Joe Johnson MI
09-28-2008, 2:20 PM
Since this is my first post, let me thank the forum in general for some recent help in deciding some tools to purchase. I've wanted to do woodwork for a while, but haven't taken the plunge into getting the tools necessary to get started. But, having recently purchased an old Victorian style home that needs some finishing up, I thought now was a good time to invest and add a personal touch. I like working with my hands, so hope to have fun while adding some charm and beauty to our new home.
While shopping around I noticed that many of my searches took me here for advice. So, I've been snooping and lurking. But now I plan on using this resource as much as I can. Who knows, maybe I'll learn enough to contribute one of these days. I looked for a forum for introductions of newbies, but couldn't find it. Maybe I missed it, but for now, "Good to meet y'all."
Beginning tools:
I already had a Craftsman compound miter saw, and didn't want to spend any more than my straining budget has already endured.
Budget contraints dictated an inexpensive drill press, so I bought the Craftsman 12 inch for 200. It has decent reviews, and I just couldn't justify more; especially since I made this purchase last.
I have a small Porter Cable compressor with stapler, brad nailer and finish nailer that came together in a combo deal at Home Depot.
Wrestling with which way to go on a table saw and knowing that I wanted both a table saw and router table, I looked around for a combination. Sears had the portable combo for sale at 400. But the reviews were not so great, unless one knew they were getting sub par performance but saw the benefits in portability. Then I found out that the Craftsman OR35505 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922114000P?vName=&cName=&sName=&mv=cmp) was on sale for $350, so I jumped on it. At over 350 pounds, definitely not portable.
The router really was an easy pick. The reviews both here and other places often pointed back to the Bosch 1617 EVSPK, so I found the best price I could on a new one (eBay provided, about 200, including shipping).
For a router table I looked at a lot of advice. I really didn't want to start out building my own. It would have been fun, but time is a bit of an issue, and I don't think the missus wants to keep waiting around for projects to get finished while I play shop. And, since my tools are in the basement, I really don't have a whole lot of space. The Bench Dog ProMax (http://www.benchdog.com/promax.cfm)has good reviews, and several here mentioned that they've been pleased, so I ordered it.
Question:
Now I'm in the process of setting things up. One thing I did not understand was that the Bench Dog replaces my extension, rather than adding to it. I thought I was widening my table when I made the purchase. However, now I'm wondering if I can attach my Bench Dog to my ts extension plate in order to widen my platform. I'm not really thinking I should drill my current extension plate to accomodate the Bench Dog, so am considering taking them to a local machine shop to see how they'd do it. Then, to support the double extension I could use some heavy gauge angle iron attached where the two extensions meet and supported at the base where the EZ roll platform is attached to my table saw.
I know there are other ways to give myself a wider table, but my tool budget is pretty much shot. Are there any problems inherent in doing it this way? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
While shopping around I noticed that many of my searches took me here for advice. So, I've been snooping and lurking. But now I plan on using this resource as much as I can. Who knows, maybe I'll learn enough to contribute one of these days. I looked for a forum for introductions of newbies, but couldn't find it. Maybe I missed it, but for now, "Good to meet y'all."
Beginning tools:
I already had a Craftsman compound miter saw, and didn't want to spend any more than my straining budget has already endured.
Budget contraints dictated an inexpensive drill press, so I bought the Craftsman 12 inch for 200. It has decent reviews, and I just couldn't justify more; especially since I made this purchase last.
I have a small Porter Cable compressor with stapler, brad nailer and finish nailer that came together in a combo deal at Home Depot.
Wrestling with which way to go on a table saw and knowing that I wanted both a table saw and router table, I looked around for a combination. Sears had the portable combo for sale at 400. But the reviews were not so great, unless one knew they were getting sub par performance but saw the benefits in portability. Then I found out that the Craftsman OR35505 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922114000P?vName=&cName=&sName=&mv=cmp) was on sale for $350, so I jumped on it. At over 350 pounds, definitely not portable.
The router really was an easy pick. The reviews both here and other places often pointed back to the Bosch 1617 EVSPK, so I found the best price I could on a new one (eBay provided, about 200, including shipping).
For a router table I looked at a lot of advice. I really didn't want to start out building my own. It would have been fun, but time is a bit of an issue, and I don't think the missus wants to keep waiting around for projects to get finished while I play shop. And, since my tools are in the basement, I really don't have a whole lot of space. The Bench Dog ProMax (http://www.benchdog.com/promax.cfm)has good reviews, and several here mentioned that they've been pleased, so I ordered it.
Question:
Now I'm in the process of setting things up. One thing I did not understand was that the Bench Dog replaces my extension, rather than adding to it. I thought I was widening my table when I made the purchase. However, now I'm wondering if I can attach my Bench Dog to my ts extension plate in order to widen my platform. I'm not really thinking I should drill my current extension plate to accomodate the Bench Dog, so am considering taking them to a local machine shop to see how they'd do it. Then, to support the double extension I could use some heavy gauge angle iron attached where the two extensions meet and supported at the base where the EZ roll platform is attached to my table saw.
I know there are other ways to give myself a wider table, but my tool budget is pretty much shot. Are there any problems inherent in doing it this way? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!