He or she who supports the toll store pays no more but helps pay for the website!
Stationary Power Tools
Bandsaws
You just can't build a sculptured rocker without a good bandsaw. You must be able to resaw up to 8" to cut the crest rail radii and also handle cutting curves with a 1/4" blade accurately. Four years ago I bought a 20" Agazzani band saw. It is a great saw but is not completely necessary. At that time there were no good choices past a 14" Delta or Jet with a riser block. Quality sixteen to twenty inch bandsaws were $2K plus.
Today you have better choices at less cost!
Steel City Deluxe Granite 14" Bandsaw
On a recent trip to the Highland Woodworking Showroom I examined the new 14 inch Steel City Bandsaw with a granite table and built-in riser block. Wow! What a step up from the Delta and Jets. The old cast iron tables almost always warped because of the blade removal slot. It was the weakest point in the casting and they curled up a little oneach side of the slot. The 16"x16" granite table will always be flat. It also has a 1 1/2 HP, 2 speed motor which is twice the power of my old Jet, a quick release for blade tension and a built-in mobility system. If you can't afford twice the price or more this is the "Tool to Buy." $699.99
Oh Mama! This saw could have saved me $1500 USDA. I would have only lost 2" in blade to frame work space and 1 HP in power. Other than that its very much the same saw as my Italian Stallion Agazzani 20". In addition you get two cutting speeds, a quick release tension lever which makes blades last longer, an 18"x18" table and a 2HP 230 V TEFC motor. This is a one time bandsaw purchase. $1599.99
Let's Talk Jointers
There's good news and there's bad news! First the bad news. You need a minimum of an 8" jointer to prepare stock for this chair. The crest rail requires stock that is almost 8" wide and you begin by flattening its face. Yes, if you read the woodworking mags there is always somebody who has come up with a method for jointing a 6'x17' slab with a 6" jointer. He is special but I am not that guy. I want to turn on the jointer and flatten my board. The good news is that an 8" jointer no longer costs $2K for quality.
Steel City Offers Two 8" Jointers (Available March 2010)
They are both the same except one offers quick change knives at $899.99
The other features a patented helical cutterhead that uses 16 4-sided indexable carbide insert blades that provide a superior finish, longer cut time, and quieter operation at $1049.99
The standard features on both jointers are sweet. Its oversized (77" long) solid granite beds offer unsurpassed accuracy. They will never twist or warp, and will not rust or corrode. Oversized center mounted granite fence provides maximum support throughout the entire cut. My old jointer fence has a slight cup in it but this granite fence will stay flat. The fence tilts in and out for bevel or chamfering operations. The convenient paddle switch is placed high above the table, in full operator view for greater visibility and quick access. The 4" Dust Port provides highly efficient dust collection. An integral mobile base built into the stand allows excellent maneuverability and total portability without added expense. What a package no matter which one you choose. Total weight is 460 lbs.