dustdog

I have several older cheap planes left to me by my father. I am slowly updating to newer, high quality planes, but with so many to chose from, a book like this should offer some guidance into which ones to buy first.

Yes please, sign me up.

If you are new to woodworking, I think most of the capabilities of the bandsaw you list aren't going to be attempted. You will probably start out building boxy projects like dressers and tables with square legs, etc. So, for the beginner I think a tablesaw would still be your best bet. An inexpensive jigsaw will get you by until you graduate to higher skill levels. Now, if you're becoming a better woodworker and want to move up to better quality equipment than you probably bought when you were starting out, I agree with your purchase order. You will have the less expensive machines you already own at your disposal as you upgrade your shop.

I looked at all the stationary tools in my shop and thought about the amount of use each one got. A big number one is the table saw. I would say the next group would receive equal use; sliding compound mitersaw, thickness planer, jointer, bandsaw, drill press. In my shop the rest of the machines are used much more infrequently. By the way, if you make a u-shaped jig and a sled, you can thickness wood with a router, instead of a planer. And then you have the router for all the other things it is capable of.