Which tool next?

[gsmittle]

The new shop is on schedule to be delivered in two weeks, and I'm trying to decide which major tool is next, now that I'll have room. It's either a band saw or drill press. What would you forum members recommend?

g.

[jziegler]

Do you have a jigsaw already? Do you planning on doing any resawing soon? If you have the jigsaw and don't need to resaw, I'd go for the drill press first. I have purchased both in the last year (thanks to bargins found here) and I currently use the drill press more. To me, it seems a little more basic of a tool to have. Of course, I'm not going to give up either one.

Jim

[ironhat]

Choose based on what your needs are typically. What's right for me may not be for you so think about how often you wished you had a *******. Good luck. BTW, new shop? I hate you - naw, just healous. OK... I hate you!

[Knottscott]

I went with the BS first, but YMMV....get the one you'll use most.

[davidtu]

Well, I have a DP so I know my next major tool is the BS... seems like a good time & place to ask for suggestions on what to look for w/ a BS... what size do most have? What features are "required"? Any brands or places that have good ones that come up for sale occasionally? I don't remember seeing any BS buys so far on here...

[RodKirby]

Drill press - no contest!

I couldn't do without my Bandsaw - maybe once every 8 weeks, but...

I couldn't live without my DP for even a day

[leehljp]

I agree with Rod. Most people use the drill press far more than they use the bandsaw. I said "Most People" but you might not fall into that category. It is your choice. I like my bandsaw and certainly need it, but I use my DP far more often.

[jwaterdawg]

Well, I have a DP so I know my next major tool is the BS... seems like a good time & place to ask for suggestions on what to look for w/ a BS... what size do most have? What features are "required"? Any brands or places that have good ones that come up for sale occasionally? I don't remember seeing any BS buys so far on here...

Lowes was clearing out their Hitachi BS a couple of months ago for ~$100. There's a few of my local stores that still have them on display so YMMV.

[mater]

I use my DP more than my BS but I wouldn't want to do without either one. If I had to buy just one it would probably be the DP.

[Ken Weaver]

I got the DP first and saved shekels for the BS. Love them both, but the DP gets used more up to this point. It may change now that I actually have the bs, but got along with the jig saw until I got it. Now I can resaw so that I may develop new "needs".

[cabinetman]

You know that whichever one you pick, you'll need the other first. That's like asking "Whats worse - pencil in the eye, or watching your hand get cut off". If I had the choice of only those two, I'd take the drill press. You on the other hand only knows what kind of work you need these tools for. So, for you - get 'em both. You only live once.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[sacherjj]

I would go with the drill press for the simple fact that if you buy a bandsaw too early, you will underbuy. I was regretting my 10" because of the occational cut I couldn't do. I'm much happier with 14" saw with a riser block. A drill press will set you back 20-40% of the price of a good bandsaw.

[dwolsten]

Personally, I'd go with the drill press. I already have a DP, and still don't have a band saw, so take this with a grain of salt: I've heard of other people who said they didn't realize how much they needed a BS until they got one. I know that's the way I felt about a router table when I got mine set up.

I think it also depends on what kind of work you want to do. If you do a lot of curvy work, that would obviously benefit greatly from a BS. I don't do anything curvy, as my interest is currently in Arts&Crafts, Prairie style, etc., which is composed entirely of straight lines. Because of this, the only thing I find myself wishing I had a BS for is resawing.