heh heh... I think this is one of those "2 cents" questions... the "right" answer is going to be different for different people.
Here's
my 2 cents:
1. Consider how much space you have for woodworking tools and how much woodworking you'll do in the future. If you can dedicate a little space to a workbench and a table saw, then get a table saw. I highly recommend one, if you will be doing a good deal of woodworking. On the flip side-- if your only other big woodworking project is likely to be the HT work, you can probably get by with just a circular saw! A chop saw/miter saw is an excellent addition, particularly if you'll be doing mouldings (but is also great for stud work). I personally used a table saw (a 1957 ShopSmith!), a radial arm saw, a chop/miter saw,
and a circular saw.... it's just what's best or easiest for a specific task.
One note-- if you plan on doing dado cuts, then a table saw is usually the best bet. I usually use dados for some types of cabinets, and I was thinking you might want to do that for a DVD rack.
2. A typical low-to-medium end table saw should be in the 13-15 amp range. Even the cheapest Ryobi 10" at Home Depot is a 13 amp (Model BTS10; US$100). If you are anticipating light to moderate usage, I'd target the US$150-200 range. If you want a real sturdy, heavy usage saw, target at least US$300.
3. Lowe's has decent buyers guides to various tools (for the average consumer):
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howT...tml#PowerTools
4. Vacuum: I wish I had a shop vacuum system. Yikes. MDF dust is a b%tch! Instead, I just wear a mask, get the garage really dirty, then use a standard shopvac to clean (most of) it up every couple of months. Beware... This has a
very low WAF!
5. Drill-- get whatever feels good and is a good price for you! I have used various cordless drills over the years.... over the last 15 years, there have been at least 3
major improvements in battery technologies for cordless powertools (it's about 3-1/2 really). My current one is in the 2nd generation of batteries... it's a 7.2V Makita that has performed well for me for at least 7-8 years. I haven't had a problem with torque/power for most any task. Occasionally, I use a corded drill for heavier duty work, but for the most part it's performed well (even using a spade bit through complete width of a 2x10).
Just last week, the battery died, and I went to replace it. All of the new generation of drills were VERY NICE... but at US$150+!?!?! My replacement battery cost US$40, which was bad enough, but despite all the new features in the 18 & 24V cordless market, I decided not to purchase a new one, because the old one has done just fine over the years.
To sum it all up, it's really a matter of cost vs. value.... If you don't see yourself doing a lot of woodworking in the future, then why waste the money? I could have bought THREE (!) of my 7.2V drills over the last 8 years for the cost of a single 24V one available now! If, on the other hand, you've got greenbacks (oh, wait, you're from Canada!) burning holes in your pockets, then SPEND AWAY!!
OK... that's my 3 (Canadian) cents.
