Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Ok, so not cheats exactly, but power tools to aid in my woodworking for fast projects and large scale things like a fort for the kiddies. 1. A track saw - I've considered a bandsaw but I think a circular saw with a track might be more useful. How well would one work for those rips I don't want to make occasionally? 2. A pocket screw jig - for those times I want to slap something together quick. (Should I ever want to make something that won't last until the wood is petrified?) 3. A domino - same as 2 but a little more permanent. This one is the one I'm least considering. So what do ya think? Should I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Tough questions! The pocket screw jig and the domino are great choices! Very useful on a variety of projects! I have both and love them both! If I had to chose between the track saw and the bandsaw, I think I'd take the bandsaw. Fact is the track saw is a one trick pony but, the bandsaw can accomplish multiple tasks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Don't under estimate a bandsaw. Track saw is nice for straight line cuts. Bandsaw can do that and much more.A domino is on my short list of things I want to buy. I have a pocket hole jig, and could really go without it. It has it's place, but for me I don't use it much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Who makes a good bandsaw? Size? Features? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 After all the recent scares on the forum, I'm surprised a router isn't on your list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Who makes a good bandsaw? Size? Features?What do you want to do with it, and what's your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Router? I already have an LV router plane Besides I'm leaning towards some hollows and rounds. I did just an initial search for band saws. I vaguely remember that Derek Cohen had a Hammer so I figured it had to be good. One dumb question though - do I have to have a 220V outlet for a bandsaw? if so how much does that cost to be wired into a finished garage after it's built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 What do you want to do with it, and what's your budget? Resaw a bit and an occasional rip. Budget? don't rightly know but I try to buy once and buy right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Resaw a bit and an occasional rip. Budget? don't rightly know but I try to buy once and buy right.ok that's a starting point. The next question is how much resew capacity do you want? a 14" cast iron saw will get you 6" without a riser block. a steel backed saw will get you from 10 to 13" depending on the model. so just knowing that your talking $500 to $1500.with regards to the 220 is your main panel in your shop, or close to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I believe the panel is close Other questions I'm going to have to ponder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Yep, do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 You can wire yourself. You seem like someone who doesn't like to cut corners, so by taking your time and reading how to wire a 220 outlet, you can get it done in about an hour or two. I have no electrical experience, but I read all code requirements that I could find and used those along with a handful of instructional articles to wire my entire shop. I vote for a band saw. My tracksaw is great, because I deal with full plywood sheets a fair bit. If I didn't, I would have bought a bandsaw first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I am a huge fan of the Grizzly bandsaws. The GO555 with the riser and mobile base is a winning combo. If you have more money for it, get a bigger one, but honestly you won't need it unless you're resawing all day long. I've had mine for a couple of years now, and it's done everything I've asked of it. It even has the nice roller guides You can spend lots more money for a bandsaw, but I don't see the point because the Grizzly is such a nice machine.And don't get wrapped up in the idea that you're cheating. There is nothing wrong with breaking down lumber with machines even if you are going the mostly hand tool route. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I'm with Graham...my answer to your multiple choice question would be "yes." I enjoy life having all of those tools, not one of them or another. One step at a time. The first one you buy should be the one you need now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I would go dowels vs domino. Skip the pocket hole unless you do face frame cabinets but even then dowels are slower but better. Spend all the extra budget on the most bandsaw you can get for the money. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 "The first one you buy should be the one you need now" Truth. Reality (me included), wow, that looks cool, I need that......months later covered in dust on the shelf :-). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I have to agree with PB, skip the domino but pocket holes can be handy sometimes. I think you will find a track saw very useful but I would pair it with one of Festool's dust collectors. I would also give a strong recommendation for a bandsaw. I have the same one as Mel, it's okay I am by no means in love with it or any of my Grizzly stuff for that matter. If you want to stay with 110v I would look at this bandsaw from Laguna. If you are going to spend the time and money to get wired for 220 then I would go big with something like the PM1500, Hammer, or one of the Laguna Italian made bandsaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 If you have the funds, absolutely buy a better saw. I didn't mean to say the grizzly is the best bandsaw in the world, it isn't. But for around $600 you won't find a better saw. Double that, and you get the Laguna. I'd expect it to be a better saw, and when I buy a second bandsaw, I'll be looking at those that James listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions. Got a bit to digest now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 If you have the funds, absolutely buy a better saw. I didn't mean to say the grizzly is the best bandsaw in the world, it isn't. But for around $600 you won't find a better saw. Double that, and you get the Laguna. I'd expect it to be a better saw, and when I buy a second bandsaw, I'll be looking at those that James listed. Sorry Mel, didn't mean to bash our saw. You are right you can't beat it for $600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 It's all good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 So what exactly am I giving up going down to a 110V $700 saw from the $2k Hammer H3800 I was looking at last night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Depends how much money you have to burn/invest and how hard you're gonna work it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Depends how much money you have to burn/invest and how hard you're gonna work it. Haven't the foggiest :headshake: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Ha :-). Unless you have big projects or your a full time user I would be looking at Mel's set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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