Replies

1. 
   chipo | Dec 14, 2004 11:29pm | #1

   I recently went through the same process, so I can at least tell you what I did. I went into it with a definite first project in mind (kitchen cabinets), so my purchases were planned around what I would need for that project. I already had a circular saw and a miter saw, so I was covered for crosscutting long boards and cutting plywood sheets into panels (my shop is too small to do either task on a table saw). First and biggest purchase was the table saw (Craftsman 22122, the mid-range model of their new line) and I also got a Grizzly drill press, mostly for drilling the holes for cup hinges. Got a router for my birthday, though I'm not actually going to need it for this project. [EDIT: oh yes I am, for dovetails.] Smaller purchases were a dovetail jig and a pocket hole jig.

   I was originally going to get a jointer and a planer, until I realized that I wasn't going to be going through enough lumber for the lower cost of roughsawn to make up for the up-front cost in any reasonable about of time. I might spring for the jointer if I start doing glued-up panels, though (one can get away with a tablesaw or table-mounted router for edge jointing, but it's not ideal).

   Don't forget the workbench, which is pretty much the canonical first project in a new shop.

   In general, think about what you want to build and what combination of tools will get you there most economically. I decided to use screws and glue on the cabinets rather than biscuits to save the purchase of a biscuit joiner. That said, especially if you think you're going to make this a long-term hobby, don't skimp on the quality of the tools you do buy.

   
   

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   Edited 12/15/2004 3:35 pm ET by ChipO

1. 
   chills1994 | Dec 15, 2004 04:09am | #3

   Hi All!

   Don't overlook auctions as a great source for used power tools.

   I bought a late 1950's Unisaw for $50 at an auction.  It had a three phase motor.  I bought the 3 hp Baldour replacement motor for it for $300.  It has been well worth it.

   I got a used Delta/Rockwell floor model lathe with tools for less than $125.

   At one auction I saw a brand new Powermatic floor model hollow chisel mortiser (HCM) go for less than $200.

   So if you can wait on some purchases, auctions are worth a look. 

   Also, a lot of schools are still closing down their woodworking and metal shop programs.  I guess the emphasis on computers, science and technology not to mention the liability issues has caused enrollment in them to drop.

   Another place to look is patternmaking shops.  With CNC machining, there isn't as much of a demand for wooden patterns for casting items.

   Studying up on three phase power and converters would be handy here.

   My "big three" purchases would be a tablesaw, a jointer, and a planer.  A bandsaw, drill press would be next.  Then there is plenty of miscellaneous sanders, drills, jigsaws.

   But don't let my emphasis on power tools sway you.  A lot can be done with a bench, a vise, some chisels and planes.  Learning to sharpen is a keyway skill.  It opens the doors to other "rarified air" options like dovetailling and carving.

    

   Good luck!

2. 
   Midnight | Dec 15, 2004 04:01am | #2

   A...

   no easy answer to this one, as the best recommendations deoend heavily on what kinda woodworking you want to do. If quantity rather than quality is your goal, machine tools would be the best route to follow, although they'll swallow a small budget real fast. If quality is more important than quantity, hand tools may be a better option, aided with a more select list of power tools...

   Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

3. 
   Dustmight | Dec 16, 2004 02:04am | #4

   The main work triangle of most shops consists of a good TS, a jointer, and a planer.  With those three tools, you're assured of starting every project with straight, flat, and square stock.  In addition I find a router and router table to incredibly versatile and useful.  From there buy what you'll need to complete your next project. 

   Popular WWing's October issue had a good article on putting together a $1500 shop and a $3000 shop.  It also had a good article about selecting a TS.  Worth checking out.

    

4. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 21, 2004 09:45pm | #5

   Don't buy any tool unless you have a specific and genuine need for it, buy the best you can afford, and avoid buying kits that contain sets of items, most of which you have no immediate use for (router bits come to mind). Many tools are nice to have, but are really more of a luxury than a necessity. Although I went without certain tools that I now consider more-or-less essential for several years, I did just fine without them, and by deferring tool purchases, I was able to spend more on wood and books.

   Woodworkers are problem solvers by nature - which is a mental activity - sometimes, having all of the available tools on hand makes it too easy to avoid the problem solving that'll make a genuine woodworking out of you in the long run. There's another downside that's all too real - injury. When you buy one tool at a time, after lots of research, you're more likely to invest yourself fully in learning to use that tool safely. It's all too easy, on the other hand, for a newbie to walk into a more-or-less fully-equipped shop, and injure himself using tools with which he isn't completly familiar because he hasn't invested enough mental elbow grease to prepare him to use the tool safely. I've seen this happen time and time again with newbies who know just enought to be a danger to themselves and those around them at our woodworking college.

   With several decades of hindsight, I would do three things differently: First, I would have invested in formalized training at a local college far earlier in my woodworking career. Second, I would have made a far greater investment of time and money in hand tools, minimizing my reliance on power tools. Third, I would have invested in well-engineered dust collection equipment when I purchased my first power tool.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   websherpa2 | Dec 21, 2004 10:39pm | #6

   "Don't buy any tool unless you have a specific and genuine need for it, buy the best you can afford, and avoid buying kits that contain sets of items, most of which you have no immediate use for (router bits come to mind). "

   I agree with this advice whole-heartedly even though I have difficulty follwing its tennants sometimes.

   Another important consideration is space and time to do your craft. Over time any space can be made safely useable, so start with what you have.  I made the mistake of waiting until I could put together what I thought was the "perfect" space and wasted much more time planning, designing and constructing a workshop (2 years) than practicing the craft.

   I would suggest starting with small projects, basic hand tool skills, and books like these before buying any power tools:

   Woodworking Basics, Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmansip by Peter Korn

   Getting Started in Woodworking, Skill-Building Projects that TEACH the BASICS by Aimé Ontario Fraser

   The Seven Essentials of Woodworking by Anthony Guidice (needs to be read with some humour as bow saws and board dressing with planes, trust me, are difficult skills to master satisfyingly unless you've got time to practice, practice, practice)

   Then try to enroll in a couple local woodworking seminars with an experienced craftsman.  The advice of an experienced mentor in both purchases and techniques will go a long way to saving you money, time and headaches.

   If you decide that you aren't really into woodworking afterall, then it hurts and costs less if you have to keep some planes or smaller power tools, than to have to sell a table saw and bandsaw.

   Each tool takes some time to master, and wood and materials are expensive, so leave time to practice, tune and learn with each tool, and money to buy project materials, so that you don't feel overwhelmed by not "getting to it all" in one weekend.  And remember that most tools have good re-sale value over time if one day you decide / need to upgrade.

   My 2 cents.

   Wayne P.