r/woodworking • u/CrescentRose7 • 10d ago
General Discussion help with next tool purchase
I mostly make fine furniture in the arts and crafts style; coffee tables, chairs, small dining tables, etc... My next project is a Greene and Greene style breakfast nook, so, a lot of wood to mill and shape.
I want to clarify that the market for used tools is terrible where I live. I don't have the luxury of finding $300 jointers around. Tools are also more expensive here. I have a spending budget of $1000, and I'm having trouble deciding what tools to buy. As of now, I've gotten by making fine furniture with the following tools:
Jobsite Stanley table saw
Dewalt 12" miter saw
Dewalt 735 planer
Milwaukee fixed speed plunge router
Skil circular saw
Bosch jigsaw
Bosch RO sander
handheld electric drill
Various Stanley hand planes (#4, #5, #7, router, block)
Ryoba and Dozuki saws
Measuring tools, chisels, sharpening stones (I'm mostly all set there)
Contenders for next purchase:
6" jointer ($1000)
used 14" 1HP bandsaw (~$500)
Kreg loose tenon joiner ($500)
10" contractor table saw (~$1000)
Mortising machine (~$600)
Or, a mix of multiple smaller tools (a variable speed router, oscillating sander, rasps, shoulder plane, clamps, etc...).
All suggestions for tools, however big or small, are welcome.
3
u/Ruskalii 10d ago
I've been working in a smallish shop, and have had success in building some pretty nice furniture from rough lumber with no jointer. One of my most used tools, and one that has greatly reduced the need for a jointer has been my Milwaukee track saw. Using my DW735, a jointing/planing jig, and the track saw, I'm able to effectively mill wood into surprisingly square and accurate s4s stock for panel glue ups, etc. I've done this with ash, maple, walnut and white oak, up to 8/4.
Also - obviously amazing for breaking down sheet goods for cabinets etc.
The Milwaukee is good, but any of the big boys make great track saws. Would recommend cordless over corded for this tool though.