Hey guys,
I’ve been looking to get back into woodworking for about a year now. I’ve been reading some books, magazines and forumns but due to limited free time, I haven’t started a project yet. The other reason I haven’t done anything is that I sometimes feel that after reading articles on projects, that I need to spend thousands of dollars on tools to complete the smallest thing. I know this isn’t true but I will have to buy some tools before I can really begin, even if it’s just some clamps.
So, my question to the wise men of Knots forum is…what list of tools do think is essential for someone that is just starting out, and that will be enough to be able to complete different types of projects?
At this point, I am interested in making small, simple stands and tables – that type of thing. Tools I currently have are DW706 Mitre saw, cheap Ryobi table saw, PC orbital sander, a set of chisels, a couple of clamps, cordless drill, and that’s about it.
THanks for the input
Replies
I too am a beginner and would like to get into more serious building, i.e. bookcases, cabinets, etc. After a lot of reading, the one indispensable tool is a good table saw (contractor grade a minimum) with a great fence. That Ryobi is probably on par with my portable Craftsman. Neither are adequate for furniture grade projects.
My suggestion (and one that I want to do as well) is get rid of the Ryobi and upgrade to a better table saw. The next set that I see (based on the tools you have) are some quality bar/pipe clamps. Again, I'm in the same boat.
I agree, a good table saw is almost a "must". You can use the Ryobi if it's tuned up well, and if you put a good blade like a Forrest WW II with a dapener. Frankly, you have all of the tools you need with the exception of a good router with a plunge attachment, and either a jigsaw/bandsaw/coping saw. You can do almost anything with a router and a good tablesaw.
Slacker Extraordinaire
Specializing in nothing but knowledge in everything.
I can't think of a project where I didn't use a jointer! A good 6" bench top should be adequate. Also, I think a router table is indispensable.
Excellent point, and one I overlooked. A planer is a must have compliment to jointer for 4-squaring and thicknessing. A jointing plane and bench plane and scrub plane might be good alternatives.Scott
Slacker Extraordinaire
Specializing in nothing but knowledge in everything.
Thanks for the input so far. Before I posted this message, I already has the following wish list for power tools - New Table Saw, PC or Bosch Combo Router, Bosch Jig Saw. It looks like I'm on the right track as I suspected. It was when I started thinking about the jointer/plainer that I got concerned. And then, well, do I really need a drill press, and a band saw... $$
If I was setting up a good shop then I would need to get more equipment. I don't think I'm ready to do that yet. I would prefer to use hand tools for now if I can (beyond what I have and my wish list). My wife is an interior designer and I sometimes do work for her (crown moldings, wainscotting, casings, etc) so I can justify a power tool if I can use it for those projects, but I can't justify the 14" band saw at this point.
markj,
You said..." but I can't justify the 14" band saw at this point."Since I got mine a couple of years ago I haven't bought a piece of plywood. I resaw donnage into panels...resaw 5/4 for drawers, etc. To tell the truth, it's had a larger payback than the table saw. One thing lousy about this hobby...it's tough to say no to anything...lol
I think you should consider adding a jointer and a planer so that you can mill lumber. Also get some good measuring and marking tools- staight edge/square, marking knife and mortise/marking gauge. At some point a low angle block plane and a smoothing plane will be desirable for finishing pieces. Some of these can be bought second hand, also Lee Valley has good service and fair prices.
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
While I'm not a beginner woodworker, but I am new to having my own shop. I'm at the next step in front of you...I have most all the basic tools, now it's time for my first major project (kitchen cabinets).
A good table saw is probably the best start. There are so many things you can add for accessories to the table saw that will make this machine indispensable. A "cheap" saw will likely only frustrate you in the future. I personnally bought a dewalt 746 for example. It doesn't have a rediculous price tag ($800 - $900), but it is better than a contractor style saw.
The next most indispensible tool for me has been a good router. I made the mistake early on of buying a craftsman model. It's a bear to adjust vertically. I would suggest one of the PC combo kits. That's what I would do if I had it to do all over again.
Finally, clamps, clamps and more clamps! There is nothing worst than getting something all glued up and realizing that you really need more clamps to do the job properly. Right now is a good time to buy those with Bessey offering huge discounts on their clamps. Someone on this forum made the point of taking a woodcraft catalog with the prices to Lowes (Lowes carries Bessey, but hasn't put them on sale) and they will match price and give you 10% more off.
You could keep going down the list from there. Technically speaking, you can do almost anything with hand tools, so any power tools you buy just makes your work easier. With less power tools you just have to be more creative. Tap the knowledge base here anytime you run across something you feel you can't do without buying a new power tool. I would bet there is a way to do it by hand!
Good luck,
Tim
markj,
If you want to have fun at this hobby, and progress in your skill level, perhaps the most important next piece of equipment is a workbench. It doesn't have to be a monster, or your final bench, but it needs a couple of vises, needs to be flat and sturdy.
My $0.02:
Most important: Good heavy work bench and vise.
Unless you work with sheet goods, a tables saw is not a necessity and I'd much rather have a bandsaw first. If you work with sheet goods, then you need the TS.
A hand plane (N. 4 or similar), block plane, spoke shave, and scrapers, and a random orbit sander. You could do it all by sanding, but I wouldn't recommend it.
I would recommend working with rough lumber, therefore a jointer and planer would be needed. For my first three years woodworking, I was fortunate to have a student wood shop at college, so I used their jointer and planer. Look into it, as you don't use these tools more than once on any piece of lumber, and they can be expensive.
Router for sure.
Good Luck,
Todd
Hey, I'm no artisian, but I started with my dad's worm drive skil saw, a framing square, tape measure and a pencil. Added a cheap (lowes brand) 10" table saw and drill press. Over the years I kept uping the quality of what I had. If I had it to do over, I would save for the good table saw and bandsaw with a good router table. I wish I were better with hand tools, but I'm not. That's the area I a working on now. Good luck.
its strikes me as strange that so far (at the time of writing), nobody's thought about the single most important tool in a shop... namely a good bench... There's not much you can do without it...
2nd point to think about before you buy any more tools.... is how much shop space do you have?? Relying on stationary power tools means that you'll nead twice the length of your board in available space around a machine; not really a factor if you're working with short boards, but pieces long enough to build a decent sized table or a bookcase will need some thinking about if space is at a premium...
3rd point is to figure where you want to spend your time / cash.... the large stationary tools (table saw, band saw, jointer, thicknesser etc) all need a bullet-proof dust collection system; anything short of that will see you spending an age decontaminating the shop of fine dust every now and then. That dust will get worse if you choose to rely on sanders to smooth a piece prior to finishing. Fine dust is something you simply can't ignore... Decent dust extraction isn't exactly cheap and the worst of it is, none of it will help produce any part of a project...
last point I'll mention... consider what's more important to you, the enjoyment of building a piece, or cranking out pieces at a rate of knots... If time isn't a factor, consider putting more emphasis into hand tools rather than stationary power tools; you don't need a jointer, you don't need a thicknesser... you don't need a sander...hand planes will plane a board just as flat with an exceptional quality of finish at the cost of taking a little longer... they can be kept in a drawer or cabinet when not in use, won't hammer your electrickery bill and I've yet to hear of anyone loosing fingers because they slipped when using a hand tool....
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Edited 10/17/2005 5:03 pm by Midnight
I started with power tools, but have moved in a hand tool direction. I find hand tools to be safer to digits, lungs and ears. Also, they use less space. You can usually buy the best in hand tools for a fraction of the cost of power tools that are barely adequate, and on a personal note: for me, hand tools are much more satisfying. I would not give up my planer or my band saw, but have completely lost interest in my jointer and my table saw; I'm thinking of selling both of them.
There is a steeper learning curve with hand tools, though, at least IMO. There are quite a few needed to just get all your needs met. And there are accessory items that don't immediately occur, like sharpening gear and a good bench. All of that said, though, here's my extremely personal list of bare-bones essentials:
Work Bench with tail and side vises ( a WorkMate can usually serve, but it's a MONUMENTAL pain)
Lie-Nielsen #62 low-angle jack plane with standard and toothed blades
Lee Valley low angle block plane w/rear tote and front knob
Shoulder plane or L-N rabbetting block plane
Card scraper and burnisher
Decent ryoba (japanese saw for rip and crosscut)
Granite flattening plate
1000 grit water stone
8000 grit water stone
Eclipse style honing jig and/or Veritas Mk II honing jig
Set of layout tools (combo square (decent!), marking guage, marking knife, mech pencil, protractor, divider, straightedge)
Three times more clamps of every description than you can imagine needing
router and bits (hopefully a table for the router)
planer
bandsaw (need not be big--made some great stuff with a little 8" Delta that I bought recond. for $99)
safety glasses
hearing protection
dust masks.
I have a rationale for each of these choices, and I'm happy to explain if necessary. This is the list of tools that I could get by with if needed, and couldn't get by without if any were missing.
Good luck,
Charlie
a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts,
build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders,
cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure,
program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.
Specialization is for insects.
- Robert A. Heinlein
Markj
You can build things with what you have now. You may want to add a router. Start having fun.
Grits
My primary work triangle consists of the TS, jointer, and planer. With those I can start with flat, square stock every time. My router and router table add a ton of versatility. With those tools and a jig saw, I can do most of what I need to. Add a BS, DC, DP, and a hand sander and I'm pretty complete. The rest is just because I couldn't help myself! :D
I agree that a bench is important and should probably be the next step... but don't make a major production out of it. Three layers of MDF for the top, a base assembled out of framing lumber, and a quick release vise will make a servicable bench. Don't sweat the joinery; lag screws and Liquid Nails are your friends. Spend no more that a weekend on it and move on.
As for the next tool purchase, it should be dust collection Borrrrrring, you say? Well, yes, it is, but it's the one machine you'll use more than any of the rest.
Beyond that, I think it depends on how cheap your cheap Ryobi saw is. If it's the $89 dollar version, there are some basic limitations built into the saw that are tough to work around, and you should probaly make the TS upgrade a priority. But if it's one of the better models and it gives you accurate cuts, spend your money elsewhere.
Milling your own lumber lumber really increases your versatility as a woodworker, because you're no longer locked into a limited choice of wood species and standard stock thicknesses. If you go in this direction, a jointer and planer are pretty much a necessity, unless you're really serious about hand tools. And if I didn't convince you above that dust collection is important, you'll become a believer the first time you run the planer.
markj,
Sifting through the above suggestions, you will see several common denominators that you can hang your hat on. A good, heavy workbench with two vices should not cost too much. Dust collection is essential and cheap. I haven't heard much about an air compressor, but again, cheap and essential for many reasons. The ability to rough-mill solid stock square is a must; a jointer is very nice for this, but a jointer plane can quickly flatten the concave side af a board adequately. You will need a planer, however, to thickness the wood, as a hand plane will prove too labor intensive and inaccurate for this. A band saw is nice, but it can wait as a good jigsaw will serve you well for most of these types of operations. A good quality plunge router with a large selection of bits will be heavily used. A versatile drill press is essential, again with a decent set of bits. I lean heavily on my cordless drills in my shop, as well as on the job site. A random orbital sander is an every ten-minutes type tool in my shop, as are my wall-o-clamps, although you can get by with 4 of several diffent sizes and types to begin with, depending on the type of work your doing. Table saw-wise, get the best you can afford, and don't forget to allow for a good crosscut, rip, and dado blade. The blades that come with the saw are probably junk. Get a nice after-market miter gage. I'm sure I've left out a few things, but summing up; Good tooling, accurate set-up, and proficient technique are more important than expensive machines. A word about L-N planes; these are very costly and should be looked at down the road, when you are sure the cost is justified, not when you are starting out. Many other fine planes can be had for a fraction of the price.
You will need a planer, however, to thickness the wood, as a hand plane will prove too labor intensive and inaccurate for this.
I wouldn't be so quick to write off hand planes... in the last 2 years my thicknesser's been the least used piece of equipment in my shop.... strange, when it was the most expencive to buy... I got tired of its noise, its mess and its limitations... Working with my hand planes, the widest boards I've worked (from rough sawn stock) were 31" from the mill, jointed to 27" and well in excess of 9ft long.... Thicknessing accuracy to 2 thou isn't close enough for you..?????
Board width aside, the main reason I use handraulics thesedays is my own safety... once the board's on the bench, the heaviest thing I need pick up is my #7... 8 1/2 lbs.... no chance of throwing my back out with that... having to lift a board that size n width back to the infeed side of a thicknesser after every pass would have me in traction for a month.!!!Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Midnight,
I'll race ya! My planer vs. your hand plane. I know your going to say speed isn't the point, but actually it is the point. I make a living at this, and time is money. There are many woodworking operations that I enjoy taking my time with, but if I spend it hand planing down a truckload of lumber, my family won't see me for a month. Of course, there is always accuracy to consider. Oh wait, you can't possibly complete with a planer in that regard either. On your best day, you can't match the accuracy of a planer. By the way, how did you get that heavy board all the way to your workbench without lifting it? Personally, I'd rather lift that board a dozen or so times to the front of the planer than run a hand plane a couple of hundred times over it's surface to get a result no better than my planer.
I hope you do not take offence at this post as it is not intended in the "I'm right and your wrong" spirit. We have different approaches, and are trying to give advice to a third party as best we can. I actually admire your dedication to the handtool way of life, and thoroughly understand the pleasures of sharpening, tuning and using a fine plane. I have a collection of about 90 antique planes which I have been building on for 25 years and am always trying to expand. But I genuinely feel that in this case, a planer is a better choice for the thicknessing operation. There's plenty of planing to be done do displace the jointer at this point in his shop.
Thanks everyone for the great input. I didn't expect this good of a response to my question. I find it refreshing that there isn't a standard blueprint of what to buy and in what order. For every suggestion that a certain product is necessary, there is another response giving an alternative. I guess the point is it's possible to have fun and make things with what you have (and there will always be more to buy).
It does seem to me that just about everyone agrees that a good workbench, a router, and clamps are "necessities", with a table saw close behind.
For me, I think I need the workbench first - I have no where to do the work. The router is on the Xmas list. I might try to pick up some clamps and planes this weekend. The TS will have to wait until my wife's next project that needs it (should be soon). That way I can justify the expense with the money that I make. I think I'll also run to Southern Lumber and pick up some scap wood and just start playing around and learn how to use those new planes I'm about to buy.
Thanks all for the advice and extra motivation.
I'll agree with BG here that the band saw is probably the most versitile Nad so the first tool you should buy. you can resaw, rip, crosscut and cope with a bandsaw. You will be hard pressed to find a tool more versital. Next would be hand planes and a bench, in that order.
TDF
Mark, as a relative beginner I am still in the throes of setting up shop. Lots of people have posted good info, but I will reiterate that your needs are contingent upon what you mostly plan to do. I'd love to have a bandsaw, but for now the table saw took precedence due to what I am working on.
One thing I will say is think twice about a small benchtop jointer. I think they are OK if you are working with short stock, but anything long will be an exercise in frustration. I drove myself crazy recently trying to joint 5' pieces on a small benchtop. I can get better results on the TS, router table or face jointing w/ the planer and a sled w/ shims.
Which brings me to my final point; for the big $$ items, figure out what you will need the most and what tools can be used as multi-purpose tools (like jointing w/ the planer) and see what makes the most sense in your case.
One thing I forgot to mention, is to keep an eye out in the papers, yellow ad sheets, yard sales and on http://www.craigslist.com if there is one near you for good buys on used equipment. You can sometimes get a good buy on an older machine that may need some TLC. It is a good way to get the equipment, learn how to maintain and set it up, even if it does need a few parts replaced. When looking them over, always ask what if anything is wrong and also ask to them to let you test it out or at LEAST have them demonstrate its capapbility to you. If they indicate something is wrong, try and guesstimate what the replacemtn parts might run and add that to the cost ( I always add 10% to the guesstimate for fudge factor) and if it still a good buy go with it. You may ocassionaly get a total write off but you are also likely to occasionally get the buy of a lifetime.
With xmas coming up, you had best get started on the router table plans and getting the material.
When my wife wanted the kitchen cabinet doors replaced, we went out and priced JUST doors, no hinges or hardware and then I figured out what it would cost me, per door to make them and use better materials. A HUGE savings and that convinced my wife to let me get one of my tools and we still saved a chunk of money even after buying the planer. - that project was a real winner - I got my planer, had the enjoyment of making the doors, my wife got new doors of exactly the style and finish she wanted and on top of that we still saved a couple hundred dollars.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Markj,
I'm another beginner skill level guy in the area. I have a suggestion for you to consider, concerning lumber suppliers.
I buy from Southern Lumber a lot, and I love it. It's a one stop shop, and they have everything I could want or need. I particularly like their lower grade (B3?) Birch ply, and ready to go smaller sheets of stuff like 1" MDF that I don't need full sheets of. My only reservation is, they are not exactly a discount supplier.
If you're going to pick up some lumber to learn on, another supplier a friend found is often a lot more budget friendly: http://www.globalwoodsource.com
If I was, for example, doing a thick slab maple workbench, going with Global Woodsource would save some serious $$ based on my last visit there in the summer.
Hope it helps, -robert
ram - thx for the link. I'm down in Gilroy and having another place to get good hardwood is always welcome.On the topic of beginning woodworking - I started several years ago and had massive powertool envy. I wanted everything power I could get my hands on. Making my first couple projects with a skil saw and 4 foot level as a straight edge I thought everything would be easier once I just had all the stuff Norm had. Now days, I find great pleasure in using hand tools more and more. The noise is less, the dust is less and there's just something about being able to say 'Yeah, I cut those dovetails by hand.' That being said, I do have quite a few larger stationary machines as well as a few routers and other hand held power tools. For a person like me that only does this for a hobby, time is not one of the main concerns in any of the work I do so even though it might take me a while longer to do something by hand - I'll choose that way if possible. I almost never make more than one or two of anything I build either so it usually takes just as long to do machine setup as it does to work with hand tools. As someone said earlier, the learning curve can be a bit steeper with some of the hand tools. Took me almost a year to figure out the use of a card scraper. Turns out I was trying way to hard, but the sound of a power sander has not been heard in my garage since i figured it out! I guess it boils down to having fun and enjoying the time I spend in the shop. You can accomplish a lot with very little if you are willing to take your time and develop some basic skills.
Thanks for the insights! I may be a little earlier on a path similar to that you describe. For ages I assumed that the only way for me to get "machine accuracy" was to use machines. I'm beginning to comprehend there are efficient and accessible ways to do it using hand tools.
I have some good planes but haven't yet taken the time to really learn them. I was inspecting my block plane the other night and noticed the blade has a couple of small nicks -- obviously my focus for the next shop session is going to be sharpening! Add a simple shooting board ala David Charlesworth, and who knows? Maybe I'm on the road to neanderland ;-). For sure the noice and dust advantages are incredibly attractive.
-robert
There is another advantage to using hand tools. They are great for your health. Beyond the less dust issue, the also require actual work. All that work helps keep you warm in the winter too!
These days I try to do as much as I can with hand tools. I mill my stock using machines, the go from there.
My advice is pick a project that will only need a few hand tools tools. Buy what you need, do the project. As you move forward you'll add more tools.
Myself I got involved in some woodworking classes at local high school. The instructor encourage people to buy and use their own hand tools. So I just bought the tools I needed as I went through the various classes.
I make a living at this, and time is money.
yupp... I agree with you... in a comercial shop there's no substitute for speed... but my point was, speed costs... planers n jointers that'll cope with a 27" wide board don't come cheap neither... my scrub plane cost $145 plus shipping... needs sharpening every other board and is back in action inside 4 mins... Time can be a factor for me too sometimes...
Getting the board onto the bench took some doing, granted... 2 man lift (for safety's sake) but once it was on there it didn't come off till it'd been planed *both faces), edge jointed and cross-cut into panels...
Jointing stock by hand isn't all that time consuming once you get used to it. Granted there's a learning curve, but if I can climb it, trust me, it isn't that steep...
Oh..... n like I said... 2 thou accuracy isn't good enough for ya...??? That's measured with a machinists micrometer too...
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Midnight,
You ARE the John henry of the woodworking world for sure! My hat's off to you.
Mike,"Working with my hand planes, the widest boards I've worked (from rough sawn stock) were 31" from the mill, jointed to 27"...It seems as though you didn't get the edge quite right on the first pass...lol
It seems as though you didn't get the edge quite right on the first pass...lol
<chucklin.>.... sure seems that way huh..??
As I recall, I spent about as much time building jigs for that project as I did on the project itself... learning curve's pretty steep when yer stood at the bottom of it... ;)Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
having to lift a board that size n width back to the infeed side of a thicknesser after every pass would have me in traction for a month
My best heavy-lifting days are a couple decades back, so I sure hear ya.
I saw a clever gadget someone had on their planer, very simple. Just a stick on a hinge. Up, it is parallel to the floor, sticking out from the side of the planer at the same height as the infeed/outfeed. Guy would have his stock slide through the planer and onto his outfeed table, and he'd only lift the end of it onto the stick, pull it around and onto his infeed table, swing the other end and flip and ready to go through again... never lifted more than about 20% of the weight. The stick had a little support on its outboard end, knocking that out collapsed it all against the planer's stand.
Very clever, and back-saving.
Nothing against handraulics (I like that term), just a clever thing I saw someone do.
sorta like a collapsable outrigger runnin alongside the planer...??? The feist evolution of my benchtop had something similar (until it died)... sounds like a neat idea...
Thesedays I gotta spend ages figuring out how to move stuff without over-stressing my back... lower disks have all the reliability of shot knicker elastic.... Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
I started seriously working wood in about 1970. At that time, there was no Lie-Nielson, Jet, etc. I picked up most of my tools at flea markets and yard sales. (I also bought a few small items on a visit to the Boston Woodcraft Supply store -- the only one around then?) I started out with my dad's old Stanley handsaw, backsaw, a wooden jack plane, a try square, an old block plane, a cheap set of chisels, a home made mallet, a fairly cheap dovetail saw, a brace and some bits, a spokeshave, some files and the miscelaneous hardware store stuff every basement workshop has (screwdrivers, etc.) The whole lot was probably less than $200. My whole workshop pretty much fit in a small plywood toolbox. Made some pretty nice stuff with those "junk" tools -- some of which, like the planes, I still use. It would have been a bit easier/faster with the tools I have now, but I had fun and learned a lot. So, if you want to learn woodworking, don't worry too much about "big iron" right away. Get an assortment of hand tools and select projects to fit your skills and tools. Save up and buy the expensive stuff when you can, and then buy the best you can afford -- by then, you'll have some real knowledge and skills to use with your new tools! By the way, I have a jointer. It's under a tarp in my shop and I can't remember when I used it last. Once you master it, for smaller projects a nice plane is just as easy, more fun, less dust and quieter too!
THANK YOU!
Look through the old FWW magazines, you see people making stunnning stuff with crappy tools all the time. There isn't a medium sized city that doesn't have at least a few table saws in the paper at any given time.
Jointers are nice but you can joint on a table saw or set up a router as well.
Bandsaws are nice but you can resaw small stuff on the table saw.
Planers are nice but you can use a router to plane boards flat.
By all means, if you can just write a check and fill your shop with high end machines, scribble away. However, not all of can or want to do that.
Same goes for hand planes, you can buy expensive toys but a well tuned stanley will do a fine job as well.
I would recomend a sturdy and cheap bench, a good set of waterstones, a jig for sharpening blades, and a good plunge router.
I remember well what I started building my first furniture with.....
A sharp handsaw, a sharp block plane, a cheap try square and a set of chisels.
There was a set of screwdrivers and sockets in the toolbox up til then.
I did have a cheap carborundrum stone too.
and not to commit the same mistake that Thoreau did, I will mention that I had a pencil as well.
Things has changed since then then, but it's still unlikely that the building super will let ya run a table saw in yer apartment.....
Eric
in Cowtown
So I did all the research, on purchasing a table saw,,,,,,took about three months self deliberating it and getting all the information, to make sure I got what I wanted and needed after all this is my First, and A big deal to be able to bring work home from
ceritoss woodworking school and do a little more than one can do in class.
I setteld on the Dewalt. 746...... For me I consider it value for Money parting with$946.00 something my Local Gnhal Lumber woudlnt go near, a year leter the floor model I offerd them that price on is still in theie showroom,, but nowit has becomemore of a shelf that the surrounding shelves,,,, Oh Well thinks I.
So the Appointed saw arrive about ten days later,,,,,, so I waited so what Getting it together was FUN,,,,, really that fence,,,,,,took about three hours of shimms and undo and Do up by the time I was hating the Torx wrench they supplied,
Now the meaty part...... you set the fence to cut a Nomial numebr board.... and guess waht when you put the board on the table top,,,,,You cover the Measuring tape......Oh well I can live with that and think,,, this was not designed by a woodworking fellow,
then I come to take the Spitter Out,,,,,,,,,,OMG what a NightmareIn my youth I could have changed out a Mini Clutch quicker than this10MM nuts that have to backed out all the way,,,,,
SO for a Beginner,,,,,,,,,,fine something more pleasing to the woodworking
spirit and avoid the frustrations I went through even if it cost a few more
bucks Hey its a nice Color though and the 90 degree angle the dust port isset at had me racing for my hacksaw,,,,,,,,,get rid of that and now there is another meaning of Glue Up
Happy sawdust making
Martin
A first is the tablesaw and router as mentioned. - I would go with a router kit in the 2 1/4 hp range and make sure it has the below the table height adjustment capability.
It will also depend on weather you want to go power tool or hand tool or a combination of the two. Hand toools when added up can be as expensive as power tools. I am going to assume that you will be going the power tool route, at least for now.
Then make a workbench and router table. - buy your router bits individually and get decent ones - look at the project coming up and if you need a bit you do not have, see if you can substitute one you have - if not then buy that bit. - you will eventually get the bits you need and use most often and get ones that will last.
After that, look at the projects you want to build, including the materials and then buy the equipment common to making them. If most of your projects will use sheet good, a skilsaw would come in handy to cut them down to manageable size.
A table top drill press at a minimum probably and not a bank breaker.
Finishing supplies
Chisels, a small plane, drill bits (twist, brad point and Forester), as mentioned lots of clamps of all sorts of sizes. screw drivers, an exacto knife, a good tape measure, a straight edge, a chalk line (for rough dimensioning sheet goods), a Jig saw. (save your old credit cards and the ones you get in the mail to help spread glue)
A decent shopvac for cleanup and dust control at this time. (maybe get one that has the leaf blower option to expand its usefulness)
If you live in or near a major city you can probably buy your lumber 2S4 or 4S4 and for the time being get around needing a jointer and planer.
I know this one will generate a lot of responses, but when you want to go to jointer and planer, I would recommend the planer before the jointer - you can use the router table to edge joint a board till you get a jointer (needed to face joint a board).
A band saw would be nice for curves (but you can use a good jig saw for that till you get a bandsaw) and for resawing.
One of the best investments I made was an air compressor and some air tools - I use it for brad nailing, Finish nailing, finishing and even to fill the tires on the car. - Not necessary, but a time saver - glue up and brad nail the parts to stabilize while I get the clamps on - handy in a one man shop.
I like my biscuit joiner, but then I am strange in other ways as well.
look at the projects you want to build, including the materials and then buy the equipment common to making them
I would say that the DOWN THE ROAD, AS MONEY AND SPACE ALLOW items are (and not in this order necessarily): Jointer, Planer, bandsaw, dust collector, floor drill press, Oscillating sander.
Jigs, jigs and more jigs!!! sorry, i am jig-a-holic, I enjoy making them almost as much I enjoy making furniture. Seriously, there will be some jigs (making your own router table and fence could be considered a jig) that you will really want such as a crosscut sled for the tablesaw, a good adjustable fence for the miter gauge, maybe a box joint jig, a jig for mortise and tenons using a router.
Books on the equipment you do buy and techniques you want to use ( use the library to decide which books are best and that you want as permanent references and then buy them )
I am at the stage of deciding which will be then next item I buy ( bandsaw, jointer or dust collector) it will probably, based on need and not want, be the dust collector, then the Jointer and finally the bandsaw (want is reverse order).
ONCE MORE: look at the projects you want to build, including the materials and then buy the equipment common to making them
1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Edited 10/18/2005 5:31 pm ET by Ricks503
Dear Marki,
This is my list of tools,stationary and power hand tools ,that I have and consider importance in which order I put them .
First, a good table saw with a good fence i.e. Delta,Powermatic
router with carbide bits
good belt sander 4", I also have an orbital sander
hand drill, cordless or corded
miter saw, such as Dewalt 12''
jointer, at least a 6"
planer, 12" min.
drill press,preferable a floor model
band saw, floor model, at least 14"
buiscet jointer
pocket cutter
That is a good list of power tools and machinery
Now some hand tools.
Large metal ruler,lots of clamps,good set of chisels, files and rasps,large compass, the kind that slids on rod or small beam,
This is a good start for good results in wood working.
There are hundreds of gagits and small tools and also large floor models that you can get but that takes years of collecting. There are several wood stores out there,just two of my fav are Woodcraft and Rockler. Have fun is the most important thing.
markj,
Count me among the people who put a table saw third or fourth in the list of priorities. I didn't own a table saw until I was doing woodworking for five years! Of course, that means you need an alternative.
Before a table saw, I say get a good bandsaw and a good router table set-up.
I add my voice to those who say CLAMPS! For the longer clamps, my suggestion is to stick with the simpler ones. I bought several Bessey K-body clamps, and later learned that the basic pipe-clamps are better and more versatile. Buy six sets of those Irwin pipe clamps, and then buy several lengths of pipe from Home Depot. You can switch out the pipe-clamp mechanism into any pipe you need.
On the shorter clamps, I found that the simple Pony clamps work best and are light.
There are other suggestions on clamps, but this gets you started!
Nothing is a "must". I had a lot of fun and built top-quality furniture for several years with a circular saw, a router table, a few hand tools, and a couple of milk crates.
If you have a local millwork shop, especially one that also sells you lumber, you can probably get certain machining operations done quite cheaply which can expand your capabilities.
A router table is amazingly versatile, since you can make mortises and tenons, shape edges, and follow patterns. With a clamp-on straightedge and a fluted milling cutter (or spiral router bit) you can joint the edges of boards for glue-ups too.
Machines do make jobs easier and often faster. For example, I can band saw out a tenon in a fraction of the time that I could mill it on the router table. I don't have a table saw, but I'm sure it would be useful if I did. A lot of machines are like that.
Pete
first.....a good work bench
second.....a band saw...14"
third a chop saw.sliding compound mitre if you have the $$
Fourth Table saw
fifth a jointer.......you gave get some good hand planes for whta a 6" jointer will cost you
six.....sanding station........I use mine all the time
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Hay Mark, reading through the great info everyone has been giving I think Charlie D. is on the right trail. I began carving at an early age and loved it. Things change. I went into home building among other types of carpentry for some time but ended up in real estate. I'm a few years from dropping over so I thought it was time to get back to what I really loved, can't afford that so woodworking is #2. Only to find that I spent most of what would have been my retirement on woodworking tools. oops. I framed my pole barn did some wiring and bought every power tool that I didn't already have or that I could afford and some I couldn't (pack rat by nature). Garage sales can be a craftsmans best friend or not. I use most every tool that I have at some time or another and glad to have them. Only problem is I really don't have the room for everything, yet I keep adding to them because there is always a project that requires some tool to makes life easier. I am now trying my hand at fine finish carpentry, art deco, driftwood, one of a kind that is not like anything I've seen. The tools of chose are the TS, bandsaw,router table with every bit known to man, many types of sanders, I hat sanding but so important so have as many types of sanders as possible, planers both hand and electric, jointer, drill press, scroll saw, chisels, marking tools, miter saw,vacuum, tons of clamps, work bench but before you take that deep plunge, find your local woodbutchers club and see if they might help you plan for what you really need. Make sure you spend time and money on enjoyment not on disappointment. This may not have helped you much, but I feel much better. Good Luck and Make it fun, Fishwood
Edited 11/4/2005 2:24 am ET by fishwood
what list of tools do think is essential for someone that is just starting out..
IN SHORT NOTHING!.. Yes I had a cheap Ryobi table saw.. 3000 something.. The blade was GREAT!.. I liked that saw ALOT..
I'd pick a project you really want to make.. and GO FOR IT! and a few more.. Buy what you NEED to get it finished and lookin' OK!
May take a bit of extra wood though...
Edited 11/4/2005 1:00 pm by WillGeorge
Edited 11/4/2005 1:03 pm by WillGeorge
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