Fellow Woodworkers,
I just wanted to express my thanks to all of you who have responded to the posts I’ve put on the different forums recently again thank you all for the suggestions and help you’ve past my way.
I have another question about the skills and oppinions of some the Craftsman on the web these days. I’ve read where peolpe have asked oppinions about which tools to buy and most of the times they are told to buy either the more expensive tools or American made tools. I have no problem in supporting our fellow brothers and sisters in building a quality product and being paid a good wage doing it. Accept in this day and age a lot of younger would be craftsmen and woman can not afford to pay the higher prices that American made products demand so sadly the younger generation is forst either to not take up the skill of woodworking at all or they try to find an organization to join so they can hone the skill of woodworking. But unfortunatly with peolpe getting more and more lawsuit happy organizations can not afford the amount of liability insurance it will take incase somone gets hurt usually do to the opperator error not following rules and directions so these organizations are getting fewer and farther between. I’ve heard from several young would be woodworkers in my area and they have asked what kinds of tools and what brand name of tools they should buy.The first question I ask them is how seriouse are they about woodworking.Then I ask what are they considering building. One of the last questions I ask is if they have any family that may have some so called hand me down tools they may be able to get from them.Then usually I ask the most important question how much money are they contimplating putting into there hobby and how seriouse are they planning on getting with their hobby or are they thinking about it being a second income.
Usually I will tell them to buy a tablesaw what ever they can afford it doesn’t always have to be new good used usually works just as well besides the tool is only as good as the opperator. I’ll usually tell them to purchase a little less quality tools to hone their skills on, this way if they figure out woodworking isn’t for them they don’t have an absolute bundle rapped up in tools they probly won’t use or want.Unfortunatly American made tools fall under the higher price catagory so I’ll tell them to see if their going to enjoy their new found hobby and stick with it before they step out and buy all American made tools these usually always fall under the better quality tools catagory. Then if they are lucky enough to get some hand me down tools I’ll tell them to do what they can and all they can with what they have.Then if they kind of himhaw about money and how much they’re looking to spend I wont go any further becouse I dont think they are to seriouse and if I get very much himhawing and studdering on any of the questions I’ll somwhat point them in other directions mainly becouse they are wanting to use the craft of woodworking as a get rich quick skeem and to me that ruins it for all of us. So if you all have any other suggestions and input you would like to add they sure would be welcome and I appologize if I offend anyone by the above statments but I really appreciate the art of Woodworking and I really hope we will have good quality craftsmen and woman to pick up where we all leave off….Thank You and Happy Woodworking
JIM C the”PUTTERIN YANKEE” woodworking shop
Replies
Doc
I started out with a Sears Craftsman used 8" table saw I paid $40.00 for and built anything I wanted to. I had a Craftsman circle saw $29.95, a craftsman sabersaw $29.95, a craftsman router $29.95. The reason I can remember the prices so well Sears had a tool on sale for about 1/2 price each month. I took advantage of this and started building my shop tools and will probably continue until I get to a point I can't drive to the hardware store or order out of a catalog. I have bought other used equipment but mostly new.
I don't skimp on anything that has a motor on it. I buy name brands of router bits, saw blades, and anything that goes around fast. It's a safety issue with me. Actually tools don't cost that much, when you think about the money you save repairing and restoring your home and furnishing. There was an article in the Houston Chronicle this summer a fellow took his wife and 2 sons to see the Astros play. He took $300.00 with him, he got home with less than $5.00. Everything is too expensive.
Anyway I enjoyed your thoughts.
God Bless and Good Luck
les
Doc, keep up the encouragement, you don't need high end tools to start building and enjoying woodworking. The time to invest in top of the line tools will become evident as they outgrow the capabilities of the lower end tools. Some may never need replacing.
Much like Les, I started out by purchasing "Sears Best" tools, which were green at the time. I still use the circular saw and sabre saw, although the sanders are pretty well left in the cupboard. Access to my fathers 7 1/4" Rockwell Beaver (aluminum) table saw, with a fence that you had to measure 7x's and use vice grips to tighten. No jointer, planner and his only hand plane was a 60's Stanley which has a cracked sole - bought it to raise the bottom of a door, and hadn't been sharpened too much since.
All that to say, my first real project was a coopered top cedar chest, which is still in my front hall, 15years later. It was this project that began love affair with woodworking.
I have purchased many fine tools since then, as I have an excellent occupation and understanding spouse. The projects have become more complex, and craftsmanship significantly higher.
My suggestions to fellow woodworkers is to buy the best you can afford at the time. If you don't continue, you can always sell to someone. The better the tool the more pleasurable it is to use. Most people new to woodworking want to build and finish the project in as short a period of time possible. You can tell, because they tend to say, "it only took me 3 weekends, and in the store you would have paid $ 200". I find the more seasoned woodworkers, don't highlight the time investment, but the quality of the build, finish etc. Should you outgrow a tool, trade up, and look at the previous investment as educational money.
Although sharpening is still not a favorite past time, it was truly an epiphany for me. Once I learned how to sharpen my chisels (flatten the back - who would have thought!), I bought a smooth plane and sharpened the iron. Once this was accomplished, I found that my build quality went up.
If somebody had told me that I had to use hand planes, chisels, handsaws etc.. learn to sharpen....when I first started out, I don't think I would have lasted as I wouldn't have the foundation of building, and almost instant gratification that power tools provide. Now I can happily say that 50% of my work is with hand tools, and is by far the most pleasurable part of my time spent in the shop.
Another option for a beginning woodworker is to search garage sales, estate sales and flea markets for used hand tools.
I have only been woodworking for a few years and being the father of five I am definitly on a budget when it come to my hobbies. Luckily my parents are enjoying thier retirement as antique dealers. Over the past year I have had them keep an eye out for antique hand tools, and have gotten several tools at unbelivably low prices. For example a Stanely Jack Plane for only $9. With a little elbow grease, along with the great article on sharpening in FWW a couple of months ago I have a great plan that I have been using to master the technique.
I would suggest to someone to use this approach when setting up shop, it's inexpensive and if you think about the basics of many tools has not changed much over the past 100 years.
earnold
I bought most of my tools use from yard sales and auction. If the price was right I bough if not I would walk. Most of the time I would only buy if the price was at 1/2 of new or less. I got a 5 h, pm ts with 50" wing a few years ago for $600.00 it had a little rust on the table. The husband had died wife was moveing into a appartmen.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled