Tool Addicts

Has The Economy Tempered Your Tool Addiction?

Tom McKenna, senior editor

11 users recommend

Delta, a brand owned by Stanley Black & Decker, has introduced some great new tools this year, including their revamped Unisaw. I hear that other tool makers will be stepping up with some new stuff as well. Will you be in a buying mood?

Courtesy Delta

Money was tight in my house this year, but I needed to buy this dust collector for my basement workspace. That was it for tool purchases, though.

Courtesy Woodcraft.com

Delta, a brand owned by Stanley Black & Decker, has introduced some great new tools this year, including their revamped Unisaw. I hear that other tool makers will be stepping up with some new stuff as well. Will you be in a buying mood?

Photo: Courtesy Delta

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I recently read that Stanley Black & Decker, the largest tool maker in the United States, had a great third quarter this year, more than doubling its profit. The company owns a few brands familiar to woodworkers, such as Delta, Porter-Cable, Bostitch, and DeWalt.

Analysts say the increased profits are a result of a small rebound in the housing market, with most of the profits coming from the construction and do-it-yourself division, according to the report.

So it seems builders are buying tools, but what about furniture makers? Has the economy put a damper on your own tool purchases? Are you spending money on new tools and machines, or are you holding back and using your money for materials to make furniture? Let us know.

By the way, this year I had only one “major” tool purchase: a dust collector. And now I’m saving to buy a brad nailer and a compressor, as well as a new router to put in a table.

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Comments (22)

tjk3 writes: I agree with other posters that the economy has made me think about my purchases more carefully. It has also made me less tolerant of companies that take my business for granted.

It seems that the more cost effective a tool is the less you can expect the manufacturer to stand behind it. I love my Steel City planer but a piece of pot metal used to secure the depth stop to the frame just snapped and they dont want want to know me. The service person quipped that since I only paid 399 or 499 for the planer that it wasnt worth the trouble to repair and told me he had a call coming in from Australia and hung up!I may very well replace it with a more expensive planer but not from Steel City.
Posted: 5:24 pm on February 23rd

9michael9 writes: Wonder how many people with a 3 or 4 thousand dollar tool investment just build bird houses?? More than most would suspect, I think.
Posted: 1:47 pm on February 5th

1100stx writes: Let the wife think of a project and then use the project for justification of a new tool.
Posted: 1:11 pm on December 8th

jackvan writes: I'm retired from over 40 years in woodworking, and luckily have most of the basic
tools already. Not able due to age to horse 4x8 panels around like I used to, so I
invested in a festool circular saw complete with 102 inch track. This has been a
mixed blessing, because it introduced me to Festool. At two or three times the cost of competing lines, I can't afford it, but it's such a delight to use that I've been hooked. Now I have five of them, and don't open catalogues anymore. Thinking of starting a chapter of Festool users anonymous.
Posted: 5:16 pm on December 3rd

jackvan writes: I'm retired from over 40 years in woodworking, and luckily have most of the basic
tools already. Not able due to age to horse 4x8 panels around like I used to, so I
invested in a festool circular saw complete with 102 inch track. This has been a
mixed blessing, because it introduced me to Festool. At two or three times the cost of competing lines, I can't afford it, but it's such a delight to use that I've been hooked. Now I have five of them, and don't open catalogues anymore. Thinking of starting a chapter of Festool users anonymous.
Posted: 5:16 pm on December 3rd

jackvan writes: I'm retired from over 40 years in woodworking, and luckily have most of the basic
tools already. Not able due to age to horse 4x8 panels around like I used to, so I
invested in a festool circular saw complete with 102 inch track. This has been a
mixed blessing, because it introduced me to Festool. At two or three times the cost of competing lines, I can't afford it, but it's such a delight to use that I've been hooked. Now I have five of them, and don't open catalogues anymore. Thinking of starting a chapter of Festool users anonymous.
Posted: 5:16 pm on December 3rd

Tom writes: @Joe4: Used tools are a great option for budget-minded folks. We'll be running an article on buying used machinery in an upcoming issue.
Posted: 9:36 am on December 3rd

joe4liberty writes: I'm doing my part for the economy, all with used tools. I bought a used Robland 5-1 x-31 combo (GREAT machine, little space requirement, 3hp tooling), and as a result the man I bought it from was able to pay his mortgage having been laid-off (win-win) - he got out of wood-working several years ago, and it had been in storage since then (now he isn't paying for a storage shed any more to boot). Then I bought a used Grizzly 3hp single stage dust collector from a guy who now has the space for a cyclone, but needed the extra funds to make the purchase - again win-win. Several smaller tools off of Craigslist (shop heater, and piping for the dust collector), and e-bay, nail guns. Remember, money you give to a former owner of that used tool gets spent into the economy too...
Posted: 7:29 pm on December 1st

Splinterpolisher writes: It is so sad that all of these traditionally great tool makers have now been taken over by Black and Decker. Once Black and Decker were also great but they long ago dropped out of the quality pack. Too bad!!! Won't be long until B&D ruins these in the profit only quest for which they are known.

I have owned a Unisaw for over 25 years. In recent months have been replacing most of my cordless drills, drivers etc. Panasonic, Milwaukee and Bosch. Wish I could afford the new Bosch chop saw.

Am not impressed iwth the Sawstop. In talking with reps, cost of recovery is way too great. What happened to good common sense and due diligence in using tools. In almost 60 years have never been injured. BUT, one must be careful.
Posted: 3:23 pm on December 1st

grmalj writes: Good tools makes the difference.
You have chance to by them and you are going to use them that is luck of this days. Where are the money that we needed to bay the tools, isn't it sad that people can't make the difference just because the money is not there???
Posted: 11:04 pm on November 30th

terry359 writes: I've been gradually outfitting my shop with good equipment to prepare for more extensive woodworking in retirement. Have got the Delta Unisaw, 3 hp shaper, and DJ20 jointer and love them all. Got a Jet 15" planer and it has performed flawlessly. I'm saving up to get an 18-inch bandsaw now. I just need to clear out space for it in my workshop and finish researching the pros and cons of the Agazzani, Minimax, and Laguna. Then I'll contribute my little boost to the economy.
Posted: 10:31 pm on November 30th

jose_martell writes: ES REALMENTE CIERTO LA ECONOMIA Y LOS PROBLEMAS DE FALTA DE OPORTUNIDADES NOS HAN GOLPEADO MUY DURO A LOS FABRICANTES DE MUEBLES. YO EN PARTICULAR QUIERO COMPRAR UN CEPILLO ESTACIONARIO Y UN SHAPER Y TENGO QUE POSPONER ESATA INVERCION ESPERANDO QUE EL FUTURO SEA MAS BENEBOLO PARA LA ECONOMIA EN MEXICO.
Posted: 6:40 pm on November 30th

Robertdog writes: This has been tough on me, but I was able to add one new tool(the Infinity Dadonator)and get it on sale for $179.99. I'll keep trying to do my part, when I can, to bring the economy out of it current funk.
Posted: 11:23 am on November 30th

turnertoo writes: Love my Delta Unisaw that I bought 10 years ago but the foot print is so big in my small shop along with my Delta shaper,8" jointer and Powermatic 20" planer that I'd love to replace them all with a Laguna 5 in One combination machine. Did I also mention a new American Beauty Robust wood lathe is on my wish list. Just keep dreaming in this economy, lucky to be able to afford my every increasing ridiculous property taxes in this NY welfare state.
Posted: 10:36 am on November 30th

domainguy writes: After my first Delta contractor's saw 20 years ago, I moved up to a Powermatic 66 3 HP 52 inch five years ago. I would love to have a new Delta 5HP Unisaw, but money just isn't there as I ready my purchases for semi-retirement. I think my next purchase is a 2HP cyclone and a new Grizzly Extreme 17" bandsaw. The new Delta Drill Press also is very tempting.
Posted: 10:16 am on November 30th

Mwascom writes: I love that saw, but alas too rich for my blood and I'm space limited because my work shop is also my garage and I have to be able to get the car in there.

So money being an issue I will fall back on Grizzly tools. A lot of bang for the buck to be had there and from what I have seen all tools are made in Taiwan or China just the labels have changed.

The Delta uni-saw is made in America or Assembled here? I don't know; so hard to find anything made in America these days.
Posted: 8:12 am on November 30th

thetooladdict writes: I couldn't resist the 5 HP Delta Unisaw at the current sale price and with the router rebate offer! I've been using a well tuned Craftsman for over 25 years, but finally broke down for "more power"-and what a difference! I should never have touched the controls on the front of the Delta as they are so smooth-that's what bit me. I will miss the IncraFence I put on the Craftsman though- wish it adapted. This major spend will temper the addiction for awhile.
Posted: 8:07 am on November 30th

reeltime1 writes: This being my first year at the hobby, I actually purchased quite a few pieces of shop equipment.

My first project was dining room wainscoting last year. I bought a router, table, and a table saw (Bosch contractor), and a compressor/nail gun.

This lead to my big project for this year-- a workbench. In that process-- I purchased a bandsaw, planer, hand planes, chisels, sanders-- which started a Festool addiction (hard on the wallet), circular saw (yup, Festool there, too), and my last purchase-- the much needed jointer.

"Just doing my bit for the economy, honey!"
Posted: 3:01 am on November 30th

gyrog writes: I have a Delta Unisaw that is so old, the serial numbers are Roman Numerals. Still, it is a workhorse and it is dialed in and does a great job for me. I bartered for the saw about twenty years ago by building a set of stairs and the balustrade with Goncalo Alves. I would love to be able to buy new tools, especially since some immoral bottom-feeder broke into my home shop and stole about $4000 worth of my tools. As it is, I'm searching pawn shops and Craigslist to find my own tools or replacements as needed.
Posted: 12:25 am on November 30th

oops47 writes: I use a SAW STOP at the local Community college where I occasionaly take Fine Woodworking classes. I have seen a few fingers saved, but I am still looking forward to owning a Delta Unisaw hopefully in the near future.
Posted: 11:49 pm on November 29th

Fiveoaks writes: My money went into rough lumber this year. It's stickered and air drying so will take awhile before I see the return. I'd love to have a new Unisaw but in no way can I justify the outlay. I did just today order a new (remanufactured) Delta miter saw. I may be sorry but the $100 savings I can put into a blade or my pocket.
Posted: 10:04 pm on November 16th

CompleteRookie writes: As good as the Delta Unisaw is, I will spend my money very efficiently and look to purchase those items that I feel will give me the highest value. Quality hand plane and saws for example. But in regards to a table saw? The only one I will purchase in the future will be a Sawstop.
Posted: 5:42 pm on November 11th

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