Reply by crank49

Jorgensen 41012 10” Professional Woodworker’s Vise would be my choice.
They cost around $150, but they are powerful, solid and DO NOT rack.
Actually mine is a Groz, but I can’t find them any more and the Jorgensen is as close as I have found.

I’m going against the grain here but I do not like any of the vises called “Front vises”, like the one in this link
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21523&site=ROCKLER
Every one I have tried had a racking binding problem.

I haven’t found the metal handle vs wood handle to have anything to do with the quality of the vise. Makes the feel and look different, but not the quality.

You need a good low angle block plane and I’m going to suggest adding a shoulder plane, like a #92. Also, a good #5 will be a great addition. I’d go vintage Stanley for the #5. They are quite common and therefore affordable.

Home Depot sells a little Marples pull saw that I find indispensable. They are around $12-13 now, used to be $10, You can use it to flush cut dowels, adjust dove tails, separate box lids from bodies, and a dozen other little tasks. Very handy little saw. Has a very thin blade with around 22 tpi I think.

For a powered planer, Ryobi is low dollar entry level and I haven’t heard anyone complain about their quality. Ryobi is the company that invented the portable planer, after all.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.