Kreg Owners' Community

I am looking to get a new tool for my wood working shop. Here is a link to what I currently have... My Tools. I want something that will be used an not sit in the corner collecting dust. I do a lot of small builds. I am thinking of getting the following:

  • Bandsaw
  • Drum sander
  • Planer
  • Jointer
  • Scroll Saw

I honestly am not sure what to get, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Views: 1059

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

If it was me Philip I would go with the drum sander if there is one thing I hate and that is sanding.

Philip , agree with David , the drum sanders are great and jet makes them in a few different sizes , I have a 10-20 and it works great , JIM !!

David Dean said:

If it was me Philip I would go with the drum sander if there is one thing I hate and that is sanding.

Phil,

My pics, from your list, are:

Band Saw 

Scroll saw.

For a joiner, my choice is a router table.

I 've had two joiners, a 4" and 6", got rid of both of them.

A planer is useful, if you're cleaning up lots of rough lumber,

and making thinner stock, such as planing 3/4" to 5/8", or the like.

Thanks David, I like the idea of a drum sander not sure how much I would actually use it.

David Dean said:

If it was me Philip I would go with the drum sander if there is one thing I hate and that is sanding.

Would you think a bandsaw would be better over a scroll saw?

Philip



Ken Darga said:

Phil,

My pics, from your list, are:

Band Saw 

Scroll saw.

For a joiner, my choice is a router table.

I 've had two joiners, a 4" and 6", got rid of both of them.

A planer is useful, if you're cleaning up lots of rough lumber,

and making thinner stock, such as planing 3/4" to 5/8", or the like.

Phil,

#1 BandSaw---for cutting curves, as well as straight line cuts---short and fairluy long pieces.

A very handy tool, for use in any shops.

For long pieces, an infeed and outfeed extension is very helpful, to support the workpiece.

A fence is needed for accurate straight-line cuts.

Buy the best that you can afford.

A 14" is the most useful.

I use blades in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2"---each for specific purpose.

Band saw blades are of a continuous loop.

I use mine quite a bit for cutting curves, as well as cutting small objects, when I don't need to use the tablesaw.

If you have the space in your shop, a floor model band saw is the way to go.

Consider mobility---a mobile caster kit can be added---so as to pull-out the machine when in use,

and moved back to the wall, when not in use.

Do a search on the www---peruse the advanges of a band saw.

#2  ScrollSaw

For scroll cutting---this tool if very useful for making tight curved cuts.

Various blades are available---pin style and straight--- for course and fast cutting to x-fine cuts and making tight curves.  (Peruse the scrollsaw blades offered by Olson, and their intended purposes).

Also, you want a model that features a variable-speed.

I do lots of scrollsaw cutting,---this tool is a must for me.

If you plan to do lots of scrollsaw cutting tasks, and changing blades frequently, you want to consider the models that feature the quick-change blade feature.

Both saws offer dust ports.  Hooking up a vac, sucks up the sawdust, to prevent buildup inside the machine---a big plus.

Both types are available in floor and bench top models.

Mobility is key some me, therefore I prefer the bench-top models.

Some models feature an integral light---I find most that ae included with the machine are almost useless, because of the limited size wattage light bulb.

I use separate lights with a magnetic base and flex-neck

I can use them on various machines, and on my workbench---they can be quickly moved around.

Some lamp models are available with a lighted magnifier---

a big plus when scrollsawing and close-work, especially when using the xfine blades, and following fine lines.  

Sometimes I follow lines less than 0.5mm wide, and use a headset magnifier.

BTW---bandsawing is faster cutting than scrollsaw cutting.

Scrollsaws use finer tool blades, and is slower cutting.

Lots to consider with each tool. 

Happy shopping.

If you should have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Philip Miller said:

Would you think a bandsaw would be better over a scroll saw?

Philip



Ken Darga said:

Phil,

My pics, from your list, are:

Band Saw 

Scroll saw.

For a joiner, my choice is a router table.

I 've had two joiners, a 4" and 6", got rid of both of them.

A planer is useful, if you're cleaning up lots of rough lumber,

and making thinner stock, such as planing 3/4" to 5/8", or the like.

Considering your focus, I'd say band saw, 14" or bigger. The other tools on your list are a little more specialized and unless you plan on doing large runs, there are other ways to get good results, like using a router table for edge joining, buying dimensioned lumber, etc.

For some, the band saw gets as much use as a table saw, if not more. You can rip and resaw thick stock with a lot less waste than a table saw. Talking about small projects, I've seen some great band saw boxes recently.

That said, I think each of the tools on your list are necessary for a well equipped woodshop. The question is not if but when to buy the next one.

I save a lot of money buying rough stock and planing it myself. Also, a drum sander would make finishing panel glue ups a lot easier.

As for a scroll saw, my pick is the Excalibur 16" or 21". While I would love to have one, I doubt it would pay for itself, at least in my work.

How do you like your Grizzly 1023? Would you buy it again? If not, what?

Ken,

Thank you for your advice, this was really helpful.



Ken Darga said:

Phil,

#1 BandSaw---for cutting curves, as well as straight line cuts---short and fairluy long pieces.

A very handy tool, for use in any shops.

For long pieces, an infeed and outfeed extension is very helpful, to support the workpiece.

A fence is needed for accurate straight-line cuts.

Buy the best that you can afford.

A 14" is the most useful.

I use blades in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2"---each for specific purpose.

Band saw blades are of a continuous loop.

I use mine quite a bit for cutting curves, as well as cutting small objects, when I don't need to use the tablesaw.

If you have the space in your shop, a floor model band saw is the way to go.

Consider mobility---a mobile caster kit can be added---so as to pull-out the machine when in use,

and moved back to the wall, when not in use.

Do a search on the www---peruse the advanges of a band saw.

#2  ScrollSaw

For scroll cutting---this tool if very useful for making tight curved cuts.

Various blades are available---pin style and straight--- for course and fast cutting to x-fine cuts and making tight curves.  (Peruse the scrollsaw blades offered by Olson, and their intended purposes).

Also, you want a model that features a variable-speed.

I do lots of scrollsaw cutting,---this tool is a must for me.

If you plan to do lots of scrollsaw cutting tasks, and changing blades frequently, you want to consider the models that feature the quick-change blade feature.

Both saws offer dust ports.  Hooking up a vac, sucks up the sawdust, to prevent buildup inside the machine---a big plus.

Both types are available in floor and bench top models.

Mobility is key some me, therefore I prefer the bench-top models.

Some models feature an integral light---I find most that ae included with the machine are almost useless, because of the limited size wattage light bulb.

I use separate lights with a magnetic base and flex-neck

I can use them on various machines, and on my workbench---they can be quickly moved around.

Some lamp models are available with a lighted magnifier---

a big plus when scrollsawing and close-work, especially when using the xfine blades, and following fine lines.  

Sometimes I follow lines less than 0.5mm wide, and use a headset magnifier.

BTW---bandsawing is faster cutting than scrollsaw cutting.

Scrollsaws use finer tool blades, and is slower cutting.

Lots to consider with each tool. 

Happy shopping.

If you should have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Philip Miller said:

Would you think a bandsaw would be better over a scroll saw?

Philip



Ken Darga said:

Phil,

My pics, from your list, are:

Band Saw 

Scroll saw.

For a joiner, my choice is a router table.

I 've had two joiners, a 4" and 6", got rid of both of them.

A planer is useful, if you're cleaning up lots of rough lumber,

and making thinner stock, such as planing 3/4" to 5/8", or the like.

I believe I am now convinced to get a band saw. I love my Grizzly Table saw. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a table saw. The only issue I have with it is the wrench that comes with the table saw to change out the blade is cheep and I would recommend replacing it as I went through two of them when changing my blades as they both bent. Grizzly was nice enough to send me replacements but they are cheaply stamped tools.



Trace Farthing said:

Considering your focus, I'd say band saw, 14" or bigger. The other tools on your list are a little more specialized and unless you plan on doing large runs, there are other ways to get good results, like using a router table for edge joining, buying dimensioned lumber, etc.

For some, the band saw gets as much use as a table saw, if not more. You can rip and resaw thick stock with a lot less waste than a table saw. Talking about small projects, I've seen some great band saw boxes recently.

That said, I think each of the tools on your list are necessary for a well equipped woodshop. The question is not if but when to buy the next one.

I save a lot of money buying rough stock and planing it myself. Also, a drum sander would make finishing panel glue ups a lot easier.

As for a scroll saw, my pick is the Excalibur 16" or 21". While I would love to have one, I doubt it would pay for itself, at least in my work.

How do you like your Grizzly 1023? Would you buy it again? If not, what?

I think Ken was spot-on.  Although I use my planer and jointer a lot, I upgraded my band saw from a 9 inch bench top model to a 14" floor standing (Laguna 14bx) and have been more pleased with that addition than any other tool in my shop. I can use it to resaw lumber, make band saw boxes and do quick cuts without having to knock down existing table saw set-ups. I do have blades specific to purpose as well, 1/8", 1/4" and Laguna's Resaw King.

I have pined for a drum sander, but would have limited use. Where I see it's biggest benefit is cleaning up resawn lumber.

Not what i should buy BUT just got my self a DeWalt 12 inch sliding miter saw came with a "FREE" saw horse to mount it to, couldn't resist at $299.00.

Philip, I know this is a little late and you've probably already made up your mind or even purchased your next tool, but I thought I would toss in my 2 cents just in case you may find it helpful.

I've owned all of the tools you listed for quite a while and I use them all to one degree or another. That said, my go to tool from the list you posted is my band saw. I have a Grizzly 14" that I recently upgraded with the 6" riser kit so I can re-saw larger stock. I use this tool on nearly all of my furniture projects and have invested the time to create jigs that assist me with the accurate cuts I am looking for.

The drum sander would be my next go to tool. Since I frequently work on furniture projects I have a need to sand larger surfaces and my 18/36 is a god send.

I purchase a lot of rough lumber, so my jointer and planer are very handy also, but the tool I seem to use the least is my scroll saw. I like it, but I just don't get that many opportunities to do fine scroll work. I guess it all depends on the type of woodworking you like/need to do. Hope you found this helpful.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Need Help?

For Technical Support, please call 800-447-8638 or send a message. Reps are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm CST. 

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Forum

Jig settings for 2 ¾ x 1 ½ boards with 30 degree miters?

I making a hex ring out of 2x4s ripped to 2 ¾ inches wide with 30 degree miters.  What setting on the Jig should I used? 1 ½ is too much.  Thanks.Continue

Started by Patrick Halinski in Kreg Jig® Operation Dec 30, 2023.

40mm Cup Hinge Jig Question

Hi All.....I have the 35mm Kreg Jig hinge drill guide. The guide is great for 35mm Hinge Cups, but I have a speciality 40MM hinge cup to drill.Has anyone adapted the Kreg guide to work with 40mm Forsner drill bits? Or have a guide that works…Continue

Started by Ed Anderson in Beginners' Zone Oct 3, 2023.

Product Reviews

New Kreg 720Pro

I saw the video Kreg put out for this new jig and had high hopes for it.

I purchased one today and am very disappointed with it.

First the docking station is extremely cheap. The plastic is pathetic. A Lego has more…

Continue

Posted by Duke Leon on February 15, 2021 at 9:00pm

Not Pleased With Pocket Hole Construction

Several months ago, I purchased the Kreg K4MS so that I could build the Lego Table as outlined on the companion "buildsomething" web site which exclusively uses pocket hole construction.  I have considerable experience with conventional…

Continue

Posted by Robert Ringel on September 17, 2020 at 1:48pm — 9 Comments

© 2024   Created by KregRep.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service

_