Replies

1. 
   BG | Jul 05, 2003 08:25pm | #1

   Derek,

   It's a pretty foregone conclusion in here that General, Powermatic and Delta are of top quality and have minor differences that are more user specific likes and dislikes than deficiencies.  If you want to save money on the table saw buy any one of the machines listed above used or a new Grizzly. 

   Dust collection will cost $1000 US....put the money aside..its a must.

   Bandsaw, I'd budget $1000 and go for at least a 16"

   Will you turn wood?

   The rest of the money will go for Routers (2) and planes.

2. 
   Westchester | Jul 05, 2003 08:29pm | #2

   Hello Derek,

   I don't know about old timer if 48 is old/ yea you're right I'm old.

   Anyway most of my stationery power tools I have  are Delta - I have no regrets, and there probably within your budget of $5000.00 to set up.

   Recommend: if you're serious, buy good quality machines, Delta is more then acceptable.

   Regards,

   SA

3. 
   ToolDoc | Jul 05, 2003 08:36pm | #3

   Derek: IM not the type to tell anyone what they should or should not buy,with that said I will tell you that I have a new left tilt Uni with the Bissey fence & that I would not part with it,also just bought the Grizzly G0500 8" Jointer,I own a Delta 14" 1 1/2 hp Band saw, Im quite happy with both Delta & Grizzly & would recomend them to anyone.. But your best bet is visit some friends in your area & see for yourself some WW power tools up front & in person..

              Good luck on your new shop..      ToolDoc

4. 
   imcanadian | Jul 07, 2003 05:04am | #4

   If I were you, I'd check around your area for old ww tools. As long as you buy them with bearings instead of the old babbits (there that counts me as an old timer) then you can't really go wrong. When in doubt go with the heaviest cast iron you can find.

5. 
   gecko | Jul 07, 2003 05:34am | #5

   hey derek

     In Canada you can get King brand machinery for half the cost of delta. In my opinion King is also far superior to delta. I have a Jet planer/moulder that if i could i would return in a second. its never worked properly and the identical one from king is much less expensive and they use metal instead of plastic for the machines parts (hand wheels etc.) i have maybe a dozen king machines and honestly cant say a bad thing about them.

6. 
   DennisS | Jul 07, 2003 07:36am | #6

   I agree with the suggestion(s) regarding Powermatic, General, and Delta, not necessarily in that order by any means. With the possible caveat that Powermatic is at the higer end of the cost scale and for a hobby machine, you can get good quality equipment for less and I'm sure you'd be satisfied. In fact, if you don't mind buying mail order, don't mark Grissley off your list by any means. I have a neighbor who's a prof. cabinet maker who owns the 12" Grizz cabinet saw and does some very nice work. It's all in the tuning and technique, after all.

   You don't say what kind of projects you have in mind so for me, and avowed WW wannabe myself, it would be difficult to suggest which tools would be more important to start out. In general, most texts on the subject suggest the table saw to be the pivotal machine. If, perchance your main interest is turning, a lathe is obviously a necessity along with reasonably powered band saw for roughing out blanks of stuff.

   A planer is nice to have but I find I go to the jointer more frequently than the planer. That may change as my project focus changes, though. Think about what types of work you plan to do, the type of stock you'll be purchasing (s2s, rough, s4s, etc.) which will help dictate the kind of stock prep machines you'll need most often.

   And yes, two routers is a minimum! (grin)

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   derekb | Jul 07, 2003 04:13pm | #7

   Right now the projects that I am making include a bassenet and a microwave stand.  I am told that once my shop is built then I will be making kitchen cupboards a freestanding butcher block, aa formal dinning table and chairs set,  lets see what else has my wife mentioned.....   I also am in the proccess of establishing a home business.  I'm not sure wether it will be more of a cabinet shop or millwork shop as I tend to do a lot of renovation work for people around here.  But in a little whiles time my tools will get a serious work out.  Let me know if that helps..

   derek

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 07, 2003 06:08pm | #10

   Derek -

   Sounds like a pretty serious hobby! (grin)

   Like others have mentioned, the used market can yield some good values. Check them out - spend some time examining all the moving parts for backlash and play in bearings, etc. You can check the runout on a table saw arbor pretty easily with a simple jig.

   Another approach is to buy simple now and plan on upgrading. A used contractor's style table saw would not be my suggestion, though, since I'm not enough of a 'pro' by any means to know how to judge how much life is left in them.

   From your description of the work you plan to do, my choice of tools would be cabinet saw, jointer and planer, in that order. With what's left (if any -grin-) a couple of routers, plunge and fixed, the latter for use in a router table (build your own router table, though) some good quality hand planes and chisels. Don't forget sanding equipment - In my view, a good quality random orbital sander would take precedence over a belt sander but both are nice to have if it's in the budget.

   A good quality saber saw is no substitute for a band saw but will get the job done in a pinch at a fraction of the cost.

   As a further suggestion, once you decide what tools you'll be buying first and long term, draw up a scaled drawing of your shop. Cut out scaled plans of your equipment then move them around in your 'shop' until you've got an arrangement you like. Then plan the electrical around the layout. Plan on *plenty* of electrical outlets. Focus on lighting. High level of overall lighting and concentrated task lighting at each machine.

   The process of planning a new shop is almost as much fun as working in it when it's finished!

   Have fun ... I'm just finishing up my new shop and it's such a pleasure not to have to unplug one piece of equipment to use another or move something to use something else!

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   derekb | Jul 07, 2003 06:28pm | #11

   thanks for the tips.  where abouts are you located?  I'm in a hamlet by the name of Otterburne, Manitoba.  I work at the college in the town.  It is Providence Bible College.  You can visist our site at http://www.prov.ca IT will let you know abit about what goes on here.  You probably won't find my name mentioned anywhere as I a just a lowly maintence employee. For some reason they don't deam us worthy to mention on the website.  Oh well.  Hope you have a good week and thanks again.

   God Bless you Dennis

   ]

   Derek Borne

   Otterburne , Manitoba

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 07, 2003 07:34pm | #12

   Hi Derek

   I'm in Bellevue, WA, soon to relocate further north to Mt. Vernon as soon as we get our 'new' house to a point where we can live there.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   ToolDoc | Jul 07, 2003 08:39pm | #13

   Derek: I noticed you stated to Dennis that your only a lowly maintenance employee at the college you work at.. If it wasn't for us Lowly Maintenance Guys all these buildings would not be up & running,Maintenance work is always forgotten about until something goes wrong & they want it fixed Now..I work at a Hospital which is a 24/7 operation with critical care equipment which has to run 24 HRS aday 7 Days a Week no if buts or whys about it..

     Theres no such thing as a Normal Day for a maintenance Man as theres always something to be fixed or repaired..

                                                        ToolDoc

3. 
   DennisS | Jul 08, 2003 02:28am | #14

   God Bless you LMG's, doc. Yours is one of the most unsung hero jobs ... I've done enough hospital work to know full well what's at stake in your job! ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

4. 
   ToolDoc | Jul 08, 2003 07:02am | #15

   Dennis: THANKS,Ill tip back a nice big tall cold one on you..LOL..

                                                  ToolDoc

7. 
   Napie | Jul 07, 2003 05:12pm | #8

   Take a real hard look at the used market, there is a lot of value there.  If you can get three phase power all the better.  For an odd reason, the older really HEAVY 3-phase stuff is quite low priced for what you get.

   If you are buying new, take a good look at the combination jointer/planers on the market, you get a lot of capacity and the option of a horizontal morticer.  In the 12" range, you can get a Laguna for about $2500 US.

8. 
   camel | Jul 07, 2003 05:45pm | #9

   Derek- I can't add much to the good advice already given. But I do reccomend looking at used machinery. Try http://www.ex-factory.com or http://www.exfactory.com. It is one of those, I have it bookmarked. I'm looking to upgrade my puny 6" jointer to an 12" or 16". When I get the cash saved, I'm more than likely buying from the ex-factory. They have many vintage jointers like Oliver, Northfield, American and many more with very reasonable prices. They also have many King machines like someone else suggested. Good luck. They have all machinery, not just jointers.

   John E. Nanasy