Probably my bandsaw. I use it the most. Second would be the benchtop mill. And of course everyone needs a dremel tool.

dremel
dremel
dremel
drill press
scroll saw

I'm after a band saw or small table saw this Xmas.....

Have you tried putting in new brushes?  Might want to clean up the armature whil you're at it.

I used to do a lot of grinding on motorcycle engines, and got to do a lot of fix-it work on the Dremel tools. 

  I probably use my drill press the most, followed closely by my makita hand-drill. Much less is my jigsaw and disk/belt sander. I rarely use my rotary tool (I have an ancient B&D flex-shaft tool, but generically its a Dremel tool) but when you need it, there's no good substitute. The fiberglass-reinforced Dremel tool cut-off wheel is the greatest invention ever.

   I am actually going to have to get a new Dremel tool soon, the old Black and Decker will only go about half-speed at this point despite me cleaning and lubricating the driveshaft.

   I actually don't use many machine tools. Exacto knives, metal rulers, Zona saws, and sanding blocks, just like the good old days. That may partly explain my difficulties in producing models quickly, aside from the appalling laziness. I have to build in my bedroom so I can't just leave everything set up.


    Brett

All of these tools I have, The one I would most like to have is the old Dremel mini table saw. I'd settle for the Micro Mark version in a NY minute.

I use the band saw with a rip fence so I make my own sticks. Like the mill, it's not so much the tool as the tooling.

 I don't tend to use a great many tools for building.

 The tools that revolutionised the quality of my work are the many sanding blocks I've made in several lengths by glueing automotive file sheets to pieces of scrap hardwood.

 I most commonly use fresh 80- 120 grit for shaping and slip loose peices of wet/dry paper over the blocks down to 600 grit to final sand before starting to apply a finish.

 The main tools I typically use are;

 Sanding blocks, Dremel mototool (multispeed), stanley (fixed blade) utility knives, drill press, old 1/4" stanley hand drill and 120w soldering iron.

 Cheers, Rob..

All of the above + a belt sander. I have this file I had for a long time and it is great. It's about 7" long and has 4 roughness's(?) on it one side is flat and the other side has a nice crown. It is great for shaping wood form course to fine, I use it a lot.---LOUIE 

Forgot to add my "WISH LIST":

1.) Dremel table saw.

2.)  "          "        "

3.)  "          "        "

4.) through 10.) ditto..........

Bill

A lady I know recently got a laser cutter, a Fused Deposition Modeling machine, and an NC router.  I think that's a reasonable start for a Christmas list.  

Sounds like the JCT is moving even higher up the line in modern technology!

Big Bear

How did we make it this far without all the power equipment.   I still have my coping saw,  block sander and razor blades.   

It appears that most of your most important power tools are the same as mine. 

I'll look into the Dremel Stylus.  Maybe it is time to replace my ancient Dremel Model 285, 2-speed.  At least 20 years old, but I couldn't operate without it.

A Micro Mark bench table saw might be a good idea.  I also use the band saw with a clamp-on fence to make balsa strips, but it is always a hassle to get the fence adjusted just right.

A CNC machine or laser cutter sounds great, but I'll have to take a pass on that for now.  Having spent some years in Silicon Valley designing giant "super computers", I shudder at the idea of having to program any computer.

So, my own tools, in order of importance:

Dremel, with cut-off wheel, drum sander and small drill bits.

9" table top band saw.

Drill press, 8" swing

Craftsman disc/belt sander: 6" disc and 4" belt.

Makita battery-operated drill.

Thanks for your suggestions.  Still a few days before Xmas, so I can keep looking.

Floyd

After that, the only power tool that I use regularly is a Dremel that lives its entire life with a cutoff disk installed, and nearly all I ever do with it is cut off music wire.

     If that's all you need to do, you don't need a Dremel tool:

http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=20527&cat_id=51

   Cuts 1/8 Music wire like butter.

    Brett

  I probably use my drill press the most, followed closely by my makita hand-drill. Much less is my jigsaw and disk/belt sander. I rarely use my rotary tool (I have an ancient B&D flex-shaft tool, but generically its a Dremel tool) but when you need it, there's no good substitute. The fiberglass-reinforced Dremel tool cut-off wheel is the greatest invention ever.

   I am actually going to have to get a new Dremel tool soon, the old Black and Decker will only go about half-speed at this point despite me cleaning and lubricating the driveshaft.

   I actually don't use many machine tools. Exacto knives, metal rulers, Zona saws, and sanding blocks, just like the good old days. That may partly explain my difficulties in producing models quickly, aside from the appalling laziness. I have to build in my bedroom so I can't just leave everything set up.


    Brett

No mention of a there calculator Brett? 

Drill press would be my 'must have.'

Usually the first bench powered tool most guys get no matter what the shop activity is, is of course, the drill press simply because, you can't do crap without it. What the spear was to cavemen, the drill press is to us. For us in particular, after the drill press is probably the Dremel tool.

I've said for years that my very first tool would be a good scale or scales.  Something to accurately weigh balsa and one to handle more weight, such as the whole model.  No one has mentioned scales, but those who do not have them constantly build heavy models.  They have no way of figuring out where the weight comes from.

Of course, I am the friend who has both the ACAD and Laser.  Very nice tools.
Pat Johnston
Weights and Measures
Skunk Works

I find that -- regardless of any effort I make to the contrary -- that I build lighter when I weigh everything that goes in.  Weighing stuff keeps me thinking of weight, which means that I pay attention to wood choice, I don't slather on glues, etc.

That doesn't mean that if I had a different brain I couldn't do without the scales -- it just means that using a scale during building works for me.

.... most-often and indispensable power tool you use for modeling.

Floyd

Coffee machine, no doubt about it.

 No one mentioned LIGHTING.
 All the tools in the world won't do you any good in the dark, unless its a flashlight.I have 3 benches in my hanger(basement), all have a 2 bulb fixtures except one it has 2.

My shop has seven of the 4-bulb fixtures that are set in the drop ceiling. As I get older, everything needs more light. Wonder why. 

Definitely white walls! And white cabinets, too. No checker board floor, though! 

Once you use those bits on plywood, don't try them on balsa.

For those who love the drill press as a most-used tool, I would concur.  straight and plumb is such a hard thing to get with a hand drill!  I couldn't do without my special radial arm fellow.

Floyd,
Do you have any pictures of your instruments?  I love looking at others work.  (Especially the Russian instrument, it's one I'm not familiar with.)

The harpsichord is a single manual Flemish copy with 55 keys.  Mostly walnut wood. It gets frequent use around here.

The Balalaika is less often used.  Spruce top.  Maple back. I can only play simple tunes on it.

Floyd

The balalaika is a Russian folk instrument.  Traditional ones have 3 strings, tuned (top to bottom) A1, A1, E1.  I decided on doubling the string courses (like the 12-string guitar).  It only makes it harder to play.  Since I can't play it, it doesn't matter!

Floyd