Tell What Power Tool You Don't Need/Want

[Rich Riddle]

Other than the radial arm saw many people lack, what power tools do you not want or need? I really do very little with a lathe and don't own a scroll saw though I did long ago.

[Dave Zellers]

what power tools do you not want or need?
This does not compute.

I have 2 radial arm saws.

Used to have 3.

[david brum]

I wish I had never purchased any Ryobi products. I still have a few from when I got started and I think they are all flawed in enough ways to be useless. Actually they are worse than useless because they use up valuable shop space and serve as reminders of money wasted.

[johnny means]

For me, besides the RAS, it was the biscuit joiner. It was one of those things I bought at the beginning because, well, at the time , it was God's gift to woodworkers. Than, after a few fails and a bit of experience, I parked mine until a neighbor asked about it. I promptly shoved it into his hands and said," Your welcome."

[Jamie Buxton]

I don't need a $1400 chop saw or a Domino either. I have several other Festool tools, but those I don't need.

[Michael Mahan]

I don't need a $1400 chop saw or a Domino either. I have several other Festool tools, but those I don't need.


I agree on the Kapex miter saw that's just a waste of cash IMO , but I like my Domino
I don't want a lathe or a scroll saw either RAS as well

[Bryce Adams]

I had an old 6" Delta jointer. I absolutely hated to change knives when they got dull because it took me a couple of hours to get 3 knives all set to the same height. I also found the bed was too short to joint long, wide boards because I couldn't keep the board tight to the bed for the full pass. To solve the long board issue, I started using a jointer plane and found I could get better, straighter edges. Then I started to use a jack plane to flatten rough lumber before sending it through the planer, and the jointer was just taking up floor space. I gave it to my brother and haven't missed it at all.

[Mike Wilkins]

I wish Ryobi still made some of the tools they made/sold back in the 70's. I have a 2 1/2 horse D-handled router that will outperform most of my other routers. I also have a circular saw from the 70's that is still going strong, although with a new cord or 2 over the years. As for tools I don't need; I have a scroll saw that I got from a pawn shop that will need a serious de-rusting if I ever decide a need for it.

[Jeff Duncan]

Well first off that's 2 entirely different question that have little to do with each other.

What I don't need…..about a third of my shop I don't really "need", but are nice to haves that make life easier. I could fill a book with machines I don't "need", just to pick one I'll go with a double end tenoner.

What I don't want…..hmmmm that's a tougher question. Given the opportunity it's tough to come up with a machine that I wouldn't want to have around if I could. Of course you run into the constraints of reality….space, cost, etc etc.. But if I can ignore those, yeah I'd pretty much have one of each please:D

JeffD

[Jim Finn]

I have and do not use my hand held belt sander. I have used and would not own a hand held planer. I have ,but no longer use a 1" wide belt sander. Same for a 4" round disk sander. I have a 6x48 stationary belt sander that I use a lot. It has a disk sander on it that I never use so I did not even install it when I assembled it.

[Myk Rian]

I use my RAS all the time.
It's 2 of the 3 dovetail jigs I don't need.

[Tom Ewell]

I wish Ryobi still made some of the tools they made/sold back in the 70's. I have a 2 1/2 horse D-handled router that will outperform most of my other routers. I also have a circular saw from the 70's that is still going strong, although with a new cord or 2 over the years. As for tools I don't need; I have a scroll saw that I got from a pawn shop that will need a serious de-rusting if I ever decide a need for it.

Yeah, it's a shame that Ryobi seemed to go the consumer route with their stuff, at least the offerings I see now at the big boxes.

My first lunch box planer was a mid 1980's Ryobi AP10, built like a tank and was still going strong when I gave it to a contractor buddy a year or two ago.

Pretty dang close to Makita in terms of quality but at a lower price point.

[Alan Bienlein]

I have no want or need for a format or sliding table saw. No need for hand tools except for the ones that you plug in.

[mike holden]

Other than the radial arm saw many people lack, what power tools do you not want or need? I really do very little with a lathe and don't own a scroll saw though I did long ago.
Well, there isn't much that I don't *want*, but I don't want this cutoff saw - just looking at it scares me.
279384

The radial arm saw is not a problem, its the one mounted on the wall beside it that gives me the heebie-jeebies thinking about using it!

Mike

[Dave Zellers]

The radial arm saw is not a problem, its the one mounted on the wall beside it that gives me the heebie-jeebies thinking about using it!

Mike
Awesome! An old swing saw. Those can perform open heart surgery.

If you're not careful.:D

[Peter Quinn]

Well, the one tool I neither want nor need.....that little "corner squaring chisel", the little spring loaded thingy sold to square off the corners of routed butt hinges. It solves a problem that doesn't exist in a most unsatisfactory manner, yet I can't tell you how many woodworkers I know that own one, and they all feel the same! How did I fall for that one?I'd like to get my money back on that one.

Add me to the list that wishes ryobi were still a real company. I have 3hp plunge router in a table that just won't quit, pre Home Depot (I know this because I tried to get a new base plate once and was told it was before their time and they couldn't help). How does an innovative quality upstart brand turn into a BOB ( bottom of barrel....no offense to any Roberts in the audience) in such a short time? I neither want not need anything new from them.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Hollow chisel mortiser for one, the slot mortiser, domino, and biscuits all make it not necessary in my shop. I do want one however, but it has to be some old iron monster. Routers fall on the list too. The shaper is so much better, so I could live without routers.

[dan sherman]

Pretty much anything festool, the hysteria related to their products annoys the crap out of me.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Pretty much anything festool, the hysteria related to their products annoys the crap out of me.

But Dan, how can you live without that green color in your life! :)

[jack forsberg]

i guess i don't need one of theses CC RAS by Wadkin unless i keep one with a dado and one with a cut off blade. Seams like a good reason to me as i hate changing blades.:p but i don't need 3 RAS do I:rolleyes:

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/unloadcc002_zps03a6a79d.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/unloadcc002_zps03a6a79d.jpg.html)

scary is a 16" x2" wide dodo
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad111/tool613/wadkin/wadkincc008_zps630e36fa.jpg (http://s927.photobucket.com/user/tool613/media/wadkin/wadkincc008_zps630e36fa.jpg.html)

[Val Kosmider]

I must be doing something wrong.....I use my biscuit joiner from time to time, and find it really handy and appropriate for joining a variety of wood applications.

Now...that scroll saw that I have yet to ever plug in....

I guess it comes down to what you are doing. I am sure that folks doing intricate scroll work use the saw, and not the biscuit joiner, and vice versa.

At the other extreme...addressing the "need" question, I sure wish I had a thickness planer, and a compound miter saw. I think my major tool requirements would be pretty much complete (ha, ha) if I owned those two machines.

[dan sherman]

But Dan, how can you live without that green color in your life! :)

I have plenty of green in my life, it stays in my wallet! :D

[Mike Henderson]

Biscuit joiner. Haven't used it in years. Should sell it.

Mike

[Rick Potter]

I don't NEED my miter gage. Hardly ever use it, as I have a little Jessem slider, and I use a RAS for all crosscuts up to 16".

I don't WANT my Felder slider/shaper anymore. Fantastic machine, but for what I do, it is just taking up space. No luck selling it though.

Rick Potter

[Keith Hankins]

I just sold my delta 19/38 sander for 300 bucks.

[johnny means]

Pretty much anything festool, the hysteria related to their products annoys the crap out of me.

Hysteria? Explain.

[Charles Wiggins]

Other than the radial arm saw many people lack, what power tools do you not want or need? I really do very little with a lathe and don't own a scroll saw though I did long ago.

It seems several folks took this as an opportunity to pan a particular brand of tool, when the question seems to center around types of tools, so that's the tack I am going to take.

My personal theory is that as soon as you declare that you don't need something, you will; but so far, I have had little call for a lathe or a scroll saw and for no more than I would use either I don't want them.

[Mark Carlson]

For me its the biscuit joiner and hollow chisel mortiser are two tools I haven't used in years. Chop saw would be close but sometimes use for crown molding. And the power tools I bought when I started out, but then replaced with much nicer versions, 6in jointer, lunchbox planer, dewalt table saw, 12 in benchtop drill press. New years resolution is to clear out the tools I dont use.

[dan sherman]

Hysteria? Explain.

I'm talking about the hobbyists/DIYers who think they need contractor/professional grade or "the best" tooling. I know of a guy who purchased $2500 worth of festool products and used it exactly one.

[Rod Sheridan]

Router, biscuit joiner, Domino, that about covers it.............Rod.

[glenn bradley]

The compound miter saw that I just had to have has been used once in the last 5 years or so and that was to trim out LOML's guest bath. I don't even keep it in the shop; its stored. I don't do a lot of work with long thin stock so a sled on the table saw takes care of crosscutting tasks for me. The biscuit joiner is another tool I researched the heck out of and bought the one everyone liked. It was a beautiful tool but, I don't use biscuits in the furniture I make. Another forum member got it for a good price after I had used it exactly once. I have a nice scrollsaw setup that I only use a few times a year but, when you need one, its perfect. It will stay.

[Matt Stiegler]

I wish I had never purchased any Ryobi products. I still have a few from when I got started and I think they are all flawed in enough ways to be useless. Actually they are worse than useless because they use up valuable shop space and serve as reminders of money wasted.

I'm coming up on 10 years using my Ryobi 18v nicad drill. For years I've been trying to justify upgrading it to buy something newer and niftier, but I never can. It's been solid and I'm fond of it. (OTOH, the other tools in the set it came with were pretty useless, I admit. 18v chainsaw?)

What I don't need? Handheld beltsander. Drill sanding gizmo. Big router bit sets. The 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th handsaws I bought.

[Rich Riddle]

I really do very little with a lathe and don't own a scroll saw though I did long ago.As soon as I typed this, the first job in two decades that really needs a scroll saw came along. Go figure.

[Bill Clark De]

Perhaps thhe question should be what tools do i still lust after??? Every time i g to a new shop or wood store i see stuff i must someday have... which bring us to the brink of what must go to make room for the new arrivals .answer nuffin goes just gets stored(should read put in the corner).
It took a lifetime to gather some of this now worthless equipment.... Much like my days of raising hunting dogs if its born here it dies here....
Not sure this is a pratical solution to making work space avaible..Wait i am sure it isn't !!!!
* As a footnote only with out exception every time i have gifted away a replaced tool with-in a short peroid of time i need it...

[Tony Streible]

I think an accurate answer depends on the projects you typically do. Here is my take on many of the tools deemed not needed so far on this thread. When I do clock cases, doors, or chairs, I use the fool out of my mortiser - otherwise it sits. When I build tables, I still use biscuits joining the top. I use the Sliding compound mitre/chop saw incessantly - I could not live without it! My joiner hand tools stay sharp and constantly moving ( I come from a timber frame background). The only time I use my RAS is when I have a large order building doors. I have it permanently mounted on a special table to cut tenons. Otherwise it is in storage. **The one tool I could (shamefully) live without is the joiner. I cannot seem to make any improvements to the edge of anything run across it. And, mine is not wide enough or long enough to work on twists to face join. I can straight line rip and touch up by hand very quickly and make perfect glue joints. ** I could not live without the TS, Planer, Thickness sander, 2 Band saws, chop saw... Oh heck, I'm a junkie!

[Frank Trinkle]

Steelex Mortising machine along with my Ryobi Biscuit Joiner. Replaced both with a Domino.
Also haven't used my DeWalt Sawsall in six years. Scared to get rid of it though, because you know as soon as I do........

[Tom Clark FL]

Never needed or wanted any of the overpriced stuff Festool makes. Maybe if I was a pro shop, but certainly not as a hobbiest. I prefer real value for my dollar…

[Mark Wooden]

What do I want? I want a Maka mortiser and a good single end tennoner and then a vertical panel saw.


Pretty much anything festool, the hysteria related to their products annoys the crap out of me.

Yep. I've got a very accurate crosscut square for my skillsaw for breaking down sheet goods. I made the first one 20 years ago. Yes, boys and girls, there was woodworking before Festool;)

I have a corner chisel like Peter railed- I honed mine up well and use it a lot when I do mortise lock installs and hang doors.Works fine for me. Quicker than a butt chisel

Wouldn't be without a biscuit joiner

I still use my Rockwell 9" chopsaw- say what you will, it has stayed accurate, I just replace the table. I have another mitre saw and an RAS. Wouldn't be with out any of them.

I WOULD NOT be without a good jointer. I won't even discuss this- if you've had such bad luck with one, it was either a POS or you don't know how to use one. You gave up too soon.

Same goes for a tablesaw

I have seven routers. I use my shapers far more.

Wouldn't be without a bandsaw; but this is a machine that too many look to to be the anchor of a shop. It would go long before my tablesaw or jointer.

I wouldn't be without my hand tools- hand saws, coping saws, planes, chisels, hammer, awl, combo and steel squares.

[Craig Behnke]

I know of a guy who purchased $2500 worth of festool products and used it exactly one.

nice, you can now buy all those tools for half price. you're welcome.

[Jim Finn]

I have had very good experience with Ryobi equipment. I found their stationary belt sander to work very well and has lasted seven years so far. I once owned one of their planers which I sold to a friend and he still uses it. I have on my bench two of their 120 volt drill motors that I bought this past year because I needed a small light drill for repeated, in shop, screw installing. I work in my shop about 35 hours a week so my tools get used a lot.

[Matt Meiser]

What do I not want? A complete collection of Lee Valley/Lie Nielsen planes. Well maybe if someone gave me a complete set, but I don't want to buy them as I barely know what to do with 3-4 I have. I no longer desire to have large single-purpose machines. I sold my Kreg Foreman for the 4 square feet of floor space (and funds) it consumed. If I ever do another kitchen I might regret that (though on my last project I Domino'd the face frame with stellar results.) Guess that's why I like my jointer-planer tool--single footprint. I used to want a panel saw but for similar money to an entry level good panel saw I like my Festool stuff that packs away nicely. I don't want carving tools--I think like turning, I'd find that an exercise in frustration. I no longer want to waste any money on tools that don't work as intended. Originally I use the word "cheap" here but then I realized I wasted a lot of time and money on a previous track saw system that didn't work as advertised. But I really like my $15 HF angle grinders for running a flap disk or cutoff wheel.

There are some awfully judgmental posts in this thread. I woodwork because I want to make stuff not because I'm in to the art of joinery or a zen-like connection to the tree. There are those who are and that fine too. I know of woodworkers who rarely make anything but have a blast making test joints. Or even those who enjoy finely tuning their tools to the exact peak of perfection. I know one guy who basically has never built anything but has a shop full of restored tool art. I'd much rather build a piece of furniture than a fancy box, not that I don't think people make some REALLY nice boxes. When I set out to do one though I just can't get into it. There are some beautiful turnings posted here every day. When I tried it it turned into an exercise in frustration. I do like turning the occasional pen and have some kits to do some bottle stoppers. I probably like those because I'm only out 10 minutes when I destroy them. :D To that end, I wouldn't be out any of my tools that let me work faster, smarter, and more accurate. Cleaner is important to me too, partly for health reasons and partly because I probably have some OCD tendancies. My Festool saw and its multitude of accessories, Domino, and Kapex fit firmly into that category. It is absolutely true that the Kapex doesn't cut any better than a $400 miter saw. But it takes about half the square footage of my previous miter saw took once I added a big enough hood to get similar dust collection. And the Kapex let me easily add a set of shop-made extension wings that repeatably install and remove and still offer accurate repeatable cuts--something I experimented with numerous times but never got right.. My TS miter gauges have never felt so neglected. On the cleaner side, I wouldn't be without my 3HP cyclone either.