Sometimes in tool purchases the words "quality" and " inexpensive" don't belong in the same sentence. I am learning more and more that good quality tools pay for themselves over and over again by being a pleasure to use and dependable.

Now, I am not saying that we should all go out and buy tools that a shop like Coddington or SoCal would use, that is not realistic and most of us don't need or can afford those types. But I do suggest you look at American made tools that come from one of the name brand companies. You might have to spend more than something from HF, but they will probably last many times longer and be more accurate.

As for a chop saw, I can't recommend one in particular. To be honest, I don't like them, and just threw two that we had in the dumpster a few weeks ago. Since we bought our horizontal/vertical bandsaw we never used the chop saw again, and one time it almost took my head off when the blade exploded and imbedded itself into the walls of my garage. For the accuracy you are seeking, I would suggest you buy yourself a bandsaw........you will wonder how you ever got along without it once you own one. We literally use ours every time we are at the shop and always comment on how much we love it.

For a vice.........buy the biggest, strongest one you can get. I have broken a bunch over the years that cracked when torquing something down. Then I went out and bought a big ole steel vice and have had it for about 20 years. It never lets me down.

Air compressor. You are really limited by that 110 volt service. The good ones all have 220 volt motors pretty much. This is another tool where bigger is definitely better. I finally moved up to a three cylinder that keeps up with the tools I want to run. Perhaps someone knows of a good 110 volt unit, but I don't.

Drill press. I have a Delta that my ex bought me 20 years ago or more. It was one of the best things she ever did for me. It is a floormount, and I would suggest you do the same. I bought a table mount so that we could lay it on the floor and drill holes squarely into frames we were building. We used it once and it now collects dust.........too weak to do anything.

I have also started buying DeWalt and Mikita drills and other tools, and should have done that years ago.


Don