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My list of "perfect tools"

Festool 150 sander
Starrett combination square
Lee Nielsen #4 hand plane
My old wood handled screwdrivers bought at a garage sale for $0.50 each.

My list of tools...

Hi Randy,

I did exactly the same project for my neigborhood. I tried one of the router lettering jigs, and turned a bunch of nice cedar into scrap, so took the advice of someone else from Sawmill...

Very hard to prioritize. But the tools that make me smile at when I pick them up include:
starrett 12" combination
Festool drill
LN Block Plane

I use the mortiser on my MM CU300 on a regular basis, and find it very useful.

Something to think about though: Jerry Work, who is a pro furniture builder that I think posts here on occassion,...

Maybe I'm lazy, or don't understand the physics of dust collection, but I simply wrapped the outside of my MM16 dust collectin port with duck tape until my 5 inch flex hose fit with a friction fit. ...

My understanding is that Walnut and Oak typically are not used in wine cellars. I asked why once and was told that strong smelling woods like oak might influence the taste of the wine by seeping...

Hi Dee Dee,

Depends on how flat the boards are, and how consistent the thickness is to start. You've received a bunch of good advise on ripping a flat board that is not straight. However, since...

Hi Joe,

You will love the combination machine. As far as I am concerned, the 5 function machines are the best bang for the buck, and provides the most capability per square foot of shop space...

In for $50.

I have a newer Festool sander and an older Fein vacuum. The combination works great for me. I love both tools, but if I were doing it again, I might get the Festool vacuum instead of the Fein. ...

Hi Aaron,

As far as I know, the Inca is no longer being sold new in the U.S. It used to be imported by Garrett Wade, and I think by Eagle tools as well, but GW stopped importing 3 or 4 years ago...

Hi Aaron,

I used to have an Inca J/P, which looks very similar to the Rikon in both size and layout. I really liked the little Inca, and did some good work on it. It was perfect for my basement...

I can't imagine that you would have problems with a 3 HP saw if the primary use is plywood and cabinet stock. The only concern I would have would be if you intend to run the saw full time for long...

I'll second Jack's view from the amatuer perspective. I went from a contractor saw to an MM slider, and I won't ever go back. My slider is much safer and more accurate than a cabinet saw, and...

I'll take a shot at it. This is off-the-cuff speculation, since I have never done anything like this.

First, you are going to have to build a wooden frame around the shipping container to attach...

Ahh...Now we have enough information to work with. Lifetime investment. Modest sized shop (but not tiny). Starting with large, slightly rough projects (home renovation), moving to fine furniture. ...

Hi Mark,

Three questions: 1) How big is your budget? 2) How much room do you have? and 3) What do you expect to be building?

With respect to table saws, if your budget is anywhere between...

I know that sliders have a reputation, especially amongst people that have not used them, as being primarily for sheet goods. However, while they are great for cutting up plywood, and many people...

Hi Lloyd,

I would expect that a good combination machine would substantially reduce the amount of time needed to build that workbench relative to the normal quality of individual machines in a...

Hi Bob,
I have an MM CU300S 5 function combination. Before that, I had a little Inca J/P. Chock up another vote for GOOD Euro combination machines. A couple of observations:

1) A good...

Hi Wade,

You can do it with the tools that you have. However, a chance to get new tools should not be discarded casually.

Therefore, I think that you need both a jointer and a planer. With...

Another factor that can cause this behavior is a misaligned, or slightly too thick splitter. A misaligned splitter will push one side of the board away from the blade, and pull the other side into...

Hi Dave,

Interesting dilema. I have the MM CU300S combination machine, and much of the Festool setup (including MFT and router, although not the plunge saw).

I am relatively space constrained...

I started out my woodworking life building furniture in my kitchen. I bought a very good, very small bandsaw (Inca 710), a router and router table, and a bunch of hand tools (planes, saws, chisels,...

Nylon cord, through eye bolts. Infinitely adjustable, readily available, dampens vibration, but definitely not very sexy looking.

Mike