Tags:
Having a proper workbench at the right height for you is probably more important then getting power tools if you have back problems. If you feel you absolutely have to have power tools, for what you want to do, a bandsaw might be a good choice BUT what you buy depends on your budget....I mean, do you really want to spend $1000 on a decent machine? Do some thinking and some research before you make up your mind - I always recommend buying something a bit bigger and more powerful than you might think you need (if you can afford it of course) - there's nothing worse than struggling with an underpowered piece of kit when trying to cut and machine hard timber. I slowly accumulated my fixed workshop power tools...drill press, bench sander, surface planer, thickness planer, bandsaw, table saw - in that order, so although I suggest a bandsaw, it was almost the last tool I bought! It took me a long time to get all this stuff - generally I didn't buy cheap, I waited until I could afford reasonable quality tools - my Record 12inch throat bandsaw was bought used, so I saved lot of money over buying new, but it was still several hundred dollars.
The bench I use for assembly work is and old drawing board..its about 39" high, so it is comfortable for me to stand at. but don't forget you can work at a bench sitting down too if it's the right height. I love my bandsaw, but I'd never used one before and found it very intimidating to start with, seeing as I'm really attached to my fingers and want to stay that way. As with any tools, hand or power, setting them up right is important to get them to work at their best, especially if buying used. I knew nothing about bandsaws a couple of years back, but now I know how to tension the blade, what blades to buy etc...there's plenty of info out there on the web, so don't be put off. There are a lot of reasonably priced powertools out there, but in the UK I don't go to the major chain stores (the UK equivalent of Home Depot I suppose), but seek out more specialist companies that cater for the keen amateur hobbyist. They will often do tools that are a lot better than the cheap and nasty stuff, and some will stock everything from hobby to full professional quality, and are able to supply a good match of price/quality to what you need.
My advice would pretty much match what CBJohn gave you, my story is alot the same, took me a few years to purchase all my power tools and I now have most of the ones he has listed, I certainly can't afford all top of the line tools but on the other hand I refuse to buy junk ( nothing more frustrating than a tool that doesn't preform the way it should), there are many good quality tools out there and without trying to promote one brand over the other I seem to purchase alot of DeWalt, ( not top of the line but far from junk), all that being said, if I had to start over my first purchase would be my table saw, I say that because there are so many jigs and sleds ( most of which you can build yourself) it makes it my most versatile and go to tool in my shop, I also forgot to mention I have a small shop so I purchase mostly bench top models, so that's my 2 cents worth of advice, hope it helps ya out.
Can't argue with John,a bandsaw,well used will cover a lot of tasks,i'm surprised he didn't mention how an older /heavier cast iron bed saw is every chance to be a better purchase than a modern lightweight unit,but as in all power tools,spend an extra 10/15%,get a 50% better tool
Yes, it goes without saying that cast iron is the way to go...except I forgot to say that!! A saw with a cast iron table is generally far superior to one with a pressed steel or cast/extruded ally table. My Record weighs around 200 pounds...that's pretty heavy, but it is accurate, durable and relatively quiet in use.
I can't offer much more insight, but if you are tallying votes I'd say get a good quality band saw.
I personally do a lot of my cuts on the table saw but these same cuts could be made with a band saw with a fence. However, there are a number of cuts I use the bandsaw for that cannot (or would be ridiculously difficult) be cut using the table saw.
But I also have built my tool collection over the past few years. I've saved hundreds by buying used through Kijiji.
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. yesterday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by A.D.EKER on Wednesday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango on Tuesday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 20. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!