Julie Moriarty
08-30-2018, 9:23 AM
Yesterday I listed a DW735 for sale. Last night it dawned on me it may make a really nice birthday/Christmas gift for my SO's son, Brian. He's an apprentice carpenter finishing his third year in a four year program. On one hand, I have concerns a planer might not be the right gift for him at this time but when I consider that the 735 might sell for a lot less than I paid for it... Well, I need some help here.
His situation: When we were in Chicago he lived with us for about a year. He seemed to enjoy working in my shop. But the things he does at work seldom reflect anything we do as woodworkers. So he's not learning much at work that can transfer to the home workshop. He now lives in an apartment.
Last Christmas we bought him tools for making dovetails and sent him to a Jeff Miller dovetail class. He talked mostly about the pretty girl taking the class with him but he did seem to enjoy the class. Last week he bought himself a benchtop router table with router. That was the first indication he's looking to take his woodworking skills to the next level.
The biggest obstacle for him owning a planer right now I see is he'd have use it outside. But why would he need it right now? When I was his age I roomed with a plumber who was into woodworking. We shared an apartment and built a lot of things using power tools inside the apartment but the loudest was a router or Skil saw. And we got some complaints. But I know if we had a planer, he would have figured out some project to use it on. And I'm guessing Brian will be the same way. I can see 2x8s being planed to oblivion.
But is the right gift at this time and place in Brian's life?
His situation: When we were in Chicago he lived with us for about a year. He seemed to enjoy working in my shop. But the things he does at work seldom reflect anything we do as woodworkers. So he's not learning much at work that can transfer to the home workshop. He now lives in an apartment.
Last Christmas we bought him tools for making dovetails and sent him to a Jeff Miller dovetail class. He talked mostly about the pretty girl taking the class with him but he did seem to enjoy the class. Last week he bought himself a benchtop router table with router. That was the first indication he's looking to take his woodworking skills to the next level.
The biggest obstacle for him owning a planer right now I see is he'd have use it outside. But why would he need it right now? When I was his age I roomed with a plumber who was into woodworking. We shared an apartment and built a lot of things using power tools inside the apartment but the loudest was a router or Skil saw. And we got some complaints. But I know if we had a planer, he would have figured out some project to use it on. And I'm guessing Brian will be the same way. I can see 2x8s being planed to oblivion.
But is the right gift at this time and place in Brian's life?