Adding tools to my shop

[Gameoverziggy]

Hello everyone. I was given a scroll saw and a drill press for Christmas this last year and with some cash I went and bought a Dremel 3000. Now as far as I know I can buy some certain attachments to also make the Dremel into a router. I was wondering what other tools I should be looking to add to my shop. I am tight on space everything is in my basement so I can't go adding a huge table saw or something.

[evilbadger]

I would start looking for sanding equipment next. A random orbit, a belt/disc combo machine, and an oscillating spindle sander. You have the drill press so you could get sanding drums for it and also a sanding mop. The Dremel is kind of weak for using as a router so if you plan on doing a lot of routing maybe the Bosch Colt would suit your needs better. I could list a whole bunch of stuff but it really depends on what you like to make.

[western.flyer]

Sanding equipment would be the next thing I would look for next too. I am limited on space too so most of what I get is the contractors or table top models so they can be stored under my bench or on shelves when not in use. I would add tools as you have a need for them, for instance, why buy a planner if you buy your wood at the thickness you need already.

Evilbadger is right about the Dremel, I had one I used for routing and it didn't last very long at all because I was doing way to big of jobs with it. Other than that a scroll saw and a drill press is a very good start in the never ending pursuit of new toys(tools).

[Bill Wilson]

I have a Dremel and while I don't use it as a router, I agree that it's not really all that well suited for the task. It's very useful for other things and the router base turns it into a pretty good drill press for drilling fretwork entry holes, especially in the middle of larger pieces that can't be reached on most standard drill presses.

As for other tools, a little more information on what you currently own as well as what kinds of projects you want to do would help. There are a myriad of different kinds of sanders out there. I agree that this would be the first area of emphasis, as few things are as mind numbing as sanding, so tools to help expedite the process as much as possible are a necessity, IMHO. However, once you get beyond a basic random orbit sander, the types of projects will dictate what other sanders would be most useful to you.

You will need to have a relatively effective, efficient and accurate means of making little boards out of big boards. The scroll saw isn't necessarily the best option for making repeatably accurate cuts or breaking down larger stock. You mention not having room for a "huge" table saw. Do you have room for a portable one? Personally, I consider the table saw to be the primary wood cutting tool in my shop. Models are available from several manufacturers that are designed as jobsite saws. Some have integral folding/wheeled stands that make them easier move around and store. They are made to be transported from job site to job site, so while they are bigger than a breadbox, they aren't "huge". An alternative might be a bandsaw and a power miter saw. With some limitations, those would cover basic ripping and cross cutting tasks.

Again, a little more info on your specific situation would help fine tune the answers a bit.

[jm51]

I too have limited space so I break down sheet goods on the living room carpet using a Festool track saw with a Henry vacuum cleaner as shop vac.

Obviously I lay some strips down to stop the carpet getting chewed up but whatever mess there is (very little) takes about 30 secs to clear using the Henry.

[Wood Dog]

Safety glasses, a good dust mask, hearing protection.........dust removal equipment.

[Gameoverziggy]

So other than the safety equipment such as glasses and a mask that I do have, I invested into a beginner set of chisels. I picked up a power sander off Kiijiji for 5 bucks. I would eventually like to invest into a new orbital sander. You guys mentioned something similiar to a what sounded like a portable table saw I think I will look into something like this.
Thanks for all your help.