Replies

1. 
   Andrew | May 16, 2002 06:32pm | #1

   you could look for some of the older vintage hobby machines like a rockwell 4" jointer, or you could could go all out and get a small combination machine, but that might be a tight fit in your shop. since your making small stuff you might also want to look at handtools. a few handplanes take up a lot less space than a jointer, and should eliminate most sanding that you would do. I find handtools enjoyable to use as long as i don't have a huge amount of work to do with them. modern benchtop machines are very poorly made for the most part IMO, which is very unfortunate for everyone who doesn't have room for a bigger machine.

1. 
   Ken10thumbs | May 17, 2002 12:48am | #2

   I agree with Andrew.  I have a small shop and went the older "hobby quality" route.  Between that and a reasonable selection of hand (read "hand powered) tools of the 50+ year variety I have been able to produce some very nice pieces.  Some of these machines are far better than the full size home use pieces available today. My only cautionary note:  Most of these older tools don't have much in the way of safety equipment.

2. 
   rodam | May 17, 2002 02:24pm | #3

   Thanks

   I never realy thought of using hand tool. In my head it is more limited because there's no fence. But I gess good jig could do the job.

   Thanks again and sory for my bad english (I'm french)

2. 
   PlaneWood | May 17, 2002 11:56pm | #4

   Something you might consider instead of a table saw is a band saw.  Table saws require lots of floor space. For small pieces, a table top bandsaw in combination with a 4" jointer may be sufficient.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
   PlaneWood

3. 
   jackiechan | May 18, 2002 06:39am | #5

   Rodam,

   Klingspor Woodworking Shops have a brand new machine that may be of interest to you.  It is a portable drum sander made for tabletop use.  The unit can be used in much the same way as a jointer (although not the same capacity as a cutting blade).  Essentially, it is a low profile steel box with a sanding drum protruding from the top, and a motor mounted externally.  If you have a small piece to be sanded, it's possible to load three different grits of paper side by side.  I saw it in action at a resent trade show, and found it to be an impressive little machine. 

   Garrett Wade (http://www.garrettwade.com) carries the Inca line of small machines, which include a series of tabletop band saws, that are both functional and very well made.

   If you are creative in how you mount/store your machinery, you'll find that you can have almost all the tools you want.  I have seen plans (I believe in http://www.woodmall.com) for a two-in-one tool stand.  On one side of the top you could mount a small band saw.  On the other side of the top you could mount a thickness planer.  The top spins on a locking axle.

   Here's a link to Klingspor's drum sander:

   http://orders.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/DC867F93/mac/additmdtl.mac/showItemDetail?item=PS35000&qtyA=0&phsO=N&desc=18%22%20PORTABLE%20SANDING%20DRUM%20KIT&drpshp=N&alOrd=Y&iQty=.000&oQty=.000&initQty=1&itemForSale=Y&styleName=&fixD=&face=.00&gftc=&stck=Y&prefS=&calledFrom=DS&ordInfo1=&ordInfo2=&ordInfo3=&ordMan1=N&ordMan2=N&ordMan3=N&persCode=&persReqd=&persLink=

   I hope this helps!

   - JC

1. 
   mitch | May 19, 2002 04:42pm | #6

   Inca makes an excellent compact jointer/planer, the 570, but new ones are $$$.  I have an older 550 that I really like.  I'm thinking of selling it, if you're interested, as I now have a Robland X31.  Let me know.

1. 
   rodam | May 21, 2002 10:09pm | #7

   It look nice but the price I saw on the net is pretty hight. (2,500.00$) And I can't find a dealer here or more info on the net. Do they have a site? I could not find it.

   How much whould you sell the one you have Mitch. (US dollars or Can)

1. 
   mitch | May 21, 2002 11:26pm | #8

   try http://www.garrettwade.com but they won't be cheap there, either. (although I've heard rumors that they are going to discontinue carrying Inca from what I would consider a fairly reliable source.  Anybody out there heard anything along these lines?)

   I'd consider selling my 550 for around $1100 USD depending on how much crating, etc- versus pick-up- was involved.  BTW- the 550 is almost identical to 570 except for two main differences; has standard 2-knife head (not 3-knife Tersa-$$$- quick change head) and manual feed speed change (not shift-on-the-fly), otherwise same capacity, etc.  Mine has a stand, 2hp 115/230 Dayton motor, 2 sets of HSS knives, probably weighs around 150lbs.