Got a $550 store credit

I love the jorgensen clamps…I have twenty of them I would bet…I would consider getting some of these in various sizes...these are heavy duty clamps.

Best of luck,

Grub

-- Science Teacher by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

Ridgid belt/spindle sander, Planer either the DeWalt or the Ridgid tho I think the DeWalt is the better of the 2. Another router or 2 (a man can never have 2 many routers)

Ridgid Spindle sander, Dewalt 734 or 735 would be my method of making that (nice to have) problem go away !

-- http://wood.mcgivern.org

Obviously going to get many votes for various tools based on what is on OUR wishlist Frank. And we will be more than happy to spend your credit for you :) On the HD front, I can tell you that, like the others in front of me, I have been eyeing the Ridgid spindle sander. Been working on curved projects lately and while I can do ok mounting a drum on a drill press, it just isn’t the same. Ridgid has a lifetime service agreement on their tools so I tend to lean towards their offerings (though I am going to bypass them on the bandsaw and go for a Grizzly). Dewalt and Ridgid are neck and neck on their planers. Dewalt makes a better one but Ridgid also gets good reviews and will be serviced for life. I would go for the bigger items since the smaller ones tend to fit in the budget here and there. At a 550 limit, I would go for the planer and use the 126 on credit for the spindle sander.

Enjoy,

David

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

Is there some reason they only gave you a store credit? If they gave you cash you wouldn’t be stuck buying from home depot.

-- www.thepatriotwoodworker.com Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops

Grub, thanks for letting me know bout your experience with the clamps as I can always use more. The spindle sander is something that I was looking into as well but never thought about the planer so thanks for your take.

The reason I am only getting a store credit is
1. bandsaw purchased with a credit card
2. PC is out of return policy but never used (made a phone call to DM)

-- To Beer...the cause of and solution to all of life's problems - Homer J. Simpson

If you use dimensioned lumber, a planer and jointer in tandem can literally change the way you do woodworking. In lieu of a jointer, a planer can flatten the face of a board much like a jointer with the help of a planer sled…then you can surface the opposite side to desired thickness, and edge joint with a TS or router. You’ll end up with a smooth straight board at a uniform thickness that’s parallel on both sides and has two square edges. If you can find a jointer at HD, there’s nothing more effective or efficient at flattening one face and giving an adjacent 90° reference edge.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

A jointer and planer will change everything for you. Lots of people like the bigger DeWalt planer but you’d do just fine with the smaller one or the Ridgid and that would leave you with more credit to put toward the jointer. If you go that way, you’d also want some kind of dust collection. It may be hard to get all that for the money you have to spend.
The Ridgid belt/spindle sander is kind of unique and a great tool.
Jorgensen clamps are very good – I’d suggest a few – maybe 4 – for panel glue ups.
You could also consider a pocket hole jig.

Btw, it’s pretty darn cool that your wife is buying you tools. Just sayin’ ;)

-- New to woodworking, old to barn fixin'

Thank you all for the advise. I went to check out both the DeWalt and Ridgid planers but the staff there was useless. checked out the reviews on both machines on my phone and both had great reviews. I searched for the planer sled on line and found a video on Fine Woodworking’s site…pretty freaking cool. So the planer will go in my cart along with a few more clamps for the shop. The spindle sander is going on the wish list for our 9 year anniversary along with a better bandsaw (looking at the Grizzly G0555 and G0555X).

Rieferman, yes, I am damn lucky my wife supports my many different hobbies. No kids, so have to spoil each other instead.

-- To Beer...the cause of and solution to all of life's problems - Homer J. Simpson

Sounds like you have it all figured out, but I agree with everyone else, jointer and planer would be at the top of my list if I didn’t have them. I have the DW735 and love it, but the 734 is quite a bit cheaper once you figure in the cost of the in/outfeed tables for the 735 (it’s not really complete without them). I also have the Ridgid spindle/belt sander and like it. The replacement sanding drums are a bit pricey but maybe you can source them somewhere else – I haven’t looked yet.

The Jorgensen clamps are great – I really like them. I have four now and am adding to my collection one at a time. I have a magazine called top tools of 2010 or some such, and when reviewing parallel jaw clamps I believe they picked them over the K-bodies. I won’t say that they’re better, but I’ll say they’re every bit their equal.

Other things you could think about – mortising attachment for the drill press you want to buy, Kreg jig, blades, impact screwdriver. Don’t forget about supplies like screws, hardware, glue, etc. I always hate spending money on that sort of stuff, so any time I have a store credit or get a gift card, I use it to stock up.

Agree on the sander and planer. I’ve got both (735 planer) and they are great. Go for the GO555X. It’s worth the upgrade. Love mine.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

I’m waiting on my tax returns to come in to buy one of those Ridgid spindle sanders. Have been drooling on one of those for several weeks now. Everytime I go in to Home Depot, I make a point to gaze at that OSS. Hopefully next Wednesday and it’ll be mine.

we really like our 12” ridgid sliding compound miter saw