Rob Poccaro's Blog

1. Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 7)

   

   To finish this series, here is a suggested list of the remaining tools to add to the shop as it builds.  1. Cordless hand-held power sander. The 5” diameter is the most versatile and  practical. I like the 3M Xtract Cubitron II Net Disc 710W sanding discs.   2. Flashlight. Cordless in the brand you […]

2. Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 6)

   

   The time for dust collection really comes when you get item #1, the thickness planer. It is difficult to run any shop without dust collection. Let’s break it down into sections.  The lighter, smaller, and mobile tool is the shop vac. This cleans up scattered wood dust and particles, including from hand woodworking. It also […]

3. Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 5)

   

   Where are we so far for the developing woodworker building the machine segment of his or her shop?  1. thickness planer with helical cutterhead 2. router with multiple functional accessories, and a router table built or bought. And throw in a hand-held power drill. 3. table saw, big or small; think safety  4. band saw; […]

4. Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 4)

   

   At this point in building the machine part of your shop, you would have a thickness planer, a router with key accessories, a router table built or bought, a power drill, and a table saw. What comes next is, I feel, a close call. I suggest a bandsaw. With good quality, size, and blades, it […]

5. Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 3)

   

   The third machine to buy as you are getting into woodworking and making a shop: the table saw. Clean, accurate, straight cuts along the length of grain, as well as dead-on cross cuts are required for most projects. Angled cuts at 45°, or any angle, are common.  Hand cutting cannot match the speed and accuracy […]