Comments on: Priority of machines to get for woodworking (part 1) https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/ inside the woodshop Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:21:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 By: Rob https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-565496 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:21:48 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-565496 Yea, Ray, that may be best for some folks.

These choices come down to an individual’s building intentions, working preferences, space, and budget.

]]> By: Ray Collins https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-565414 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 06:13:26 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-565414 I would suggest a bandsaw as No. 1. Two reasons, you can do many projects at minimal outlay and secondly, it does not require a dust extaction system.
I would rate the thicknesser as No. 2 because it definitely requires a dust extractor to go with it as No. 3

]]> By: Rob https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-565158 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:30:53 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-565158 Thanks, Thomas.
Yea, woodworking machinery is expensive. But so is the TIME that a thickness planer saves you. And nice wood is ultimately even more expensive!
I had to use (long story) a $350 Craftsman thickness planer for a few months. It worked surprisingly well. Sure, the Oliver at 3x the cost is way better. There are low cost ways to get most of the benefits of most woodworking machines.
A 13″ thickness planer takes up little space and is generally not too difficult to move. It can be stored on the side and used on the regular workbench.
Different ways to work and manage.

]]> By: Thomas Milne https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-565147 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:37:07 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-565147 Straight away you hit the turn off button with a four figure cost. That and the physical size of a planer.
Not all of us have deep pockets nor wide spaces for use, once my bench was made there is not much more room for big machinery pieces.
Hopefully you web site will give us more hope and help with other ideas.
Thanks and regards,
Thomas

]]> By: Joe Leonetti https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-561193 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:22:27 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-561193 Hi Rob,
I’m enjoying the series. I totally understand why and how your top three have gone. Different than mine? Sure but it’s fun to see. Once I got my top two, thicknesser and bandsaw, I was much happier to have the electrons do the donkey work. I have a next door neighbor how I am really good friends with. We’ve vacationed together and do a weekly caring class and have taken wood turning classes together as well. His choices line up with yours and we bust each other’s chops on a regular basis in a fun way.
Sincerely,
Joe

]]> By: Rob https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-558514 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:11:19 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-558514 Thanks, Joe.
Second tool will not be a bandsaw. All just my opinion though.

]]> By: Joe Leonetti https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/2026/07/17/priority-of-machines-to-get-for-woodworking-part-1/#comment-558372 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:04:22 +0000 https://www.rpwoodwork.com/blog/?p=8804#comment-558372 I agree that a thicknesser is probably the most handy tool to have if one wants to have minimal machines. Nothing takes more effort with hand tools than reducing the thickness of many boards. I have the DeWalt one as the Oliver was too new when I was buying and there were literally no reviews on it. Within last 6 months the local woodcarving school I go to got the exact Oliver you have. It’s a nice machine for sure.

My guess on tool number two would be a bandsaw.

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