WoodShopMachines.com reference library

Practical Machine Guides

Buying order, sizing, eBay research, shipping, rigging, dust, electrical, maintenance and records.

30 focused guides

Machine selection, used inspection, parts, dust collection, shop planning and eBay inventory.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Machine Buying Order

Choose machines around actual work, stock and workflow.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Machine Total Cost

Purchase, freight, power, guards, cutters, dust, mobile bases and service.

Practical Machine Guides

Table Saw Size Guide

Blade, rip capacity, table, motor, fence and shop space.

Practical Machine Guides

Band Saw Size Guide

Wheel size, throat, resaw, blade, frame and floor space.

Practical Machine Guides

Jointer Size Guide

Width, table length, fence, cutterhead and stock.

Practical Machine Guides

Planer Size Guide

Width, feed, bed, cutterhead, chip volume and power.

Practical Machine Guides

Jointer versus Planer

Different milling roles and why one does not replace the other.

Practical Machine Guides

Helical versus Straight Knives

Finish, noise, chip size, cost and maintenance.

Practical Machine Guides

Cabinet Saw versus Contractor Saw

Weight, enclosure, trunnion, mobility and power.

Practical Machine Guides

Track Saw versus Table Saw

Sheet handling, repeatability, space and cut types.

Practical Machine Guides

Band Saw versus Scroll Saw

Capacity, blade, curves, resaw and fine work.

Practical Machine Guides

Shaper versus Router Table

Power, cutters, spindle, fence, feeder and production.

Practical Machine Guides

Dust Collector versus Shop Vacuum

Airflow, static pressure, port size and use.

Practical Machine Guides

Single-Stage versus Cyclone Dust Collector

Separation, filters, footprint and maintenance.

Practical Machine Guides

Buying Woodworking Machines on eBay

Exact searches, used condition, freight, parts and seller evidence.

Practical Machine Guides

Buying Used Machine Parts on eBay

Model number, dimensions, revision and photographs.

Practical Machine Guides

Buying Vintage Woodworking Machinery

Completeness, guarding, bearings, motors and restoration.

Practical Machine Guides

Buying Open-Box Woodworking Machines

Missing guards, fences, hardware, warranty and shipping.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodworking Machine Shipping

Weight, top-heaviness, cast iron, blocking and insurance.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodworking Machine Rigging

Disassembly, lifting points, stairs, floors and qualified movers.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Three-Phase Conversion

Utility, rotary converters, VFDs and motor suitability.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Noise Planning

Machine exposure, enclosure, isolation and hearing protection.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Dust-Collection Planning

Machine ports, hood design, duct loss, filters and collector safety.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Fire-Safety Planning

Dust, finishes, heaters, electrical systems and storage.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Machine Maintenance Program

Asset IDs, manuals, schedules, guards and parts.

Practical Machine Guides

Machine Blade and Cutter Inventory

Label, store, sharpen and track compatibility.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Spare Parts

Belts, bearings, switches, knives, inserts and filters.

Practical Machine Guides

Machine Recall Research

Exact model, serial and official remedy sources.

Practical Machine Guides

Woodshop Equipment Recordkeeping

Serials, power, guards, cutters, service and baseline photographs.

Practical Machine Guides

When to Hire a Machinery Technician

Bearings, alignment, electrical, braking, controls and industrial systems.