Powertools- what to look for?

[Mark]

Hi

I'm slowly building up my collection of powertools and getting my workshop in order. But I'm new at this and have found that after I buy a tool and use it for a while I discover features on other models that would have been very handy, and would of only cost a little bit more.

My purchases over the next 12 months will be a "Biscuit Joiner", "Drill Press", "a Table saw" and maybe, if any funds are left, "a Router table". I only have a limited budget and the workload on these tools would only be light to moderate.

What features should I be looking for in these tools? I wont ask about which make of tool as half the brands mentioned in this group I haven't heard of in Australia.

TIA Cheers Mark

[Tom]

Good job on the joiner, DP, and saw. When they're procured, you can _make_ a nice router table. Buy the best you can afford, and it'll be easier to sell off something that doesn't meet with your expectations. Get a joiner with a good fence, and the same goes for the table saw. The drill press, I dunno, I like my JET 17-incher.Tom Someday, it'll all be over....

[Rob]

One thing I have learned is buy the best you can possibly afford even if that means not getting everything as fast as you would like. I bought a Delta contractor's saw first and later upgraded to a Unisaw. Buying the Unisaw first would have saved money.

For a biscuit joiner, I would get a PC 557. The DeWalt is also good but I prefer my PC.

I would get a cabinet saw or at the very least a good contractor's saw. The cheaper saws simply cannot stay square and therefore are a waste of money.

I have a Delta 17" drill press that has served me very well.

I agree with Tom that after the above is purchased you can build a very good router table. I did and love it still.

Rob

[ToolMiser]

If you can find used, it will cost less, and when it comes time to upgrade, you will break even or come close, provided it's a quality machine.