Finally joined the Creek. I've referenced this site quite a bit over the past couple years while researching and getting into woodworking. Awesome place and folks.
I'm still pretty new to woodworking but find myself getting to a point where I want to start having my own big power tools in my own little space for some convenience and control with some of my projects. I work for a company that specializes in Timber Frame construction. They are also general contractors and occasionally get commissions for custom woodworking projects, though this has slowed since the recession. Most of what I've done has been general carpentry and timber framing. Working with them, I've been introduced to many techniques and tools that I would call in the woodworking vein, whether on a large, timber frame scale or smaller woodworking scale. They have a decently outfitted wood shop that I can use pretty much anytime I'm not working, but I work quite a bit and have a young family and can't get away to work in the shop as much as I'd like.
Over the past year or so I've started to assemble some tools in my small (600 sq ft) basement, at first geared towards general carpentry and home improvement/remodeling, but am now wanting to move into at least being able to dimension my own lumber at home in my own time.
I currently work with a delta contractor TS w/ bies fence and custom formica top table, Dewalt 12" SCMS, and just was gifted a Hitachi 8.5" SCMS and Hitachi bench top drill press. I just bought a HF 2 hp dust collector, but still need to assemble it and buy all the hose/fittings/etc. I plan to build a thien baffle and upgrade to a .5 or 1 micron canister for the top.
What I really lack is both a jointer and planer to take my capabilities to the next level. Just finishing up a custom cedar deck wrapping around the house and soon about to start a kitchen remodel. I have been researching about building an edge grain, glue up hard maple countertop. Dimensions of roughly 2' W x 10' L. I may end up dimensioning and assembling that project in the shop at work because they have a lot better tables and tons more space than I do in my basement (it's a bit cramped) but I still see a lot of need in future for dimensioning rough lumber at my own house. Just off the top of my head, I have plans to re-trim the whole house with stained maple most likely, have plans for making simple projects like wall shelves, dining table, benches, book shelves, blanket chests, just to give you an idea of the type of stuff I'm interested in making. I would also love to build myself a real workbench w/ vise sometime in the next 6 months.
Pretty much decided on an 8" jointer bc I want all the bed length I can fit. I've got about a 20' length of wall about 3-4' wide in which to put the jointer and feed wood in and out. Budget is still not exactly determined, but most likely under $1k (used or new.) I would love to find a used 8" w/ a byrd helical head for around $1k, but I may be dreaming….The shop at work has a PM60 which is a fine machine and a 12" machine made by Steton which is a jointer/planer combo. Haven't used that one. They've also got a huge Berlin Machinery (pre Yates) No.199 16" jointer collecting dust in the way back, but I don't think it is in running order. Wouldn't even know how to get something like that in my basement anyway. Any suggestions are welcome. Perfect world would be to find a DJ20 with a helical head installed for around $1k, and I think I'd be set for many years to come. I see PM60 come up for sale fairly regularly, but they are normally not in excellent condition and asking prices have seemed to soar in the last year (2 for sale somewhat locally and both asking well over $1k each…)
As for a planer, I'm not as picky. I've spent some intimate time with a Woodmaster 712, which is a fine and powerful machine, but I think they're kinda overpriced usually and I don't care about it be able to run molder heads or gang rip. I've also used a Ridged 13", but found it be slow and nowhere near as capable compared to the Woodmaster. It also was louder than hell! This is somewhat of a concern, bc I have 2 kids under 5 and would love to be able to run equipment potentially when they are asleep. I've read that helical cutter heads are noticeably quieter than standard knives. This is a minor point, but is something I think about realistically with a home basement shop.
I really love the idea of helical carbide cutter head in a planer (jointer too for that matter) for several reasons, so those are appealing to me. I'm ok with a jointer having it's own dedicated space in the basement, but would love to be able to have a planer that is either semi portable or on a portable base to move against the wall when I'm not using it. I've been looking into the Dewalt DW735 and adding the Byrd helical head. I'm not sure yet, but could potentially get the Dewalt new for 50-70% off retail and then buy the Byrd head for around $400, putting it at $600-700. There is a Steel City 13" model with helical head that people talk about for a little less that but I'm having a hard time finding it online right now. Maybe discontinued. Budget for a planer is probably $750 or under. Any other possibilities in this price range. What about a solid used floor model up to 15" with standard knives? Any tried and true models to look for. Unfortunately can't afford the $2k for an 18" Grizzly w/ Byrd head…
Really not sure if I need more than 13" capacity. I would probably use a 15 or 18" planer if I was doing a glue up table top or something like that and planing it in sections (that fit through the planer) but that's really just a guess. I do know that I need something that isn't a monster in order to move/roll it out of the way.
Craigslist around here is hit or miss and pretty quiet for woodworking equipment (small population.) I'm about 2 hrs from Charlotte and 3 from Raleigh, so maybe some good potential market there. I've been watching the IRS auctions for a while now, but it's hit or miss for smaller equipment like what I'm looking for and I honestly don't have the time to drive several hrs away just to check something out, then bid on it, then drive back to pick up in another trip. Could be a potential though.
I seem to have written a small novel and an intro, but I tend to get wrapped up in the details sometimes. Looking forward to frequenting this place more and learning all I can!
Any advice is appreciated and thanks for reading!
Phillip
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Originally Posted by lowell holmes
I may be new, but I'm not a total newbie.