Beginning Woodworker Tools Recommendation
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@george lol I noticed that after I re read my post. I was going to correct it, but sometimes I just give in. Darn technology! If only my phone could just type what I am thinking, life would be much easier.
By the way, you bring up interesting points, before buying tools we should ask ourselves what are our goals and will this new tool help accomplish our goals. Paul Sellars has a wonderful blog about asking ourselves what are goals… If I find it I will reference it.
Cheers!
13 October 2013 at 3:24 pm #19904I have talked with a lot of guys that want to get into woodworking, they ask me what they need and I try to help them get started. They decide they can’t afford it, so I invite them to my home to help them with a project using my tools. I have only had one guy show up, several are still talking about it. There is one guy that has talked himself out of woodworking because he only wants to work with exotic woods, and he thinks it will be a waste because he doesn’t have the skill to do a perfect job. So, there is a lot of wanna-be’s out there.
I know other guys that have invested a lot of money on tools and setting up shop. They have built some really nice stuff for their shop, and it becomes quite a showplace. However, I have never seen them build anything else, it seems their hobby becomes building a shop and collecting tools.
What I try to tell them to do is find a simple project that you want to make, get the tools you need to make it, and then make it. There are a lot of simple projects out there in the DIY world that don’t require many tools. Get started there. The projects here in the WWMC site are great for skill building, and are a lot of fun to build. Paul is always demonstrating alternate methods of accomplishing things without a huge investment.
When it gets down to a point where you are trying to decide which plane or saw or chisel to buy, you will not go wrong with Paul’s list and advice, and there are lots of guys here in the forum that are willing to offer help by sharing their own expreiences.
13 October 2013 at 4:28 pm #19905Sometimes I wish I had a simpler set of tools.
It’s only been a little while since I really started making stuff. But I have been buying tools for over 30 years.
I must admit it dose detract from actually making something when you have over 20 planes, 20 saws, 8 sets of chisels you get the idea. You spend a lot of time sharpening as you get lazy just pick another plane up in the end you end up a plane without edge. Have to spend a day sharpening I don’t have a problem with sharpening I enjoy it. That probably is the problem.
If you want to make something efficiently just buy tools need Paul’s list is a good place to start. as well as the other suggestions above.13 October 2013 at 6:09 pm #19909I am kind of the same way Steve, in that I start a project, and just start building the collection of tools through the course of doing various projects. And most certainly Mark has a point as well, as I am sure we all have a museum’s worth of tools that just sit on a shelf, in a drawer, or tucked off in the corner giving the impression from the discerning eye, that we are woodworking tool horders. And Lord knows, with some of us, you could almost make a reality show by sending in a professional “intervention” team to help us with our crafting tool addiction.
What I have told the neighbor is that like anything, you can find some good deals on quality tools IF you put the leg work into going to yard sales, estate sales, auctions, 2nd hand stores, and even looking through craigslist, ebay, and such. That a quality tool, does not have to have a showroom finish on it. Not so much to disregard that tool because it might not be sharp, or have a little surface blemish, or scratched or what have you. New handles can be made, blades can be resharpened, blemishes can be buffed, and doing all the restoration on that quality tool can be a skill building experience in and of itself.
But the insistence was on how to and what tools could that simple shop be started within that $500 budget, if he had to start with new tools. I believe his desire is to build some furniture items and small projects to get him started in woodworking. I know I suggested a hammer, which you don’t see in a lot of Paul’s Projects, but I suggest it, because there is a lot of nice wood that can be reclaimed out here, and that hammer can be used to pull or pound out nails so that wood can be reused. (a consideration especially since his budget is on tools and not stock)
I thank everyone for the input, I think often times we tend “forget” the challenge of just getting started, and especially these days, where money is tight for a lot of folks.
14 October 2013 at 9:16 am #19935Hi to all)) Great question give a boy: box, scissors, tape and he will build space ship, after 25 years give same person tool box and he will ask about more tools to finish his project.I believe Paul in his book describe small list of tools which you need to get started.Buy only tool’s for upcoming project. Don’t forget shipment cost. From time to time Lee Valley offer free shipping. Buy EZE-Lap diamond plates from amazon they chipper there + free shipping. When you buying your tools remember the rule: Old is gold. Go for vintage you can understand how tools working during restoration process, which is also fun to do,500$ its a lot)) Why I like Paul he never show how many tools he owned, he always used old tools, he never try to sell any thing. He want teach how to use tools, and how to work with minimum tool list. I remember when I watched Anar.Tool chest DVD from one of the woodworking guru( he is great guy I’m not joking) when he mentioned about cost of plow plane(over 1000$) but he liked and he don’t care about price. Or we will take Rob Co.( he is great guy too) when he showed his minimum tool list on the bench a couple thousand$$. We have to always remember who cutting the board you or saw))Go with your dream, never forget that small boy in inside of you who can build any thing with scissors,tape and the box) 500$ it’s a lot)
14 October 2013 at 12:02 pm #19939Great post Serhly, I agree with all you say, the only new tools I have ever seen Paul recommend have all been budget priced tools, Diamond plates , marking knife, chisel mallets , clamps etc all by the way I have purchased
29 October 2013 at 11:46 am #20537The first 2 items I bought when I started gathering up tools a few weeks back, was a Stanley rip claw and a claw hammer. Don’t ask me why, as apart from pulling nails out of reclaimed wood, I can’t see me using them. I also bought an old Stanley 12oz Cross Pein hammer. I also bought Stanley Fine Cut, Back and Coping saws. A set of cheap stanley chisels that I bought of a guy for £10.
I recently bought a Bahco Combination Square and Bevel. A Bahco Square I ordered came in the post today. I thind the Bahco tools that I have bought are reasonably well made and finished.
I will be following the Paul Sellers list when purchasing the rest of my tools.
I need a decent cordless drill, router and I have my eye on a Premium Stanley Box Plane, it seems to get good reviews on Amazon.
What’s the general opinion of Bahco amongst members here? -
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