Which piece of equipment did you spend the most on?

[Mike Cruz]

Don't worry about it, Timothy, you aren't the first. Heck, since I started this, mine has changed! Not to mention, I wouln't count the router kit anyway since it has nothing to do with the table saw other than it was a good place for it (space saving wise). Sounds like you're doing a great job with your budget. Keep finding those deals!

[Jim Becker]

My MiniMax slider came out on top, followed by my Stubby lathe. The MiniMax J/P was next followed by the MiniMax BS. And, of course, the Onieda dust collection system and my Festool collection fit in there, too. But I don't consider all this "spend"...rather, it's "investment" given these things will last a lifetime and beyond. I'm happy that I was able to do that when I could because should I ever actually be able to retire, there certainly will not be money available for major tool purchases.

[Justin Chen]

Hmm what's interesting is that I have a pretty workable power tool shop (table saw, band saw, planer, routers, drill press, jointer). From what I recall the router might be my most expensive item. I've pretty much snagged all my big equipment on clearence or used. Patience was quite a key to save lots of money.

Craftsman 22214 - $150-200 clearence
Ridgid 14" bandsaw - $150 clearence
Dewalt 733 - $150 used
Ridgid Drill Press - $150 clearence
Delta 6" jointer - $150 clearence
Triton Router - $200 new

Pretty crazy how one of my smallest tools was the most expensive.

[Brian Brightwell]

Jet 24 inch wide belt sander-$2600. By far the most expensive. Next week I look at a cyclone dust collector used for $350.

[Don Morris]

Grizz 1023SL and if you consider: several Forrest blades, spliters, add on out feed table, Grrrr Ripper system (2), Miter Express, HTC mobile base, + couple other thingamajigs as total cost. Beat all the other saws and drills by far.

[Mike Cruz]

Good luck with that cyclone, Brian. For that price, how can you pass it up?

[Peter Kelly]

SCM Olimpic Edgebander: $29,000
Griggio 10' Sliding Table Saw: $16,000
SCM 2250 Jointer/Planer: $10,000
SCM Construction Drill: $7,500
Aget Dust Kop: $6,000
IR Air Compressor + Air Dryer: $5,600
Betterly Postformer: $5,500
5hp Unisaw: $3,600
Delta HD shaper: $2,200
Blum Minipress: $2,500
Delta 14" bandsaw: $900

Rigging, installation, tooling, electrical, air piping, spiral ducting, blast gates etc. for above machines: $?
Assorted routers, drills, saws, spray guns, sanders, etc. $?

^ That's for a pretty basic shop not including rent, insurance, utility bills, office supplies, computers, software, etc.

Professional woodworking is an expensive thing to get into....

[Mike Cruz]

Holy Big Bucks, Batman! YOU WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leo Graywacz]

SCM Olimpic Edgebander: $29,000
Griggio 10' Sliding Table Saw: $16,000
SCM 2250 Jointer/Planer: $10,000
SCM Construction Drill: $7,500
Aget Dust Kop: $6,000
IR Air Compressor + Air Dryer: $5,600
Betterly Postformer: $5,500
5hp Unisaw: $3,600
Delta HD shaper: $2,200
Blum Minipress: $2,500
Delta 14" bandsaw: $900

Rigging, installation, tooling, electrical, air piping, spiral ducting, blast gates etc. for above machines: $?
Assorted routers, drills, saws, spray guns, sanders, etc. $?

^ That's for a pretty basic shop not including rent, insurance, utility bills, office supplies, computers, software, etc.

Professional woodworking is an expensive thing to get into....

What!?! No widebelt?

Nice sounding shop.

[Peter Kelly]

Thanks! The shop was set up for commercial stuff so around 75% of what I'd made was higher-end laminate casework. Another shop down the street had a Timesavers and a spray shop that did all the sanding and finishing for me if I had made anything out of solid wood. I managed to get out before the economy tanked but a Thermwood router was probably going to be the next purchase.

Nowadays, I make do with just the Unisaw, Jointer/Planer, Drill Press, Shaper, Bandsaw etc, in a barn on my parent's farm. It's nice to not have to worry about leasing, rent, etc. but I certainly miss the big work space and sliding saw.

[Dan Evans]

I have to say my bench. Since the survey did not say "machine" I am assuming which tool do I spend the most time using: my bench. This applies to whether I am using my machines or hand tools.

[Mike Cruz]

Hehe, Dan, you while there have been a few "misreads" of my original post and what I was asking, I think you are the first to have misunderstood the meaning this way. The question is Which piece of equipment did you spend the most MONEY on? ...not time. But I like the way you're thinking.

[Peter Kelly]

Holy Big Bucks, Batman! YOU WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd say my machinery dealer is the one that won

Ah well.

[Larry Edgerton]

Nowadays, I make do with just the Unisaw, Jointer/Planer, Drill Press, Shaper, Bandsaw etc, in a barn on my parent's farm. It's nice to not have to worry about leasing, rent, etc. but I certainly miss the big work space and sliding saw.

I know what you mean. I went from a 9000 ft. shop to just over 2000, had to sell some tools, and just trying to get ahead a little.

Simplify, simplify, simplify! Not just at work but my personal life as well.

But I had a great run.....

Larry

[Peter Kelly]

I'm down to 1,000 ft, only 1/2 of which is heated and fully enclosed. I guess it's all relative but I find it so much harder to work in a small space like that. Like I'm constantly moving things around to get to other stuff. Forces me to be a lot more organized but it also feels less productive.