Hi All,
I’ve kinda lurked here for a few weeks, and figured I’d introduce myself. I’m a beginning woodworker, with minimal tools and working out of my one car garage (about 12×16). At this point I have basic hand tools, like saws, a set of hardware store chisels, drills, etc, along with a handheld circular saw, jig saw, small router, drill, and a scroll saw.
My plan is to turn my garage into a dedicated workshop. I’ve been told the first thing I should get is a table saw, so now that the holidays are over I’ll be searching for one, either new or used. Price is an issue, but I want to get the best value for the dollars I spend.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello, and I’m sure I’ll be back with questions as I progress.
Tom
Replies
Tomcatt,
Welcome...I too am a beginner working out of similar space constraints. I began about 18 months ago by making things we needed (bookcases, center island for kitchen, etc.) and trying to get my space organized and equipment acquired. Is the one car garage space attached to anything or stand alone?
When I was ready to buy a new saw, I talked to a former Fine Wdworker editor and he told me to buy a Delta contractor's saw and put a Biesmeyer fence on it. I did and later added a Biesmeyer saw guard and splitter and have been very happy with it.
Welcome Tom
You might get an argument about what to buy first. Band or table saw ? I think you need to think about what you plan to make. Remember quality is contagous so buy good tools, they will last a life time.
Jeff in so cal
77 f---34%
Welcome, Tomcat four-niner.. Assess your needs and buy with those priorities. I would get the TS first, but that is based on my needs. You know what yours are.. jeff stated it well.
Any questions, don't be bashful. These Knotheads are primed and ready.
Have a good evening....
sarge..jt
You have a scrollsaw, I like you already. Welcome to Knotville..LOL....
Tomcatt49ER Hello and Welcome.
I too have a small the garage in which to work in. I had all the standard tools, table saw, band saw, drill press, jointer, lathe, plus a number of hand tools. As well as a workbench. "Well" as you can guess there was not enough room in my garage to work in. (and moving is not an option for me,)
So I decided to do was what many woodworkers see as a sin. I sold all my tools and bought a Shopsmith. And I've never regretted it.
Granted there is a certain change over time, but it's no longer than what it took me to move one piece of equipment around so that I could use it in my garage. The shopsmith has five basic tools, built into the machine, as well as accessory tools such as a bandsaw, scroll saw, Beltsander, a speed increaser (which makes the shop smith into a router table) and an oscillating standing attachment. that can be added to the machine. One tools is actually, 10 different machines for me. And now I have plenty of room to move and work in. As a matter of fact I bought one more tool to fill the only foreseeable gap in my woodworking arsenal, the Legacy Ornamental Mill. (And what A neat machine it is!) It is an overhead router system, that can do lathe work, index milling, tapered milling, and as a bonus, if I make a template it will follow the template like a pattern lathe.
Between my two machines, I believe Ive cover every possible machine necessary in order to make furniture, cabinets, and heirloom toys.
I would highly recommend either and or both tools for a new woodworker with tight corners and little room to use. Granted it was not cheap, (but any other quality tools wouldn't be cheap either!) And the room thay take up is about the same space that my old general (tablesaw) lathe and drill press took up. It worked for me!
My advice to you is to do your homework, there are so many great woodworking tools out there, choose wisely.
There is a quote that I learned, that might help. Quality lasts, long past, the price, has been forgotten. ;) C.A.G.
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