Spend my $1,000

Do you have tools like a circular saw, jig saw, drill, etc? A miter saw would most likely be a good choice, or a band saw. A planer is always useful. With a planer and a table saw, you can surface rough stock, so that’ll save you money.

-- Rich;) -"Dada make a big mess?" "Yes Dada made a big mess."

A quality TS is a must.
With $500 left to spend, and a drill press already in the shop, I think you should consider the smaller power tools.
Router- The Craftsman Professional Model is a well-regarded fixed/plunge combo that is bargain-priced.
Random Orbital Sander
Jigsaw

And don’t forget about clamps. Order 3-4 pipe clamps, 3-4 F-clamps from Harbor Freight…..for starters.

1. Tablesaw. Ideally a contractors saw with a cast iron top. I like Jet.
2. Compound miter saw. This will help with everything from moulding to fine furniture. I like Dewalt.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

I’m still just starting out but I’ll chime in with Tedstor here. If it weren’t for my table saw I wouldn’t get anything done.

The Random Orbital sander is in my hand more than I expected. I’m also surprised how often I use my belt sander. It’s a handheld model, but sometimes I turn it upside down and clamp it to the workbench.

You won’t believe how many clamps you use. It really defies all logic.

But aside from those couple/few things I’d say stop, work with them on a few projects and see what you need.

I made the mistake of buying LOTS of small power tools that just serve as sawdust accumulation systems (my router and hand planer most notably.)

Okiecat – you may catch the fever (woodworking kind) and that $1000 will turn into much more $$.

-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once

Okiecat, you sound like me. Due to the economy I have had to change careers and woodworking sort of fell into place for me as something that I have all ways wanted to get into. My wife is on to me to do an outdoor bench for out backyard and so now I know what I am doing this spring. Your TS and drill press are good starts. I had a corded drill, but finally broke down and bought a Dewalt cordless drill from Home Depot for $100. If you start getting into the cordless stuff look at ALL of the things that they offer that work with the battery pack so that over time you can build up the tools you need. For instance, I have a corded skill saw that you might need for thin material curve cutting but they also have them in cordless models. I am limited in space so that of course becomes a huge factor in my work and maybe in yours too. I have also invested in large 48 inch clamps for the outdoor furniture projects. Regular bar clamps can be good but I bought some that have feet on them so they can sit on the workbench and you put things into them. Electric sheet pad hand sander is a must. A band saw is on my list only because I see myself doing a lot of tenons for joints connects and while you can do tenons all sorts of ways the band saw is faster and cleaner. I recently bought a router for rounding the edges of material on the furniture. You will find yourself using up money on other little do-dads like push blocks for your TS. Different blades, safety equipment. OH! Big thing for me was getting a dust collector. I got a 15 gallon Rigid (made in USA) Shop vac that blows and sucks materials. Got tired of sweeping and dusting. Sorry for the long post but hope this helps.

Set aside enough of that $1000 to buy beer for all of your buddies you are going to invite over to check out your new shop and first project.

-- Loyd, San Angelo, TX http:www.moorewoodenboxes.com

For outdoor furniture a band saw allows the simplified
ripping of 4×4 stock as well as cutting curves in
such stock.

A planer is nearly essential for furniture and cabinet
making. In many styles of outdoor furniture boards
do not need to be perfectly flattened or dimensioned
however.

If you buy used you get about double your money’s
worth.

I’m not nearly as experienced as most on this site, but I’ll give you my two cents worth and hope it helps. The two most used power tools I have in my shop are a Bosch 4100 table saw from Lowes.(about $600.-650.) and a Dewalt planer. I bought the TS to build a cedar fence around my house, and after adding an Incra miter 1000HD (measures to .10 degree) I am able to use for more intricate woodworking. For a contractor grade saw, I love it. Seems to have plenty of power and the fence is pretty good – and dont skimp when buyng a blade, you’ll regret it. I use the planer alot more than i thought I would. I couldn’t get along without it. The TS, planer, and Incra miter probably come out to close to $1000. And keep a patient, close eye on Craig’s list, picked up a great Delta drill press that way.

-- Andy

What I thought I needed:
1)Table Saw
2) Wood
3)Glue

Expanded to:
4)Jointer
5)Planer
6)Router
7)Drill Press
8)Band Saw
9)Couple clamps
10) hand Drill
11)more glue

What that turned into:
12) Better Layout Tools
13) GOOD Clamps
14) Cauls
15) Scrapers
16) Dowel Jig
17) Close to $300-400 router bits (Freud and Whitesides)
18) Router Table & Plate
19) Lotsa Pencils, Where do they go?
20) More Clamps?
21) Hand Planes (Bench, Block, and Shoulder)
22) Finishing Stuff
23) Lots of Project Ply and MDF for Jigs and templates
24) Drum Sander attachment for Drill Press
25) Brad Point Bits
26) Forstner Bits
27) Bench Chisels
28) Router Bushings
29) Sharpening System

all big iron bought off CL, probably in for over $4000

What I should have bought:
1) Local Adult woodworking 8 week class ($280)

So far I’ve made a blanket chest…. Shoot me now.

-- Brian

heh. That’s what I did with my home machine shop. By my calculations I’ve made a $2800 cigar cutter.

A TS and router/router table would be my two top priorities. With good blades and router bits, that won’t leave much leftover, but I’d start eyeballing a planer soon if you use mainly lumber as opposed to sheet goods.

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

Thanks to everyone. Wow what a site, makes me feel at home. I do have some cordless stuff, and a few bar clamps. The one thing I can’t buy is time! I’m self employed and work all the time, at least it feels like it! I have a mid quality miter saw also. The router and the sander both sound like solid ideas.

-- Lynn, SW Ok

Lynn,

Welcome to LumberJocks , a world of advise, opinions, and experiences, all shared without judgement.

Knowing what I know now, with early onset C.O.P.D. I will suggest your tool purchases as follows;

1st – Tablesaw
1st – Dust Collection System

- and then -

2nd – the next sawdust making tool that best addresses the type of projects you will likely build.

In time you may dream of upgrading your DC System but you will never regret having the most efficient dust collector you can afford.

Work Safely and have Fun. – Grandpa Len.

-- Mother Nature should be proud of what you've done with her tree. - Len ...just north of a stone's throw from the oHIo, river that is, in So. Indiana.

I’d buy a jointer and planer first… Why???.... Because you want flat, square uniform stock, because without that, every other tool is useless in a sense. You can do a lot of stuff with a jointer, planer and bandsaw… Heck, you can get all three if you play your cards right or 1,000k….

I could go into the need for many other tools, but I’d start there… You will be flattening, thicknessng, ripping and milling in no time brother!!!