Pietro Raimondi
12-12-2008, 3:53 AM
4 years ago; I took terribly ill with an undiagnosed autoimmune system disease that attacked all of my joints, cartilidge and soft tissue in my ankles, knees, wrists and just about every joint in my body. The disease is very similiar to Lupus with symptoms of overall chronic fatigue and muscle weakness
The result of my illness caused my woodworking hobby came to a very abrupt halt and I have spent the better part of the last 3 years recuperating and I am now possess about 50% of the physical strength that I once had. I am soon to be 48 years old.
During my sickness; it appeared that I would never be able to return to woodworking as I was not able to stand for any sustained period of time.
Subsequently; I made the very difficult decision to sell my large power tool equipment that consisted of the following:
1. Jet 3 HP 10" left tilt cabinet table saw with 50" fence.
2. Powermatic 14" Bandsaw with riser and Carter guide.
3. Powermatic 6" longbed Jointer
4. Powermatic 15" Planer
5. Powermatic VS 17" Drill Press
6. Jet Dust Collector
7. Bench Dog Router Table
Along with the above large equipment floor equipment; all of the jigs, accessories, fences, mobile bases and router table lift was sold alongwith the equipment including my custom built workbench.
It sickens me to think about what I sold this equipment for given that it was always kept in showroom condition and very well maintained.
I did retain my PC router and all of my router bits along with all of my hand tools, chisels, carving tools, hand saws, some jigs, my HVLP sprayer and an absolute wealth of finishing equipment and finishing supplies. In fact I have enough finishing supplies to stock a WoodCraft retail store twice!
Alot has changed in the last 4 years regarding equipment and I will be the first to say that I have been out of the loop and am not familiar regarding the advancements that have been made regarding some of the above equipment that I now need to replace.
I was surpised to see that now Steel City and Rigid offers a table saw with a granite table surface as well as a jointer with a granite fence and I am wondering if the Rigid 1.75 HP Hybid table saw with the granite table surface at $600 is to good to be true?
I've also looked at the Steel City 3HP granite table top cabinet table saw with a 50" fence, but I am not familiar with the companys products. I wonder if it worth it for me to spend $1300 for a 3HP table saw given that my applications are just hobby related and would the $600 Rigid Hybrid saw do just as well?
The Festool Domino system and tool equipment seems to be well engineered pieces of gadgetry for simplified moritise and tenon work regarding joinery and I wonder if that is a piece of equipment worth considering as well as the Festoon Plunge circular saw?
Anyway; given that this is a purely a part time hobby for me and given the state of the current economy as well as my health; I cannot affford or justify going out and investing $10,000 all at one time to replace my old equipment with new Powematic equipment as I once had.
So with that said; I know that I am going to have to make some compromises and I would really appreciate any sound recommendations that anyone might be able to offer me regarding some reasonable priced shop equipment from any particular vendors that you yourself would purchase.
At first glance; I am attracted to the Rigid granite top hybrid table saw at $600 and would appreciate some feedback if anyone has this particular saw.
Secondly; I have an interest in the Festool Tool System. I know it's pricey, but the Domino is no more than the Lamello Biscuit Joiner and I would appreciate some feedback on the Festool tool products; particularly the Domino joiner and possibly some feedback on their router and planer.
In closing; I can no longer work in the large 20x30 garage during the winter months as my body cannot tolerate the cold weather. So my better half has given me her blessing to set-up my new wood working shop in the back of the basement and I will have an enclosed area that is approximately 15x15 and I need to take into account that I have a smaller area to set up my shop in and need to maximize the space accordingly.
So once again; I find myself in the market for the following items:
1. Table Saw
2. Band Saw
3. Drill Press
4. Jointer
5. Planer
6. Router Table
7. Work Bench
8. Dust Extraction System
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and I thank anyone in advance for taking the time to provide some much needed assistance.
best regards - Pete
The result of my illness caused my woodworking hobby came to a very abrupt halt and I have spent the better part of the last 3 years recuperating and I am now possess about 50% of the physical strength that I once had. I am soon to be 48 years old.
During my sickness; it appeared that I would never be able to return to woodworking as I was not able to stand for any sustained period of time.
Subsequently; I made the very difficult decision to sell my large power tool equipment that consisted of the following:
1. Jet 3 HP 10" left tilt cabinet table saw with 50" fence.
2. Powermatic 14" Bandsaw with riser and Carter guide.
3. Powermatic 6" longbed Jointer
4. Powermatic 15" Planer
5. Powermatic VS 17" Drill Press
6. Jet Dust Collector
7. Bench Dog Router Table
Along with the above large equipment floor equipment; all of the jigs, accessories, fences, mobile bases and router table lift was sold alongwith the equipment including my custom built workbench.
It sickens me to think about what I sold this equipment for given that it was always kept in showroom condition and very well maintained.
I did retain my PC router and all of my router bits along with all of my hand tools, chisels, carving tools, hand saws, some jigs, my HVLP sprayer and an absolute wealth of finishing equipment and finishing supplies. In fact I have enough finishing supplies to stock a WoodCraft retail store twice!
Alot has changed in the last 4 years regarding equipment and I will be the first to say that I have been out of the loop and am not familiar regarding the advancements that have been made regarding some of the above equipment that I now need to replace.
I was surpised to see that now Steel City and Rigid offers a table saw with a granite table surface as well as a jointer with a granite fence and I am wondering if the Rigid 1.75 HP Hybid table saw with the granite table surface at $600 is to good to be true?
I've also looked at the Steel City 3HP granite table top cabinet table saw with a 50" fence, but I am not familiar with the companys products. I wonder if it worth it for me to spend $1300 for a 3HP table saw given that my applications are just hobby related and would the $600 Rigid Hybrid saw do just as well?
The Festool Domino system and tool equipment seems to be well engineered pieces of gadgetry for simplified moritise and tenon work regarding joinery and I wonder if that is a piece of equipment worth considering as well as the Festoon Plunge circular saw?
Anyway; given that this is a purely a part time hobby for me and given the state of the current economy as well as my health; I cannot affford or justify going out and investing $10,000 all at one time to replace my old equipment with new Powematic equipment as I once had.
So with that said; I know that I am going to have to make some compromises and I would really appreciate any sound recommendations that anyone might be able to offer me regarding some reasonable priced shop equipment from any particular vendors that you yourself would purchase.
At first glance; I am attracted to the Rigid granite top hybrid table saw at $600 and would appreciate some feedback if anyone has this particular saw.
Secondly; I have an interest in the Festool Tool System. I know it's pricey, but the Domino is no more than the Lamello Biscuit Joiner and I would appreciate some feedback on the Festool tool products; particularly the Domino joiner and possibly some feedback on their router and planer.
In closing; I can no longer work in the large 20x30 garage during the winter months as my body cannot tolerate the cold weather. So my better half has given me her blessing to set-up my new wood working shop in the back of the basement and I will have an enclosed area that is approximately 15x15 and I need to take into account that I have a smaller area to set up my shop in and need to maximize the space accordingly.
So once again; I find myself in the market for the following items:
1. Table Saw
2. Band Saw
3. Drill Press
4. Jointer
5. Planer
6. Router Table
7. Work Bench
8. Dust Extraction System
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and I thank anyone in advance for taking the time to provide some much needed assistance.
best regards - Pete