What wouldn't you replace?

Re: What wouldn't you replace?

Hi John,

Interesting insight.  I have moved my shop now 3 times in 5 years.  I have thought seriously what I might not need given that I am now able to select many different processes to complete the same tasks.

If my list was just machines I would think about giving up;

• My cabinet saw as I do a lot of handsaw cuts now as well as my bandsaw.
• Some of my sanding machines, I use hand planes a lot now
• My 8"slow speed grinder, I now use stones and have a Tormek
• My chop saw, see table saw

Take care, Jim

Re: What wouldn't you replace?

I might  not replace my:

15" planer, I have a 12" one I use more and if I were to replace it I would go even larger, like 24"

16/32 Performax sander...I have a dual drum 24" sander and I might let the Performax go. 

Interesting & thought provoking.  What I would like to have is access to a huge TimeSaver type sander, maybe 48",  I have about thirty red oak slabs I would like to use.

And there are numerous portable power tools I might let go.  Some of them I am giving to my son.

Re: What wouldn't you replace?

• RBI Hawk scroll saw.  Bought used for a specific project, but little used since.
• Vicmarc VM100 lathe.  I do everything on my large lathe and do not have the space to keep this lathe accessible and useful.  Gathering dust now.
• A workbench I bought for woodcarving that has turned into a "stuff" collector.  Maybe the bench and the stuff should go.
• The original Porter Cable biscuit joiner.  Awkward to use/hold.  Rarely used.
• Piles of turning stock I've collected over the years.  I'll honestly never turn it.
• Assorted turning tools that were a good idea at the time, but get no use now.  Time for donations to the Wounded Warriors perhaps. 
• I have way too many screwdrivers, Allen keys, pliers, etc.  Always seems that buying the set is the WAY better value per tool.

Some philosophy and a reply

Like you I have stuff I thought I would use but didn't.  How did I wind up with the useless stuff?.  Well, useless advice.  Climbing up the learning curve would have been a more shallow climb had I not wasted time buying, trying stuff that was inappropriate for the work I came to do.

The detour into Krenov planes was a time waster.  The detour into Krenov was a waste of time.  Not pursuing all the various alternatives to M&T joints would have saved time and expense.  If you are going to make much stuff requiring M&T joints just buy a mortising machine.  Thinking more, to build the furniture I wanted to make requires being able to reliably execute dovetail and M&T joints.  I wasted a lot of time and stuff to get to the point where I can make these joints the way most professional shops make them.  The "crutches" were a useless detour.  I am still surprised at how few tools a professional shop has.  What they have they know how to use as multitaskers.  I would have found it best to learn to use these basic tools earlier. 

Some tools became obsolete.  Included are several kinds of corded tools and early sanders before random orbital sanders became available. 

Re: What wouldn't you replace?

The original Porter Cable biscuit joiner.  Awkward to use/hold.  Rarely used............I used mine once and sold it!!! yea!  How did I come to buy it in the first place?

Jumping Off Bridges

Hi Bill,

How true your words are.  "If Johnny jumped of the bridge" .... well I jumped off a few, some were great in developing my skills, some just a time consuming experience that provided no value. 

I sold a lot of the early tools/machines that took me down alleys, I was grateful for the experience and let them go with no regrets.  It's a process to sort it all out, but it is true, I probably only use 20% of my tools on a regular basis.

Take care,, Jim

Re: What wouldn't you replace?

I, too, need to find a home for a biscuit joiner.  Once I finish the dressers I'm building I'll be looking to sell my big table saw.  I have promised myself that I'm going to limit woodworking to small, easily managed, projects.