I have just retired and want to equip my garage with wood working machinery to make Cigar humidor boxes initially.
Please can you help in planning what machinery will give me the optimum useage
IE bench saw, band saws etc… or should I be looking at these multi workbenches I see advertised where you clamp your power tools on the under surface of the bench.?
I am looking for the best options to get the most from the machines
Thank’s
Replies
Congrats on making it to retirement. Your probably not going to like my answer....'Read the Directions First'. My wife recently bought me Furniture & Cabinet Construction by Andy Rae, Taunton Press. It's a good book because it is like an encyclopedia of 'how to' or the issues you need to consider. I'm looking to this forum to recommend other books which can provide indepth information ...and they do. Another book I purchased was "Jigs", I can't remember the author, but kinda supplied me with ideas on work benches, and some of the topics you mentioned. A third book, and then I'll leave you alone, is Working Wood, A Complete Bench-Top Reference, Jim Toplin, Davis Publications. It looks cheap but is quite handy.
Over the past 1.5 years I have spent plenty building my shop. If there was a fire and I had five minutes to grab my most important and valuable things and run to safety....I'd grab the bench planes and the books and never look back....Good luck
Edited 8/11/2002 11:29:08 AM ET by BG
Not to be rude so please dont take it that way but asking a question like this: How much WW experiance do you have? It will definately determine the answers and advice that you are gonna be given. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
I have some woodworking experience, but all my dove tailsetc were done the old way by hand.
I want to speed things upby making rabbet's by machine etc ( and get a bit more accuracy cutting and planing wood....
I am lost at what size of machinery to buy and if it should be a mulit purpose bench or individual machinery, and what is priority and what can be purchased later to add on.
Thanks
Slow down a bit. You should be reading books and taking some classes first. I'm sure there's a few books on making humidors which will show some of the tools used. Plus space might be an issue. Also start collecting catlogs to see the tools and go to a woodshow and leave the credit card home the first time or they will sell you the moon. You need to spend time doing more research.
Rick
Thank's.....NEC Birmingham Wood working show in October.
Will give cc to wife ( but she will only buy stuff then!!!!)
Will be at the library in the morning.
Nope, no offense taken at all. Your correct, the first questions should have been to qualify the objectives. However, if I had asked those questions that would imply an obligation to impart wisdom gained over many years eating sawdust. Ain't got none....lol. I probably shouldn't have said anything. I kinda figured the books have helped me hear you guys and has enhanced my listening skills...and that might be of value.
Bg Im sorry I should of clicked on the To: button and directed my question to one who asked the question(started the thread).
My question was directed to him. Thank you for being so gracious. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
I would suggest you start with the question of how are you going to deal with the dust? Woodworking without dust collection system creates a terrible mess that put dust inside your house.
Wood working is not a cheap hobby. Take it from one who learned the hard way that you cannot create masterful work with inadequate tools, which usually translates to cheap tools and machines. If you're going the machine route, consider a good table saw and a jointer/planer as base necessities. Don't skimp on those and you'll never regret the money spent. Delta is the minimum quality I'd consider.
Next, work benches need not be fancy, but they do need to be strong and FLAT, FLAT, FLAT. No the workbenches you mention won't do. You can make your own or buy one, but they are far from cheap. Next, you'll need a good wood workers vice in addition to planes, chisels and about $15,000 worth of miscellaneous other tools.
Dave of Fla.
First.... congratulations on your retirement. if you want to start 'small' and see if this is the direction you wish to continue, you could start with a few basic machines... First, a TV set to watch the 'Router Workshop.' These guys do lots of interesting jointery with only a router. They have a box joint jig that is a pleasure to work with. Lots of nice tight joints in wood without lots of money spent for results. So... a decent router, a home-made router table (or a commercial one,) a small drill press (check for play in the spindle/quill/chuck) , and a small table saw. If you decide not to go to larger 'stuff', your outlay of $$ is not high. Remember, all the great wood workers of the 18th and 19th century did all their work by hand and did not have Lie Nielsen planes and Delta table saws.
SawdustSteve New York.....
Thank's steve...can you send me over that TV show on VHS format so I can watch it in the UK???9JOKE)
I will follow your guidance....
I'd send you a tape of their programs but I was under the impression that you used a different standard for video than we use here in the USA. Go to http://www.oak-park.com. Ask for one of their catalogs. Look at their Mitre Gauge System and Spacer Fence System. They also sell some videos that may be of use to you. The spacer fence system will make both box joints (finger joints) and dovetail joints. I don't know if you have access to router bits in 'American' and Metric sizes. They are set up for 'American' sizes, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". If you have access to these size straight and dovetail bits, that system may be an easy way to go without spending lots of cash to set up.
SawdustSteve
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