That is one nice table saw! I use the portable version of ridgid, even though it still weighs 100+ pounds lol.
Not much wrong with that table saw. There is positive feedback all over the web. At least it isn’t the one with the granite table top. The only downside on the granite tops is that you can’t use magnetic feather boards and other accessories. Oh they are darn heavy too.
You have a nice start on a workshop there. Now start looking for a drill press and a band saw. Then you have a choice of going with more power tools or start working with hand tools to square up with rough sawn lumber.
Thanks for the comment on the curly maple case. :bgrin:
Michael
Curly maple is one of my favourites. I’ve seen it on some really nice guitar bodies.
Yeah, I saw they’re putting out the granite-top version… at least 250 bucks more at retail, and a 6in. shorter rip cap…but hey, you can eat your caviar on it…lol As for heavy…the ts3660 is already 300lbs - no small thing putting that beast together.
Until now I’ve pretty much limited myself to sheet and composites, using my router table to square up edges when needed. I’m looking to start using naturals, so I’ll likely go straight to a jointer and thickness planer. Although I truly enjoy working with chisels (and they add that personal touch), hand planes are another story…don’t mind using them for small jobs, but I think I’d go insane truing an entire board with :). Wish I had the machinist skills and wares to build my own jointer…8-inchers are $$$…lol.
I’m looking at getting one of these down the road. http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=842696&FamilyID=63972 Not a bad price either when you look at getting the jointer and planer separately. However when you jump up to the 12" model you also jump to $2k.
Nice…looks like a steal to me - and they ship to Canada!
A little more good news, just received my parts 
- now with a bit of time and rogaine, i can regrow some hair;).
**Just noticed… only 60 bucks or so more than th 8-inch they have.
Pretty nice for $400. I would ignore shipping to Canada, we get raped enough when ordering small stuff from the US imagine that!
I’m so jealous that you got a Ridgid tablesaw, I’ve heard only good things about them. You got it from homedepot? I was seriously looking at the Ridgid R4516 “portable” table saw but I have no space for it :(.
I’m holding out for Ridgid DP1550 15" drill press at homedepot for $399. It’s quite pricey but my hand drill is really old (metal body, no paint and no speed selection) and if I get a drill press I want it to be damn good because I’m going to use it for everything I possibly can. Ah if only the $150ish canadian tire presses were good 
Hey crazed…
Ridgid does have some really nice tools - they seem to have found a niche for themselves (entry-level contractor grade)…but I’m still not sold on granite tops though;). Next thing you know, you’ll be picking out colours and patterns to match your counters…hehe.
As for that jointer KT pointed out… even a Craftex 8" jointer from Busy Bee is still almost $1k. Might still be worth it - I gotta do some math…lol.
Thank you Michael for your coaching, support and humor. My teddy bear paws couldn’t route quite well but I got the vewlix layout for each player to the “square T” as in the Street Fighter 4 cabinet… ok I lied - the cabinets only have 7 button holes (6 buttons, 1 plug). I used the official street fighter 4 vewlix layout with one extra button on the second row.
Here some photos:
**Prep Work **
Still don’t have graphics in the panel but working on it.
Now the comparison with MAD CATZ TE which also has its CP layout ripped out from the arcade. Have to understand my CP is slanting backwards and also slanting to the right side so the comparision is somewhat warped. But I assure you the layout if you saw it person, it is to the exact measurement. 
So I finally drilled holes in my CP and both my MDF and Plexi line up!
And I didn’t blow up my drill press.
Specal thanks to Michael of Kaytrim Kustoms and slagcoin.com! :lovin:
Oh by the way, I use the cheapo Ryobi Table Saw 10" and Ryobi 12" Drill Press. Works like a Charm.
been using my “cheapo” 10" ryobi table and “cheapo” ryobi table router for more than 3 years now with no problem. now with my Ridgid wet/dry vac for dust collection - it’s even better to work on cases all the time.
cheapo/expensive, as long as you know how to use your tool you’ll get good quality work out of them - unless of course you use something that’s totally made of crap. think, harbor freights power tools 
Anybody know if this will be alright for joystick building, arcade machine building?
http://www.ryobi.com.au/Products/Power-Tools/Benchtop-(1)/1500-Watt-254mm-Table-Saw.aspx
I’m tempted to buy a this type of setup because i also want to do other projects and not just stick building, this benchtop saw also has a router table slot which i guess would be very handy.
Any opinions?
pixeldotz you are absolutely correct. As long as the tool is decent you can get a good use out of it. My relative is a professional contractor and has used his Ryobi drill for over 5 years. Only thing dead is the battery which he replaced a few days ago. After the battery swap, the Ryobi drill works like a champ again.
In a controller stick build, I’m only looking forward to straight cuts with my ryobi table saw and it does exactly that. Although the reviews say the universal motor won’t last long, I’m pretty confident that it will last me a long time just cutting few pieces of wood for my controller building and few small projects while keeping the tools clean and maintaining them. I would not use this build a house and I know that’s not what this tool is meant for.
And my Ryobi 12" drill press makes push button hole like a champ. I think the key is knowing what bits to use - would not use auger bits or holesaws… If using holesaws until your forstner bit arrives, then use it lightly and let it cool often.
As for my other tools this is what I own:
Dewalt 12" Miter Saw Single Bevel (non-sliding)
Bosch Jigsaw 1590EVSK - used for cutting out excess wood like TMO so my router does not have to do lot of work on joystick base.
Ryobi Cordless Drill 18v
Ryobi 6" Grinder - anyone know how to sharpen a forstner bit???
Craftsman 2hp Router - bundled with fix base and plunge base
Dremel 400xpr - for finer detailing
I have few other powertools not used for joystick building so will not mention it.
Is forstner bits any good for plexi or lexan? I use my spade bits with spur cause it cuts out clean holes.
Its a AU site. I think that model is the same as this one which I had to return cause the base wasn’t sturdy. It kept shaking and didn’t cut straight.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100058430
Looks like the AU site does not carry the other Ryobi 10" table saw. Then I would go with other manufacturers. And besides, since you mentioned other projects, assuming more intensive projects, I would look else where.
Any recommendations for a table saw around 300AUD (which is about 230 USD give or take)
Try to buy one from dewalt or bosch - used one or maybe if you are comfortable with buying factory reconditioned since you are looking to do other projects. I’m very satisfied with Ryobi and I bought Ryobi only having arcade stick building in mind. From all reviews seems like Ryobi is not that great for heavy usage or accessory attachment for other projects.
Try ebay or other sites that you know of… I only found AU sites when looking for 24mm Irwin Spade Bits, other than that, I wouldn’t know where to point to.
Hope some other AU builder can help you on this.
why do you need a band saw for?a table saw would be sufficient to build a joystick
try Triton MK3 from Ebay Australia at around $299. You get less if you’re lucky enough. Just saw a Ryobi table saw for $345 at Bunnings today
couldn’t find any MK3’s on ebay currently that’s in sydney.
Yeah 345 is the one from bunnings, i saw it yesterday, it looks like the whole razzle dazzle, but if it’s not going to be worth it, then i won’t bother with spending 345
I don’t think he meant for stick building specifically, I believe he just meant since he has all those other tools to round out his woodworking shop with those.
Spend some time going through a podcast called Stu’s Shed. He is down under and has quite a few tool reviews in his episodes. You might be able to contact him to get some recommendations for what is available in your area.
Michael
The need for a bandsaw is a personal decision based on the wood working you need to accomplish. I use my band saw to cut a thick board into thinner slices for veneer and other uses. While it is not the best for cutting straight lines without a fence it is actually one of the safer cutting machines available.
In my opinion the basic tools for making joysticks are as follows;
Table Saw, for accurate straight cuts.
Miter Saw, for accurate angled cuts or cross cuts on narrow boards.
Drill Press, for accurate straight or angled holes.
Random Orbit Sander, variable speed with dust collection.
Hand drill, variable speed, for drilling pilot holes and driving screws.
**Router **that can be mounted into a table and be hand held. Table routing is best for edge treatment of the joystick case. Hand held routing is best for the joystick hole using a template.
Various Hand Tools, to assemble your box; Screwdrivers, pliers and/or wrenches, hammer, block plane, small, fine tooth hand saw, files and sanding blocks.
Electronics Tools, for pad hacking and connecting up the controls; Soldering iron, multi-meter, wire stripper, crimper, small screw drivers, and a razor knife.
The other pros can chime in here as well in case I am missing something,
Michael
Nah I’d say you have your basic setup covered Michael 
If anyone out there is just starting out, this would be your “shopping list” for tools.
Now one Big thing I stress is to check around before you just hand your money over to the big stores for some of these tools. I can tell you that with everything going on in the world right now there are a lot of out of work contractors who are selling quality tools for cheap. I picked up a large vintage drill press for 20 bucks from craiglist, a dewalt table saw for 240, and a bosch 1/2" collet fixed based router for 80.00 flat from a pawnshop yesterday. At the same time your helping out the folks in need of a few buck so it’s a win-win For a lot of the hand tools listed like screwdrivers, wrenches, etc… pawnshops are the perfect place for stocking up for dirt cheap
A strong word of caution though when buying used tools as they may have some defects. Depending on what condition the tools are in you may be getting a really good deal, or you may have to pass it up if it’s a lemon lol. Be sure to test and inspect all your used tools prior to purchasing them, and most of all Ask Questions!