This topic strikes a nerve with me. As others have said, if I had waited to buy a 24" planer, 16" jointer, 12" table saw, Cyclone dust collector and countless other tools that I would love to outfit my shop with someday, I wouldn't have woodworked for the last two years.
I cringe when I read someone post about should I get this table saw or jointer or planer, my budget is $500. Then 12 other guys come on the topic and say no!! For $1200 you can get this great tool!! Yeah but the guy would have to wait another two years to save for it (Example exagurated for clarity)
You know what I made my first real project with (the blanket chest)? A GASP!! 6" benchtop Craftsman (another gasp!) jointer, 12" benchtop craftsman planer W/O cutterhead lock and the craftsman jobsite saw!! Ohh my, how did I do it?
Very easily in fact!! Just two months ago I upgraded to a 8" DJ20 jointer, is it sweet?? YES!!! For sure!! Do I regret getting the 6" benchtop first NO!! I bought it for $200 and sold it for $100. I am sure that I got $100 of use out of that tool.
So I guess what I am saying is this. Get the tool that will do the job, you will have to learn the best technique for the job, because the cheaper tools are less forgiving then my dj20. Once you decided this hobby is for you, upgrade your tools one by one and get 1/2 the value out of the old ones.
The question you have to ask yourself is this, Did the money I lost equal a lot of fun on my part?? The $100 I "lost" on the jointer was well worth the fun I had in the shop during the time I had it! I have dropped $100 in a lot worse ways
All this said, I do have to say that this is the best forum for helping new woodworkers to find the right tool for them. The upgrade posts I was refering to was mainly from another forum. Without this forum, I would not have been able to learn all I have so quickly. Thanks guys!
Last edited by Jeff Sudmeier; 06-07-2005 at 8:36 AM.
Jeff Sudmeier
"It's not the quality of the tool being used, it's the skills of the craftsman using the tool that really matter. Unfortunately, I don't have high quality in either"