Machine tools that do the heavier jobs can be quite expensive, but the trade-off comes with a reduction in the time and effort required to get the job done. The important thing to consider before investing in machine tools is defining the jobs you really need to accomplish. Knowing how to use a machine tool involves knowing what the tool does specifically. The good news about machine tools for non-industrial use is that they are becoming smaller and easier to operate and even a little less expensive. The bad news is that most people who buy machine tools for non-commercial use will lose money in the long run because they get terrifically excited about using them, but most of the time they become little more than enormous clotheshangers like a Soloflex or treadmill.
Wood lathe: A wood latjhe can be used to pry open the potential for what you can accomplish in carpentry work. Forget about using just a saw to cut right angles; use a lathe to position the wood in order to create cylindrical shapes. With a wood lathe, it becomes possible to create legs, spindles, and even bowls from nothing more than solid blocks of wood. Once you have managed to create a bowl from what had originally been nothing more than big block of wood, you can never go back.
Table Saw: Use a table saw to cut either wood or metal to very precise dimensions. The motor of this saw is actually mounted beneath the table to allow it to rise and lower. This controls the height of the blade itself and allows for cutting up to a 45 degree angle. To facilitate more rapid adjustments, use the parallel fence which slides on a calibrated scale.
Combination jointer: Feed the length of wood over the cutter block on a combination jointer to create a square edge on a rough stock. On the underside of the table, a length of wood can be fed between the adjustable bed and a cutter block that rotates in order to create a parallel and smooth face. This machine tool is capable of cutting to incredibly accurate and precise dimensions.
Spindle moulder: Use the spindle moulder to shape the wood and create sophisticated molding. This tool works with steel cutters that revolve at a very high speed. A spindle moulder is excellent not just for creating very precise shapes, but producing very large quantities of product over a short work time.
Drill press: Use a drill press to reduce the repetition of drilling while increasing the accuracy. The adjustable table and multiple speeds of the drill press are ideal for drilling blind holes as well as drilling to perfectly accurate depths.
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