Buying a woodworking machine is a major purchase and should be carefully thought out beforehand. Here's some advice about how to proceed.
First, know what you need. There's no sense buying more tool than you need, and you don't want to get less than is required for the work you plan to do. Look at tool capacity and motor power carefully. Many table saw fences won't go as far as two feet from the blade, which means you can't cut to the middle of a sheet of plywood. Many band saws will only cut 6 inches deep, but some saw bodies split in the middle so you can install an extension kit to raise the cut height to 12 inches, essential for resaw. A four inch jointer gives you very little face jointing capability, and short jointer tables make straightening long boards harder. Small drill presses have less distance from the chuck center to the support post, limiting how far holes can be located from the edge of a board.
A table saw with a motor less that 1 horsepower will bog on lumber thicker than 3/4 inch. A band saw will be okay with a 1/2 hp motor until you get to thick stock or resaw work. The small planers are cheap but very low power, meaning you can't take much of a bite, requiring you to take many passes to reduce thickness significantly.
Second, consider getting a used machine. Often they are in fine shape and will cost a lot less. Generally used machines sell for about 2/3 what they would sell for new. Check the new price of the same brand before you buy- don't compare the price against a new machine of the same capacity and power from a different manufacturer, because prices vary greatly between makers. Carefully inspect any used machine for broken castings or other faulty parts. Remember that repairs requiring a machinist will be very expensive and probably not worth it. Use any machine before you buy.
Third, consider a new machine. You pay more than if you buy used but you get it right away, you get a warranty, and you get bright shiny new machine! Comparison shop for the brand and model you have decided on, because you will find large price differences between some suppliers, though most are competitive. Remember to consider the cost of shipping. If you pay shipping it may be cheaper to buy at a higher price just because you pay less in shipping.
Import machines can cost a lot less, but you get what you pay for. The reality is that even the American tool manufacturers like Delta and Powermatic have a lot of their machines (or parts) made overseas to keep the price competitive, but they are strict about the quality of what they have made in Taiwan, Brazil and elsewhere. Very inexpensive import machines are available but you will pay for what you get. They might be made in Brazil or Taiwan, maybe even in the same shops as some American brand names, but to different quality specifications. So, they cost less but are inferior. But- inexpensive machines do work, and if it's all you can afford this is a viable route.
When you buy a rock-bottom price machine, you can expect a greater possibility that some or all of the following will be so:
Quality of attachments such as knobs, levers, switches, gibs and ways will be lesser though they will function.
The machine may vibrate and never operate very smoothly.
Service after the sale may be difficult.
Castings may not be perfectly flat due to warpage of cast iron. This won't matter much on a band saw, but can be severe problem on a jointer, preventing the machine from makng straight cuts.
In the final analysis, it pays to buy a good machine if you can.
Delta is an old established American brand name that is synonymous with quality, and they guard their reputation. You know you are getting a well made machine when you buy a Delta. They have compromised some aspects of manufacture such as using plastic on/off switches etc., and they use castings made overseas, but they do so to keep the price reasonable and they are careful to ensure that the engineering and machining on all components are high quality.
Jet is an import manufacturer with a good reputation for quality machines. They have been around for a while and proven themselves in general. I've been very happy with the Jet machines I've seen.
