Shop from scratch

[Keithicus]

We've been in the competition a few years as a team of 2 schools but just recently split from the other school (cuz of administrative issues, philly school district is havin some trouble right now). Problem was the other school had a shop. We're trying to set up a shop from scratch. We have a lot of the hand tools but we're lookin to purchase a bandsaw, drill press, and grinder. We were lookin to spend around $300 or less on each. We have a huge workspace and we're getting regular wall outlets installed (110 volts or something? i forgot what comes out of the wall). I'm sure everyone has an idea of the type of materials we'll be working with and how much we'll be using them. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on good brands and what specs to look for. I've looked all over and it seems that everything in our price range is kinda sub par. From what I've gathered we should be lookin for:

Metal cutting machines (no wood or wood/metal hybrids cuz the pulleys and shafts arent beefy enough to handle the forces)
About 3/4 HP
About 300-3000 RPM range (to cover everything from wood to steel)

Bandsaw:
block guides
built in welder, cutter and grinder

Drill Press:
it'd be nice to have a table with grooves for fixturing

We need to get one real soon, materials are on the way. All suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Keith Sevcik
Mentor for #920

[Keithicus]

If no one has any specific recomendations could you please tell me what brand machines ya'll use or some qaulity brands? I'm really unfamiliar with the different manufacturers. Anyone have opinions on Harbor Freight?

[Mike Rush]

Harbor Frieght has some value tools (read inexpensive and generally worth what you pay) but they also have some (how do I say it?) junk. If your budget is tight it might be a good place to go but you will not get quality tools. Be choosy and be careful.

As for hand tools I would try Husky(Home Depot) or Craftsman(Sears). Both have lifetime warranties and if they break, you can get them replaced. As for power tools, Delta is a solid name brand as well as DeWalt. Bosch seems to be expensive and not as thought out as some equipment.

I have seen some non-name brand tools such as Jet or Grizzly sold through wood working supply houses and catalogs. These seem to be name brand knock offs but they look like a quality product ( although I have not owned either).

I generally have Craftsman hand tools. I have never had any trouble getting relpacements for the very few tools which have broke over the last 20 years using them.

I generally own Delta, and DeWalt power tools and have had good success with both.

Good luck on your search.

[jonnywalk]

I suggest finding a shop or shops that will let you borrow stuff during the season. But if this isn't possible then try to find stuff from surplus dealers or go to some retailer (sears, lowes home depot and see if they will donate or give you a great deal on the floor models of their products. They are generally willing to help if they can and floor models are still just as good as the new stuff.

[Keithicus]

Thanks Mike and Jonny.

I'm a DeWalt guy myself. I'm currently lending my tools to the team. I never thought to ask them about donating floor models! Thats a great idea!

Thanks for all the great advice,
Keith Sevcik
#920