"BobAtVandy" writes:

I'm a potential newbie woodworker, trying to ascertain the likely cost of
getting into this.

More than you want to spend.G

Isn't that always the case?

If money spent for tools is a primary issue, find another hobby.

I'm persuaded by all the advice on this newgroup that
it's worth springing for a good table saw first and foremost. But I don't
have a sense of when it's worthwhile paying more for better (brand?) for
other types of equipment. I check the catalogs and, as you all know,
there
is a considerable spread in price for a given type of equipment.

Who was it that said, "Figures don't lie, but liars can figure"?

Obviously,
I want to be able to get good results so I don't become frustrated and
disillusioned with the hobby. On the other hand, I really want to
minimize
the expense. I'm probably most likely to be doing cabinets,
bookshelves,
desks, furniture types of things.

What you are considering building is not trivial.

You will need good equipment to get good results.

So, any advice on the following equipment would be appreciated.
(Apologies
if some of my comments seem naive, but don't hesitate to correct me.)

DRILL PRESS -- It seems to me that as long as the 'table' can be set
square
(or at a set angle), and locked tight, anything else is a matter of
convenience. So, I'm thinking like a 8" 5-speed Harbor Freight (Central
Machinery) or Grizzly for $70-$80.

Garbage.

Are there any compelling/quality issues
that should require me to spend more? If so, what?

Reliability, repeatability, ease of setup, ease of use, etc, etc.

BELT SANDER -- Same rationale. I would think there isn't a lot of reason
not to get an inexpensive unit. E.g., a combo 6" disc/36" belt for about
$60 from Harbor Freight.

More garbage.

Same question: Are there any compelling/quality
issues that should require me to spend more? If so, what?

Same answer, see above.

JOINTER -- 6" with a square fence that locks well. Popular Woodworking
gave the Grizzly model 1182HW ($305) an Editors Choice award. Yet this is
pretty much low-end of the price range (except for benchtop models). Is
there any reason to pay for more than this?

Depends on what you consider acceptable.

They wouldn't meet my standards, but then maybe I'm just fussy. I also don't
have a lot of time to waste.

ROUTER -- I don't understand the ins and outs of routers, but I gather
it's
worth buying a better unit, though I couldn't tell you why. What are the
minimum capabilities I should look for? What brands are adequate for my
purpose and what likely price range?

Porter Cable worte the definitive standard.

If you can beat their performance, at a lower price, then do it.

PLANER -- (sometime down the road perhaps) It seems like the wisdom is
to buy something that produces smooth results with blades that aren't too
hard to change. Probably a 12" portable model. Price range perhaps $300
for a decent one. Sound right?

Maybe, as the song goes, "The times they are a changin".

Wait to you want to buy, then ask again.

DUST COLLECTION -- a very early investment. I've done quite a bit of
reading on this so I think I understand the cost/quality issues.

No comment on D/C, don't need one.

One final comment.

You need to buy some cheap crappy tools and try to use them to get rid of
what I call, "The Harbor Freight Syndrome".

After you have been burned, you will understand why lots of folks on this
list including me, suggest you only endure the pain once and buy the best
tool you can afford, when you need it.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures