Help with purchase decision!

[Guy Ashley]

Nothing inappropriate about posting your pics, except they are kind of humbling to a bunch of us. You asking someone like me for advice is something like Justin Verlander asking me how to pitch.

Good luck with your project, although it doesn't look to me like you will need to rely on luck.

Thank you for the compliment Gerg.  You can always learn something for someone...

I had a boss once (coincidentally the guy who turned me on to Festool) who told me that he was the best carpenter he had ever met.  Truth is, he wasn't that good, and it was that attitude that held him back.  Returning to school has taught me that half the battle is being humble, and having the courage to ask questions.   

Man that is a refreshing attitude that a lot of people could do with reflecting on.

Total respect to you!!

 

[Bob Marino]

Nothing inappropriate about posting your pics, except they are kind of humbling to a bunch of us. You asking someone like me for advice is something like Justin Verlander asking me how to pitch.

Good luck with your project, although it doesn't look to me like you will need to rely on luck.

Thank you for the compliment Gerg.  You can always learn something for someone...

I had a boss once (coincidentally the guy who turned me on to Festool) who told me that he was the best carpenter he had ever met.  Truth is, he wasn't that good, and it was that attitude that held him back.  Returning to school has taught me that half the battle is being humble, and having the courage to ask questions.   

Man that is a refreshing attitude that a lot of people could do with reflecting on.

Total respect to you!!

  Well said.

  Bob

 

[Sparktrician]

Nothing inappropriate about posting your pics, except they are kind of humbling to a bunch of us. You asking someone like me for advice is something like Justin Verlander asking me how to pitch.

Good luck with your project, although it doesn't look to me like you will need to rely on luck.

Thank you for the compliment Gerg.  You can always learn something for someone...

I had a boss once (coincidentally the guy who turned me on to Festool) who told me that he was the best carpenter he had ever met.  Truth is, he wasn't that good, and it was that attitude that held him back.  Returning to school has taught me that half the battle is being humble, and having the courage to ask questions.   

I'd add another component - admitting to self and others that one doesn't know the answer.  That goes a bunch further than bluffing.  Good on yer, as they say. 

[smile]

 

[nickao]

I do know two things positively for sure, the older I get the less I realize I  know and there is always somebody better.

Nice work.

Questions about your work if I may:

What did you use to adhere the Zebra wood to the Mdf(or what looks like mdf). In my shop I probably would have thrown separate pieces in the vacuum press.

Do you find the adhesive you used actually holds? How thick was that veneer layer?

I am using a 3/8" layer of hardwood going over an existing bar top(prepped of course) and if there is a way I don't have to vacuum press it together I sure would go for that. But I have to be absolutely sure it will hold up like my vacuum stuff does, ie forever while getting soaking wet, etc. West systems epoxy is what I have in the shop I guess I can try that, but I seem to always get better results in the vacuum press.

 

[Vindingo]

Questions about your work if I may:

What did you use to adhere the Zebra wood to the Mdf(or what looks like mdf). In my shop I probably would have thrown separate pieces in the vacuum press.

Do you find the adhesive you used actually holds? How thick was that veneer layer?

I am using a 3/8" layer of hardwood going over an existing bar top(prepped of course) and if there is a way I don't have to vacuum press it together I sure would go for that. But I have to be absolutely sure it will hold up like my vacuum stuff does, ie forever while getting soaking wet, etc. West systems epoxy is what I have in the shop I guess I can try that, but I seem to always get better results in the vacuum press.

That desk was a nightmare of a project.  We "got a deal" on some Zebra ply fresh off the cargo ship from China... with each cut the sheets warped and twisted like they were possessed by the devil.  The veneer flaked off if you looked at it funny.

After fighting with it for a few days, we cut our losses and bought some 10mil paper backed Zebra veneer and a vacuum kit. I used plastic powdered resin veneer glue on the MDF in a vacuum press from Joe Woodworker. I think it was this stuff: http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/Ultra-CAT-PPR-Veneer-Glue-Size-5-lbs.html  Zebra on the front and birch backer on the B side, vacuum press for 24hrs.  It worked out surprisingly well for my first shot at veneering.    

Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions for you.  If you've got the vacuum set up, and you know it works...

 

[FulThrotl]

Thanks for all of the replies!!!

i think we can all rest easy on how it's gonna
turn out.... the only thing that was mentioned
was a domino tool....

at $850, it's an owie, but you could probably
sell it afterwards for $700, and it would make
everything go a lot easier for a hundred fifty
bucks.....

seriously nice work. thanks for posting the pictures.

randy

 

[davee]

Thanks for all of the replies!!!

i think we can all rest easy on how it's gonna
turn out.... the only thing that was mentioned
was a domino tool....

at $850, it's an owie, but you could probably
sell it afterwards for $700, and it would make
everything go a lot easier for a hundred fifty
bucks.....

seriously nice work. thanks for posting the pictures.

randy

+1 on the Domino.  A few years back I did a 30+ cabinet kitchen with biscuits.  I subsequently purchased a Domino and it makes all the difference in speed and quality.  I haven't used a biscuit since.

 

[nickao]

Yeah, vacuum is what I thought, I just did not see any evidence of it in the pics, I should have known. 

 

[Vindingo]

the only thing that was mentioned
was a domino tool....

at $850, it's an owie, but you could probably
sell it afterwards for $700, and it would make
everything go a lot easier for a hundred fifty
bucks.....

randy

+1 on the Domino.  A few years back I did a 30+ cabinet kitchen with biscuits.  I subsequently purchased a Domino and it makes all the difference in speed and quality.  I haven't used a biscuit since.

I have used the Domino once... didn't think it was worth the $1000 investment.  (Do I get excommunicated for that comment? )   [tongue]

 

[peter halle]

the only thing that was mentioned
was a domino tool....

at $850, it's an owie, but you could probably
sell it afterwards for $700, and it would make
everything go a lot easier for a hundred fifty
bucks.....

randy

+1 on the Domino.  A few years back I did a 30+ cabinet kitchen with biscuits.  I subsequently purchased a Domino and it makes all the difference in speed and quality.  I haven't used a biscuit since.

I have used the Domino once... didn't think it was worth the $1000 investment.  (Do I get excommunicated for that comment? )   [tongue]

Nope  [big grin].

 

[Sam Murdoch]

I think I would build a bigger closet [big grin]. Seriously, A good table saw is a great investment and will likely not need to be replaced or upgraded in your life time. The Saw Stop technology may improve but as it is, it is a fundamentally well built machine that will give you years and years of service. The Festools in 4 years will very likely be all upgraded and improved and though expensive, more easy to purchase than a good table saw. I admit, with great enthusiasm, that my Festools have changed the way I work and though I work every day without the MFT - I produce professional results using the TS55, a midi, a domino , the RO150, the 150/3 sander, and my brandy new OF1010 router. They are all indispensable. Still, I can't imagine not having a good table saw in the mix.  The quality of work that you produce, as seen in your photos, suggests that you will always have a woodworking shop no matter what else you might choose to do in the future. With that in mind  my vote is : remodel your Mother's kitchen with a new Saw Stop and some great Festools, when you are done store your tools away, but if your closet is too small,  sell off the currently - state of the art Festools - lots of willing takers. In the future rebuild your shop as you need to with new and updated Festool models, with the center piece being a good, safe, dependable table saw. Any way you choose to do it, have fun, good luck, and make your Mother proud  [thumbs up].