Sometimes I hate being me.
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- paulrussell
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:35 am
- Location: Dewitt MI
Sometimes I hate being me.
Every time I make an improvement in my workshop, I see four more things I want to improve.
I joke that on average, it takes me an additional $500 in tools, and $300 in materials to make a $400 item. Sadly (happily?) this isn't too far from the truth. The fact is that I do woodworking for the satisfaction it brings me, not any imagined "savings."
I'm now at a crossroads. I'd love an Eureka Zone system, I'd love a Power Pro, and I'd love a cabinet saw.
Cabinet saw because there are some things that are tough to do on the SS -- especially cuts that on the SS require a tilted table. But then I think -- hmm -- I might be able to do those with a Eureka Zone system for a fraction of the cost.
THEN.... I think: Hey for that cost, I could get a Power Pro (which I have lusted over since day 1)
Back and forth I go. Rinse, repeat.
As "Lost In Space's" Dr. Smith would say: Oh the PAIN, the PAIN!
I joke that on average, it takes me an additional $500 in tools, and $300 in materials to make a $400 item. Sadly (happily?) this isn't too far from the truth. The fact is that I do woodworking for the satisfaction it brings me, not any imagined "savings."
I'm now at a crossroads. I'd love an Eureka Zone system, I'd love a Power Pro, and I'd love a cabinet saw.
Cabinet saw because there are some things that are tough to do on the SS -- especially cuts that on the SS require a tilted table. But then I think -- hmm -- I might be able to do those with a Eureka Zone system for a fraction of the cost.
THEN.... I think: Hey for that cost, I could get a Power Pro (which I have lusted over since day 1)
Back and forth I go. Rinse, repeat.
As "Lost In Space's" Dr. Smith would say: Oh the PAIN, the PAIN!
Paul
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC
520 PowerPro, Planer, Bandsaw, Jointer, Belt Sander, 20" Scroll Saw, Dust Collector, conical disc
Also: 3D printers, and a homebrew CNC
- robinson46176
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 4182
- Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Central Indiana (Shelbyville)
I love my power tools and Shopsmith's and especially my Rigid TS-3650 table saw.
In spite of that I am still finding myself drawn more and more to hand tools...
I haven't bothered making a zero clearance insert for anything because when pieces get that small I cut them by hand. I can make a cut by hand and move on while a lot of folks are still making some jig or setting up. I also have come to like the quiet of hand tools.
Some of the hand tool use has been encouraged by my habit of getting up at maybe 4 AM and puttering in the shop. My work bench sits right under the bedroom.
.
In spite of that I am still finding myself drawn more and more to hand tools...

I haven't bothered making a zero clearance insert for anything because when pieces get that small I cut them by hand. I can make a cut by hand and move on while a lot of folks are still making some jig or setting up. I also have come to like the quiet of hand tools.
Some of the hand tool use has been encouraged by my habit of getting up at maybe 4 AM and puttering in the shop. My work bench sits right under the bedroom.

.
--
farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
"The condition of man is war." Sir Thomas Hobbes
WmZiggy
williamz@aol.com
"... and it was after long searching that I found the carpenter's chest, which was indeed a very useful prize to me, and much more valuable than a ship loading of gold." Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, 1719
williamz@aol.com
"... and it was after long searching that I found the carpenter's chest, which was indeed a very useful prize to me, and much more valuable than a ship loading of gold." Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, 1719
Paul,
I bought into the EZ system a couple or three years ago and have zero regrets. I gave my tablesaw away after a year or so of absolutely no use. It took some learning to do things differently and the cost to get well set up was not insignificant. But now I get far better results than I ever did with the tablesaw and is much more flexible, and, most importantly is much safer than the tablesaw.
Roy
I bought into the EZ system a couple or three years ago and have zero regrets. I gave my tablesaw away after a year or so of absolutely no use. It took some learning to do things differently and the cost to get well set up was not insignificant. But now I get far better results than I ever did with the tablesaw and is much more flexible, and, most importantly is much safer than the tablesaw.
Roy
paulrussell wrote: I'm now at a crossroads. I'd love an Eureka Zone system, I'd love a Power Pro, and I'd love a cabinet saw.
Cabinet saw because there are some things that are tough to do on the SS -- especially cuts that on the SS require a tilted table. But then I think -- hmm -- I might be able to do those with a Eureka Zone system for a fraction of the cost.
THEN.... I think: Hey for that cost, I could get a Power Pro (which I have lusted over since day 1)
Back and forth I go. Rinse, repeat.
As "Lost In Space's" Dr. Smith would say: Oh the PAIN, the PAIN!
I purchased and rebuilt a Craftsman 113.??? 10" saw last winter so that I could use a Dubby sled on it. I like having a larger saw but I think I can make the dubby work pretty well on the SS. The saw cuts great and is really quiet. I have it on a base so I can move it as necessary and keep it out of the way most of the time.
I too lust for the cabinet saw option. Maybe I will/won't. I really think my money is better spent on my SS and a few more upgrades. I have a 510. The only problem is by the time I do Power Pro, double tilt, and 520 I am close to the price of a new machine.
As was said before. Life is full of choices and none are easy. I am learning as I get older that if I don't like the direction I am headed I just stop and start over.
Bob
I too lust for the cabinet saw option. Maybe I will/won't. I really think my money is better spent on my SS and a few more upgrades. I have a 510. The only problem is by the time I do Power Pro, double tilt, and 520 I am close to the price of a new machine.
As was said before. Life is full of choices and none are easy. I am learning as I get older that if I don't like the direction I am headed I just stop and start over.
Bob
'57 Greenie 352187
?? 510 27235
Bandsaw
Jointer
Belt sander
Bob
?? 510 27235
Bandsaw
Jointer
Belt sander
Bob
- Ed in Tampa
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 5834
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: North Tampa Bay area Florida
paulrussell wrote:Every time I make an improvement in my workshop, I see four more things I want to improve.
I joke that on average, it takes me an additional $500 in tools, and $300 in materials to make a $400 item. Sadly (happily?) this isn't too far from the truth. The fact is that I do woodworking for the satisfaction it brings me, not any imagined "savings."
I'm now at a crossroads. I'd love an Eureka Zone system, I'd love a Power Pro, and I'd love a cabinet saw.
Cabinet saw because there are some things that are tough to do on the SS -- especially cuts that on the SS require a tilted table. But then I think -- hmm -- I might be able to do those with a Eureka Zone system for a fraction of the cost.
THEN.... I think: Hey for that cost, I could get a Power Pro (which I have lusted over since day 1)
Back and forth I go. Rinse, repeat.
As "Lost In Space's" Dr. Smith would say: Oh the PAIN, the PAIN!
One thing for sure as long as you sit on the fence you aren't spending money and you don't have buyer's remorse. Two positives.
If you do jump off the fence you will have second thoughts and doubts and less money. two negatives.
So enjoy life and learn to balance better on the then fence.

Ed in Tampa
Stay out of trouble!
Stay out of trouble!
- JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35428
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
The $ part I can agree. The other stuff is attitude!Ed in Tampa wrote:One thing for sure as long as you sit on the fence you aren't spending money and you don't have buyer's remorse. Two positives.
If you do jump off the fence you will have second thoughts and doubts and less money. two negatives.
So enjoy life and learn to balance better on the then fence.
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╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
- JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35428
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
http://www.eurekazone.com/reftech wrote:Whats a eureka zone?
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╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange