First Hello !!

[Rich Konopka]

Just want to indroduce myself to the group. I am relatively new to woodworking in the past year or so. I have been working on projects around the house for many years and I'm finally able to dedicate time and money to something I have been wanting to do for almost 15 years. It is amazing what a career, wife, and family will do to your free time.

I am setting up a shop in my basement in Glastonbury CT and I'm currently taking classes at the Woodcraft in Manchester, Ct and on a tool buying spree. I have already purhased a Delta CS, Delta DJ20, Dewalt CMS, and various smaller tools.

I still have to picK up MM or Laguna, Cyclone system, Router, Hand planes.... This hobby sure is expensive !!

My interests in woodworking are cabinets and buit-ins, and mantle clocks.

Thanks and I look forward to particpating in the future !!

Rich Konopka

[Gary Whitt]

From one newbie to another; WELCOME! :eek: :)

This is definitely an expensive hobby, but if quality tools are bought the first time, you usually won't be replacing them.
I just re-allocated my entertainment funds :rolleyes: to be able to buy WW stuff. ;)

As you build, post some pics.....

[Jason Tuinstra]

Welcome to the forum Rick. Sounds like you have a good eye for good tools. You have a good eye for good forums as well. Lot's of great people here with even better advice and encouragment. Welcome aboard.

Jason

[Jerry Olexa]

Money spent on quality tools is the right direction. Cheaper tools generally fail or don't deliver the results u want and you have to spend the $ later anyway to upgrade to what u should have bought the 1st time. Enjoy your hobby Jerry

[Tyler Howell]

Welcome Rich,

Now that's how it's done! Stand up guy, comes in, puts his tools on the bench.:cool:

Sorry Rich, we've had trouble lately with lurkers :mad: standing on the banks, won't get wet, don't bring any pictures.

They're welcome but they have dues to pay.

Great bunch of folks here. Very talented in many ways.;)

[Todd Burch]

Welcome Rich. You got that right about being an expensive hobby... it's an expensive business too!

[Jim Becker]

Welcome aboard, Rich. Great place to hang out.

BTW, don't thing in terms of expense. Think "investment"...:D

[Chris Padilla]

Welcome, Rich...don't be afraid to get your feet wet!

BTW, don't think in terms of investment. Think "fun"...:D

[Rich Konopka]

From one newbie to another; WELCOME! :eek: :)

This is definitely an expensive hobby, but if quality tools are bought the first time, you usually won't be replacing them.
I just re-allocated my entertainment funds :rolleyes: to be able to buy WW stuff. ;)

As you build, post some pics.....
Gary:

Thanks for the welcome!! I am focusing on purchasing the best tools available. Have you taken any classes? I have found them to be so valuable in tool selection and learning safety, proper operation, and also many tricks that would take years to learn.

Thanks Again

[Rich Konopka]

Thanks Jason !! One of my other dreams is to go to the Indy 500 and hear "Gentlemen Start Your Engines" on a Memorial Day Weekend!! I'll even sing "Back home in Indiana" :D

[Rich Konopka]

Money spent on quality tools is the right direction. Cheaper tools generally fail or don't deliver the results u want and you have to spend the $ later anyway to upgrade to what u should have bought the 1st time. Enjoy your hobby JerryJerry:

Thanks for the welcome. I had a 4 1/2 finger Uncle who has since passed on teach me that you always want to get the best tool you can't afford.

Thanks Again,

[Rich Konopka]

Welcome Rich,

Now that's how it's done! Stand up guy, comes in, puts his tools on the bench.:cool:

Sorry Rich, we've had trouble lately with lurkers :mad: standing on the banks, won't get wet, don't bring any pictures.

They're welcome but they have dues to pay.

Great bunch of folks here. Very talented in many ways.;)
Thanks Tyler. I am not a bashful guy and promise to share some pictures. I also plan on doing some writeup on my research on bandsaw's and some of my other tools. My shop is almost there as well.

Thanks Again for the welcome,

[Rich Konopka]

Thanks Todd !! I'm not sure if woodworking or my kids are more expensive at this point. I probably could go less expensive route. But what the heck their good kids.

Thanks for the Greetings,

[Rich Konopka]

Welcome aboard, Rich. Great place to hang out.

BTW, don't thing in terms of expense. Think "investment"...:D
Thanks Jim !! You're absolutely right. It is an Investment. My Stock broker convinced me to go with this stock. So I took the plunge (Literally) this afternoon.

http://www.woodpeck.com/lsrspk5.html

My computer background kicked in and the logic was: Build my own table with Norm's or the Jessem plans or buy a prebuilt cabinet. Being a newbie, I knew I didn't have the skills just yet to build. I wanted precision, dependability, and repeatability in a router system so I plunged. How many guys build their own table saws?

Thanks for the Welcome aboard,

[Rich Konopka]

Welcome, Rich...don't be afraid to get your feet wet!

BTW, don't think in terms of investment. Think "fun"...:D
Thanks Chris !! I saw your thread on the MM20. Sweeeet!!! I am really looking hard at the MM16 and have been talking to MM for almost 3 weeks. I heard their customer service is just as incredible as their saws. I look forward to your comments.

Best Regards,

[Chris Padilla]

Thanks Jim !! You're absolutely right. It is an Investment. My Stock broker convinced me to go with this stock. So I took the plunge (Literally) this afternoon.

http://www.woodpeck.com/lsrspk5.html

My computer background kicked in and the logic was: Build my own table with Norm's or the Jessem plans or buy a prebuilt cabinet. Being a newbie, I knew I didn't have the skills just yet to build. I wanted precision, dependability, and repeatability in a router system so I plunged. How many guys build their own table saws?

Thanks for the Welcome aboard,
Rich,

That system is a NICE set up. I have the Twin Linear, PRL, Table top, blue legs, and drawers. You will love the accuracey AND repeatability. I also have an Incra fence on my Grizzly table saw. I'm curious, what pitch did you go with on the PRL? I have the 32...takes forever to move it up and dow but you have very tight control over the height of your bits. Nothing like a tiny little crank to cut a groove just a skosh deepr.

Enjoy and a early happer father's day?? ;)

[Alan Turner]

Welcome aboard, Rich. Money spent on tools is well spent indeed.

[Rich Konopka]

Rich,

That system is a NICE set up. I have the Twin Linear, PRL, Table top, blue legs, and drawers. You will love the accuracey AND repeatability. I also have an Incra fence on my Grizzly table saw. I'm curious, what pitch did you go with on the PRL? I have the 32...takes forever to move it up and dow but you have very tight control over the height of your bits. Nothing like a tiny little crank to cut a groove just a skosh deepr.

Enjoy and a early happer father's day?? ;)

I got the new Unilift at 32. I already got the email notice that it shipped. I placed the order at lunch. That is service !!

[Rich Konopka]

Welcome aboard, Rich. Money spent on tools is well spent indeed.
Thanks Alan, I made the mistake of buying the Delta Contractor Saw and then realizing that it won't be easy hooking it up to a DC. Dooooh!

I vowed not to make that mistake again. Who know's maye some day it will be come my Dado Table.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Welcome Rich! I landed here around the first of the year and think I may have found a home! Lots of interesting people not afraid to exchange ideas, information and opinions! From pros to beginners.......they are all here! Don't be afraid to ask or inject! Again.......Welcome!

[John Miliunas]

Rich, great to have you at the Creek! :D Sounds like you're off to a super start with your tools. Seems that you're learning one of the most important "woodworking" lessons right off the bat: Get good equipment to start with! (Yeah, I'm one of those guys who learned that the hard way! :( ) Anyhow, we *will* be expecting shop and/or projects pics! Oh, and I note that you haven't included anything which turns horizontally at a high rate of speed. Yup, talkin' about one o' them spinny things! May as well face it early on and start looking for a lathe, too! :D :cool:

[Rich Konopka]

Rich, great to have you at the Creek! :D Sounds like you're off to a super start with your tools. Seems that you're learning one of the most important "woodworking" lessons right off the bat: Get good equipment to start with! (Yeah, I'm one of those guys who learned that the hard way! :( ) Anyhow, we *will* be expecting shop and/or projects pics! Oh, and I note that you haven't included anything which turns horizontally at a high rate of speed. Yup, talkin' about one o' them spinny things! May as well face it early on and start looking for a lathe, too! :D :cool:
Thanks for the Welcome John !! I made the mistake of purchasing the Delta Contractor saw and then realizing it does not have an ideal solution for dust collection. I vowed to take my time and do my reasearch. Actually, that is how I stumbled upon this little gem of a community.

I have considered a lathe and will look at it down the road. I do have a spot in my shop for one as well. My local woodcraft has at least 3 classes on turning. I did a little turning in HS and real enjoyed it.

Thanks again for the hello !!

[Gary Whitt]

No, Rich, I haven't taken any classes yet.
That is on my list. We have two Community Colleges close by.
Right now,I try to watch others and then NOT repeat their mistakes!!! :D