I had a nearly identical purchase paralysis over the same item from the same seller! I eventually wound up using the money on more clamps, hole saws, router bits and some emergency repairs.

 

I am very good at saving up for a purchase, but then get caught in "analysis paralysis", where I fret over, "is this the best one for me?" or "what if a newer style comes out?" It almost takes the jaws of life to open my wallet. The only consolation is that by the time I put my money down I'm sure it's the right tool at the best price.

The funny thing is I rarely get that feeling buying an 'old' tool. I see something that catches my eye and I have to talk myself out of it.... Like the beautiful, old Rockwell drill press on Craigslist right now... But alas, I don't have room for it yet

 

I was given good advice a long time ago when I was getting into competitive handgun shooting, from a true expert who I admired..... "Always buy the gun you just cant quite afford".

In your case, use the thousand cash and top up with plastic to get the next larger model.
your wife will only see the credit card statement and will congratulate you on getting such a bargain.

Win Win.

 

It's that niggling feeling that there's better saw or better deal down the road.

 

I think you did the wise thing. I always try to use the "24 hour rule". If I think I want to buy something, I make myself wait 24 hours. More times than not, I decide I didn't really want it that bad after all.

 

I try to stick to the 24 hour rule also. It's saved me quite a bit over the years

 

LOL i went by the Big Orange Store the other day, they were having pro appreciation day, signed up for some tools and won a Makita 1/2" LXT hammer drill/driver. I don't have a battery or charger for it, the thing may sit for a year or two before I let go of the funds for it.

 

That's why I'm a big believer in using cash as much as possible.
Save up for what you want and when it comes time to part with the dead presidents, you either have a sense of proudness, or decide you really don't need it after all. Cash will sometimes get you a discount.
Live beneath your means and get out of debt.

HJ

Debt free is a nice feeling

 

Well, Tom, if that "pinch" in you stomach was telling your mind "NO" then pay attention. If it doesn't feel right, then it isn't.

I suspect that your subconscious is telling you that there is a better/different saw in your future. Sometimes we get it into our heads that "this is the one I want" and when you see, feel and handle it just isn't what you really expected. Listen to your head. Again, if it doesn't feel right then it isn't.

These pieces of equipment seem to go on sale every six months or so. Back off for now, and if you're not sure that it IS what you really need or WANT, then wait for the next go-around and deceide.

 

It does happen to me...

It seems the longer it took to save up the needed cash, the harder it is to pull the trigger. A lot has to do with not really needing the "thing" while saving up...or just be you need to change them 100's for 20's...

I generally hope for a quick windfall...like doing a job for someone, getting paid and immediately let it loose (Dewalt 735 about 3-4 weeks ago).

And like you, the slow cash that has been building up is still sitting there not wanting to open the envelope and let the moths out...

It's entirely possible that the "guilt" is rising and you're looking around the shop and saying to yourself "you really don't need it, Tom"...or..."Hey Tom, you really need something else instead of that Laguna". To that I say "Turn the lights off...go to Rockler". You've saved for it, you want it, you deserve it...go for it... (in the true spirit of RF members sticking together and helping each other spend money on tools) >

Must be a "guy thing"...I don't hear about women having this kind of trouble... (yes, that is a challenge to the members of the female persuasion to chime in)

I'm thinking a united front is in order to help you spend that money without even a hint of guilt... :dance3:

 

I suggest, that, he just buy another router as a stop-gap measure until he finally decides what he really wants...:wink:

 

I figured some of you had the same thing happen. Actually, this is the first tool purchase I feel this way about. I think what hooked me on this saw is seeing the CEO of Laguna use one to cut into a Cherry stump. When he put a bit of water on it, it was perhaps the most beautiful chunk of wood I've ever seen, full of swirls and color. Only problem is that around here, we're pretty much limited to pine or driving 120 miles to buy rough cut hardwoods. I have a perfectly good, well tuned Delta band saw for general cutting, and I don't really use it that much. But I've noticed that when I get a really good piece of gear, I seem to find lots of uses for it. But, I do seem very fond of those dead presidents.

 

See, I rest my case! Buy another router and satisfy the itch. Then shop around for that next piece of equipment that you really want/need.

I'd really like a lathe...no room, low funds. I'll have to wait. So, we all have been there, Herb.

 

Better to have walked away than spent the cash and debated the wisdom of the buy after the fact.

 

It's always a good thing to heed that small inner voice.
Ignore it at your peril.

 

I know the feeling. I've come close to upgrading my ancient 9" Craftsman bandsaw for a long while and almost purchased a new saw several times. But then I stop and realize that it does just fine for the type of projects I make and something bigger and better wouldn't really make much difference. So the money I might spend for it can be better served buying something else.

 

I know the feeling. I've come close to upgrading my ancient 9" Craftsman bandsaw for a long while and almost purchased a new saw several times. But then I stopThanks and realize that it does just fine for the type of projects I make and something bigger and better wouldn't really make much difference. So the money I might spend for it can be better served buying something else.

Thanks Oliver, I have two bandsaws, the 14 inch Delta and a 9 inch model. I like having the smaller one for 1/4 inch and smaller blades. Its a pain putting small blades on the Delta, on which I generally keep a 1/2 inch blade. I guess I could pop for something for the wife. All investments in her pay off big time.

 

I get that feeling every time I go out to buy something. Most often, I think, (for me) its 2 things.
1. A fear of do I really need this or this one, even when I've been mulling it over in me broin for weeks, months or longer.
2. No sooner is the money and some random extraneous event occurs where the spent money would have solved the current problem.

 

Coming from a large family (10 kids) we were always taught to ask ourselves "do I want it or do I need it" and "it's always better to collect interest than pay it". Our family, by today's standards, was poor but never hungry and always clothed.
Now I'm 78 years old, kids are grown and have good jobs, house long paid for, no other debts, both of us retired, both of us in excellent health and, I'm told by my accountant, affluent.
My wife is not interested in travel. I'm not, to a lesser degree. I've been thrifty all my life, worked extra jobs, terrified of being poor, mostly bought only what was needed at the time but never went without
To this day, I cannot stop asking myself the same question of need or want. I look at a lot of things as being frivolous, but last week I bought another mitre saw from a sale at Lowes. A Bosch GCM12SD Dual Bevel Axial Glide. To replace my 10" DeWalt DW713 which I know I can sell easily. The reviews are some good, some not so.
The problem is, I cannot take it out of the box. As yet, I cannot justify this to myself. So far I can only think it's too heavy. Large, 65 pounds, Not convenient to move.
I really have to confess, I may not use all of it's features, I really wanted a 10" but they're never on sale and I'm struggling hard to feel worthy of it. One consolation, I've got 90 days to return it. I just hate taking stuff back to stores. I rarely do. I'll look at the box for a few more weeks, I guess. Then I'll decide.
I've let this gush out and I'm having second thoughts about my privacy so I'm going to now hit the send button. Thank you for your time.

 

I have done this before. Buy something that I really had doubts about and then leave it in the box until I decide. Under those circumstances, I usually wind up taking it back. I suppose I knew at the time I bought but just couldn't pass up a good deal. Later the good deal was not quite so appealing.

 

A good drill press is pretty important Tom. It plays a major role in my shop. The two things I recommend when buying one is a table that is easy to attach jigs and vises to (which is why I wouldn't recommend my 16.5" Delta), and a good easy to use depth stop (which I would recommend the Delta for). The depth stop is essential for doing things like drilling the cup hole for euro style hinges.

 

Thomas, the glide saw is a keeper, Harry loves his. I got the 10" version and have really put it to good use... so much nicer than the 10" Craftsman I used for years.

Tom, I know your pain. I took ages before pulling the trigger on my Steel City 14" deluxe band saw. Of course once you get the saw you will want to add some nice accessories from Carter... it is a vicious circle.

 

Tom, I know your pain. I took ages before pulling the trigger on my Steel City 14" deluxe band saw. Of course once you get the saw you will want to add some nice accessories from Carter... it is a vicious circle.

Thanks Mike. My delta saw has Carter guides, and a couple of other enhancements. There are always more goodies for us woodworkers. :dance3:

 

@thomas1389 I have done that a few times, leave something I wasn't sure of in the box. And I also hate to return things. I also grew up poor, in the Los Angeles area, but in an old farmhouse built before 1913. There were 6 of us and we really didn't have much. I think that is why I like having nice things.

I really appreciate all the feedback on this reluctance, it is clearing things up for me.

 

Keep stuffing that envelope - - one day the light will come on and it will be clear what to do.

HJ

 

OK, finally figured it out. I have the Delta bandsaw and it is merely OK compared to the Laguna. But I just couldn't justify having both. I had thought of selling the Delta, but had no luck at the time. But I found there is a huge swap meet here every weekend and last time I sold some tools, a little neighborhood swap meet did the trick in a couple of hours.

And, Rockler has a 20 percent off deal so that Resaw King and a couple of other blades will be a little less.

So, I'm heading down Saturday to get the Laguna, and Sunday, (if I can find some muscle to help out), will take the Delta to the swap meet, along with a couple of other never used tools and a couple of dust collection blowers, and sell it off. Don't need to get more than $500-550 total for all of it. Then I can move the Laguna into the shop instead of the garage.

Thanks guys. Lots of good advice and I feel I know you all a little better. Glad I'm not the only one who gets buffaloed by this kind of choice. I'll write up my experience of the saw after giving it a workout. I see some bandsaw boxes and other goodies in my future since Christmas is coming up soon.

Now, I need to call my son-son-law about giving me a hand moving those heavy saws here and there.

 

Gee Tom, I wouldn't know anything about not having enough room in MY shop.

 

@ Mike I do recall it was a tad snug in there. BTW, I thought about your high rafter storage a few weeks ago and hung a storage shelf up there for my picture frame stock. Works great. >

 

The 24-hour rule is not really applicable here. He's been waiting long enough to save up the money. He's already decided which saw he wants. Waiting is just prolonging the pain.

Zig Ziglar said it best. "We regret buying bad products. We never regret buying good products." There is so much junk on the market that it's hard to know what a good product is. If you're satisfied that this saw is the best one for the money, pull the trigger. If you have reservations about the quality of the product, finish doing your homework, and pull the trigger.

Don't try pulling the trigger on a Festool Kapex KS120. It's a $1500 saw with viable competitors in the $500 range. While I'd like to have the extra $1000 in my pocket, I don't have to wonder if there's a better saw waiting for me.

 

OK, I popped for it today. Saw, rolling base, Resaw King blade, half inch 3TPI and 1/4 blade. Sitting in the truck so I can back it up to the shop door. Really looking forward to setting and tuning it up. Now to find some muscle to unload and help setup, and to take the Delta out to go to the swap meet.