BobAtVandy wrote:

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

Your first mistake...do not even think about money .... that is you
wives job! your job will be to get into her purse...

I'm persuaded by all the advice on this newgroup that
it's worth springing for a good table saw first and foremost.

Yep I happen to agree that the Tablesaw ranks as "kind" of important...
But I don't
have a sense of when it's worthwhile paying more for better (brand?) for
other types of equipment.

Buy the tool you need ONLY when you absolutely need it...The first tool
to purchase after the Tablesaw would be a tape measure...A GOOD ONE...

I check the catalogs and, as you all know, there
is a considerable spread in price for a given type of equipment. 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.

After 40+ years as a serious woodworker I still have no idea what I will
be making next week... I may discover a love for turning bowls...

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.)


Its not my style to beat around the bush... so have no fear...but
remember I sure as the devil am not an expert...

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

Waste of money... Honest... My drill presses (plural) are and continue
to be workhorses I use them a lot more then most of my tools...AND not
necessarily for woodworking.... My home, cars, lawn equiptment etc seems
to need a lot of upkeep...and I find a drill press to be a very handy
tool...

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


I do have a 6 x 48 in stationary belt sander and a 9 in (I think).. disc
and yes I use it...BUT not very much....in fact the disc has not had
sandpaper attached to it in years... A hand held ROS would be a better
choice

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?

Extremely hard question to answer... I still use my original Rockwell 6
in jointer I purchased 40 years ago... I would not buy it today BUT heck
it works and it has lasted me 40 years.. I would be strongly tempted
to tell you to fo for it... after checking out Delta,Jet and Ridgid

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?

I have 6 routers...even the seldom used cheap unit will do 70 percent of
what I need a router for... Just buy one that has both 1/4 and 1/2 in
collets...ALL routers are cheap...when compared to the cost of the bits
you will end up buying... believe me...


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?

You are correct...do not think about one until you GET down that road in
a few years...until then spend a few extra bucks and purchase surfaced
lumber and restrict your projects to those using normal dementioned lumber

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.

================================================= ======

Sorry BUT I do not agree on this... I have 2 Dust Collectors and 2 air
filters in my shop...BUT I worked in my shop(s) for over 25 years using
a dust mask BEFORE I ever heard of any dust collectors for a home shop...
FOR NOW get a dust mask IF you are concerned about your health... If it
is dust getting into your house and the wife is complaning then you
better deal with it ...

Cheap tools are fine IF you only need to use them once... BUT unless you
have a need for a tool... all are expensive... Most money I ever wasted
on a tool was for a cheap transmission jack that I have never
needed...BUT IT WAS CHEAP... it was a waste of money ! lol

Bob Griffiths