Tim,
There is a difference to maximizing prophets, and maximizing efficiency with what resources you have.
You maximize profits by making your company big. If you want to net 75000 a year or more, then you might consider heading a big time operation.
But if you just prefer to be small, and are content to not get rich, then you stick with a smaller crew, like 3 or 4 guys.
With a smaller crew, it is still very important to consider the costs of every aspect of your operation, and minimize your overhead expenses. This maximizes the profits you can make. With a small business, it is still very much the case in this modernized world that by being willing to lay aside conveniences and do a little more work, you can put more money in your pocket.
So what I am saying is that every individual small timber framer should really set back and analyze his operations. Sit down and crunch some numbers, and see what tools are actually worth having. I think a lot of you would be really surprised if you did this to learn which of your conveniences are actually costing you money.
These expenses include the initial purchase cost, spread out over a number of years. Maintenance, replacement parts (like blades, belts, etc.) the time to run them, setup time, pack up time, the extra effort of cleaning up sawdust that flies hin and yon compared to shavings or chips that fall right down. The electricity to run them. The insurance policies in case they get stolen, All of these and more are factors.
Then compare that to the costs involved with hand tools, which is a whole lot smaller of a list. Purchase cost, maintenance, time to cut a joint, and a few others.
It might take a little bit more time to cut a joint, but that doesnt really mean that it is costing you more money once you account for everything.
