POWER TOOL PURCHASE - CHICKEN OR EGG?

[Voicenal]

Hello folks,
A newbie, just joined, but hope to become a regular member of the website...
When buying power tools to stock a workshop, which machines and in what order, are most important?
I have a De Walt power plane; a Triton Router; a SIP Table Saw; a B&D (vibrating Sander), and a couple of hand (power) drills.
What next? A thicknesser/planer, bandsaw; mortiser? I want to start with items like small occasional tables, but which is the next most important piece of equipment, in your (combined expert) opinions?!
I think a Planer/thickenesser ought to be next - although more pricey, it will at least guarantee the stock size is accurate. :shock:

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Hi Voicenal, Welcome to the forum.
Having already owned things like drills hand planes and such like the order of importance for me for static power machines were.

1. Compound Sliding Mitre saw.
2. Table saw. (Could buy a band saw instead)
3. Planer/thickneser
4. Bandsaw.

later came what I would describe as non essentials like sanders, pillar drills etc.

It will be interesting to see what others bought

 

[davy_owen_88]

Have you got sufficient dust extraction? Because in my opinion you should think how to remove the dust before you start making it.

If you have then a good planer/thicknesser is always a good investment.

 

[woodbloke]

Welcome to the forum - agree with Davy re extraction, this IMO has to be thought about at the same time as buying power tools, but the most important thing for me anyway is the bench. If you haven't already got one then this should, in my view, be at the top of your 'must have' list - Rob

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Welcome to the forum - agree with Davy re extraction, this IMO has to be thought about at the same time as buying power tools, but the most important thing for me anyway is the bench. If you haven't already got one then this should, in my view, be at the top of your 'must have' list - Rob

Yes I agree, I forgot about dust extraction. but I would not recommend pipeing it in untill you finnish buying machines and stop moving stuff aroud.

 

[Anonymous]

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[ByronBlack]

My vote goes to some form of dust extraction first before you buy any more power tools. I can recommend the Trend AF30 - it's a shop-vac and extractor, it will fit most of your portable power tools, and will also connect to planers, thicknessers etc.. (although will need emptying more often than a dedicated floor standing extractor)

Once you have some means of extraction. A planer/thicknesser is a good idea, but you can do these operations with a selection of handplanes - worth thinking about.

 

[Voicenal]

Folks,
Many thanks for the very helpful advice, especially about dust control.
I had a carpenter friend (since lost contact when he moved house, then we did, too) who has a permanent twitch in his eyes caused by sawdust. He is one of the old brigade who never liked wearing a face mask, hearing protection, etc. So, from his lesson I am very careful about cleanliness. and thank you Davey for the reminder. I bought a cheap vacuum machine (Argos, I think) that serves well now I've got a extraction hose to connect to the table saw or router table.
Thanks Lord Nobbo. I think I'll go with the Planer/Thicknesser next, but here's another query... whom, of the many enthusiast' on this forum actually bought a workbench, instead of making one? An Army Chaplain friend insists that 'homebuilt beats bought' every time, especially for the satisfaction of working on something that has been made by oneself (not to mention the cost saving.)
8)

 

[ByronBlack]

Alan

For the workbench, building your own in my opinion is the best way to go. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you like, to your own specification and preferences, and to whatever cost you want. I made a workbench not long ago for about £30 or £40 quid - the thread and my photo's are still on this forum somewhere if you do a search.

Also, Lord Nibbo has just finished an amazing build of his workbench over in the projects forum - that'll definitly get you inspired. Comparing the cost of building your own and buying is usually no contest. Also you'll get great satisfaction and experience by building your own.

 

[davy_owen_88]

I agree that building your own is far more rewarding and also useful because it is custom build for your own needs.

I have a very small workshop and some very large tools so I built my workbench to fit perfectly around my large axminster compressor to save space. I have a large hook for the hose to the Trend T30AF and the airline hose reel is attached too. Its a very simple design made up from a sheet of ply for the top and some softwood from the local focus DIY shop which was on offer. Total cost was about £25 but its rock solid and fits my needs perfectly - for now.

 

[Voicenal]

Guys,
Thanks for the very helpful replies. I now feel inspired to build my own, especially as it can be to my own spec's (and any mistakes on it noted by visitors, were, of course, intentional!)

I find this forum very encouraging....keep up the high standards contributors (i.e personable, knowledgeable and all round good eggs.

 

[Gill]

Whatever tools you decide upon, I'm sure you'll find them more useful than either chickens or eggs.

Some woodworkers like having horses, though .

Gill

 

[Anonymous]

Alan

It depends on what you want to make.

I would suggest buying nothing until you need it, that way you don't end up with a bunch of tools that cost good money and lie unused.

For the reocord, I would buy some decent handtools to complement the powertools if you have not already done so