what to get for christmas?

[jordan_frerichs]

my parents said i could have one woodworking tool/machine for christmas. trying to deside witch one i want. table saw? planer? drill press? jointer? other? what should i get?? we only have hand tools, hand drill, and a router so far. i can use the high school woodshop tools for all other parts. my teacher doesn't like students to use the table saw by themselves, or the planer, so i was leaning tward a table saw, or a planer/jointer combo machine. what would you recomend?

 

[astrah]

Bandsaw. My table saw is really nice, but for really fine work (and I admit I am an accuracy fanatic), you need a really good table saw. I am not talking a table -TOP saw, as they are a totally different class. An accurate table saw will set you back significantly more than is probably in the budget. Look for a good used 14" bandsaw. I know guys that don't have another saw in their shop, and do amazing work with them. It will prove by far the most versatile tool you have.

 

[jordan_frerichs]

i don't see how a bandsaw can be more accurate than a table saw. what about larger pieces? would i just have to glue tham, as an alternative? what about a rip arm, and measurements to set it to?

 

[alexei]

I recommend one of these babes:

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Choose the best you can get for the budget your parents set as a top.

By Best I mean: robust, versatile, aditional tools, warranty, etc.

At least, that's the one "I" would go for, and right after that one, I'd get the band/table saw.
Then you will be able to buy your own basses!! OMG that coolness at it's top

 

[Phil Mailloux]

I'd go for a bandsaw or planer/jointer combo mysef. Both would be ideal, you wouldn't need anything else after that. Well maybe a thickness sander but then you'd be fine.

 

[jordan_frerichs]

a combo planer/jointer would be sweet. was looking for one. could not find one online. link?
band saw could work. no good for bookmatching, though

 

[l337r3nn]

i cant really help with finding tools on the internet, but i second the idea of getting a planer/joiner. the job of a band saw can be done with other tools, but it is really difficult to plane with anything else.

 

[mikeyswood]

A sanding planer instead of a chipping planer would be great. I also agree as stated above. An old Delta Unisaw, or better is the way to go for a table saw. Otherwise, any tool that you do not have is a great addition to your tool collection.


...sometimes doubles are great too

 

[MNbassist]

Drum sander....hands down. When I got my first drum sander everything I made became so much better. You can do so much with properly thicknessed wood and veneers.

 

[Mikey R]

One of these - it will last you forever:

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Lie-Nielsen #7 jointer [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[tjclem]

Take the $ and go to pawn shops or look in the paper and get a joiner and a planer. Times are hard now you can great deals on used stuff

 

[eleonn]

Times are hard now you can great deals on used stuff

+1

 

[Son of Magni]

i don't see how a bandsaw can be more accurate than a table saw. what about larger pieces? would i just have to glue tham, as an alternative? what about a rip arm, and measurements to set it to?

I don't think he meant a bandsaw is more accurate, just that a good/accurate tablesaw costs in the $1200 - $2000 range. A cheap tablesaw is only good for rough cutting. So for reasonable cost, like under $1000, a bandsaw is a really good option.

 

[mikeyswood]

^ +1

A bandsaw, a jointer, and some skill will be as good as any table saw.

 

[kgrundy]

I live in Springfield, Mo and we have a Grizzly outlet here...check them out I have their, table saw, bandsaw, jointer, planer, shaper...never treated me wrong and great customer service

I think it's grizzly.com or grizzlyindustrial.com

you can also see some guitars people have made using thier stuff, like G&L, Gibson, Taylor and they doo carry some veneers as well


Wow i should be a sales rep