Major Tool Purchases (Online or In-Person) from Sawmill Creek

This discussion thread came from a woodworker who wondered whether others were willing to make purchases of large stationary tools online – or whether they felt the need for a more literally hands-on approach. - Editor

"How many purchase your large stationary power tools off the Internet? How many purchase locally so as to see them in person first? How many enjoy the search for the best quality, best functioning, best price tool almost as much as owning and using that tool? Some say, like collecting, the search is more fun than the actual purchase." - Mark W.

A motivation to buy local versus a desire for the lowest price were this woodworker's considerations. - Editor

"I have bought about 50 percent locally and 50 percent over the net. My jointer/planer, shaper and drum sander were all purchased over the Internet -- with free shipping and no sales tax it is hard to pass up. I still give my local ww store the first chance if it's a tool they normally sell....but more often than not, they cannot beat Internet pricing. I set my limit at $100.00 on larger tool purchases. if I can save over that amount I order online, if not I'll keep my business local. - Jeff M.

Some discussed whether post-purchase support was more likely from an online or a local dealer.- Editor

"I have come close to buying large tools online but always back out in the end. I purchased a JET cabinet saw from a local dealer. I had the bad luck of getting defective fence. When the 2nd fence came in, also defective, my dealer gave me a choice of any fence in stock I wanted. If I had purchased that saw online, it would have been a nightmare. Buying online is good till you have a problem." - Dave L.

"I've never purchased online because: 1) I like to look at the machines prior to making a decision; 2) I believe in purchasing from the local dealer since they've invested the time, effort and money into helping me make the best decision; 3) The dealer is the one that provides customer support for me when I have a problem. 4) If I don't support my local dealer they won't be around when I need accessories, sandpaper, drill bits etc.

Years ago I had a problem assembling the splitter on a General 650 cabinet saw. The dealer had the General [field service engineer] call me to arrange an at-home visit to install the splitter, free of charge. I've purchased two Hammer machines, both of which the dealer spent many hours of time helping me choose the options and accessories I wanted on the machines. In addition, the dealer spent time evaluating what I wanted to do with the machine, and provided useful information to convince me to buy the smaller, less expensive machine.

These are the sort of support issues you get with a knowledgeable, professional local dealer. These aren't the sort of support items you get from an Internet order provider. They probably don't even have Field Service Engineers." - Rod S.

A differing perspective on online tool quality purchases came from this commenter. - Editor

"I buy off the web. Distribution warehouse to my house with maybe a trailer swap in between. Less chance of damage. This may not be true if your last mile is up a winding dirt road and 400 miles from the nearest hub but, up and down the coast, it's a pretty good bet." - Glenn B.

Some woodworkers don't have local stores to choose from. - Editor

"I buy 90 percent of my large tools online. The main reason is that there is only one tool store in the state that stocks the major brands, and they are 50 miles away. Having large tools delivered is also more convenient them picking them up. They alway put the item directly into my garage/shop." - Will O.

"Must buy Internet here. We have a very poor local selection. Not gonna drive 90 miles only to pay more for the same thing." - Brett N.

And this woodworker commented on the "search" portion of a major tool purchase. - Editor

"I agree the hunt is a huge part of the fun. If you have not seen the one man play Defending the Caveman, go see it. My wife definitely tells me I am a hunter. Forums and the Internet allow me to gather a ridiculous amount of information. I rely heavily on the opinions of fellow woodworkers and have not been disappointed yet."- Gene W.

When (If Ever ) Is "Level" Not a Good Idea? From Sawmill Creek

If a kitchen ceiling isn't level, does that mean the cabinets installed shouldn't be, either? That is the question this woodworker pondered. - Editor

"When is level not a good idea? I am finally almost finished with 15+ feet of cabinets in the kitchen. Measuring the slope of the ceiling, I got 1/8-inch down slope to the right. Measuring the slope of the floor, it is just about the same up-slope to the right. I have a helper on the project with a construction background. His contention was that the cabinets need to be installed level. My contention was they need to be parallel to the ceiling. How would you handle this?" - Glenn V.

The first respondent went for "looks good." - Editor

"Lines of sight are very important to what looks right as opposed to level and plumb. Tall cabinets with crown to the ceiling or old style soffit above cabinets pretty much dictates parallel to the ceiling. What looks good to your eye in your kitchen is what needs to be done." - Tom E.

Others thought a level installation was required for practical reasons. - Editor

"It's a kitchen: install them level, side to side, front to back, uppers parallel to the lowers. Cans and bottles, cups and saucers falling to their death, doors 'falling' open or 'slamming' closed, rolling eggs, spilt milk racing along the countertop, a permanent puddle in one end of the sink, cups of coffee or god forbid, martini's sliding out of reach... This is, of course, assuming that the primary function of the kitchen is to keep your food off the floor and out of the dog." - Caspar H.

"Level all the way. After all, what if the kitchen had a cathedral ceiling? You wouldn't still install the cabinets parallel to the ceiling, would you?" - Jason R.

"I would install them level. If you don't like the look, then fix the ceiling and the floor. Two wrongs never make a right." - Lee S.

"The poor attention to detail in our townhouse means the ceilings and walls have very poor lines. However, the cabinets in the kitchen were all installed level (visually, it drives me insane). Last year, our neighbors redid their cabinets and had them installed in a more visually pleasing manner. With the recent earthquakes in So Cal, they wish they had chosen level cabinets. Large cans of pineapple hurt when they roll out of visually pleasing cabinets and smack you in the head." - Navin R.

Not all, however, agreed. - Editor

"Sorry, I have to go against popular opinion. When I installed our pre-made cabinets a few years ago, I went (almost) level to the ceiling. [Love of My Life} wanted our drops removed and the cabinets to have various heights, not to the ceiling, with a crown molding. I knew if I went level, the growing gap difference to the ceiling over the 19 feet would drive me nuts. I split the difference to the level floor cabinets as the ceramic tile on the backsplash also had to look correct. Keep the backsplash in mind as you make your decision." - Glenn W.

And this woodworker thought the fact that it was a woodworker installing his own cabinets should be able to address the problem. - Editor

"In this instance (custom cabinets), would it have been better to build the cabinets to fit the space? Measure how far out of level the tops of the cabinets need to be and build that into the project. In other words, make the sides plum and the bottoms level, with the tops matching the slope of the ceiling. It seems that, that way, you would get the best of both worlds. Sure, it is harder to build the tops of the doors out of square, but isn't that what custom is about?" - Isaac J.