Newbie seeking guidance on tools

[Oceans05]

Good day,

New here and to woodworking. Bought a TS55 and a CT26 few weeks ago and fell in love!

I went to the Jacksonville road show few weeks ago and was able to get my hands on all the tools I was interested in.. hence feeding the addiction... I've since purchased a MFT/3, carvex, and few accessories... I feel a bit pushed to purchase the following tools before the price increase: OF1400, RO90, and Domino XL

With the OF1400, I already have a Bosch 1617 that I was planning on using as a table router, it's worth purchasing the OF1400 yes?

With the Domino XL, I honestly have no idea how to use/where I will use this but feel pressured to purchase because purchasing it now with the domino kits will save over $100 if I know i'll use it...

Currently my wife and I moved into a new home and our goals are to do some home addition stuff, like building a shed, pergola, crown base and window moldings, built ins, cabinets, office desk, AND THEN I have a huge desire to learn furniture making, we really love the Greene and Greene furniture, arts & crafts style, and Mike Pekovich's asian inspired kumiko details... I'm having a hard time thinking about what I would be using the Domino for? Only thing I can think of are the cabinets, and even then, is it worth 2k just for cabinets?

I have about 2 hours a day to woodwork, and on my days off about 3-4. I started this journey highly interested in hand tools only, but quickly realized its been taking me forever to make basic things... I started making a Paulk total station in October, and still need to finish the router table and fence and the quick stops for the miter wings. So i've noticed I am kinda slow. Gosh, making that table with the Ryobi circular saw and jig saw made me puke every time I saw the after cuts.. let alone difficulty in blade squareness..

Thank you for listening!
Stephan

 

[Mario Turcot]

Welcome to the FOG!

I am pretty much in the same boat then you. I read and watch videos for quite a bit before I jumped in the green.

Good choice in the TS 55. I put that saw in test when I bought it. Ripped two sheets of BB 15mm into 50mm strips. Yes I did it  [eek] and I was amazed by the results  [big grin] and the beauty of it, there was NO saw dust anywhere but in the CT-26  [wink]

OF 1400: A fantastic router, took me no time to familiarize with the handle/know design. In combination with the guide rail and accessories you can achieve alot. I strongly suggest it.

RO 90: I also have the RO 90 and found it very easy to handle and I like the mode options. You can go in details or on aggressive mode in a pinch.

DF 500 / 700: I have the DF 500 and if you are like me having problem with assembly, you will find it a desirable tool. I use it every time an application permit. The difference between the two dominos is mostly in the tenons size where the 700 have bigger cutters/tenons.

Good luck with your projects, Mario

 

[Sparktrician]

Given your stated objectives, I'd suggest that you might be better off dropping the Domino XL and substituting the DF 500 Domino, then grabbing either 1) the RO 125 with an ETS 125/3 or 2) the RO 150 with an ETS 150/3.  Choose either the 125mm abrasives and use the same for both sanders or the 150mm abrasives and use the same for both sanders.  The OF 1400 and RO 90 are great as is.  Future additions might include the LR 32 with two 1400mm LR 32 "holey rails" (FS 1400/2-LR 32, P/N 496939).  Add in the Connector FSV, P/N 482107 (you'll need two) to join the two rails together for a 2800mm cutting capability. 

 

[Oceans05]

Thank you for the responses!

I've tried to read and research more about the Domino, but I think I may have a brain block on what I may use it for... Everyone who has one speaks volumes about it, that's pretty much the reason why I'm considering it even though I don't feel I have an immediate need for it?

In terms of the project possibilities can the domino be used for cabinet construction? like to elimate the need for pocket holes and screws or are rabbets and dado's the more common/easy? How about strength?

Thanks again

 

[Sanderxpander]

Hi,

I'm not an experienced carpenter but feel I'm in a similar place as you - home owner with lots of remodeling and renovating to do and a budding interest in woodworking. Having done a simple set of shelves I can tell you sanding large areas with the RO90 gets old fast. I also bought it as the ultimate versatile sander but it just doesn't go quickly enough when you have (as I had) a bunch of plywood sheets to do. I also find it somewhat frustrating to handle compared to the 150/125mm Mirka Deros I ended up getting for larger surfaces. That thing is just a dream to handle as long as you don't need to do any corners or lots of inside edges. I haven't compared it to the ETS 125 or 150 because the new EC (brushless) versions weren't available then yet and they were much heavier than the Mirka. Where the Rotex really shines for me personally is stripping 80 year old paint/varnish from our panel doors. I use Granat 40 and put it to Rotex mode, it's still a chore but pretty quick eating through three layers and the pad isn't much smaller than the rails and styles. Then I put the 125mm pad on the Mirka and use 80, 120 and 180 grits Abranet to smooth it out. I also use those on the panels (which don't need to be stripped completely) with the RO90 delta pad in the corners.

In summary, RO90 great machine, very versatile, but for the amount of stuff you want to do don't expect it to cover all bases.