Which tool would you upgrade first?

[nocrapman]

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.

This is where the Rikon has struggled as I have tried to process some big log chunks. I have never had to use the 14" resaw capacity. But it does not inspire confidence lately after a couple of near mishaps handling some walnut logs for turning.
I have a basement shop and live in the cold north (Upstate NY). A chainsaw is often not an option and those instil fear in me for some reason.

You’re a psychiatrist, buy them all. My bill is in the mail.

I am a psychiatrist... not a dentist!

Oneway lathe and some chucks.

Mel

I bought a nice laguna lathe about 2 years back and it does everything I need it to and more.
It doesn't have a premium badge like an American beauty or Oneway… but works like a charm.

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.

Logically I feel the need for a bigger jointer as well.

[nocrapman]

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

Hank: Thanks for the tip off on the Hammer. That combo machine would take place of 2 in my space crunched basement shop. And give me more capacity on the jointer, less noisy. How cumbersome is it to switch from jointer to planer mode or vice versa. I have seen the videos... they make it look easy.

It seems to me the question is "What you want to do that one of these tools would enable?"  If your hobby is making stuff, just plan your next project and when you need a tool for it, you'll know what to get.  If your hobby is buying tools, buy what makes you happy.

Alan you asked some very astute questions and give me cause for some self reflection.
I like to think that making stuff is what I like...
I have 3-4 different projects in play at any given time like a lot of us.
When I just feel the need to create some shavings and quick project - the Lathe has become my new best friend. It enables me to go from a chunk of rough wood to a finished bowl or such in a couple to 3 hours.
I don't have a proper Drill Press but I get by fine with an old cast iron rehabbed delta from the 40s. I don't use it much either.

The replies from Hank and Adam always catch my eye.

I am a clinical psychologist (specialising in child and family work), and woodworking is my therapy


Machines are important for me to process rough timber and prepare it for hand tools. My furniture generally contains something that is curved, which increases the problem-solving aspect. A bandsaw is important for resawing and preparation work. Still, there are flat sections, and a wide jointer and planer are equally important.

If you can, I'd get a wider jointer. A combination jointer/planer is an economical way to go. Like Hank, I have a Hammer A3-31, and this will process rough sawn boards 12" wide. It is strongly built and very reliable. Mine has a helical cutter. These are exceptional, both in labour saving and quality of finish. It is also very quiet - unlike your lunchbox planer! Keep in mind that I will hand plane everything at the finish, so I am not concerned about fitting a 15" wide board into a planer. For me, a machine such as that is overkill.

The bandsaw I have is the Hammer N4400, which has a 12" resaw. I believe that the bandsaw must have a capacity that fits a jointer. These are a good team. 

Just to complete the trio, I also have the Hammer K3 with a shorter slider (1250mm). I do not work with ply or mdf sheets, only hardwoods. Moving to the slider about 18 months ago was a positive change over the contractor saw I had for 20 years. 

The order of my purchases over several years was: bandsaw, combination jointer/planer, table saw.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek: Thanks for chiming in and the enabling!
I have drawn inspiration and instruction from your website/articles and posts over the years.
At the end of a crazy day - making some saw dust, hearing the friendly drone of my JDS air cleaner, seeing the shavings fly on the lathe or the soothing hiss of a well tuned plan/spokeshave is restorative for some like us who don't have to depend on the craft for putting food on the table. I suppose if this was work... it would cease to be as much fun.
But I am preaching to the choir here!

Your suggestion about the Hammer combo machine and gentle nudge towards the slider is well taken.
The A3-31 just makes sense. I need to look into the logistics and make sure that I can carry this down into the basement.
Do the Hammer machines come preassembled or in 2-3 pieces that need to be put together? For obvious reasons - I prefer the latter.

[John Mihich]

I have rarely needed anything bigger that my 12" planer.  I would like a 8" jointer - sometimes ever wider.  For me I have a 12" BS - I would like to change that for sure - I would go 16-18" with a deep cut.  I use my BS a lot and would love the larger size.  Resawing and log cutting is tough on the smaller BS.

[Derek Cohen]

Do the Hammer machines come preassembled or in 2-3 pieces that need to be put together? For obvious reasons - I prefer the latter.

I am not sure if Felder in the USA work differently from Felder in Australia. The agents in Perth are simply wonderful. I cannot praise them highly enough. Backup service is an important feature in my book when purchasing new equipment. 
The A3-31 was delivered in one piece to my garage/workshop. Felder checked that all was set up correctly, which they had first done at the warehouse. I assume that you are concerned about getting the machine into a basement. I'd simply discuss this with them - there are videos on Youtube of assembling the A3-31 from several boxes, so I imagine that they will prepare delivery in a way that you prefer. 
I've been using it for about 5 years now, and it have not missed a beat. It certainly was a game-changer for me. The spiral blades are superb. The carbide bits have four sides, and I am only just on the second side. That means at least 10 years before changing out the inserts. 
Regards from Perth
Derek

[fredhargis]

I am a psychiatrist... not a dentist!

[Arlin Eastman]

If you ever move heavy equipment to the basement the best thing is hire piano movers.

[Hank Knight]

Hank: Thanks for the tip off on the Hammer. That combo machine would take place of 2 in my space crunched basement shop. And give me more capacity on the jointer, less noisy. How cumbersome is it to switch from jointer to planer mode or vice versa. I have seen the videos... they make it look easy.

It is easy. I can switch between jointer and planer functions in a minute or less. Combo machines are criticized for the "inconvenience" of having to switch between functions. Yes, it is a little bit inconvenient to need the jointer when the machine is in the planer configuration, or vice versa, but the inconvenience is minor. I switch between the two functions all the time and, as I mentioned above, it is easy and fast. I have micrometer read-out on my machine that makes it possible to return to the precise thickness setting you need, so you don't lose the planer setting if you need to switch in the middle of the process. Whatever inconvenience there is is much more than compensated for by the convenience of having a serious, large capacity jointer and planer in my small shop.

I'm, not much help with your question about whether the machines are shipped as a unit of in modules to be assembled later. I bought my machine second hand from a neighbor who had to move unexpectedly. It had less than ten hours on it, so it was virtually new. It lives in my basement shop, which has an outdoor walk-down entrance. I built a ramp down the stairs and, with the help of two friends, slid it down the stairs to my shop and into place. It would probably have been a more difficult problem without the outdoor entrance.