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Workshop Appliances (Tools!)

Back to the garage again.  I plan to install an air compressor with permanent piping.  There is a compressor closet in the workshop.  I’ll run air lines to both the garage and workshop.  I haven’t decided on a compressor yet, but I’m looking at 2 stage compressors with a 60 or 80 gallon tank.  I’m also not sure about the piping material.   I would like to run aluminum pipe, but it is expensive.  I may go with PEX.

On the other hand, I may go with a smaller compressor and just use battery powered tools.  There are pros and cons for both, but battery powered tools are very good these days. 

I’m also planning to install a dust collection system in the compressor closet and running dust collection ductwork in the workshop.  Saw dust is a health hazard and a nuisance.  I’m leaning toward a Harvey Gyroair G-700 dust collector, but may go with a Clear Vue CV1700.  I think the Harvey will be quieter, but I’m not sure how the inlet port configuration will work out.

I’m also planning on a table saw and band saw.  I have a very old table saw that isn’t very accurate, so it needs to be replaced.  I already have a miter saw, a small jointer and a drill press. U.W. and I already have several projects in mind such as doing some of the interior finish carpentry ourselves.  I plan on building cabinets and shelves for the garage and probably some furniture.  I’m excited to have a place and tools to do all of this.

Kitchen Appliances  (Power tools for the Kitchen)

One of the things we were warned about by the builders is the difficulty of getting appliances.  They were right.  We made our first appliance selections in April of 2021.  We worked with Factory Builders Stores (FBS) to pick out the cooktop (induction), microwave, wall oven (convection type), dishwasher, refrigerator, and vent hood.  All these appliances were Bosch except for the vent hood.  In October of 2021 we went back to FBS to validate our selections.  We wanted to make certain our initial selections and ended up not changing anything. 

In January 2022 FBS informed us that they were having a lot of trouble getting Bosch appliances and they weren’t even taking orders for some items.  They recommended choosing another manufacturer and considering either Fulgor Milano or Fischer Paykel.  We landed on Fulgor Milano for everything except the refrigerator.  We liked a Kitchenaid refrigerator much better than the Fulgor Milano models.  FBS gave us a quote for the Fulgor Milano and Kitchenaid selections and we thought we were good to go.

But it wasn’t meant to be.  Keep in mind the U.W. is not one that likes wading through the myriad of appliance choices to begin with and has up until this point done it 3 times.  In mid-February 2022 FBS informed us that Kitchenaid is not taking orders for refrigerators.  Ugh!!  We did some checking with other local appliance vendors and heard similar problems with Kitchenaid and other manufacturers.  So back to the internet to pick again.  U.W. found a GE Profile refrigerator she likes.  While looking at the refrigerators, we also looked at other appliances and ended up choosing an entire set of GE Profile appliances.  FBS says that so far GE has been coming through.  So, we’ve requested the GE appliances.  No telling what we will actually get.