Need help buying $2,000 worth of tools!!

[sacherjj]

The Ridgid Planner, Jointer, and Sander are great choices. Had I not gotten the great deal on my Ridgid band saw, I wouldn't have purchased it. There are better deals for the money.

I think Drill Press is a good addition, but I don't know if the HD offerings are a good value. I went for the large floor standing HF model. It is on special now for under $200, plus the 15% coupon if you have an HF store close.

[JR]

Oh, what a bunch of tool snobs we have become! Rikon 10-325 indeed!! Remember when we would discuss whether it was absolutely mandatory to go the 14" "classic", or if some lesser product would serve the function?

Ok, I recognize TheRic has a need for some hefty resawing, but I think he'd figure out how to get the job done without blowing the whole budget on a big ol' honkin' BS.

FWIW - I think leehljp gave the perfect advice. Ridgid makes good products in all those categories, plus you need some sort of drill press.

Oh, on the topic of buying later. Larry's comment about buying too many tools at once is worth pondering. OTOH - you've got the budget/permission now. If you don't take advantage of it, priorities/permission could change.

JR

[TheRic]

Answers to a couple of questions and clarifications

Drumpriest or whoever would know, is resawing Hard Maple THAT bad, or is the Ridgid Band Saw that under sized?

Popeye, I had a Trim Router on my paper list, missed adding it to the thinking list.

BrazosJake, Not sure what the beams are made of, have not cut into them yet. The outside is too weathered to tell. We are guessing Oak or Hard Maple since that was common around here 50 - 100 years ago. It's not that I will want a mobile base on everything, I will NEED a mobile base on everything.

Cheeky, I don't think you can use the moving coupon with this deal, there is a comment about not valid with other offers or something to that effect.

Larry, I have a Random Orbit Sander already, ROS == Random Orbit Sander No clue what color the walls are, have not seen them since I moved in. Glad some of my thinking is making sense. Been thinking about it for a year. Been looking for decent used stuff for about a year. Most around here is for something like 5 -10 years old at about 10% less than what I can get new. Been waiting for about a year for a decent deal on large power tools at one of the Box stores.

I'm planing on doing more resaw work on lumber, that is if I like it, and can get the lumber. Being a tightwad I see where it will be cheaper in the long run, and probably more pleasing seeing it go from a log to table.

At this time most of my things I plan to build are rectangular stuff. Once / IF I get good then I will try to do more and more fancier stuff.

[gsmittle]

I can't believe nobody's said this yet: You Suck!!

+1 on the DP--like most everybody I had no idea how much I'd use it until I got it.

also +1 on the Rigid planer, too. Great machine at a great price.

I don't own them yet, but definitely the belt/OSS and jointer.

Hope you have room for all this stuff. If not, I'll be happy to "store" some of it for you!

g.

[LarryG]

JR: Not only does he have the budget and permission, but also a powerful financial incentive: two grand worth of tools for $1500. All things considered, at the end of the day, if it were me, I'd do it.

Ric: You'll notice I said, "I don't see a random-orbit sander on any of your lists." This is apparently because I didn't look.

gsmittle: I myself was waiting until he told us he actually had the tools in hand. Looks like you scooped us!

[Cheeky]

Cheeky, I don't think you can use the moving coupon with this deal, there is a comment about not valid with other offers or something to that effect.

i'm pretty sure it will work. i'm going to try it over the weekend, but i've had people tell me it goes through without any problems.

[TheRic]

WOW my first "You Suck", well were it meant something good

But I think Larry is correct on waiting till I get them!!! I'm now having some doubts, mostly with the Ridgid bandsaw and being able to resaw lumber down to something I need. If I don't get the Ridgid bandsaw then the whole $2,000 thing on tools change. I had convinced myself first then the wife that I'm dropping $1400 and getting back $275, for $600 more I'm getting back an extra $225. Like buying the tools at about 40% off.

I was planning on getting the Ridgid Bandsaw, and putting a riser on it probably from Grizzly, since Ridgid ones are hard to find for some reason.

I hate to spend money on something that does not work the way I had hoped / wanted. I also hate to spend money on way over kill things.

I agree with Larry on buying too many things at once. That is one of the things that makes me leery about the whole thing. Also finding a spot for everything in the garage at one time, verses a little here and there.

UUUUGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sacherjj]

Well, I can talk about the Ridgid on resawing. I have the Grizzly riser block added to my Ridgid with a stock 3/4 HP motor. I'm using a 5/8" 3 TPI Timberwolf blade and can get through 10" of Oak without a problem. I don't know how fast it is with other machines, but it cuts true and not terribly slow. If I was doing a ton of it, I would want more power (and speed). But I just don't do it too often. I'm also not sure how much easier or harder that Maple is to saw than Oak.

If you get the Ridgid BS1400, just take off the blades and motor belt to balance both wheels. This made a big difference. Also, if you are going to get the riser block, get it first, before you spend money on blades that will become worthless. I also added the Carter quick release. Expensive, but I love it. If I had to do it all over again, I would strip off the rubber tires immediately and replace with orange ones from Rockler. I was amazed at the thickness difference in the rubber, once I replaced them. With those changed, my Ridgid runs quiet and very smooth. (Also remember that the bottom wheels bolt is left-hand threaded. That cost me about $30 in parts and shipping.)

[TheRic]

Well, I can talk about the Ridgid on resawing. I have the Grizzly riser block added to my Ridgid with a stock 3/4 HP motor. I'm using a 5/8" 3 TPI Timberwolf blade and can get through 10" of Oak without a problem. I don't know how fast it is with other machines, but it cuts true and not terribly slow. If I was doing a ton of it, I would want more power (and speed). But I just don't do it too often. I'm also not sure how much easier or harder that Maple is to saw than Oak.

If you get the Ridgid BS1400, just take off the blades and motor belt to balance both wheels. This made a big difference. Also, if you are going to get the riser block, get it first, before you spend money on blades that will become worthless. I also added the Carter quick release. Expensive, but I love it. If I had to do it all over again, I would strip off the rubber tires immediately and replace with orange ones from Rockler. I was amazed at the thickness difference in the rubber, once I replaced them. With those changed, my Ridgid runs quiet and very smooth. (Also remember that the bottom wheels bolt is left-hand threaded. That cost me about $30 in parts and shipping.)

Thanks JOE!!!! You are making me feel a little better if I go with the Ridgid bandsaw! Was planing on getting the riser to put on before I put it together.

Can you tell me what these rubber tires are you are talking about?! What are they suppose to do?

[BasementDweller]

I have a CB13F Hitachi bandsaw with a 6" riser in it. I have resawn a bit of 9" oak on it with no problems. It is only a 12" saw and the Ridgid is a 14". I'm not sure how much harder maple is vs oak, but mine really flies through the oak. I almost can't push it as fast as the saw can cut it. Now, this was not happening until I bought a good 3TPI blade (timberwolf in my case).

Plus keep in mind, you said in your area used tools are selling for 90% of new value. If that is the case and you end up upgrading the BS you're fine. After all you're getting it at 15% off! So you'd *make* 5% on the sale! Even if you're out the cost of the riser and some blades I wouldn't worry about it.

Finally when I was looking at the Ridgid 14" the riser block was available via the service desk at my HD for like $69.99 or something. I have heard it shot up to about $150.00 but I can't remember if that turned out to be correct.


- BD

[Sweet Chuck]

Besides your main list I think I would go with the CMS (SCMS if you can swing it) and add an MSUV. Also either another MSUV or planer stand for the planer. And probably extra blades and knives. Although for the knives you may want to go with Infinity.

Have you thought about a Dewalt planer instead. I have the DW735 and absolutely love mine. But then again, I've seen some pretty good reviews about the Ridgid and the Dewalt is $549.

What ever you get I'm sure you'll be happy. Let us know what you end up getting.

I bought the Dewalt DW735 on this sale and it was already marked down from $549 to $499, there is also a $60 mail in rebate on this planer through the end of the month. P.S. I don't think Infinity makes blades for the ridgid planer, only the dewalt.

[TheRic]

I bought the Dewalt DW735 on this sale and it was already marked down from $549 to $499, there is also a $60 mail in rebate on this planer through the end of the month. P.S. I don't think Infinity makes blades for the ridgid planer, only the dewalt.

The Dewalt DW735 doesn't come with infeed, outfeed tables, stand, dust hood, you got to pay extra for those. I'll stay with Ridgid.

[L. D. Jeffries]

JeeZe, am I jealous! I'ts taken me 13 years and I still don't have everything you are planning to buy. Well anyway, spend and ENJOY!

[sacherjj]

The rubber tires are around the wheels, where the blade rides. The rubber tires have to be glued on. My top tire came loose without much time on the saw. This allowed the tire to drift back and rub against the back of the housing and I ruined a piece of wood for a project when the blade came off. I just let go and hit the power switch. (I don't like flying blades near my hands.)

If you are replacing the tires, don't bother balancing before you put on the new ones. There was so much variation in the rubber that it really affected the balance. Although the stock rubber tires may work fine for you for quite a while. I think general convention is to run until the rubber tires need replaced, before upgrading.

If you can find them somewhere, pick up as many Herculifts as you can. I can't imagine my band saw without one. After I mount my Ridgid Planner in a flip-top setup, I'll move my Herculift to the Planer, as described on a thread here.

[drumpriest]

Ric, you are correct concerning the dw735 planer. No infeed or outfeed tables stock, though it's planer bed is wider than any other I've ever seen. I have one, btw, used to have the AP1300. Both planers worked well, and you'll good service from the Ridgid, I'm sure. The dewalt does come with a dust blower and hook-up for a DC.