Building out the Arsenal

[jsharpphoto]

I'm working on expanding my power tool collection. In the past, I've bought tools (like my miter saw and table saw) as my projects dictated. The wife wants new baseboards? Buy a miter saw. And so on.

About 6 months ago I bought a used (late 90's) Delta Drill Press off of CL. I decided that waiting until I had an immediate need for a tool wasn't smart, since most tools have a bit of a learning curve. So I decided to start lurking CL and buying good deals as they come up.

Currently I have:
Table saw
Miter saw
Handheld belt sander
1/4 sheet sander
Jig saw
Cordless drill/impact
Drill press

Tools I'm on the look out for:
Band saw
Bench top Belt/disk sander
Bench top grinder
Bench top buffer

Are there any tools that I am missing from my list that I'm likely to need? I don't really have room for a planer, unless it's a 13 inch model, and I don't know how useful that would be since I buy S4S boards.

I've found that I can buy used USA or Taiwanese made tools, for the price of new Chinese stuff.

I'd love for recommendations on brands models to look for. Or just general tips like "buy a grinder with _ size wheels and _ hp".

 

[gungatim]

First off, get rid of the 1/4 sheet sander and belt sander, all you need is a good 5" ROS or two, one with a course disc and one with fine. Assuming you are trying to outfit a woodshop, then you will want planer, biggest jointer, biggest band saw you can get, drum sander, biscuit cutter, morticing machine, a couple routers, huge router table, etc. buying roughcut from auctions or direct will pay for the jointer and planer...

When you get good with them, you will stop using them and need to buy good US or British hand tools, Stanley Planes (old used, not new), good backsaw, antique benchvice, antique bench, good bench chisels, paring chisels, and a lathe with good tools....

If you are just a weekend handyman, you've already got most of what you need...

 

[Fcvapor05]

Drum sander? Router table?

 

[BK13]

I was also going to say random orbit sander as well...

 

[signcrafter]

A router or 10! And all the bits that go with them. I love my routers. My most used one is a compact router. It's powerful enough for most bits and small enough to be nice to use and control. For bigger bits I have medium and large routers. Then build yourself a router table.

Once you start playing with a router and seeing what edge profiles it can create and other things it can do they are fun to play with. But everybody needs at least one!

 

[JoeMA]

Shaper

 

[jsharpphoto]

Sorry. I guess it would have helped to say what I do in my garage. Mostly home mechanic work. Minor wood working (dowel joining and simple glue up). A good friend of mine has a planer/joiner that I can use, as well as a drum sander.

The majority of the tools I'm looking to acquire are for working on making wood dummies to send to my fabricator to duplicate out of steel, or one off aluminum pieces.

 

[jsharpphoto]

I also build some custom photography camera mounts, or modifying existing camera equipment

 

[isr2kba]

I'd add a track saw, router table and start to think about dust collection. In terms of priority the bench grinder would be first.

 

[jsharpphoto]

I'd add a track saw, router table and start to think about dust collection. In terms of priority the bench grinder would be first.

Recommendations on a decent bench grinder? How much hp do I actually need? Are there any size wheels on older ones that you can't buy anymore? Id hate to buy a used one that I couldn't get parts for

 

[jsharpphoto]

Oh, and dust collection isn't an issue. All of my work tables are on wheels and i do everything that makes a mess in the driveway

 

[d.mcfarland]

The bench grinder will get used more than you think once you have it!!

 

[Dr. D]

I'd highly recommend a router for your next purchase.

I was afraid to go for a full table setup at first so I started with a handheld Makita model for $99 at Home Depot. It's small enough to hold in one hand and not feel like you're trying to control a 3hp beast. I have used it to rout dadoes (so much faster than changing out table saw blades), make mouldings, and flush trim a countertop. You won't be able to bore out big panel doors with a small one but if you decide to buy a bigger router in the future you can always dedicate your small model to just dado usage, for example. I know guys that have several routers, each with a "permanent" bit installed so they don't have to change them up frequently.

 

[jsharpphoto]

It's a good thing my dad lurks on GJ. He just told me I can have his old craftsman router (mid 80s) I just need to rewire the cord.

 

[BikerDad]

I'll echo what has been said about the sanders. A Random orbit sander is DA BOMB.

A router with a plunge base and a circular saw are the next two I'd be on the lookout for.

On handtools, get thee a good low angle block plane.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I agree with the router and random orbit sander.
I would suggest that as your woodworking skills improve and/or you start doing bigger projects, abandon the dowel jig. It works and is time proven, but there are better options now. Better meaning faster and easier. My go to joint when not making mortise and tenon for a fine piece, would be a biscuit joiner or a Kreg pocket hole jig.
Have fun growing your skills, your arsenal and watching the money flow out the door