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Cheers Sig, I'll check it out - and let you know! Steve

Blimey chaps! It certainly sounds like I got the prototype. Mine had a terrible yellow plastic locking handle that failed soon after I got it. Also - the collets were really poor, not quite true and hence I had to drift out the bits with softwood - not a task that endeared me to the machine...

The RBS14s are of a consistent quality - but hurry because I read somewhere that Record are phasing them out. Lord only knows why. It really is a terrific bandsaw. I've just been working with a load of hard maple, and it didn't miss a beat. As Philly says - don't worry about it being a 'Select'...

Hi Wiz, A trick I often use is to scribe the line quite deeply with a knife - especially the fence-side edge. If it's critical, I chisel the line on the back edge fairly deeply. Cut to the line and because the fibres are already severed, you get a lot less tearout. Sometimes even a perfect cut...

In a moment of weakness I bought a Power Pro 2050 router for my table - basically because of the 2000 watt motor and the fact that it was on special offer. The thing is almost useless. The power drops like a stone under load, the lock is a stupid plastic affair that lasted a couple of days (I've...

The Kirschen set Tom recommended at Axminster is superb. They really hold their edge well, the handles are beech and the entire chisel is polished. Fantastic value at £54 for six.

Hi Doc, I would recommend a bit of teak - offcuts are pretty easy to come by because it's used extensively in the trade. Even the 'pine, pine or pine' timber yards usually have a little teak. Iroko or Oak would be equally good. They're all tough, weather resistant and hard on yer tools! I don't...

Hi Digizz, I just completed my workshop at the end of last year, and like you I went for full insulation. Over the past couple of months - that has really paid off. One thing that most people overlook however is the flow of air through the workshop - and that has a huge bearing on humidity...

Like Philly, I have a Record RBS14, and like Philly, I can't fault it. Plenty of oomph, rock-steady fence, well built, terrific table, solid and true adjustments - I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with it. I've just cut loads and loads of tough maple to all sorts of dimensions, and it just kept...

Hi Trev, A military spec Hegner by jove! Wot a luverly bit 'o kit!

Hi Tom, I have the Trend jig, and it's 'OK'. Set up is a pain, but once it's set up, it produces passable dovetail joints which look very much like they were made using a jig. I hardly ever use it nowadays, because unless you are making a lot of joints, it's quicker to do them by hand. I'd...

Hi Eric, Just to re-iterate what CC said - once you've got your lathe (and avoid single bars at all cost) go on a beginner's course. You'll learn things in a few hours that might take years if you plod away on your own! The Record starter's kit is terrific value, within your budget and an ideal...

Gill - go for a timber floor. They're simple and satisfying to make, far more comfortable, you can insulate between the joists, you can run cables and dust extraction, and if you drop your chisel on a timber floor, the chisel wins! I worked on concrete for many years, and now I have an insulated...

Don't ask questions like that fer chrissakes! SWMBO might be peeking over me shoulda!

Fair enough Adam - I've heard bad things about their combi too. In Record's defence however, they've just done a management buyout last year, and they are re-sourcing most of their range to get back to the Record quality of yesteryear, after having being bought by Irwin and had quality...

Adam said 'whatever you do, don't go for Record tools'. It's inevitable someone wil disagree, so it might as well be me! I have a Record CL4 lathe and a Record RBS14 bandsaw, plus some smaller bits 'n pieces. They are absolutely terrific - I can't fault them and I'm VERY fussy! Adam - I'm...

Wake up and smell the coffee. It's a bit like murder. Totally illegal, depressingly common and yet more difficult to prove!

My very first bandsaw was a Nutool benchtop about ten years ago which I got for a silly price. I spent almost as much on a proper blade as I did on the saw - the blade that came with it was useless! Suffice to say it's still going strong, although I use good blades (Record). I wouldn't be...

Trend T5!

It's dangerous rubbish. It should come with a free bargepole. I know the price is very attractive if you're on a budget (and who isn't?) but you'll regret buying it. My brother in law bought one, and in my opinion the thing shouldn't be on the market. You could look at the Fox 10" saw (£140)...