John Karam
09-28-2007, 3:56 AM
(I Ranted On, Feel Free To skip to the Bolded Sections :-)
Hello everyone, I'm new here. I've been reading the forums for a little while and must say I have found a lot of interesting information here. You all have done a great job at creating a very educational community. A little about myself, I'm a college student who enjoys woodworking. I consider it something that will be a serious hobby of mine in the future, starting as soon as I get my tools. I prefer to build fine furniture with interesting designs. I like to design what I build as well.
I'm posting tonight because I have been doing the necessary research in picking out my core tools for the shop I'm putting together and I find myself, like many others, worried I'm going to make the wrong choices. I will be using the shop in my spare time, once I'm finished with school I shall have a lot more time (I HOPE!). I want to keep this as a hobby but I could see my self building a few pieces on the side for friends and family (or whoever else would ask me to). I'm very much a quality freak, in my work and in my tools (I tend to measure my pieces several thousand times before cutting anything and I have trouble buying anything less then the best:o).
I have a basic Ridgid table saw and though I would like to upgrade to a really nice cabinet saw I'm holding out on it for now to see how far this one can take me. My designs tend to include a lot of curvature so I need an excellent band saw. I've little experience with the lathe though I would like to get into it. I looking to purchase a Jointer, Planer, Band Saw, Drill Press, and Spindle Sander. Also want to get a Router Table setup for my router, though I've heard (around here) that it may be better to build my own, and a Hollow Chisel Mortiser but I know I can do fine without one.
After all my reading, these are what I've deduced as my options for each. Most I'm not 100% on which is better in the long run for me. My big debate is whether Grizzly tools will last me like a Powermatic, Laguna, etc tool will. I've excluded shipping on these prices.
Laguna LT16 Bandsaw - $1575
G0513X 17" 2 HP Extreme Series Bandsaw - $975
I've read Laguna has excellent BS and I want the ceramic guides but the unit is on the spendy side. Is it possible to change the guides on the G0513X for the ceramic guides? Other then the guides, is there any overall advantages I will be missing if I picked the Grizzly BS? Will I be missing the extra power in the Laguna motor? I will be using it mostly for curve cutting but I'm not sure how often I will be resawing large pieces. I have in the past and will likely again. I am interested in the idea of cutting my own veneers as well.
G0490 8" Jointer with Parallelogram Beds - $800 3 HP Motor
G0586 8" Jointer w/2 HP Motor - $600
Is it worth getting the Parallelogram Beds over the traditional?
G0454 20" Planer - $1250
Powermatic 209 20" Planer - $2000
My most shaky decision, which one is better then the other? Is it just the name brand making the Powermatic that much more? I've always gone with "You get what you paid for" but I've heard a LOT of good things about Grizzly overall (for their newer tools). I like the idea of getting the Grizzly and saving the rest of the money for a cutter head upgrade in the future if I'm not happy with the cut quality. But I just need this to be a solid, accurate tool. I'm used to a large Powermatic Planer with a thicker infeed table, are these smaller tables sturdy when cutting large stock (12/4 walnut for example)?
Lathe
I did light research on these. My brother will be using the shop as well and he is more into the lathe then I am. He just wants a good quality lower end ($500ish?) one. Any suggestions? I've heard some good things about the Jet 1236.
JET 354165 JDP-15M 3/4 Horsepower 15-Inch Bench Drill Press - $350
Ridgid EB4424 Spindle Sander - $200
My main goal is to not feel limited by my tools. Especially since I like to try new things I know I will need a range of capabilities with my tools. So how have I done with my selections? Are there certain tools I should upgrade (or even downgrade since it is "overkill")? Cost is a relative issue, I don't want to spend my life savings but I'm willing to pay for what I "Need" to produce whatever I want and not feel limited.
I GREATLY appreciate any help, advice, stories, etc that you guys can provide me with. I just read through this and realized I wrote a long one....sorry about that.
Thanks Ahead
Johnny
Hello everyone, I'm new here. I've been reading the forums for a little while and must say I have found a lot of interesting information here. You all have done a great job at creating a very educational community. A little about myself, I'm a college student who enjoys woodworking. I consider it something that will be a serious hobby of mine in the future, starting as soon as I get my tools. I prefer to build fine furniture with interesting designs. I like to design what I build as well.
I'm posting tonight because I have been doing the necessary research in picking out my core tools for the shop I'm putting together and I find myself, like many others, worried I'm going to make the wrong choices. I will be using the shop in my spare time, once I'm finished with school I shall have a lot more time (I HOPE!). I want to keep this as a hobby but I could see my self building a few pieces on the side for friends and family (or whoever else would ask me to). I'm very much a quality freak, in my work and in my tools (I tend to measure my pieces several thousand times before cutting anything and I have trouble buying anything less then the best:o).
I have a basic Ridgid table saw and though I would like to upgrade to a really nice cabinet saw I'm holding out on it for now to see how far this one can take me. My designs tend to include a lot of curvature so I need an excellent band saw. I've little experience with the lathe though I would like to get into it. I looking to purchase a Jointer, Planer, Band Saw, Drill Press, and Spindle Sander. Also want to get a Router Table setup for my router, though I've heard (around here) that it may be better to build my own, and a Hollow Chisel Mortiser but I know I can do fine without one.
After all my reading, these are what I've deduced as my options for each. Most I'm not 100% on which is better in the long run for me. My big debate is whether Grizzly tools will last me like a Powermatic, Laguna, etc tool will. I've excluded shipping on these prices.
Laguna LT16 Bandsaw - $1575
G0513X 17" 2 HP Extreme Series Bandsaw - $975
I've read Laguna has excellent BS and I want the ceramic guides but the unit is on the spendy side. Is it possible to change the guides on the G0513X for the ceramic guides? Other then the guides, is there any overall advantages I will be missing if I picked the Grizzly BS? Will I be missing the extra power in the Laguna motor? I will be using it mostly for curve cutting but I'm not sure how often I will be resawing large pieces. I have in the past and will likely again. I am interested in the idea of cutting my own veneers as well.
G0490 8" Jointer with Parallelogram Beds - $800 3 HP Motor
G0586 8" Jointer w/2 HP Motor - $600
Is it worth getting the Parallelogram Beds over the traditional?
G0454 20" Planer - $1250
Powermatic 209 20" Planer - $2000
My most shaky decision, which one is better then the other? Is it just the name brand making the Powermatic that much more? I've always gone with "You get what you paid for" but I've heard a LOT of good things about Grizzly overall (for their newer tools). I like the idea of getting the Grizzly and saving the rest of the money for a cutter head upgrade in the future if I'm not happy with the cut quality. But I just need this to be a solid, accurate tool. I'm used to a large Powermatic Planer with a thicker infeed table, are these smaller tables sturdy when cutting large stock (12/4 walnut for example)?
Lathe
I did light research on these. My brother will be using the shop as well and he is more into the lathe then I am. He just wants a good quality lower end ($500ish?) one. Any suggestions? I've heard some good things about the Jet 1236.
JET 354165 JDP-15M 3/4 Horsepower 15-Inch Bench Drill Press - $350
Ridgid EB4424 Spindle Sander - $200
My main goal is to not feel limited by my tools. Especially since I like to try new things I know I will need a range of capabilities with my tools. So how have I done with my selections? Are there certain tools I should upgrade (or even downgrade since it is "overkill")? Cost is a relative issue, I don't want to spend my life savings but I'm willing to pay for what I "Need" to produce whatever I want and not feel limited.
I GREATLY appreciate any help, advice, stories, etc that you guys can provide me with. I just read through this and realized I wrote a long one....sorry about that.
Thanks Ahead
Johnny