New shop advice

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Apr 17, 2014
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Hi everyone. I'm looking for some advice. I have just moved into a new place and I have an empty 24'x24' shop, with four skylights and no windows, 8 foot ceiling and cement floor. I have managed to save $8K to equip my shop and I want to do it with the best tools possible with the most versatility. I want to be able to do most things with these tools, while saving for purchasing the additional tools that will make life easier. I will be building furniture and cabinets for my place, as well as doing some regular construction. How should I spend my money? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
 
TS-55 saw, MFT, sanders, Domino, multiple CT's, 2-CSX's.

Depending on your supplier you may also need a planer and jointer.

Not much you can't build with the above.

Tom
 
tjbnwi said:
TS-55 saw, MFT, sanders, Domino, multiple CT's, 2-CSX's.

Depending on your supplier you may also need a planer and jointer.

Not much you can't build with the above.

Tom
All of the above, plus:

- Consider adding a C15 if you need more drilling horsepower. 

- A router table and a drill press can be very useful.   

- Extra rails in different lengths. 

- For regular construction, I find the SYS-Toolbox to be very useful.  I bought two of the short ones.  I would have also bought the taller one if it was available then. 

- Several Festool clamps.  I've found the quick clamps and the clamping elements to be the most useful. 

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Dan.

 
KAPEX would be an early add for me, maybe a CARVEX too. You'll also want a router or too [cool]
 
Yes, I'd add OF1010 or OF1400 and a Holey Rail or two.
 
Ts55/mft combo. Swap the 55 rail for the holy version. Another mft.  A second 55 holy rail with connectors.  Then add an r0150/ct26 combo. granat paper assortment. rs400 with a paper assortment. of1400 with the mft cms. csx drill. lr32 hole set. Clamp elements. oil finish set. And a domino xl or 500. A kapex would be nice to if you can swing it. It will need its own vac/table and wings though. It can become a 3000 chop saw really quickly.
 
That's a decent sized space, assuming you bought it and intend to stay a while I'd have a jointer, planer, band saw and table saw in there, and maybe a lathe if you want to turn and a drill press also. As much as I like Festool they just aren't a replacement for these IMO especially when doing furniture (assuming finer stuff not picnic tables) where you'll be often dealing with rough hardwoods that may need resawing, jointing, planing. But as Tom said it depends on your lumber supplier. Something for dust collecting, air cleaning and ventilating and good lighting for when the skylights aren't doing their job. Track saw and rails to break down sheet goods, domino, pocket screws and clamps to put stuff together, sanders like RO90 and larger random orbitals, and for me in the Festool or otherwise category would be hand drill, router, router table, miter saw. Carvex can be really handy at times. Doesn't sound like portability is important so build your own cutting/working table, lots of ideas for that in threads here. Also will be needing some sort of materials storage rack. If you want to do spray finishing then add an HVLP also. I've probably gone way over your budget but just giving an idea of my priorities if in your situation. YMMV.
 
  Don't forget, you will need an air-compressor. I have a large stationary one in my shop. I just used 1/2" PVC to pipe air all around my shop. You can save a lot of $$ not using black-pipe or copper. PVC holds 175 lb with ease. Don't cheap-out on buying a good compressor for your shop. You will be using it in all of your projects. You can always buy a less expensive portable one in the future if you need to take it to a job.
 
This is not everything you need, but a start.  I'm sure I forgot lots of stuff too.  For a home shop look at the Hammer/Felder saw/shaper and planer/jointer combination machines.  Expensive yes.  But extremely functional.  You MUST have a table saw and planer/jointer to work solid wood.  Shaper and/or router table is useful too.  With a long sliding table you can rip one edge of a board straight before ripping to width and dimension sheet goods.  Festool DOMINO and rotary sanders for all joinery and finishing.
 
Hire an electrician and install a electrical panel with 220 and 110 circuits.  Buy a shop dust control system something like the Oneida V-3000.  Build a post and spar lumber rack at least 10' long and then get the best table saw that you can afford.

My next purchases would be;

1) Wide long bed jointer
2) Domino joiner & CT 26
3) Router with good table
4) Power Planer 12" or larger
5) Build or Buy a solid work bench with vices
6) Festool T-18 & CXS drills
7) Festool ETS 150/3 & RO 90 sanders
8) Hand Planes (Lie-Neilsen)
9) Chisels
10) Festool Track Saw
11) Measuring tools

You might consider a nice rubber mat floor and the list goes on.

Jack

 
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