad nailer before a jointer or drill press. My dad has always used Bostich nailers, but I recently got a Rigid brad nailer and stapler and they are really good.

Oh man I missed the fact he doesn't have a air compressor or nail gun(s) already. Talk about a "must have" I just honestly ASSUMED you had one already

Drop the $400 or so on a "set" that the home improvement stores offer. Worth their weight in GOLD.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: Blackjack200

I also agree that you should probably get an air compressor and a finish nailer and a brad nailer before a jointer or drill press. My dad has always used Bostich nailers, but I recently got a Rigid brad nailer and stapler and they are really good.

Oh man I missed the fact he doesn't have a air compressor or nail gun(s) already. Talk about a "must have" I just honestly ASSUMED you had one already

Drop the $400 or so on a "set" that the home improvement stores offer. Worth their weight in GOLD.

I actually do have a 6-gallon air compressor, just didn't think to include it. I don't have a finish or brad nailer though (been wanting a brad nailer for a while).

If I decide to buy some stuff, my budget is $2k, so I can afford a few things if I buy smart.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: Blackjack200

I also agree that you should probably get an air compressor and a finish nailer and a brad nailer before a jointer or drill press. My dad has always used Bostich nailers, but I recently got a Rigid brad nailer and stapler and they are really good.

Oh man I missed the fact he doesn't have a air compressor or nail gun(s) already. Talk about a "must have" I just honestly ASSUMED you had one already

Drop the $400 or so on a "set" that the home improvement stores offer. Worth their weight in GOLD.

I actually do have a 6-gallon air compressor, just didn't think to include it. I don't have a finish or brad nailer though (been wanting a brad nailer for a while).

If I decide to buy some stuff, my budget is $2k, so I can afford a few things if I buy smart.

well then certainly include nail/staple guns into your budget. Those are must have.

 

[alkemyst]

a nailer is a tool that could be replaced by hand easier than a drill press, table saw, joiner, or router.

$2k is a decent chunk, but there are going to be compromises.

A top of the line cabinet saw could wipe out that budget and more in one shot.

A nailer / stapler is nice to have as is air, but those are more modern inventions compared to the rest that are more essentials.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
a nailer is a tool that could be replaced by hand easier than a drill press, table saw, joiner, or router.

$2k is a decent chunk, but there are going to be compromises.

A top of the line cabinet saw could wipe out that budget and more in one shot.

A nailer / stapler is nice to have as is air, but those are more modern inventions compared to the rest that are more essentials.

Just depends on what type of jobs you are doing. I re-did my kitchen and putting up crown in a number of rooms and having a 2" brad nailer saved me hours upon hours of work, frustration, and cleanup.

 

[vi edit]

For $220 + shipping this is a great bargain...not as much if you don't need the compressor.

http://www.amazon.com/Factory-...&qid=1245440339&sr=8-1

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: alkemyst
a nailer is a tool that could be replaced by hand easier than a drill press, table saw, joiner, or router.

$2k is a decent chunk, but there are going to be compromises.

A top of the line cabinet saw could wipe out that budget and more in one shot.

A nailer / stapler is nice to have as is air, but those are more modern inventions compared to the rest that are more essentials.

Just depends on what type of jobs you are doing. I re-did my kitchen and putting up crown in a number of rooms and having a 2" brad nailer saved me hours upon hours of work, frustration, and cleanup.

don't know the cleanup needed. Crown molding is not a major woodworking project unless you carved them out of stock.


If you are doing all crown/any molding a nailer would be the first tool to buy though.

They are a great tool.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: alkemyst
a nailer is a tool that could be replaced by hand easier than a drill press, table saw, joiner, or router.

$2k is a decent chunk, but there are going to be compromises.

A top of the line cabinet saw could wipe out that budget and more in one shot.

A nailer / stapler is nice to have as is air, but those are more modern inventions compared to the rest that are more essentials.

Just depends on what type of jobs you are doing. I re-did my kitchen and putting up crown in a number of rooms and having a 2" brad nailer saved me hours upon hours of work, frustration, and cleanup.

don't know the cleanup needed. Crown molding is not a major woodworking project unless you carved them out of stock.


If you are doing all crown/any molding a nailer would be the first tool to buy though.

They are a great tool.

That's how I got my compressor and nailer. :thumbsup:

I was hanging crown (with the wife's assistance) using a hammer and finish nails and kept dropping nails and making it look so difficult. Wife asked what was wrong, I told her a compressor and nailer would make it so much easier. She said "Well let's go get it".

I was like...:Q :laugh: :heart:

 

[drnickriviera]

If you're working with rough cut wood and even sanded woods, a jointer is a must. Problem for me is that my 6" jointer isn't big enough.

Other things i'd look at are good quality blades for your tablesaw and chopsaw. I use the Forest woodworker II. Also look for a dado blade.
Random orbital sander. I use the Makita BO5021K and love it, excellent sander
Also consider a pin nailer, it's a very handy nailer for moulding. I don't have to worry with it splitting the wood no matter where I put the pin.
Have you looked at the Kreg pocket screw system? It's kept me from having to buy so many clamps.
Have you built a crosscut sled for your tablesaw? It not that is something you should build right away.
Like Alkemyst, I have the Incra miter 1000se. I had to learn the hard way not to use my miter saw and use the table saw with the incra to get accurate cuts.