Newbie trying to get a workshop together, need tool reviews.

[jleslie48]

sorry for the duplicate!!! please ignore this post.

[jleslie48]

Hello all,

I've been a pure amateur, weekend builder all my life, but struggling with hand tools and "making do" with what was in the garage. I finally got a drill press for $10, well a drill press frame that you clamp a drill into, that with a little creativity with some steel cables, shims and careful alignment, works just great.

But now I want to complete the ensemble, on the cheap, and I don't know what to get to save some money but still get some quality items that I can use. I just bought a Craftsman 9" band saw on Ebay for $40 (+$40 for shipping.) I was reluctant to buy the companion 10", or the Delta bs100, which looked like they had some better options, but I chose to stick with a brand name that I had worked with before and liked, albiet a craftsman band saw considerably bigger.

I realized after this purchase that I could consult you guys, and maybe get some good advise rather than just stick to craftsman, so here I am.

I would like a miter saw, but I typically work with 12" poplar or pine, and the miter saw is a little short unless it has a slider option. I have little experience with this type of saw, but I can see 10" craftsman saws in the $50-$100 range without the slider, but also a rand 10" with a slider that gives you a 12" reach, for considerably less than $$$. Is the Rand worth it though?

Sorry for being long winded, but I hope I can get some accurate advise on setting up a shop.

Sincerely,

Jon

[jleslie48]

Sorry for the duplicate, please go to other thread. - Jon

[C & M]

You might try a use radial arm saw if you would like to stay on the cheaper side. They will do all that the miter saw will although with a little more adjusting. It will save you hundreds over a compound slider!!