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Best machines for the job ??
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Author:  Lars Stahl [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:31 am ]
Post subject:  Best machines for the job ??
Hi all. I am getting me some upgrades in machines. som y question is. what suggestions on powertools would you suggest "brand, nr etc" thinking of getting me a better planer/thicknesser but I am not sure I need the combo ? also need a better tablesaw for cutting the slots on the fretboard etc,
was thinking of the bosch... http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Bosch-GTS-10-254mm-Table-Saw-with-Leg-Stand-32024.htm
but Festool has also come out with a new model that seems like a dream, but not sure I will use it to the extent that the money put in will be worth it.
any other suggestions regardeing extremely useful machinery is welcomed.
in a pricerange of around 1000 usd per machine. or less :D
I also tried the new festool 150 RO - and wow, what a great machine - a must have ! as it dont give the round roses on the wood as other of the similar machines do.

Lars
Author:  mikemcnerney [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Yes festool is incredible. I have been using the delta 13" thicknesser for 5 years now and it is fantastic. It has 2 speeds & with a sled can thickness right down when it is clear no figure wood. It will soon have the "shellix head" an addtional 600 bucks & I have every expectation to thickness all figured wood also to luthiers needs. I'll keep you informed. I have the shellix on my jointer now & did some bidrseye ample & it is flawless. I have heard good results for most of the bench top planers.
Mike McNerney
Author:  Robert Renick [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Lars,
I will give the Bosch saw a recommendation. Moving from a production setting to my current "storage unit shop with power hacked from the security lights", I originally opted for this saw because of the soft start feature. It runs smooth with little runout, handles a dado set, the table opens up easily. I run a 26t thin kerf rip with stiffeners, and it works just fine. My only complaint on this saw is that the window on the table saw fence that allows you read the numbers is too small, so it is hard to see what you are setting it to, otherwise, very happy with it. Those shellix cutters look really cool, but check out blade replacement cost if you consider that route. I think for lutherie most will recommend a drum sander over a planer, I had a performax 16-32 years ago and found it very finicky to set up, if I get another drum sander, I will go with a closed end version, my opinion, I know others do well with the open end versions. Something to think about as well on a drum sander, if you have the width, with a velcro sand paper attachment method, you can run coarse grit on one side and fine on the other half, won't work for tops and backs, but for sides and bindings it can work. Thanks for the post, it helps my TAS just thinking about some one buying tools. The 25" powermatic wide belt from the cabinet shop I used to work at is for sale, boy would I like to take that one home, has been causing me a painful TAS flare up.
Rob
Author:  Haans [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
6 x 89 belt sander. I have a powermatic and it's been good for over 12 years with no signs of wearing out. That and my bandsaw are the most used items. A 12" disc is third.
Author:  ChuckB [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Lars, I'm not sure how available used power tools are in Sweden, but if it's like here in the U.S., I'd pick up a nice used 10" Craftsman cast iron top table saw for around $150. They are not anything to brag about, but certainly good enough and plentiful. We can also find used Performax thickness sanders at half or less of new price.
You also need a bandsaw if you don't already have one, just get an 18" size, that way you only need one. Again, I'd be shopping for a good used one, but may be hard to find.
Now, I would agree with Haans, if it is in the budget, get a 6x89 edge sander. I just recently added one to my shop and wish I had sooner, they can save a lot of time in more ways than you'll initially think. Problem is, you'll have a hard time finding a used one.

Chuck
Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Lars Stahl wrote:
thinking of getting me a better planer/thicknesser but I am not sure I need the combo ?

Lars-
You know all this already...just typing for the other readers here.
To go from rough lumber to surfaced, flat, and even thickness you need to get one of the faces flat- you can do this either with a hand plane (grunt- a hand-held power plane can get you close) or a jointer. Then the wood can go into the thickness planer. So, for general woodworking it makes little sense to have a thickness planer wider than your jointer, unless you are going to rough surface your stock with a scrub plane. I don't understand the common North American practice of equipping a home shop with a 6" jointer and a 13" thickness planer.

So, I would advise you to get a combo (over/under?) machine if they are readily available in Sweden, if you are going to do much general woodworking with wider stock.
I've got an Inca 9" jointer and a 13" DeWalt thickness planer, so I don't follow my own advice very closely!

Cheers
John
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Most common names in stationary power tools in the US are not so common over here, so recommendations on specific brands and models are most likely not going to be very helpful. Also, among the modern stuff, there is generally a large gap in size and quality between consumer market tools (mostly Asian import junk), contractor grad equipment (will mostly not work with our tolerances) and the industrial grade tools (huge, expensive, overkill for our purposes). Often older machines are often better suited for our needs, and if you are willing to put in some time to set them up right, you will end up with an excellent tool. There are many used tool dealers in Europe (in Sweden too!), and shipping isn’t that bad on the continent; I had my Wadkin cast iron table saw trucked to my door from a dealer in Denmark for under NOK 1000,- Many of these machines are priced quite reasonably, especially compared to what they charge for the Chinese junk. Drill press, band saw, table saw, long belt sander, drum sander, jointer, in that order, are the machines I’d hate the most to be without (hey, that's all my machines! ;) ).
Author:  Lars Stahl [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
Thanks alot my friends. I already got a good large bandsaw, belt sander -( need a bigger I guess) have a homemade wide thickness sander and a nice deep drillpress. So what I mentioned above are what I mostly would need I guess. Allthough a good Jet 22-44 thickness sander would be real nice and something I just might get. they dont have it here in Sweden but I could order it from Axminster in the UK.
Just needed to verify my list and see if I perhaps had mist something real important and useful. :? .
Great advises !! [:Y:] We do have lots old machines for sale here, and just like Arnt said, a lot of China junk to :-). will look into whats best.

feel free to continue with good advices on great gear [:Y:] [:Y:]
I will keep you all posted on what I finally got.

Lars
Author:  Michael Smith [ Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best machines for the job ??
For a light weight portable tablesaw the Bosch is a pretty good unit. We have one on the job I have been working on. Building a very fancy house in the Napa Valley of California. We ride em hard an put em away wet on the jobsite. I have been very impressed how well this unit has held up for a lightweight saw. That said I would think for a shop setting having some cast iron is helpful.
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