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Getting the itch for a new tool.
I am a hobbyist making furniture/turning for self/family/friends. No income from the woodworking. I am a psychiatrist by profession - This is my therapy.
The three under consideration are an a 6 inch RIDGID jointer, 13 inch RIDGID planer and a 14inch RIKON bandsaw.
They all work fine.
3 options:
1. Get a 15-16 inch planer - more capacity to plane and thickness. But the supermax 18-36 can always sub for now for wider panels
2. Upgrade to a 8 inch jointer with helical cutters.
3. Upgrade to a serious Italian bandsaw like the MM16 or even the Italian Lagunas. Will likely keep the Rikon for smaller blades.
What do you guys recommend?
The Apple wont fall;
Let's go and shake the tree.
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If you do turning the bandsaw would no 1. To be able to prepare blanks especially if you get logs from trees. The chain saw only gets them so round.
The jointer would be next then the planer.
Don
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You’re a psychiatrist, buy them all. My bill is in the mail.
Any free advice given is worth double price paid.
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Oneway lathe and some chucks.
Mel
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I have similar to what you have. The 6-inch Rigid jointer, 13 inch DeWalt planer and a 14-inch Grizzly bandsaw. By far the most issues I hit due to the machine size are with the jointer, so that's what would upgrade.
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Bandsaw, hands down. Most versatile power tool out there.
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I have pretty good tools now that do what I need including a big 5hp bandsaw the VA got me.
I would love to have a 10" - 12" jointer tho.
As of this time I am not teaching vets to turn. Also please do not send any items to me without prior notification. Thank You Everyone.
It is always the right time, to do the right thing.
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The answer to your question probably boils down to your personal preference and how you work. I'm aware that there are many, many woodworkers who can't live without their bandsaws. I'm not one of them. I have a big Laguna and I use it a lot; but my most used machine, other than my table saw, is my jointer/planer. I have a small shop and don't have the space for a separate jointer and planer. Instead, I have a Hammer A3-31 12" combo jointer/planer. It is a very robust and accurate machine, capable producing very nice surfaces and edges. Every project involves a lot of time dressing and dimensioning rough sawn boards on this machine. I wouldn't want to, but I could live without my bandsaw; but I couldn't live without my jointer planer. It's the workhorse in my shop.
My $.02.
Hank
