tools

[meyers]

I was interested in what brand scroll saw to get and which
floor stand belt sander(models please) thanks brett

[Jason West]

I've got several Jet tools and have been very satisfied. Good balance between price, durability, adjustability and accuracy.

FWIW, a scroll saw and floor stand sander would not be high on my list.

I've got a bandsaw (Jet), a jointer (Jet), an ancient table saw that is ROCK solid, a table top (cheap) delta 4" bench sander and an ossilating spindle sander.

[Jason West]

The only thing I would like to add to my arsenal is a thickness sander, and more time..........

[TNMANDO]

I'm set up pretty much like Jason but I do have a 18 inch scroll saw ( dewalt ) that I have found very handy for cutting inlay and other jobs I don't trust my band saw for like f-holes, block set scroll area, peghead veneer,as well as roughing out the inlays. It's not the most frequently used but it's definitely a plus. As far as sanders go I too have a 4 x 36 inch table top model with a vertical disc attached and like it just fine. I too would love a thickness sander.

[cburcher]

not to be stupid, but what is a joiner? I've been considering starting up an F and what tools are necessities, which I can borrow, etc. So far, I see that a table sander is probably high on the list, with next being a band saw. What else? I just bought the new siminoff book, but am trying to rank my initial purchases by need. 'preciate cha.

[JeffS]

A jointer is a machine that squares up an edge of a board so it can be glued to another edge to make a larger panel. This is how the bookmatched top and bottom plates are formed. Watch Norm on just about any Saturday on PBS. He uses his alot. If you don't have a jointer you can do the same with a router and a special homemade jig or a hand plane and a shooting board like they used to do in the old days. DIY had a segment last weekend on how to use your router as a jointer. You can probably find the notes on DIYnet.com.

[thistle3585]

So, no one uses their tablesaw to square the edge for the plates?

[Bandersnatch Reverb]

Oh boy... dont get me started.

First, Jet markets some great stuff. Its made for them in China by King Keng Fu, a large foundry and machine works. Some of the older Jet items (and probably some of the current ones too) are made in Korea. I dont think any were made in the US. Either way, Jet is good, and a good value.

There are thickness sanders and then again, there are thickness sanders. They seem to come in two varieties. Those which give a reasonably accurate setting, but are build to really hog wood (better termed an abrasive plane), and those where are very precise, but can only take a few .001's off at a time. I've used both, and would think that for the woods and quantities used in mandolin making (except for the largest factories) a belt fed vertical thickness sander would be just fine, except for the expense (they are $$$!!!).

Joiners - I've picked too many of other peoples finger remnants from joiners to ever want one. If you get one, be damed careful, as they are mercilessly unforgiving. A table saw or radial arm saw or table router is bad, but the joiner is king of bad if you let it get you. I still have 10 for 10, but only by the grace of god. Many co-workers were less fortunate. I got out of the trade after picking a 17 year old kids fingers out of a 36inch (wide) joiner. He lost 6. BE CAREFUL.

As far as a table saw goes, for the thickness of wood used in building instruments, it might well be altogether suitable for use as a joiner if you have a very true blade, steady hand and the finesse to make it run very true. I'd actually say its easier for the beginner to get a passable surface finish with a tablesaw and fence rather than with a joiner... Those who use both may well attest to this as well.