Shop tools, any suggestions?

[Andy A.]

I would highly recommend you invest in a good belt/wheel sander and some replacement belts and disks. While you won't make parts with it, you will make parts better with it. I find that regardless of what tool I use to make a part, I'll often finish it on the sander. The mill make get the part shaped right, but the sander gets it to fit right. It also gives me a little comfort knowing that I can cut the part large and sand it to fit. With a little practice, you can produce very accurate and attractive parts.

It's probably my favorite tool in the shop. So consider investing some money on a powerful unit that can take abuse and allows for easy belt changes. Nothing is worse the struggling to get a stubbern belt back on track thats keeping you from finishing a critical piece.

-Andy A.