What Tools Would You Buy? - Woodworking Talk

hubaseball · 02-09-2008, 05:52 PM

When I get my tax return I want to purchase a new tool for my shop. I am going to have about $1000 to spend but want to have some left over for future tools. I currently have a TS, Miter saw, and other misc tools. Any suggestions. Thanks

dbhost · 02-09-2008, 08:32 PM

Router and router table. I use my router WAY more than my TS.

LarrySch · 02-09-2008, 09:38 PM

Planer - This is something that every woodworker should have - saves money when you can purchase lumber - I would love to spend my tax return on this - But I think my wife has other ideas where the money will go.

bigredc · 02-09-2008, 10:31 PM

Planer.

dbhost · 02-10-2008, 01:37 AM

Sorry my reply was originally short. I guess it depends on how much you use it. I could do a LOT with a grand, where a guy with a taste for Ridgid would be able to afford a new table saw...

It disappeared from the Home Depot web site, but...

#1. Ryobi AP1301 planer. $199.00 Home Depot
#2 Black & Decker Firestorm FS1200RP Plunge Router. $89.97 Lowes
#3 Skil 91030 30 piece carbide tipped router bit set. $99.97 Lowes
#4 Ryobi 7 1/4 In. Circular Saw W/dual Lasers
Model CSB141LZK $69.00 Home Depot
#5. Shop Fox 6" Bench Top Jointer $229.99 Amazon.com
#6 PSI TCLPROVS Turncrafter Pro VS Variable Speed Wood Lathe with extension bed. $241.20 Amazon.com
#7 PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 8 Piece HSS Wood Lathe Chisel Set $49.50 Amazon.com

And with a few extra bucks over that grand, I would go for...

#8 Pins and Tails Through Dovetail Templates BOTH Small and Large with 1/4" Shank Bits $89.95 Amazon.comThat brings a grand total of $1068.58 not counting tax, S&H, or extended warranties.

No this isn't the highest end list of equipment. But you asked what we would do. That is what I would do starting with the tools you list, and the ones I assumed you had to have. Like sanders, drills, etc...

End Grain · 02-10-2008, 02:40 AM

Here are a few suggestions: bench drill press, bench band saw, nailer and compressor, oscillating sander, disc/belt sander, dado blade set, planer/jointer.

joesdad · 02-10-2008, 09:21 AM

A thousand dollars worth of sandpaper and clamps...

dpmcreations · 02-10-2008, 10:00 AM

It really depends upon what type of woodworking you will be doing.. But a jointer, a planer, a good router (might want to look around for a deal on a 2 base set, I just found a porter and a Dewalt at Home depot on clearance because they were display models complete with case for $129.00)... Router table or build one like everyone's buddy Norm did... Usable and very functional... Etc. etc.. Good Luck and let us know.. Don't forget to look at some of the other brands like Ridgid and/or Grizzly... The Ridgid tools do have a lifetime warranty on them... and the new planer is now a 3 blader not a 2...

knotscott · 02-10-2008, 11:20 AM

A router in a table would be a great addition to your capabilities...the most versatile tool in the shop, IMO.

A planer and/or jointer would also be great...flat square stock at the start of every project really helps with tight joints.

I'd be leaning heavily toward getting a nice router and a planer. The jointer can be added another time. If everything falls into place, you might even be able to squeeze in all three, but it's not worth sacrificing quality and function for....

**TexasTimbers** · 02-10-2008, 01:18 PM

I vote for a planer. But look for a used old hunk of American iron if you can. I bought my 25" Woodmaster used for well under $1000 I think it was around $600? Then $1200 for a carbide cutterhead but you can do that next year.

Anyhow, you can get alot of good deals if you look. I know some guys shy away from used equipment but I have never been bitten.

Capt Crutch · 02-11-2008, 10:31 AM

With $1000 I'd get a router and a jointer.

dbhost · 02-11-2008, 10:37 AM

I know this one sounds goofy. But if you can't find them elsewhere free. Books with patterns / plans for building a variety of Jigs. I grabbed one and have been building a couple of basic little jigs, starting out with a box joint jig... Best $10.95 I ever spent at Lowes...

Gerry KIERNAN · 02-11-2008, 11:37 AM

Many good suggestions in the thread. Planer comes up a lot, and I would agree. You can take almost any ugly old slab of wood and turn it into something beautiful. I would buy the planer before a jointer, as you can do many jointer functions with a planer. A router is good to have, along witha decent set of bits, and a table. You can build the table. I would have to say that a band saw would also be good to have, as it is very versatile. I think we've come close to using up that grand you have coming.

Have fun shopping.

Gerry

Lloyd James · 02-13-2008, 12:43 AM

I agree with some of the other guys on a planer. Its such a simple machine, I can't tell you why, but I love to run my little Makita, it is the old style where the cutting head remains fixed, they don't make them any more, boo. I hope I get a tax rebate too, since I would love to get a good joiner(will have to wait a bit since an 8'' seems like the way to go if you can swing it- even though I just make toys, hehe) I love to read machine specs. spend almost as much time doing that than doing woodworking - a dreamer I guess
you could save a good portion of the tax ret. and add more money at a later date and look for some good am. iron, as Tex mention, or save for a 12" mini-max planer/joiner. you are 25% there - just kidding, I can't swing that one, but it is on my wish list.

Buffalo Bilious · 02-13-2008, 09:15 AM

Spend about half for the planer, spend the other half on a band saw.

sao95 · 02-13-2008, 09:23 AM

I have a planer and jointer, but would buy the jointer before the planer. You can face plane a board on a jointer if needed, but you can't get the crook outta a board with a planer.
Personally I need a band saw.

pianoman · 02-13-2008, 04:14 PM

You can get the crook out of a board with a planer...send it through on a sled.

knotscott · 02-13-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianoman

You can get the crook out of a board with a planer...send it through on a sled.

Yep...that's why I tend to lean toward planer first. There are other ways flatten and edge joint but not many other ways to get two sides flat and parallel to each other....easily anyway!

jeffbayne · 02-13-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbhost

I know this one sounds goofy. But if you can't find them elsewhere free. Books with patterns / plans for building a variety of Jigs. I grabbed one and have been building a couple of basic little jigs, starting out with a box joint jig... Best $10.95 I ever spent at Lowes...

I stopped by the library- holy cow- every book i saw at the big stores was there- all for free at 3 weeks at a time. You'll be amazed what all they have.

bigredc · 02-13-2008, 06:22 PM

Darn. I always forget to try the library. I probably spent $200 on books, that I'm done with and they are collecting dust. Good thinking.