Do any of you cabinet guys who use the Castle pocket system also own their lay-out table? Is it worth the extra investment?
Ed. Williams – GACC Dallas
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Hey Ed!
Long time no see.
How you been?
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Hey T.
I'm fine. Do you know anything about what I'm asking?
I'm interested in peoples experiences.
Where's my original question? I can't seem to find it.
Ed.
Edited 7/26/2002 8:18:59 PM ET by EDAZALEA
Sorry Ed, being a field carp. when I get to build cabs I have to do it the hard way.
This place doesn't suck so bad, once you are used to it, but it definitely sucksworse since guys like you left.
Oh well keep checking in, we still have some good discusions and some not so good ones.
See Ya
TDo not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
T,
Yeah, I can handle the site, that's not the problem. I just won't be hangin' here like I used to because they remodeled the place and I'm not comfortable here anymore. It's like they swept up all the sawdust off the floor and brought in ferns and muzack. I need Bud and Freddie King.
It used to be a relaxation for me to visit breaktime and cuss and discuss things of all subject matters. The new format is just not as "homey" or as "welcoming" or as what ever the #### you want to call it.
Sorry man, but this is just not my kinda place.
I will use it to ask serious questions of you guys, but based on the feedback I got to this question...
Mr. Ed.
Ed;
I don't have the table, but I'm hoping to buy it this year....BTW, I saw you post this same question over at the Cabinetmaker forum, and my jaw dropped....I thought there was no way you were goig tobuy the Castle machine.
Anyway, a table of some kind is important if you want to do some serious assembly of any kind of frames....face frames, doors, whatever. Every shop I've ever been in that had a decent pocket hole machine also had a table of some kind, with no exception. Definitely speeds things up and increases accuracy, also reduces sanding. I like the Castle one...it's small compared to the Ritters, but it's priced better. For what it is, you could probably build one or have one built. I looked at Ritter and Castle side by side (but it's been several months), and the Castle seemed better suited for what I want it to do....and there is the critical thing, does it meet YOUR needs.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Hey Adrian,
Yeah, I bought the machine. I just couldn't see building miles of cabinets with a single Kreg jig. The investment will pay for itself. I will allocate one compressor just for it. I usually run my nail guns at about 95 lbs., but the Castle book I sent for says not over 80 or you're libel to damage the hydraulics. I need to get a water separator too. The spending just never ends.
It's the clamping ability that attracts me to the assembly table. But for now, I think a good 4x8 shop table will do. We'll see. I want to get the machine paid off first. I think I could even rig some clamping rails if I put my mind to it.
I was curious about the Ritter. There is also a brand here that they sell called Unique. At $2300US the Castle assembly table is almost as much as the pocket hole machine. Ah...but all those clamps...
At this rate, I'll kick the bucket broke, but my wife will have one heck of a tool sale.
The Cabinetmaker forum is a great site for information. Do you get their magazine?
Ed.
Yeah, Unique is sold here too....didn't know they had a table though. I'm thinking I might get the metal fab guys on one side of me to make up a table, and get the Electro Mechanical Tech. guys across the hall to rig the pneumatic clamp set-up. I do believe all your investment will get paid back. You gonna go with a pneumatic screwdriver?
I like the Cabinetmaker forum; used to post there a good bit, now I mostly read. Good magasine.
If you make your own table, you could probably do something with threaded rod with a nut welded on the end,a clamping pad on the other, and use a pneumatic impact driver to run it in and out....I know people do that with clamp carriers, if they don't want to pay for pneumatic clamps from the manufacturer. A couple of fixed stops at right angles, some threaded rod in strategic places, and you're good to go.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Adrian,
I was also thinking along the lines of toggle clamps that could be mounted to 3/4 plywood plates and then screwed down on the shop table wherever you need them. I think that might work as well as a pneumatic clamp system.
I think we'll just stick to the good old fashioned electric or cordless drills for now. I can't see much advantage to going pneumatic on the drills.
Ed.