table saw, jointer and dowel jig advice.

Hi there, first time post here, so please be patient with me.

Looking to set up our small workshop, double garage, with some larger tools to assist in construction of timber from reclaimed timbers.
I have a great Makita 10" SCMS and Jet 6" thickesser, but need to round out the milling process with the saw and jointer to use square stock.

Here's the kicker though; we can only afford to start out with around $500 for each. I know that this means I'm in the entry level bracket, but iassume that there are some models that are better than others for where I'm at. I see that Hare and Forbes have machines similar to what I'm looking at, but, again, I don't have any idea of the quality of their products.

Lastly, looking to get a dowel jig to increase the quality of my aforementioned furnituring, and just wondering what experience folks have had with them.

Much thanks in advance, very keen to learn!

I'm a bit confused. Have you got a jet jointer or thicknesser? If it's 6" then it's a jointer. A thicknesser would be a minimum of 12".

I'd be careful spending just $500 on each. A $500 tablesaw is not likely to be very good. I'd look for a secondhand triton or similar if you're limited to that money. I'd instead spend the full $1000 on a tablesaw and save up for a thicknesser/jointer.

As for dowel jigs, I don't have one, and don't really miss it. If you get a tablesaw, then making mortise and tenon joints isn't too hard.

Trav

I'm a bit of a fanatic about my Stanley dowelling jig. Anything since has just tried to reinvent the wheel.

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Originally Posted by NewLeafWoodwork

Hi there, first time post here, so please be patient with me.

Looking to set up our small workshop, double garage, with some larger tools to assist in construction of timber from reclaimed timbers.
I have a great Makita 10" SCMS and Jet 6" thickesser, but need to round out the milling process with the saw and jointer to use square stock.

Here's the kicker though; we can only afford to start out with around $500 for each. I know that this means I'm in the entry level bracket, but iassume that there are some models that are better than others for where I'm at. I see that Hare and Forbes have machines similar to what I'm looking at, but, again, I don't have any idea of the quality of their products.

Lastly, looking to get a dowel jig to increase the quality of my aforementioned furnituring, and just wondering what experience folks have had with them.

Much thanks in advance, very keen to learn!

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Hi Newleaf, welcome

so what are you aiming to make ?
will your woodworking be a hobby or part of a business?

I see you have a
Makita 10" SCMS
Jet 6" thicknesser -- I think you mean jointer

you will need a work bench and vice and a few hand tools -- perhaps some of your immediate funds should go into making the bench and acquiring some hand tools

Given that the Makita will cut stuff accurately to length and angle, I personally consider a band saw more versatile than a table saw and your $1000 [total] budget will go a long way towards funding one

You might get lucky and get a good table saw and and a jointer for $500 each or might might not. There is a good chance you will finish up wasting $500 on a table saw that does not work properly. It is hard enough making nice things with good tools. In my opinion, you are better of getting good gear and waiting if you have to. $1000 will get you a table saw that will work. $500 will buy you pain.

I am not a wealthy man. It has taken me 30 years of scheming and saving to get a good workshop together. I fully sympathise with your budget restrictions. For many people there is always going to be some trade off between what we would like and what we can afford. If I was spending somebody else's money I would not bother about the price but I spend my own hand earned cash. That said, I have come to the conclusion that if I cannot afford a good quality tool, then I cannot afford a tool at all.

Good luck with setting up your workshop.