: I do everything a little differently (or %&*#@$ depending how you look at
: it). I have a POS Delta Bench saw that works great for daily tasks and is
: small enough to store easily. The rare times I have heavy duty jobs, I
: just go rent a super nice one for +- $40; I ripped strips for this boat on
: a rented saw. I might think differently if I was a homeowner but that's
: the way I look at it now. Spend the $500 on a small diamond for your
: wife... it will get you a lot further toward your goal than a new piece of
: machinery
: - Chip
: http://www.nwlink.com/~chips

Nice try Chip,
I'm just not buyin' it. Although they say "Diamonds are forever", a ring or necklace just won't cut wood. And regardless, a month after Christmas, I'll be back in the dog house anyway

Actually, my wife sounds more like Roger's. She wants me to have nice tools, so that I can help with her crafts (mostly country tole painting on pine). She has already said that I could buy a tablesaw now, _IF_ I build a window bench in the hallway. Last weekend she found a 50's style kitchen table at a garage sale and she made me go pick it up in my truck and pay them $250 for it (didn't even blink an eye). Of course, this purchase was fine by me, it just meant that I could spend the equivelant at Woodcraft. Did that this morning. Cool stuff coming in a week.

The more I think about getting a new tablesaw, a portable unit sounds better for me because of my lack of space. I have no real workshop (at least not yet). Most of the serious work is done in my carport, then I throw it up thru the attic window for assembly. A portable saw could be easily used in the carport (with a custom stand w/ wheels) or in the attic (just the saw) for daily tasks.

I too get a healthy bonus at Christmas, so if I get the tools I need now, and do a few household projects, after the holidays, I should have the money to get a good start on a real work shop. Still haven't figured out a way to explain to my wife my need for a woodshop. Maybe then I'll have to buy the diamonds...