I've had both the Dewalt and Yorkcraft side by side and construction wise it is twice the planer as the Dewalt.
That's not saying that I mean the Dewalt isn't any good, just not the
planer that the yorkcraft, or any of the bigger units are.
How much you want to spend and how much your gonna plane will make a difference on what will work for you, same as the rest of the tools suggested.
Please, I'm all for not spending any more than you have to, but when someone says they're gonna make it a life long interest I think I would up a notch over the basic lower end products, you notice I didn't say festool or sawstop, I still think this stuff is for those with a big check book or pros...
That'll get a response I bet...
If it works for you, great!
Same for the 14" band saw, mine does a lot reasonably well, but I see me doing a lot of re sawing and veneering and it just ain't enough, if you leave the re sawing out, it'd be a nice saw.
I just find its a bit easier to deal with to much machine than to little.
What I have suggested is what I would like or have, and what works for others is gonna probably/more than likely be different than what I have.
Different strokes.
Blame the weather Chuck, bet its cold there too?
Al
Remember our vets, they need our help, just like they helped us.