[MichelleOH]

I am planning to buy a Grizzly bandsaw at some point soon, but wondered what other BIG tools you can't do without...

Is there anything else I should add to my order?

[wood-whittler]

michelle,


it really depends on what all you want to do, if you just want to cut blanks and carve then a bandsaw and maybe i drill press will be all you need, and alot of times you can get away with just a bandsaw, those are the 2 main tools i use when carving with the bandsaw being #1 the drill press i use from time to time but not that often but it may just be the style of carving i do.
hope this helps.

bart

[xsailer]

Big tools?
RATING(10 is best)
10...........Dust Collector
7.............30" 0r 42" x 1" belt sander
6.............Two wheel grinder
8.............Foredom
?.....Depends on you.....Good Mallet size gouges(big?)
10...........Wood Vise
9.............Big Shop Vacume
10...........Table Saw(work in conjuction with bandsaw)
8.............3" belt sander
9............Powered Sharpening system
10............Drill Motor (Bench or floor drill motor is nice)

Obviously some of the above are redundant with other replacments like grinder and 1" belt sander could be considered redundant, to me. It all depends on how you use your stuff. These are only my opinions, you will hear other opinions from others.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I actually use my drill press, my bandsaw, scrollsaw and reciprocating and 1 inch belt sander with the 6 inch round on the side more than anything in my shop......I have a pretty complete shop, but those seem to be used much more than the others combined.

[mdallensr]

Ditto Hi-Ho's list with the addition of my radial arm saw. I use it to rip and cross-cut blanks. If you plan to use your band-saw to cut the waste from your carving blanks, you'll find it helps to have flat surfaces and 90 degree angles on the corners of your blanks. A decent table saw or radial arm saw will get that done for you. If you have access to a jointer that will true-up your blanks, that's even better. Mike

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

oops Mike is right, I forgot my compound sliding mitre saw lol

[mark yundt]

Besides all the tools listed I personally need a jointer and a planer. Of course it depends on what you intend to do.Whatever I occasionally do need but not on a regular basis I can find ways around it or go visit a friend who has what I need.The bulk of most work though (carving) seems to start with a good bandsaw.

[pallin]

The suggestions given are good. I would add a wood lathe if you plan to do any chip carvings of wooden plates. I have found a joiner useful for trueing up the surfaces of pieces when I build up a large blank for relief carving. My first place machine would definitely be the bandsaw.