Good Evening everyone;
I was jsut thinking ( during dinner) what tools you would usie to start out with do do the most basic projects . Including a few power tools and hand tools. Just wanted to get any ideas as I have desperatly wanted to get into doing stuff at home > I worked in woodworking for over a year the the shop closed up. I am leaning towards 2000.00 or less. . I know this is a very broad question but what the hey.. Z
Replies
FWW did an article on setting up shop. They had a $5k budget, but you should look at that article to get an idea of the tools they felt needed to "start off'.
It really depends upon what type of things you want to start doing. If you won't be doing any turning, the lathe can go on the back burner. Conversely, if turning is your thing, a lathe and perhaps bandsaw will move to the top.
On the other hand, if flat and square is your style, a table saw would be a keystone tool.
Certainly some other things to consider are:
- clamps
- measuring, marking, and squaring devices
- chisels
- file / rasp
- screwdrivers
- hammers and mallets
- sharpening devices
- planes
- corded drill and bits
- router and bits
- random orbit sander
- saber saw
- circular saw
- table saw
- jointer
- planer
- drill press
- band saw
- supply of common hardware items (screws, brads, bolts, etc.), sandpaper, finishing materials and tools
- belt-disk sander combo
(I'm sure I've forgotten something, (Domino???))
I'd encourage you to buy quality tools as you need them, justified by current projects rather than try to get everything at once on the cheap.
Edited 3/31/2008 7:55 pm ET by byhammerandhand
"...I'd encourage you to buy quality tools as you need them, justified by current projects rather than try to get everything at once on the cheap..."
Hey, my wife may be reading this...
Okay, this is the same advice I would give... just don't ask me to follow it :0b
On the contrary, you can milk this cow for a long time.
Hello, I have a small shop and I own a table saw (Bosch) a work bench, clamps, hand tools, assorted power tools and a couple of routers. The router table can double as a decent edge jointer, although I really feel the need for a jointer/planner combo in my small shop.
Oh by the way, clamps, clamps, and more clamps!!! you can never have enough!
Chaim
Make your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
Zappa,
The more I use it, the more I love my bandsaw (14", with riser block, 1HP motor). It would be one of the first power tools I would buy were I to start again. I've gotten by many years with just a handplane to surface stock, so, I'd recommend a good jack plane. If you work with sheet goods, you'll probably want a circular saw with a good blade. Don't overlook marking and measuring tools. A good square is one of the most usefull tools one can own.
Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I personally believe from my experiance that you need to start with
Tablesaw
Router
good back/dovetail saw
bench/vice
some mitre saw, either power or hand in a box
sander, ROS first, then mabey belt
I don't know where that'll leave ya, but it's a good start
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
I'm gonn'a go out on a limb here as probably no one will agree with me but the first stationary power tool I'd buy if I were starting all over would be a good jointer; at least 6".
With it you will be able to surface narrow boards which are the most commonly available and most importantly you will be able to obtain straight reference edges.
These capabilities will enable you to purchase your wood in an S2 state (surfaced two sides) as opposed to buying S4 which is EXPONENTIALLY more expensive. It will open up varieties of wood to you that are not carried by vendors selling only S4 material.
I definitely agree with the poster who said buy the best you can afford piece by piece based on current need. Don't get a bunch of cheap stuff just to have it around!
Best of luck getting started.
Regards,
Mack
"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
A good combination square--I've got 3 actually, different sizes and use the two smaller ones a lot. I used the 12" combination square when I first started and realized that what I really needed was a smaller square. I came across the smallest one at a yard sale (starret) and bought a 6" combination square some years ago (starret). I use them for mortising, table saw set up, squaring stock--all sorts of things. Good luck.
Prado,
It sounds from your post that you have a 4" Starrett Combination Square. If you do, it may be quite rare!
Check out Bob Kaune's site http://www.antique-used-tools.com and look in the "Seldom Seen Archive". He had the one shown as the "Seldom Seen Tool" a month or so back and stated that it was the second one he's come across in all his years of tool hunting.
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
I got that little bugger at a yard sale.
There were plenty of squares I only needed one so I got that one--this is way before e-bay, craig's list, etc.--too bad!
Anyway, I couldn't locate the archive you mentioned.I should say that this little square get's plenty of use.
The daughters of the machinist who sold it to me said that he was a railroad worker. I purchased some other machinist tools from another railroad worker's wife--just some calipers and an old century electric motor, really old. In fact, my buddy's dad, a retired electric motor repairman says he hasn't seen one of those in the last 50 or 60 years.I'll stop rambling...
Prado,
If you go back to his web site; click on the "Seldom Seen" tool. Then scroll down and you'll see a title "Visit the Seldon Seen Archive", click on it and up pops a whole slew of tools (seldom seen) and right in the very upper left hand corner is a cousin to your little square. He doesn't mention value but it is not for sale so I can only assume that means he's keeping it for his personal "stash" and it must be worth major $$$$.
PS. What good is a forum if you can't ramble once in a while---or often for that matter!!!
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Found it. I'll compare to mine and post info later.
Thanks.
Prado,
Glad to help. You might even e-mail Bob Kaune, let him know you have said item and ask him about it's value if you're at all curious. Do post results, please. Enjoy!
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
Thanks for all your input and sorry I have not gotten back to this post sooner. My bigggest issue is space for larger tools like a bandsaw and table saw. I have had pretty good success with a circular saw and some guides ripping plywood. I really want to focus on hand tools and just get an understanding of what does what. The projects I have lines up are some nice shelves, boxes, spoons and the such. I know the best way to figure out some things is to practice. I am a little stuck on how to mill down wood with a hand plane to the exact size you need. I saw some nice ood at woodcraft that was not too expensive. As far as the tools I have
router( no table yet)
circular saw
10" miter saw
good amount of measuring tools
Clampss I pick up everytime I go to HD
basic hand tools and drills
Thanks again
Zappa,
With space at a premium and given what you want to do, I'd suggest three essentials: workbench, bandsaw, planer relative to big stuff and tag sale planes, chisels, hand saws.
The hand tools are essential to improving the quality of the wood surface and joinery and almost every hand tool operation requires the workbench.
Wood is expensive but the cost can be cut by using recycled pieces for several parts. The bandsaw is essential for dimensioning (re sawing) lumber.
The planer can double as a jointer to insure parallel faces of your stock.
MackLike this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Starrett-H11-mini-square-center-head-4-inch-4R-grad_W0QQitemZ270225915372QQihZ017QQcategoryZ58246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
I don't know if the CS square Bob Kaune has is a particular "Type" and I know next to nothing about square, rules, etc. from a collector angle. The one you posted from E-Bay says "new item" so apparently it is still being manufactured or at least was recently. I am becoming more curious about these little guys.
Thanks for the post, I may put a bid on it although my guess is that it will go way beyond what I'm willing to pay.
Regards,
Mack"WISH IN ONE HAND, S--T IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"
In 06 I bought a 4" Starrett double square and 4" combination square on eBay for $38 total. It was a 'buy it now' and I just happened on it after it was posted, so I got first crack. I use those tools all the time in my work. Both of them are common tools that Starrett still makes. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Everybody's needs are a little different and it really depends upon what you intend to start building. But, I gotta go with a good bandsaw for just plain old versatility. It is a forgiving tool and will let you explore a lot of wood. It isn't as accurate as a table saw and it won't accurately joint a board, but you will save your fingers. Table saws require a very fast learning curve and safety equipment.
In 1982 with $2,000 burning a hole in my pocket I decked out a new shop. I had a ball playing with the tools, but when it was all said and done, I didn't use many of the big ticket items. But, then I didn't have enough or different kinds of clamps! Also, I found I didn't like the noise of some of these big tools and eventually found that I preferred to let somebody else to do the noisy part and I went to handtools.
So, I'd go slow, use power tools when you need to reduce drudgery, but hand power when you want more tactile satisfaction. The balance will work itself out. You'll save money and have more fun!
Zappa:
Whatever you do, buy the best tools you can afford. Buying the best means they will last longer, are easier to resell and should provide the best accuracy.
As a hand tool guy, I would suggest some good handplanes, a scraper, a couple of saws, marking gauge and good quality squarws.
Good Luck!
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