Thread: What to machines do i need in my new shed, advice please

Originally Posted by Vorlon

Hi all
Been a carpenter for many years but never got into making much stuff at home cause i never had any decent equipment exept an old triton table saw that nearly put me off wood working altogether.
Anyway ive finally made the move to a decent size shed and now i want to fill it with tools i will need,
so im after advice on which tools would be most useful.
After browsing around here i think ive decided on the following.
Harvey hw 110lge_30 table saw
Carbatec bx330p thicknesser
Hafco bp 360 bandsaw

Not sure about the bandsaw or size but i would like to use it to rip wide boards in half.

What sort of wood are you talking about?
The 360 has a 1.5Hp Motor which is OK for its rated 225mm max width softwoods but will struggle on hardwoods.
I would be looking at a bit more HP for hardwoods.
If you are not going any bigger than 150 mm cuts the 360 would be OK.

Do i need a drum sander, planner/thicnesser?
Anything i should reconsider or other suggestions.

If you want to make square timber you will need a planer. If you lack space a combo planer/thicknesser

Some sort of sander will be needed as timber will need better finishing that what comes off a saw or thicknesser.
It depends what you are making but something like a combo belt/disc sander is quite useful.

Also what are you doing about dust extraction?

Yes dust extraction is something else i need to consider.
With the band saw im looking at ripping some 150 year old oregan beams i got from a flour mill thats been demolished they range from 150 to 250.
Not sure about the jointer,planner,thicknesser combo thingy never used one so not sure if i need it or would it be useful to me?
Cheers

Thanks for your replies.
Yes dust extraction as well but there are so many brands and options, which one shpuld i look at?
I have some
With the bandsaw i have some 150 yr old oregan from a demolished flour mill, 150 to 250 mm im looking at ripping in half.
Now what about a Jointer,planner,thicknesser combo thingy, never used one but should i consider one?
Drum sander carbatec wds 4080p ? Any good
Thanks

Combo or not, you should definitely get a jointer of some description

What you planning on making?
What materials are you planning on working with?
Whats your actual budget?

Without knowing this its hard to suggest what you'll need, as anyone here will tell you its a very deep rabbit hole.

But to add to your list I'd recommend a drill press, even a cheap one

Originally Posted by Vorlon

Thanks for your replies. Yes dust extraction as well but there are so many brands and options, which one shpuld i look at?

If only there was a simple solution.
I have watched people throw $10,000 at dust control and still not quite solve their problems.
This is not a topic I can explain in 5 minutes.
When I visit mens shed to explain dust control it takes me about 40 minutes to get across the basics and then I seen around another 40 minutes walking around their shed and advising them on specific machinery.

Three things are needed for adequate dust control
1) a dust collector that is capable of ~1000 cubic ft per min (CFM) - most manufactures claim about double the CFM that their machines can deliver - this means at least a 3HP unit
2) To move that much air around requires the use of 6" ducting - 4" ducting can only move around 400 CFM
3) Machine ports have to be opened up (modified) to utilise the air flow that 6" ducting enables. This requires getting out the angle grinder and opening up or replacing the dust ports.

I realise this is not what starting out wood workers want to hear - they are much more interested in wood working that setting up dust control systems. They want to buy gear of the shelf and plug and play to solve this problems but unfortunately that does not exist.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in your shed and have the readies then I would look at a ClearVue Cyclonic system. If not scale it back from there. But to get it anywhere near close to safe and acceptable be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort. There are plenty of good examples and how to's in the Dust forum. Be prepared to spend several hours reading in that forum. If you have 4-5 hours spare you should also look at the Bill Pentz website on dust control. Dust Collection Research - Home

With the bandsaw i have some 150 yr old oregan from a demolished flour mill, 150 to 250 mm im looking at ripping in half.

The 360 should do that OK but if you plan on doing hardwood you might need a bit more grunt.

Now what about a Jointer,planner,thicknesser combo thingy, never used one but should i consider one?

How do you plan to get wood square, remember a thicknesser only guarantees two sides are parallel and does not guarantee the other two sides are square to the other two sides.
I'm somewhat confused why a carpenter does not already know this?

Hi Bob,

Depends on the type of carpentry, its not the first time i've heard a comment similar to this.

Most roofies don't ever consider squaring up lumber as time is of the essence and often use the lumber that has been supplied as "good enough"

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

Hi Bob,

Depends on the type of carpentry, its not the first time i've heard a comment similar to this.

Most roofies don't ever consider squaring up lumber as time is of the essence and often use the lumber that has been supplied as "good enough"

Good point. I know a roofie who is a bit like that. Another chippie I know has been installing/fitting flatpacks and stuff out of a "cut to order workshop" for 25 years and says he can't remember the last time he used any real wood. Sad really but that's the way it's largely gone.

Well ive only worked doing framing fixing and lock ups on new homes thats why i have no idea on these factory shop tools other than a hand power tools.
What about the hafco pt 300 combo,?

'need' implies that there's constraints being placed upon the decision. The first two questions: what are you intending to make ? and why are you making it ?

If you're going to be using a lot of sheet goods, get a table saw. If you're using a lot of curves go for a bandsaw, but if you're doing woodworking because you enjoy the connection to the material go with mostly handtools to enjoy the solitude and silence. Personally, i went with a table saw and regretted it as now i've found i pretty much use handtools for everything. If i were to start over, i'd have gone with just a bandsaw for resawing which kinda sucks to do by hand. But i'm ok with making one thing every week or so as it costs me less in wood anyhow !

Originally Posted by Vorlon

Well ive only worked doing framing fixing and lock ups on new homes thats why i have no idea on these factory shop tools other than a hand power tools.
What about the hafco pt 300 combo,?

Yep that would be a really good starter machine.

I would definately go for both a planer and thicknesser, either two machines or a combo. Helical heads are meant to be great, or you can just clean up the timber after it comes out the thicknesser. I also wouldn't bother with sander, buy a handplane, much faster than sanding and gives a great finish.... that said I may be bias, I HATE sanding. Planes are also handy for rough flattening of twisted timber before throwing over a planer.

6m x 6m is not a large space. You will need to be careful with the amount and type of machinery you purchase, as space will become a premium. For small workshops it is hard to go past a combination machine. These machines come in all different configurations, some are just jointer planer while others include table saw, mortiser and spindle moulder.
The question one is always asked is, what you are going to make and what timber you are going to use. Well that's a hard question to answer as a good machine can last for many years and goodness only knows what will be made and from what. I've been in the game for over forty years. I am on my second combination machine, having traded the old one for more than I paid for it.
There isnt much you cant do on a fully featured combination machine. Deep ripping and curves are the only limiting factor. Therefore, your reasonable sized bandsaw would be a good purchase. With these two machines all aspects of woodwork and timber type are covered. Only your expertise limits your production and this will improve as you progress.
Machines on wheels are a great advantage in a limited space. When assembling large items, your two machines can be run to the back corners and the entire floor space is at your disposal. A dust extractor is better located outside and hoses run in to the machines. This eliminates the residual dust created by the dusty when located inside. If security is an issue, most dusties are on wheels and can be wheeled in and out as required. 2hp minimum. Anything less is a waste of time and money.
Hope this helps.

Hi Vorlon

I was in the same position a few years ago .... 6x6 workshop ... wanting to create some useful, and some heirloom projects. I make all sorts of tables, cabinets, chests, boxes of all types, garden furniture, seats, etc.

I will send you a PM

Regards

Rob