Starting a new shop opinions welcome

Upgrade the miter saw…biscuit joiner…air tools….compressor….spray gun….

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

this is just the heavy machinery list aside from the domino, for some reason its price made me put it here i guess lol. 50gal 3 stage compressor in the shop, 27 year painter has more spray equiptment then i can list :p including hvlp systems. and the buscuit and air tools will be part of the hand tool list.

im interested in some miter saw info if you care to share, i only use it to rough cut material to size at the moment.

hit me with some details =)

-- Aint nothin to it but to do it!

I’ll be doing a review on the jointer shortly. I just picked mine up from the shipper today. Hopefully nothing got damaged in shipment. I already own the G1023SLX cabinet saw and have no reservations about recommending it. If the Miter saw is going to be your only cutoff saw, I’d look for 10” or 12” slider. My miter saw and cabinet saw are heavily used.

-- Dave Herron, Boise, ID -- How hard can it be? It's only wood!

With my experience, I don’t have much to offer. But, I own several Grizzly tools. I haven’t had too many problems but when I have, their customer service takes care of it in no time flat. They have good tools and they back what they sell. I know what you’re talking about, a lot of times I’ve bought tools when I knew I should have got the next step up….. and as always, I pay for it. I think a lot of us do that. We see something we really want, but when we look at the price, we say…... well maybe I’ll get this (a step down and slightly less expensive)........ Good luck. We’ll be waiting to hear how it goes.

-- Make things with wood.

I use my miter in the shop i work in now alot, but im not sure what the need is for a high end one is for me. As long as my miter saw will crosscut anything from a 2×4 to a 1×12, and put 45’s on edging im all set… atleast so far thats all ive needed. anything larger and i clamp up a straight line and rip it with a circ saw.

are you guys talking about features? lazer guides and hold downs etc? I plan to build a nice stand for it with in-feed and out-feed tables with built in T track stop blocks. Most of the miter saws i look at around $200-300 seem very sufficient to me. any examples on what to look for i might be over looking? sliding seems nice, but i dont know if i really need that investment over spending more on other tools.

any opinions on other things on the list?

-- Aint nothin to it but to do it!

What part of TN are you in? If you don’t mind me asking?

-- Make things with wood.

Athens, the shop however will be in Ringgold GA… about 15 mins south of Chattanooga TN.

Dont mind at all =)

-- Aint nothin to it but to do it!

Just wondered. Thanks for the reply.

-- Make things with wood.

The mitre saw upgrade would be a consideration. I spent time and did some research and after setting myself up with the Dewalt 12’ sliding compound and the lazer, I can litterly split a hair at any angle. I have it mounted on the Rigid protable station in my shop. If I do an occasionally job out of the shop it folds up and wheels into the back of the van. I’ve seen the saw listed at $450 factory reconditioned to new at 525.00. Bosch and Rigid have a similar saw.

-- AllWood

the steel city 17” drill press is a good bet http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products_tools.cfm?section=2&category=4&tool=20520

for sharpening check out the worksharp systems http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=worksharp&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

your best bet with a miter saw is the Hitachi 10” sliding its 300 on Amazon refurbished
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-C10FSB-10-Inch-Sliding-Compound/dp/B00007J8CG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1205546417&sr=1-4

I don’t think that you need a domino for your shop. just a personal opinion but i don’t think that it’s necessary.

for dust collection your best bet would be to go with an oneida http://www.oneida-air.com/ if thats out of your budget than all of the 1 and .5 models look the same to me but i like the delta, powermatic, and jet ones.

If you are looking at starting a production woodworking business check out www.eurekawoodworks.com I have a few friends that are using their system and are very satisfied with it.

-- Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.

I like the 12” Dewalt. Nothing fancy, but the bigger blade is nice.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

thanks for the replies, checking the suggestions out.

Teen: domino will be the first tool I buy. I dont think there is any other 1 tool that will add to quality and ease of work than a domino. It will supply a middle line for furniture that allows to sell quality jointed peices at a more affordable price due to the labor saved from milling mortise/tenon manually. To me that ranks up there with the purchase of the table saw. IMO the quality of your work shows through the joinery used, and i want the best joint i can get at the speed that a domino provides. im pretty much dead set on it, even if they recalled them for having lead based paint id just wear a respirator while around it lol.

Miter will either be standard 12” compound miter or 10” sliding, looking at options.

-- Aint nothin to it but to do it!

So you want to be a wood worker eh? Like the old saying goes, don’t quit your day job. Hobby wood working is alot like hobby farming. A farmer who won the lottery was asked what he was going to do now. His answer: “I guess I’ll just keep farmin till it’s all gone.” Seriously though I wish you the best of luck it sounds like you have the right attitude. Best advice I’ve ever heard, know your market. ( Is it tater bins or high end furniture, is it turned items like bowls and vases, cabinet work, or furniture, each requires their own type of power and hand tools. No I’m not a full time prof WW, just my “thots” Best of luck in your new venture.

-- DocK, WV

First, I think your approach is correct. I also think you should continue that approach when you are actually buying tools.

My boss has been WW for years, mostly self-employed. He’s 10 years younger than me. He decided about last year to go “big”. I keep telling my boss that this business is an evolution. He has jumped in whole hog and has spent big money on big tools. So far, it has worked out….(the collectors haven’t come knocking at the door yet.) He’s like a 4 year old running around Toys-R-Us and I’m the parent saying “no, you we can’t afford that, no, maybe next year, no, you already have one of those….”)

I think you should certainly go after the basic ‘5’...table saw, chopbox, jointer, planer, router/table. After that, I would suggest withholding the budget and buy when needed. It gives you more time to think about what you really may need. I’ve also found that my tool choice is more determined by how I decide to do something once I start making something, rather than ‘what’ I’m going to do. And I don’t necessarily know ‘how’ I’m going to do it until it actually occurs. Then I know better that one tool may end up being better suited than another.

Chopsaw is not about the laser and other frills, but, how you use it (although, I think all bigger models are having them anyway.) I like my standard 12” Dewalt, but, the blade will deflect. Sliders will wiggle around if you push on it left or right. But, they cut bigger stuff. I think every shop ends up with both at some time. I personally like the standard and use it more, but, do have the need for a slider.

Lathe, I think, is more of a luxury, unless you have products that will continually have turnings. Otherwise, it doesn’t get used much. The idea is fun, but it may not really get used so much.

My boss immediately started drooling over the Domino. I think that is a luxury also. I would buy one if we set up for production of standard products where we were performing the same operation over and over. There are plenty of ways to do it traditionally without the expense. I would invest in the Festool saw and rails before a Domino. We use those alot more.

Again, I think you’re well organized. My advice is to start with the basics and learn what you’re making more of and figure out how you like doing things. Unless you’re trying to mass-produce something, you won’t notice a lack of efficiency because you don’t have the fancy Domino or something. Add the niftier tools as you go.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

Check out Grizzly for the sharpener, Based on the tormek, solid machine. As for dust collection, this is primary, tools can be replaced, lungs can’t. My father-in-law died from emphazema, he was a shop teacher. As we worked together, he always said,” I wish the school had invested in DC, maybe I would live longer” Consider a RAS, instead of a slider. I agree with Catspaw, find out what your market is before purchasing the “frill”. Woodworking has been done long before domino came out, and will be done long after the next new tool wears out. Best of luck !!

-- Pretzel L8agn

TheSteve, I own a domino. You are right it has a big price tag. You will need various sizes of dominos for different applications. But I was caution you that before buying you try and find someone is the local are that owns one. Speak with him/her on how they use it and if possible try it out yourself. While I really like my domino, I believe that most of the applications could be handled just as effectly with a good quaility plate jointer at much less cost. Often you can see demos at Woodcraft stores, I don’t know if there is one in Chattanooga, but there is in Knoxville and Nashville. Good luck with you business. pkennedy

-- P Kennedy Crossville, TN

High end saws don’t produce high end cabinets. It’s the craftsman behind that saw that does. The high end saws just make the job easier, and safer.

Here’s an idea though: I know of two local shops that produce other wood projects…stuff like picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, outdoor furniture, mailbox and post lamps, etc. Both shops have been in business for over 10 years, so I guess they’re doing just fine!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Machinery

Table Saw $1,089.00 Grizzly
G1023S 10” Table Saw 3 HP Single-Phase 220V

Planer $939.00 Grizzly
G0453 15” Planer stationary 3hp 220V

Jointer $839.00 Grizzly
G0656 8” x 72” Jointer with Mobile Base

Band Saw $929.00 Grizzly
G0513 17” Band saw – 2 HP + re-saw fence

Dust Collector $469.00
G1030 3 HP Dust Collector 3port 2 bag

Mortising Machine $249.00 (amazon)
Delta 14-651 Professional 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortising Machine

SCMS $374.00 (amazon)
Hitachi C10FSB 12 Amp 10-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Lathe $489.00 Grizzly
G0584 VS Wood Lathe w/ Cast Iron Legs

Total $5,377.00

changes include:

went with the bigger planer as i plan to mill alot of wood and it does make more sense to me to go a step further. wish i could go with the 20” but i just dont think i can stretch that far. i will if i can in the end.

the 3hp 3 port dust collector looks good to me. 3 outlets so less changing b/n machines and looks like a good setup. opinions welcomed.

droped the domino after many suggested it. i still think i would benefit from the speed of the tool, but it is a very large investment for initial starting out. i will just have to sell tradition rather than speed. more pride in the end if nothing else. opinions on mortising machines welcomed. the delta seems nice for its price.

from what i gather the 10” hitachi sliders seem to be very nice. there’s 2 versions i seen not sure which would be better for me. the other version has a lazer but i barely ever use lazer guides or measurement guides on my miter. i always measure from blade or pre-mark the board anyway. rather have the dual option i believe.

more than likely pick up a drill press locally. price will vary and i will look based on the info you guys provided =)

the lathe will stay, not my call… i’ll ask how much they want to spend on one and look into a jet maybe or other models.

i want a sharpening system that allows me to sharpen large plane irons. i initially wanted to go with a worksharp. i like the ease of the machine but it only accepts 2” blades. i do like hand planes. might go with the HF tormek replica, might go with a worksharp and build a plane iron jig for top rest… may just go with a veritas mkII… still up in the air…. but i want to be able to sharpen my tools myself. i can pay for planner/jointer blades.

going to work on a router table and add to this list. seems like a better fit here. any reccomendations are appreciated. i want a solid table, dont want a flimsy sheet metal design. i dont care about automated lifts but i care about a nice fence system. also would take suggestions on a router suited for a non lifting router table.

i really appreciate all the help guys, and i do read every post and take everything into account. is the list looking a little better? i think im getting there =)

-- Aint nothin to it but to do it!