Glen, to mess with your head a little more, here is another option.? If you have the room you could start with a medium sized shaper with a sliding table like the F700.? It is as versatile as any shaper out there.? It does have some limitations but only use will tell you what they are in your world.? I would then supplement the F700 with a heavy fixed table production type machine with a bigger? ( 260 minimum ) fence.? A two shaper set up pretty much eliminates the need for the electronic bells and whistles that are efficient for a one machine shop but prone to failure before the mechanicals.

I have four shapers ( really only use three? but I like machines ) that in total cost less than a fully equipped Format.? Three were unused prior to my purchase.? Felder F7 precursor to the F700, Knapp saw shaper, SCMI T130, and Martin T21.

Knapp benefit is better fence and router spindle that rotates up to 23000.

SCMI has numerical fence on both sides and handles the Aigner plates better than the Felder.? Much more of a production machine although built nothing like the old Martin.

Martin is just cool but built with heavy components and precision large bearings in a drip oil lubrication system that will outlast all the others combined.? As long as they haven't been bastardized by some well meaning clueless type who swapped the bearings for sealed, you can get a machine that will outlast you for about 4K.? Same with T 130.

When I'm in entry or cabinet door mode, I set up the machines and don't change settings maybe for weeks or months depending on my lack of commitment.

I'd also second a look at an edge sander.? Mine is an older Oakley but gets used every time I saw joint or plane.

I guess my long winded point is to be careful spending for all new high end machinery up front until you develop what you really need to make your life happy.? Multiple sliding saws, shapers, and bandsaws make me happy while others like the T27 type capabilities.? Dave