Hardware You Might Need.

Ok my CNC is one of the most powerful machine you can get for your home shop but it can't do it all..

Ok it can but it isn't the easiest or fastest machine to use..

There are 4 floor tools and 6 hand tools that you should have in your shop if you really want to do production with your CNC..

The first tool is

Table Saw..  This tool you should have even if you don't have a CNC, but this allows you to cut large pieces to fit on your work surface..  Get a couple of extras to help out... One is a out-feed roller, then a better miter gage..

The second tool is one I have wanted for some time..  A drill press..  Not really needed but this could speed up production..  It takes the CNC 45 sec just to mill one .25 hole .5 deep..  You compare that to a drill press that can blow out the same hole in under 8 sec..  and it is round..  I have been fighting a wobble with the CNC holes..

Third tool is a Joiner..  This will allow you to easily glue board together to get some great effects...  You can do butcher block carving or stripes of alternating colors and carve them as one block because the edges are true and easy to glue..

The forth and final floor tool is the bandsaw..  This allows you to do a couple of tricks.. One is re-sawing boards thiner so you can get more projects out the same amour of wood.  Another trick is be able to cut out your parts after you mill them out..

I hope this link helps you make a dream list for your wood shop..  Happy Holidays 2010.