Replies

1. 
   SparrowHawk | Apr 19, 2003 01:08pm | #1

   Hi Bob,

   The planer and jointer pretty much go hand in hand - with those two and what you already have you can accurately dimension wood. However, I think I would suggest the band saw as the first addition because you can only do straight cuts for the most part with the fixed tools you presently have. You'll be surprised at how often you turn to it for small jobs.

   Ken

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/19/2003 6:10:18 AM ET by SparrowHawk

2. 
   BG | Apr 19, 2003 01:10pm | #2

   Major,

   I'd probably take the dado set off that list and put that in the same catagory as router bits...gotta have...altough you don't really need, makes life a lot easier.

   Your at a crossroads in one sense ....how much hand tools verses how much power tools.  Either way, you need a good solid workbench with vises to help you get wood 4 square and support work that requires hand tool work. 

   As you move into raised panels and furniture, power tools wise, you need the capability to glue up flat stock...initially, the planer and eventually the jointer also...unless you want to do it with hand planes.

   The bandsaw opens you to numerous possibilities as does a lathe.

   So, I'd start with a good workbench and the planer and then reconsider the direction ...buy s4s or buy a jointer...have more fun, buy bandsaw and lathe.  I think you'll find that a good workbench will make you want to consider hand tools more..  

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 19, 2003 07:23pm | #3

   For the type of work you're describing as nearest in your future, seems like a planer and jointer would have highest priority.  The bandsaw is pretty indispensable in the long run, but could be 3rd in line.  IMO, even buying S4S lumber, it's extremely difficult to have straight and true (and flat) lumber of the quality needed without milling it further. 

   I agree, BTW, that a dado set is a must-have.  What leads you to getting an 8" rather than 6, thereby spending much more $$? 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

4. 
   pauld | Apr 19, 2003 08:04pm | #4

   Major Wood,

   Don't mean this to sound flippant, but I usualy buy tools in the order in which I need them. That is to say, the project can dictate the next tool purchase -- the current tool inventory has seldom dictated the next project, but has measured the extent of my creativity <G>.

   Given your current tools, after you've acquired the tools necessary to lay out and mill rough lumber foursquare, I'd probably start drooling over bandsaw choices.

   Although the sequence in which tools are purchased can be influenced by a number of factors, among the woodworkers I know, there's no such thing as the final tool purchase - those statements are generally made by fellow woodworkers over cocktails at the wake.

   Sharp tools,

   Paul

1. 
   Sancho | Apr 19, 2003 08:21pm | #5

   Start looking for a compressor, nail guns, dremel, coping saw, rotozip, sanders ( belt, ros and finish) for starters.....  

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

1. 
   MrPita2 | Apr 20, 2003 04:45am | #9

   The rotozip should come from HD, right Ron? ;)If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.

1. 
   Sancho | Apr 20, 2003 08:38am | #11

   Oh yea...:>) 

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

2. 
   MajorWool | Apr 20, 2003 11:25am | #13

   One of the reasons I asked is that it seems the TS can generate extremely good edges thus making the jointer redundant, at least at my current project and skill level

   The rotozip is the one tool I could do without. Maybe if I lived in a sheetrock house, but the old growth CVG trim just chewed up the bits in no time. In fact, I could only get 3 electric boxes in per Bosch jig saw blade.

   As much as I like good tools, I also realize that poor tools have their place. For example, I bought a set of 4 pipe wrenches today at Harbor Freight for $10. They will be sufficient for any plumbing repairs I have to do. But while I was there, I noticed that they had 6" C clamps for $3. So far all of mine have been the better american made clamps, but is it worth buying the cheap ones for those times when you really need alot of clamps?

5. 
   Sancho | Apr 19, 2003 08:22pm | #6

   Oh and clamps lots of clamps every length and variety, size you can get you hands on to

    

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

6. 
   Sancho | Apr 19, 2003 08:22pm | #7

   and pocket hole jigs and biscuit jointers....

    

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

7. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 19, 2003 08:52pm | #8

   Bob

      Clamps, clamps and more clamps. Work-bench, dado set, BS, jointer and planer. Then you'll discover you were short of clamps. Clamps, clamps and more clamps. You're always one short. Murphy's Law.. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

8. 
   mrles | Apr 20, 2003 08:10am | #10

   I don't have a joiner and can't say I ever have a need for one. I had a small one several years ago, sold it and haven't missed it. A good blade on your TS will join your boards quite well. I use my old 12" delta planer all the time, if it broke I would order a new one immediately probably the 13" model. A good stack dado is nice to have, not a wobble type they make round bottoms.

   A well tuned TS with a good fence and a good blade is hard to beat to join a board.  Buy an aluminum 2" U channel 10 ft. long clamp it to my TS fence when needed to join something long.

   Take the money you didn't spend on a joiner and buy an openside sander. I have a  Makita 16" capable of sanding 32". You can dimension boards with this. I wouldn't use it to replace my planer because it is slower but if I have a glue up it sure is nice. I use it a lot more than I thought I would when I bought it.

   I couldn't live without my bandsaw, I use it for so many things I couldn't start to name them.

   Gods Peace this EASTER DAY

   les 

1. 
   BG | Apr 20, 2003 04:20pm | #14

   Les,

   Question ?  I use the U channel also, but I push it through, on the fense side(obviously), with the stock to get my first straight edge on rough stock.  Then I flip the board and cut the toher edge...

   Your note indicates you attach the U channel to the fense...am I doing it wrong? 

1. 
   mrles | Apr 21, 2003 07:56am | #18

   I haven't tried your method BG but I will the next time I need a good straight edge. More than one way to skin a cat. ( I have never skinned a cat but I've heard that all my life) The reason I clamp the U channel to my fence it gives me almost 5' on each side of the blade to join a board. When you join boards you shouldn't  have to use clamps to pull them together. You clamp them only to hold them while the glue dries. The only method I've been able to do this is on my tablesaw. I've tried using a joiner without any results I could live with, the joiner may have been too small or I may not have been skilled enough. I have a joiner hand plane I tried clamping the boards together in my vise and joining them together, that didn't work for me either, again it  may have been my lack of skill.

   Thanks for sharing your method with me.

   Gods Peace

   les

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 20, 2003 08:15pm | #16

   Jointer, jointer.

   Joint the edge with a jointer, join it with a biscuit joiner.

   Sorry, have to do something with that teaching credential languishing in my file cabinet.  Best to you, Les.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   mrles | Apr 21, 2003 08:09am | #19

   Jamie I'm from East Texas ( Yes we capitalize the East part) joiner is the way I pronounce jointer, can't help it, it's my upbringing. The spell check understands, please bear with me.

   Gods Peace

   les ;>)

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 21, 2003 08:23am | #20

   No problem, Les, I can flow with regional differences.  As to the "skinning" thing above, it might sooth us cat-lovers to remember that "skin a cat" was in reference originally to "skin a catfish." 

   I'll never forget the first time I saw a jointer -- it was at an auction and I had no idea what they were for or how they worked.  The auctioneer was describing this fine "joiner" (maybe he's from East Texas?) and I could not for the life of me figure out how that thing could "join" anything!  LOL, too funny.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

9. 
   RoyinMD | Apr 20, 2003 09:04am | #12

   Since you have the table saw and router table go for all the extras you can possably imagine. Dream BIG, I mean HUGH!, **** HUGH!*****.

   After and during that, listen to RonT and Sarge, don't stop buying clamps. 4 of each type/size, and never stop collecting.

   Enjoy, Roy

10. 
    PlaneWood | Apr 20, 2003 05:48pm | #15

    All my life I have bought tools as I needed them.  For instance, I just bought a PC FR350 framing nail gun cause I'm putting up a small addition behind my shop.  Tendonitis does not allow me to use a hammer as much as I used to use one.

    I got a planer many many years ago.  I got a jointer about 4 years ago.  Why so late on the jointer?  Well, most of the stock I purchased or obtained did not absolutely need jointing.  Of course, once I got a jointer, I wished I'd have gotten one 30 years previously!

    Most of my tools have been economically justified.  i.e. - I have saved more than their purchace price by virtue of obtaining them.  In the case of the framing nailer, it was a matter of my framing the job myself or hiring someone to do it.  The difference in that cost would buy 50 nail guns!

    PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
    PlaneWood

11. 
    lukey | Apr 20, 2003 09:19pm | #17

    Nothing new to add bar for i'm only 24 months ahead and built workshop and aquired tools as per next project.

    Started collection with planer/thicknesser  14 inch and a startrite bandsaw. Best we buy in UK.

    With these did not matter where timber came from or whatcondition it was.

    Tenoner and Morticer were next for doors and windows and all framing work that instantly piled up from friends and family.

    Dust extractors, air conditioner, heater and  then built massive bench as per F/W mag.

    Serious shortage of clamps, bar and g. Now got tens of each size and type.

    Followed up with decent panel saw.

    All intermediate tools and m/c's were bought in between, grinders/sanders/compressor,nailers,drill,morticer, router table, additional routers, can't stand taking em apart when already set up, loads of rollers again boring to adjust heights, wish all m/c's had same bed height.

    Personally I'd buy b/saw and planer/ thicknesser combo and build a decent bench and tons of clamps sod the dado. Buy the missus a dinner she might forgive you all the expense you've gone to then. Hope my missus don't read all this eeeck.