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Building a woodshop....recommended tools
Doc Thirst:
I have gone through two (yep two) Ryobi belt sanders now. They seem to strip out rather quickly. I only paid for the first one and returned it for the second one. So I'm either too hard on 'em or they use crappy gearing. Eitherway I'm opting for a different brand when I pick up a new one (soon I hope).
I can't say much about individual brands but I will tell you this. Suck it up and pay for the better model for whatever you buy. The difference between a 14 volt and an 18 volt is remarkable. The same goes for motor size on just about any saw (not to mention less stress on a motor that turns faster). Also the compound miter is so much more handy then just a miter. So what I'm getting at is the initial out lay may be more but in the end I believe you will get more use out of the higher end tool. Good luck!
Matt Berry:
Nope, your not too hard on the tool it just wasn't built to high standards. The more expensive tools use better and more heavy duty componets, bearings, heat shields etc. They are also built to be used for a longer period. That is why it is better to bite the bullet and buy the best.
Yes it will take sometime to build a shop. You could start out with a contractors saw, or you might want to look at the grizzly cabinet saw, it is more powerful and a lot better deal. They have a couple of closeouts right now too. The 10" 3 hp G1023s will set you back 895.00 + 82.25 freight.
Just make sure you really check out reviews before you buy any tool, that way you don't end up with garbage that causes you all kinds of headaches.
Mr. Bubblehead:
Here are the main tools I use with every cabinet I build:
- Tablesaw. Actually I have two, both Craftsman. One is a 10" belt-drive, it is a mammoth of a machine and will rip and cut almost anything. The other is a 9" direct drive, small and lightweight enough to be portable but still one of their higher-end saws. Expect to pay at least $300 retail for a new saw. I have used some of the $99 specials from Black & Decker, Delta, Craftsman, and Harbor Freight, and every one of them was junk in my opinion. Also, spend some money on blades. In my "big" saw I keep a fast cutting/ripping blade, and the small one a finish blade. Both are Freud, and cost about $60 each. I have used them for several years, and they can be resharpened at a saw shop.
- Router. I have a Skil and a Craftsman router, I have found that both are of the same good quality.
- Jigsaw. I have used the same Craftsman jigsaw for the past 12 years. Again, don't skimp on the blades. I personally like the Black & Decker ones.
- Power sanders. I have a Craftsman 1/2-sheet orbital, B&D 1/4-sheet orbital, a HF belt sander, and a HF detail sander.
- Drills. I have an assortment of both corded and cordless drills, various brands (B&D, Craftsman, Porter Cable, Skil, and HF), and various sizes (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4"). I use the corded drills for drilling pilot and countersink holes, and the cordless for screws. Don't buy a cheap cordless drill.
- air finish nailer. Get a name-brand one, I have broken two of the cheap Harbor Freight ones after using them just once or twice. Air nailers do not require a big compressor to operate.
- Vises/clamps. You can't have too many of these. I have five vises and at least a dozen clamps in various sizes.
- Chisels. A good sharp set of these in widths from 1/4" to 1" comes in handy.
- Drill bits/hole saws. Buy name brand, you will get what you pay for.
The most important thing to remember is to use the correct tool for the job. I have just about every tool you can think of for woodworking and automotive work, but it has taken me about 14 years to get everything that I have. A lot of my larger, more expensive tools were purchased at auctions and estate sales, you can pick up good quality stuff for about half the cost of new that way. Also I have found that older tools are servicable, and if they are name brand (especially Craftsman) parts are still available. Most of the new stuff today is worthless once it is broken.
Matt Berry:
I'm going to have to disagree a little bit with Mr Bubblehead. Many of the newer power tools can be repaired rather easily, but you have to purchase a reliable brand. Bosch, jet, grizzly, delta, dewalt, makita, and porter cable all can be serviced and replacement parts found.
Craftsman doesn't manufacture thier tools, they farm them out. 10 - 12 years ago they still used emmerson for thier tools, which they had some decent offerings at that time. After that Sears dropped emmerson in favor for another manufacturer who doesn't meet the same standard emmerson did. You really don't know what you are getting when you buy a craftsman powertool.
I will agree that skil and craftsman make a similar quality router. 10 years ago I had a craftsman router, after less then a year use the switch broke so I exchanged it, the new broke after a few hours use in the router table.
I have the craftsman jigsaw, random orbital sander, a 10" direct drive tablesaw, 12" CMS. I wouldn't buy any of them again. I have since replaced the jigsaw with a bosch, the ROS with a porter cable and the router with a dewalt, porter cable, bosch and milwaukee all of which are head and shoulders above the craftsman products I purchased 10 years ago.
The tablesaw works, but it is underpowered and the fence is garbage. It won't be long before it is upgraded to a cabinet saw.
Be careful buying used. Pay attention to see if it is single phase or 3 phase. Your best bet is to stay away from 3 phase. Also older machines use babbit bearings, which is servicable but you need to know how to do it correctly. Sometimes it cost more to referbish an old machine then to buy a new one (Don't get me wrong there is some good old iron out there) just try to know what you are getting into.
Mr. Bubblehead:
--- Quote from: Matt Berry on November 17, 2005, 02:27:25 pm ---Craftsman doesn't manufacture thier tools, they farm them out. 10 - 12 years ago they still used emmerson for thier tools, which they had some decent offerings at that time. After that Sears dropped emmerson in favor for another manufacturer who doesn't meet the same standard emmerson did. You really don't know what you are getting when you buy a craftsman powertool.
--- End quote ---
My belt-drive table saw is about 40 years old. :o I've fairly certain that the Sears, Roebuck, & Co. manufactured that one. :)
But I will agree that Craftsman power tools have declined in quality over the past decade, as they are in fact not made by Sears anymore.
Another tool I forgot to mention is a carpenter's square. Get at least two of them. I probably have almost a dozen of those as well.
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