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Thread: Have you ever bought a piece of equipment and then wondered why?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
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    Cambridge Vermont
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    Have you ever bought a piece of equipment and then wondered why?

    I came across a great deal on a 3hp 3/4" shaper. It's an older one made in Canada with an American made single phase US motor on it. It's in very good shape and I probably have $100 into it. I was so quick to say yes that I didn't think about if I really needed it or if I'm just hording more tools. I don't have any 3/4" cutters and I'm not sure if a 1 1/4" will be too much for it. But it just looked so neat I had to have it. It's all cast iron except for the belt guard. At what point do you draw the line?

  2. #2
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    Mar 2008
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    Ridgecrest, CA
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    When you have no more room! Only thing holding me back from buying a planer and dust collector is space. That's all I am I have found: a tool collector. Don't have the time to use them, maybe one day I'll be able to. But I want them available for when I do find the time.

  3. #3
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    Dec 2004
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    Cincinnati, OH
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    924
    Why do I have a flexible ruler? You know the ones that can be bent into almost any shape and then not hold it. I have never been able to get the ruler in the shape of a fair curve, which should be almost the simplest form. Only cost me $15 but I have found it useless.

    Sorry, but I have been wanting to get that off my chest for some time.
    Rustic? Well, no. That was not my intention!

  4. #4
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    Feb 2014
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    Lake Gaston, Henrico, NC
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    I've wondered why I didn't buy some, when I had the chance.

  5. #5
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    Apr 2018
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    Cambridge Vermont
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    At least it's not just me. Now I need to find a project so I can justify buying some cutters for it to try out.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
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    Northern Virginia
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom M King View Post
    I've wondered why I didn't buy some, when I had the chance.
    This..

    Dont think I've ever wondered why (or why i have mutiples)

  7. #7
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    Mar 2006
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    Austin Texas
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    Alex. I used a 3hp Weaver shaper with a 3/4" spindle for years for raised panel cabinet door fabrication and I believe that the (steel) cutters were 1-1/4" with 3/4" bushings in them. I don't have it any more or I would go down to the shop and confirm that.
    David

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Annapolis
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    Unfortunately, yes. But, soon some from of rationalization comes to mind to justify the purchase.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    sykesville, maryland
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    861
    If you have space, don't sweat it. I suspect you can always get your money out of it. I see shapers all the time for good deals. So far, I've resisted. I'm like you: "Man that's a really nice machine for a great price!", but then I come back to reality: "I have no need for that what so ever".

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NE Ohio
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    6,983
    LOL!
    It's all a part of the game of life isn't it?
    Buying stuff and not having a clue as to why - other than @ the time it seemed like a good idea.

    Speaking of which.....

    Do you have any idea - how heavy a Smith and Wesson M69 .44 magnum is when you stick it in a shoulder holster and wear it all day long?
    (my latest $1000 thing I really didn't need )
    Dirty Harry had neck muscles made of carbon fiber.....
    Oh well....at least I'm all set for any rampaging hippo I run across in Lowes while I'm shopping for tools I don't need - that replace the ones I misplaced and can't seem to find at the moment
    My granddad always said, :As one door closes, another opens".
    Wonderful man, terrible cabinet maker...

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    9,469
    I once purchased a horizontal metal bandsaw from a clubmate. It was selling for much less than a new one, came with a good number of Starrett blades ... and I had aspirations of making infill hand planes. Of course, I preferred building furniture, and it sat there unused, taking up valuable workshop space. I sold it after 18 months.

    Posted on a train to Vienna

    Derek

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Alberta
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    2,162
    You guys need to think differently. I buy pretty well any machines I find that are great deals. Then end up selling them later for a profit when I find the one I really want. My shop is now complete and I have a couple machines to sell yet....

  13. #13
    Well, I bought a drum sander and a lathe for my small, yet already full shop, during Black Friday. Now I'm rearranging once again, trying to shoe-horn the new toys in.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Crozet, VA
    Posts
    645
    We’ve all been there. I bought a really nice Excalibur special edition scroll saw in almost new condition a few years back for an absolute steal. I still haven’t used it in a project, but someday ...
    There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” - Dave Barry

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    121
    I bought my tablesaw without good reason for the amount of woodworking I did at the time. Same with the plunge saw. And router. And planer. And sanders. And domino. And bandsaw. And a bunch of overpriced Woodpecker stuff. And jointer. Over about 18 months. I always question the purpose and my need, and then do it anyways. I have never been disappointed.

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