Hi Don

That's too much of an open question with too many variables for anyone,
except by luck, to give you an answer that best suits you. If you are
completely new to woodworking you are not going to have the knowledge to
asses the recommendations.

I'd suggest you make a careful and unbiased survey of the location where you
are going to work. Some of the things to consider is power available,
ventilation, suitability for creating dust and noxious fumes (woodworking is
pretty good at both), actual work space (for assembly) after a work bench
has been put in and the impact of stand alone tools vs. other types, storage
both for stock, tools not being used at the moment, finishing supplies, and
a myriad of other things that generally occupy space in the shop, and of
course heat/air.

While you are doing that I'd also suggest a trip to the library for some
books on the basics as well as a trip to the local news stand to get every
magazine on the subject. Subscribe to a couple that you are comfortable with
and order every free catalog you find listed.

Check and see if there are any adult ed classes for woodworking locally and
take one if there is. It's a great way to actually try the tools under
supervision without laying out a lot of cash. If you have a woodworking
store locally drop in, poke around, get to know the staff and ask them
about, and check the phone book for, any local clubs or guilds.

Finally, once you think you have some idea of the basics start small on you
projects and don't buy a tool till you need it, understand why you need it,
and are aware of all the options available to perform the functions of that
tool. There are almost always at least three. Try to challenge yourself a
bit more with each project.

It should be noted that another drawback in off the cuff tool
recommendations is that just about every woodworker I know finds a niche, a
certain type of project that they prefer over others and that niche can
effect emphasis of your tool buying and where the bulk of the tool budget
goes.

Good luck
--
Mike G.

Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Don" dbitzerATcomcastDOTnet wrote in message
...
I'm retiring soon and was also looking at the Shopsmith as I'd like to
take
up woodworking as a hobby. If I go the dedicated machine route instead
what
do you recommend I get?

--
Don