37203.1
Hello,
I am new to woodworking. At a yard sale this weekend I picked up the following tools in excellent condition:
– Porter-Cable 1 3/4 HP router fixed base/plunge kit for $95
– Bosch jig-saw for $45
I have around $300 left to spend on tools. How can I most efficiently spend it to start making furniture? I would like to build some simple tables, chests, bookshelves, etc. I currently have no chisels or anything else beyond the above purchased items. Please do not suggest a workbench or router table as I plan on building my own following plans from FW.
Thanks for any suggestions on what to purchase.
-Josh
Replies
Just how basic do you want to be ? For $300 you can get a nice hand rip and crosscut saws, a Stanley #5 plane and some flea market chisels. Those few items will do a lot of work.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
There is a whole hand tool/power tool debate. I'm sure you'll get advice on both sides. Given that you just bought 2 power tools, I'm going to assume that you are going to be more comfortable with a few basic power tools.
With that said, I think a beginner on a tight budget needs the following:
Straight/accurate cuts. You could buy a cheap table saw, but any table saw in your budget would not be large enough to handle large plywood panels. For basic furniture making, you can get by with a circular saw paired with a decent straight edge. I've seen a Milwaukee circular saw recommended on a couple of sites. for about $120, which seems like a lot, but, unless you invest in a table saw or become skilled with an hand saw, you will be dependent on it. Many other brands would do. The national chains carry straight edges in the ruler/tape measure section for about $20. So, that's $140 so far.
Smothing/surface prep. I find my Random Orbital Sander (ROS) more useful than my belt sander or the other finish sanders I've tried. It produces a smother finish for me, yet can be aggressive when I need it to be. I am happy with my Dewalt ($69). $210 so far.
Clamps. You are going to need at least a small and larger set of clamps to hold the work steady while you cut, sand, mortise, and, most importantly, glue-up your work. You can get by with a pair of hand clamps for most work, but, by the time you start your glue-up, you'll want something bigger. Pipe clamps offer the most flexibility because they offer a long clamping range. I would get a pair of 12" bar clamps ($25/pr.) and a pair of pipe clamps ($15 ea) + 2 lengths of pipe ($10 ea.) Chose your pipe length based on how long your longest possible project would be. For example, if the workbench you want to build is 6' long, then 7' pipes will work. Up to $260
Mortises & paring. You need at least a couple of chisels, for sure. The standard starter set I hear people talk about is the Irwin Marples Blue Chip set of 4 ($35). Now at $285.
Measuring. You need a reliable square to ensure square cuts. Ideally you would have a framing square and a miter square, but I've only left you money for one. I'd get the miter square ($15). $300.
Electric drill. Drilling and driving screws. I hope you already have one. If not, go with a cheaper circular saw. Go corded to save money and ensure you have the necessary torque.
Do you have any of these already?
I'll finish with the caveat that you could approach this from the manual/unpowered tool route. Others will provide you the reasons to consider that option. You may find that option more rewarding, but may consider that option too frustrating.
Good luck,
Danny
Great suggestion by Danny. I would add only one thing .... on the pipe length(s) I have quite a few pipe clamps but even more pipes. Most of my pipes are either 36 or 55 inches long. The way I keep the length down is thread both ends and use couplers to extend the lengths. Not sure about the present (copper and PVC) but back when I would pick up used pipe for nothing. Also in the future start saving for a good table saw...Good LuckKen
Great idea with the couplers. My biggest concern about a 7' pipe is, you will have to be careful not to poke a hole in your ceiling with it, so your solution is perfect.
I have a couple of 10-footers that I've only used for one project. Based on your coupler idea, I am more convinced I should convert them into an end vise a la John White's New Fangled Workbench, and then use your idea later, if I need long clamps.
I'll second the idea of going with flea market chisels rather than the Marples, assuming you can find any. I've been to a half dozen flea markets around W. Tennessee and haven't seen a single chisel or plane that wasn't boat-anchor rusted.
Also, I should disclose that I recently bought my first couple of Lie-Nielsen chisels ($50/ea) and love them. I have become convinced that a couple of high quality chisels paired with one or two cheap ones is the way to go for the beginner, but it didn't look like you had the budget for it. All this depends on the kind of work you are doing, the kind of wood you are working with, etc. If you expect to be working with fine wood, drop the Marples set and go for the L-N, else, go cheaper now and find an excuse to replace a couple later (3/8 & 1/2 was a good suggestion).
BTW, that Porter Cable router combo kit is one you will get many years of use out of, it's a really solid power tool. Same with the Bosch jigsaw, another very well engineered and well built tool.
It's easy to get sucked into "if I just had this one tool..." when in fact a few good hand tools and a lot of patience will result in not only fine work product but also a really enjoyable time doing it.
A good pair of handsaws (rip and crosscut), a block plane, and some garage sale chisels with a book on sharpening will get you pretty far.
The one machine I would consider a must have is not a tablesaw but a band saw. Save up and get a good 14" with a few high quality blades.
Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I will need to take a couple of days and think carefully whether to continue along the power tool route, or buy a handsaw and planes, etc. I am leaning more toward the suggestion of buying a circular saw & orbital sander, as I will still get to do some work by hand using the chisels... Oh, and by the way I do own a drill :)Thanks again for all the suggestions.Josh
joshs,
I saved quite a bit buying used power tools off Ebay because they had a tail. A lot of the trade is going, gone, cordless and good stuff is available cheap. Tag sales are a better source than Ebay in my neck of the woods
Curious, what is the best way to keep your cut straight and square on your hand saew cuts?
Practice :)Seriously, when I was in college I worked as a carpenter in the summers and during breaks. I was in the union (local 848, still remember it!) and in one of the apprentice programs a journeyman gave me a few tips over the course of 5 minutes that have never failed me:1) point your index finger out along the handle rather than curling it in the grip. 2) take long steady strokes once the cut starts3) position yourself over the work piece you are cutting as opposed to behind it4) buy the best saw you can afford (back then it was Sandvik for me) but whatever saw you use you should have it professionally sharpened regularly and store it properly when not in use (which simply means in a case or fixed slot in your tool box rather than bouncing around with all your other tools)
Personally I, due to monetary constraints, use a skill saw and finish with a general purpose hand saw. I have cheap chisels that work well. I also have some more of the specialty tools that were given to me.
I think that you should try to find the hand tools at garage sales, estate sales, auctions are sometimes good for a whole box of tools for a buck if you are patient. Also try antique shops, pawn shops, and things like that. Some times you get lucky!
You will need a workbench of some sort. A simple 2x frame, covered with plywood, screwed to a wall, is cheap and sturdy. A vise will help with many tasks. A Black and Decker Workmate is another option.
Ed
Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone. I've decided to get a couple of nice chisels (the 3/8 and 1/2), some pipe clamps (on sale at woodcraft + $15 off $50 coupon!), and a square. I will wait on the saw and will try to pick it up at a yard sale. I already have a workmate (which someone mentioned) but my first project will likely be to build a more permanent and sturdy replacement for it.Thanks again -- I know I will enjoy this hobby for years to come.Josh
when i was starting out to rebuild my shop tools i bought from sears in their home companion collection a 10" table saw and a 6" band saw, and a corded saw for less then 150.00 they worked for me untill i could find some of the tools in higher quality, although i am still looking for a planner/jointer that i can aford. and i still use everything on some of my sm,aller projects, ( i am remoldeling my home)
It seems to me, if you want to make furniture out of plywood, you'll need power tools with accurate fences. I've tried working plywood with hand tools and found the experience unpleasant.
If you want to build with solid wood, you have the opportunity to saw more roughly, either by hand or with your jig saw or a circular saw. Rough sawn edges can be cleaned up easily and quickly with a hand plane. If you go that route, your next tool should be a long plane. Get the longest plane you can find. Look for one over 20" long. Wooden planes 26" or longer are cheap and very good performers. After that, find yourself a short (20"-24") panel saw and a saw vise and learn to sharpen it. Both items should set you back only $20.
I think you need an electric drill motor. A cordless drill would be fine.
After that, buy some flea market chisels. You'll need a bench grinder- a cheap hand cranked model will work if you can't afford an electric one.
You'll need a try square and a straight edge. You can make both, but start with a framing square and maybe an old rosewood and brass stanley try square. Keep your eye's open for a "scriber" as many call it. Its a marking gauge. I think a 12' tape measure is nice to have.
I could go on and on. I think you could get yourself a nice set of old hand tools for $300 that would allow you to do what you want to do. But choosing and restoring those tools takes some skill and patience. I recommend Mike Dunbar's "Restoring, Tuning, and Using Classic Hand Tools". I think it would help you if you decide to go that route. My feeling is that even if you decide later to buy a bunch of woodworking machinery, the experience you gain working with hand tools, and the tools themselves, will be helpful.
Adam
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