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SHOP MACHINES / WOODWORKING & METAL CUTTING
Stationary machines and premium shop tools are bought once, then wired, anchored and ducted into a space. Start with the circuit, the footprint and the capacity you need, not with the brand.
The three answers to get before shopping
- What circuit does it need? Voltage, phase, plug or hard-wire connection and the breaker the manufacturer specifies.
- Will it fit and arrive? Footprint, working clearance, weight, freight and how the machine gets into the shop.
- What capacity does the job need? Cut width, resaw height, swing or stroke as published by the manufacturer, compared with the parts you make.
What every guide in this category checks
- Electrical requirements from the manufacturer documentation
- Space, dust collection and installation constraints
- Model and variant differences that change the purchase
- Warranty, parts and accessories that add to the cost
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All Woodworking & Shop Equipment guides
10 published guides
- Festool Domino XL DF 700 Review: When to Pick It Over DF 500
- Festool KAPEX KS 120 REB: Finish-Trim Miter Saw Checklist
- Festool CSC SYS 50 EBI-Set: Cordless Table Saw Checklist
- JET HVBS-712D Metal Bandsaw: Fab Shop Horizontal/Vertical Checklist
- Powermatic 3520C Wood Lathe: 20-Inch Hard-Wire Checklist (230 V)
- JET JWL-1840EVS Wood Lathe: 18x40 Sliding Headstock Checklist (230 V)
- JET JWP-208HH Planer: 20-Inch Thickness Checklist (230 V)
- Powermatic 54HH Helical Jointer: 6-Inch Faces-and-Edges Checklist (115 V)
- JET JWBS-18SFX Wood Bandsaw: 18-Inch Resaw Checklist (115 V)
- Ingersoll Rand 15 HP Rotary Screw TAS: CFM & Power Checklist