Most useful power tool for CBG

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on November 8, 2011 at 6:04pm

Funny you should post this.  I have 2 routers (1 on a table), drill press, belt sander, table saw, jig saw, numerous hand saws and drills, Dremel tool, buffers and grinder, besides all the accompanying hand tools (chisels, files, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, clamps).  But I've been jonesing for a band saw.  Finally broke down (since the wife's away for two weeks and can't say anything anyway) and went to Harbor Freight today and picked one up.  I think they have really good value for home shops - $129.  I'm still learning how to set it up properly to cut straight, but I think it will help considerably with neck fabrication. 

BTW - here's some shots of my workshop (all in a one-car bay sharing space with my bike):

God, I never realized what a tool junkie I am!

Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 8, 2011 at 6:25pm

I think I could do a lot more with my japanese if I had a jig that made me cut straight!  Let me know how that band saw works out.  There's a store very near me.

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on November 9, 2011 at 2:20am

Hi David & Hal.

You guys are way ahead of me power-tool-wise. Except my computer and my electric hand drill, all my tools are manual hand tools.  Wish I had some big place for my wood-working shop, then maybe I could invest in power tools. My primary work area is 1/2 my desk that I share with my computer, in a bedroom originally designated as my office / guest bedroom. So, there's also bed and chest of drawers taking up valuable space. We have a kind of big box window that serves as my secondary work area and tool/supply storage area. I have 4 half-height (3-shelf) bookshelves in the room (2 in the box window area blocking a lot of sunlight, one in the corner up on my desk, and one on the floor near the door. I have more tools and supplies stored within these bookcases. On the floor, in-line with the bed is my lumber supply. The bed is usually cluttered with stuff as well. On the walls hang maybe 20 instruments with a half dozen more propped up against the wall, on the bed, or on top the dresser. When I have a build going on, the place is really a major mess. I try to clean up between builds, but the room is never totally cleaned up. And my wife says "No!" to every request to buy a major power tool. She suggests going out to rent a shop, but that takes bucks I don't have, and with my feet /mobility problems, it will likely never happen. So, I have to be happy with what I have, and learn to use basic hand tools to build my instruments, and be satisfied with less than perfect results. Since my foot operation to remove bone spurs from my right foot I've been wheelchair or crutch bound. It's particularly hard do move around in my small, very cluttered workspace while seated in a wheelchair; I barely have room to turn around. So, now I just take it slow and easy. In a couple weeks from today, I can try walking again. In the meantime I'm building a cane/walking stick with a built in 3-string cigar box stick dulcimer . I decided to build it very strong using oak... boy is it heavy!  Well, live & learn. Next one will be laminated cherry trim wood.

 

-Rand.

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on November 9, 2011 at 6:27am

My recently acquired bandsaw is one of my favorite toys, cut a cross halving joint in oak this morning for the latest build in no time with little effort.

Another favourite is my planer/thicknesser ,saves alot of time and sweat using a hand plane.

Sounds like you also need a hut !

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on November 9, 2011 at 8:40am

Rand,

Remember it's not how many tools you have, it's what you can do with them.  My tools are a collection gathered by my father and me that goes back more than eighty years, but I can't hold a candle to his craftsmanship or, judging from the pictures, yours.

I am really sorry to hear about your foot problems.  I have suffered with bone spurs, gout and tendonitis and I know it's no fun.  I don't know about your situation, but a lot of my problems were due to weight.  After I got married (second time) I balooned up to almost 230 lbs. (Mar's a good cook!).  I finally made up my mind to do something about it and in 16 weeks on Weight Watchers I'm down to 195!  Twenty more to go, but already I can feel the difference when I walk. I really hope that your recovery is swift and full.  Tell your wife you've earned that next power tool with all your suffering!

I'm sending you good thoughts with a prayer, buddy!

Rand Moore said:

Hi David & Hal.

You guys are way ahead of me power-tool-wise. Except my computer and my electric hand drill, all my tools are manual hand tools.  Wish I had some big place for my wood-working shop, then maybe I could invest in power tools. My primary work area is 1/2 my desk that I share with my computer, in a bedroom originally designated as my office / guest bedroom. So, there's also bed and chest of drawers taking up valuable space. We have a kind of big box window that serves as my secondary work area and tool/supply storage area. I have 4 half-height (3-shelf) bookshelves in the room (2 in the box window area blocking a lot of sunlight, one in the corner up on my desk, and one on the floor near the door. I have more tools and supplies stored within these bookcases. On the floor, in-line with the bed is my lumber supply. The bed is usually cluttered with stuff as well. On the walls hang maybe 20 instruments with a half dozen more propped up against the wall, on the bed, or on top the dresser. When I have a build going on, the place is really a major mess. I try to clean up between builds, but the room is never totally cleaned up. And my wife says "No!" to every request to buy a major power tool. She suggests going out to rent a shop, but that takes bucks I don't have, and with my feet /mobility problems, it will likely never happen. So, I have to be happy with what I have, and learn to use basic hand tools to build my instruments, and be satisfied with less than perfect results. Since my foot operation to remove bone spurs from my right foot I've been wheelchair or crutch bound. It's particularly hard do move around in my small, very cluttered workspace while seated in a wheelchair; I barely have room to turn around. So, now I just take it slow and easy. In a couple weeks from today, I can try walking again. In the meantime I'm building a cane/walking stick with a built in 3-string cigar box stick dulcimer . I decided to build it very strong using oak... boy is it heavy!  Well, live & learn. Next one will be laminated cherry trim wood.

 

-Rand.

Permalink Reply by David Ford on November 9, 2011 at 10:09am

Well, looks like I don't have many excuses.  My biggest needs for the table saw are small angle cuts, like scarf joints, and perhaps long tapers on the neck.

 

Perhaps I can improvise a jig that would allow me to use either my rotary saw, or hand saw on those.

 

I keep hearing that band saws are the devil to get set up right to cut straight.  Particularly in the range I can afford.

Permalink Reply by Larry Chapman on December 28, 2012 at 9:04am

I purchased a 12" Craftsman bandsaw in the early 1980s, put a more powerful motor on it, and used it for commercial purposes making rocking horses and other primitive reproductions. Can't tell you how many thousands of pieces it helped make. When I sold out and got rid of my equipment the band saw was the one piece I kept. Still using it 30 years later. It is arguably the most versatile power tool one can have.