The best of ... power tools

[WoodWrangler]

This is the third of a couple "the best of..." posts I've started. The idea behind it was to get people talking about tools and accessories and whatnot that they've used and really find to be of much use. Sometimes this is the unexpected satisfaction you get from a purchase, sometimes you knew it was coming ... but in every case, share it with us!

I'll get us started in this best of power tools thread. If you've purchased something as it relates to power woodworking tools and it is something you would highly recommend to a fellow woodworker ... tell us about it!

• Bandsaw Powerfeeder
  When I got it, I barely knew what it was or why anyone would really need one. I now find myself lost without it. Obviously a good bandsaw is critical, but the powerfeeder is what really sets it apart. It makes for consistent work, takes the "work" out of cutting the stock, and saves time. These are all things a power tool should do.
• Palm Router
  So simple, but so convenient. I put this purchase off for a long time, then finally went for the Bosch Colt. It's a decent machine ... but I didn't call it by name for this bullet because my $15 Harbor Freight one does a near similar job. They are loud little machines, but you'll get over that if you use them for the little tasks.
• Edge/Spindle Sander
  Though I recently parted ways with the Ridgid, that was the best little sander. It's an oscillating spindle sander and edge sander. Works like a champ and was very reliable. Make hard tasks pretty easy.

[Robert]

Fein Mulitimaster -has gotten into many a tight area, bailing me outta one.

Worksharp 3000 -Finally got an edge on the chisels that will cut wood rather than one that would just break through it.

Bosch 6" R/O Sander - Finally I can get a large area sanded without it being a lifetime goal.

[Bas]

+1 on the Makita 18V Li-Ion kit
+1 on the Bosch 10.8V impactor
DeWalt 618 3-base router kit
Milwaukee 5625 router
Porter Cable biscuit joiner

[MrAudio815]

Originally Posted by WoodWrangler

This is the third of a couple "the best of..." posts I've started. The idea behind it was to get people talking about tools and accessories and whatnot that they've used and really find to be of much use. Sometimes this is the unexpected satisfaction you get from a purchase, sometimes you knew it was coming ... but in every case, share it with us!

I'll get us started in this best of power tools thread. If you've purchased something as it relates to power woodworking tools and it is something you would highly recommend to a fellow woodworker ... tell us about it!

• Bandsaw Powerfeeder
  When I got it, I barely knew what it was or why anyone would really need one. I now find myself lost without it. Obviously a good bandsaw is critical, but the powerfeeder is what really sets it apart. It makes for consistent work, takes the "work" out of cutting the stock, and saves time. These are all things a power tool should do.
• Palm Router
  So simple, but so convenient. I put this purchase off for a long time, then finally went for the Bosch Colt. It's a decent machine ... but I didn't call it by name for this bullet because my $15 Harbor Freight one does a near similar job. They are loud little machines, but you'll get over that if you use them for the little tasks.
• Edge/Spindle Sander
  Though I recently parted ways with the Ridgid, that was the best little sander. It's an oscillating spindle sander and edge sander. Works like a champ and was very reliable. Make hard tasks pretty easy.

NICE Thread WoodWrangler!

Now I have been very interested in all the post so far, and am getting jealous of all the cool tools that have been mentioned.

But I would have to saw the coolest power tool that I don't know how I could live without and didn't even know I would even like it is the
1: Lathe & woodriver acc. I just love the almost instant gratification.
2: Tablesaw for sure, it's my workhorse.

The third I am so glad I got even though I had buyer remorse after the purchase for about a week.in this thread: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f...87/#post232028

Anyway its the:
3: G0514 19" Bandsaw & how amazing of a power tool it is. I have been resawing like crazy, (for the backgammon board) cutting scraps up, cutting circles, etc. I love it!

Now Jeremy I would like to see your powerfeeder in action if you could video that! It sounds like it would help out resawing tremendously!

[JackLeg]

DW-735 Planer and those little Bosch P-20 power drivers. Those two tools have take the abuse and still deliver day after day. Hard to say how many bd ft. of cypress and cedar the 735 has seen and the screws the P-20's have driven measure in the pounds.

My Bosch 5412L Sliding Compund Miter Saw is also at the top of my list. More tool than I am a user.

[Badabing]

Great thread! I have a few of the tools already mentioned and totally agree, I don't know how I worked withouth them before...

If I have to pick the power tools that I use the most and get the most satisfaction from, it would be these:

PM2000 Table Saw: the pride of my shop, best purchase I made as far as satisfaction and usage goes.

Rigid 18V Cordless tools: I have a few of these but the impact driver and two drills get the most use by far. I find that I pick one of these up just about every time I'm in the shop. Very convenient because I have three batteries so I never run dry, and I can chuck up three different bits at one time for use during a project.

HF Lathe: Best Bang for the Buck by far in my shop. I use it more than any other tool on a regular basis. While I'd love to have a bigger, fancier lathe, this one gets the job done with no problem. Eventually I'm hoping I'll actually need a bigger, fancier lathe but I can't come close to justifying that purchase right now.

Honorable Mentions: WorkSharp 3000, Incra LS fences on tablesaw and Router table, Woodpeckers QuickLift in router table, Incra ruler. I know the Incra stuff doesn't qualify as power tools, but they definitely deserve to be mentioned

[WoodWrangler]

Originally Posted by Glennbear

A majority of my power tools/machines are used/recycled/rebuilt etc. so for me to recommend their purchase to another woodworker is kind of pointless since they are no longer sold.

That assumes we will buy new (not usually the case for me!). I want to hear more! Sometimes it is the oldies but goodies that I'm not aware of!

[Tarhead]

Things that have made my woodworking better, easier, more funner:

1. Festool TS55EQ Plunge Cut Circular Saw + Multifunction Table + Sawguides
Tablesaw quality cuts without the pucker factor, amazing dust collection and portable.

2. Festool Domino Mortiser
Incredibly easy, fast, accurate, strong wood joints.

4. Makita 14.4volt Impact Driver
How did I ever do anything with a screw before this thing?

5. Bosch 1/2 Sheet Sander
Like driving a big Cadillac. As fun as sanding can be with surprizingly good dust collection if you turn down your vacum.

6. Fein Turbo II Vac w/Cleanstream HEPA Filtration
Quiet, Powerful (sometimes too powerful), big capacity.

[Mike Wilkins]

Interesting thread you started.
1. My recent purchase of a Laguna Pro 6 foot sliding tablesaw. A real step up from the Rockwell/Delta Unisaw I had. Handling plywood sheets is a breeze with the sliding table and scoring blade. I have been eye-balling sliding saws for years and finally took the plunge.
2. Any cordless drill/driver in my arsenal. Even though I am steps away from an outlet, I still reach for the battery-driven guys.
3. My Laguna LT18 bandsaw. Enough power to cut the universe in half.

[bwat]

All good posts and interesting reads. I'll ditto on most duplicate/triplicate posts on the Makita lithium drill & drivers, Dewalt 735 planer, Jet Exacta saw, OSS sander and anything Festool has always exceeded my abilities.

Such an interesting thread that I'd like to see the same on hand tools, measuring devices or jigs.

These recommendations are better than a buyers guide!

[maomoonshiner]

Hey guys. Been kinda absent lately -- I'm in Los Angeles! Couldn't find any work back in NC, so I came out here for three months. Been doing work building sets in the film industry. Have had a chance to acquire quite a few new toys, here are my two favorites:

1. Makita 10.8v impact drill
Completely great. I love this little guy...it handles a lot more than I'd expect, keeps a charge forever, and works in tight spaces very well. I've driven lag screws with it! Hows that for compact power?

2. Bosch Colt palm router
Smooth, smooth, smooth. I don't think I'll ever drag my big Freud out from under the table again, if I can help it. Great router!

[Dragon]

All you guys with the fancy tools. Wish I had a few for myself. Oh well, all things in due time. I manage to get by with a 1/4 sheet vibrator and a 3X21 belt sander and my chainsaw. Best chainsaw accessory I can recommend is a Grandberg bar-mount sharpening guide. It works better than any I've used over the last 30 or so years and is worth its weight in gold when you figure up the savings from paying someone else to grind off most of your chain teeth.