New to woodworking
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- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 1 month ago by Hugo Notti.
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29 March 2017 at 12:34 am #310687
Good evening,
I am new to woodworking, in fact, I don’t know where to start. I am looking for a lifetime hobby and have really enjoyed working with my hands throughout my life thus far. I have reviewed the clock video and it has inspired me to try something new. I noticed Mr. Sellers had some basic hand tools, can anyone provide me a short list of tools (please be specific as I am a novice at best) I should acquire to start this new hobby? I really appreciate your support, thank you.
29 March 2017 at 1:41 am #310689A good portion of Paul’s blog is dedicated to answering that question.
Start here for the first 10 ( actually a few more, as tools like ‘chisels’ count as one).
Then look at the blue tags to the right for more explanations, like ” minimalist tool list” and “Essential tools” that expand on the first list.
Paul also has tags on rehabbing and old plane and making your own router plane, to keep the costs of the list down.
In fact, he has several tools you can make yourself. Search for ‘poor man’s’But I think you should be able to build the clock with the first 10.
29 March 2017 at 3:38 am #310690Here’s my list of tools that I use all the time; once you have the basics then you can choose tools on an ‘as needs’ basis:
Rule and Square (must be accurate – especially the square)
Stanley Number 4 Plane (or equivalent brand)
Set of bevel edge chisels
Hammer and some sort of soft face hammer or wooden mallet
Hand saw (like a 26″ blade for course and fast work)
Tenon saw (sometimes called a backsaw – for fine work)
Drill and drill bits
Set of screwdrivers
Marking gauge
Range of clamps (F clamps are especially useful)Then a heap of sandpaper, PVA glue and other consumables. That should get you started pretty well I reckon – check out Ebay and other places to get some of this stuff secondhand – most of my tools I have bought this way and just done them up as best I can.
Let us know how you go and if you need advice on any bits and pieces – the combined knowledge of the people on this forum is phenomenal.
I think that you shouldn’t buy any tool without first having a need for it. Think about the things you want to make. If you have some in mind go ahead and post them and we can point you in the right direction.
If you just start buying tools you will end up with a lot of things you never or hardly ever use and will have wasted your money.
there are some basics you need though.
1: A smoothing plane. As a lot of people have said, the Stanley #4 is a great tool but its not your only option. Lots of good brands exist (Sargent is one of my favorites) and don’t be afraid of the wooden body ones. They are lighter and very easy to use since you don’t have to worry about throat width and all the fancy adjustments.2: At least one saw. I am in the minority on this site but my preference is to the Japanese saws. Technically you can do everything with just one Japanese saw known as the Ryoba saw. Its double sided. One side is a cross cut while the other is a rip. if you do go for a Japanese one, I suggest the brand Gyokucho. You can buy a decent sized ryoba that will last you years for 30-40 dollars. The only downside is it cant be resharpened once dull but the blade is replaceable for cheaper then the original purchase.
3: Chisels and something to whack them with. Lots of cheap chisels out there to be had. A lot of people here suggest Aldi’s (the grocery store) chisels. To go with the chisels you need some sort of soft face hammer or mallet. You can get a double sided one at your local home store for 15 bucks or less which will work just fine.
Really that’s it. The absolute bare basics. There is nothing you cant do without these tools though getting more specialty tools will make many of those jobs a lot more enjoyable.
On not necessary but very nice to have tools is a router plane. Its not strictly needed though as Paul has a video on using a chisel and scrap of wood to make a temporary one. Clamps are also nice to have. Contrary to popular belief they are not strictly necessary but will make life a ton easier if you have about a hundred of them.
Hope this helps you. If you have any more questions. We are all here to help.
EDIT: I forgot one thing. You need to be able to sharpen your blades obviously. I prefer Arkansas stones personally but the choices are near limitless and up to you to decide what works best.
EDIT #2: One last thing I would like to add, mostly a suggestion really. Don’t go buying the most high end tools imaginable. Unless you are a doctor or something you will go broke quick and you need some money to buy wood with after all. 😉 I would suggest getting the best quality you can afford though. Don’t buy cheap just because its cheap because you usually get what you pay for after all (that is not always true though).
- This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by rodrat.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by rodrat.
29 March 2017 at 12:39 pm #310709I really appreciate everyone’s advice, thank you. I would like to start by building a small workbench using the style and techniques published in Mr. Seller’s VBlog. This community seems to have a very knowledgeable, helpful and embracing quality to it. Thank you very much and I’ll keep you posted as I get started.
When building the laminated top for my workbench I actually ran out of clamps.
What I used to hold it together was some rope and a stick. I had wrapped the rope around it and then put a stick into the rope and twisted it tight and tied it down. Just letting you know as there is always an alternative to be had if the need arises.
30 March 2017 at 8:16 pm #310766You should watch Paul Sellers video series about making his bench. He reduced the set of tools to the minimum, so it is a good guide. You will need a router plane, so look for the “poor man’s router”.
As for clamping, I agree with rodrat, except, that for this size of lamination, I would rather use ratchet belts, as used to secure cargo. In either case, protect the edges, so the belts or ropes don’t cut them. You could cut some sheet metal from cans and bend them accross the edges. And you want to make absolutely sure, that you can clamp the laminations, before applying any glue.
Planes are not limited to the Stanley/Bailey pattern. Wooden planes work just as well. The #4 plane is a very suitable size, but it doesn’t matter, if it has a wooden or metal body. If you live in a country, where wooden planes are still popular (continental Europe for example), you might get one for cheap at a flea-market.
I watched many of Paul’s videos before starting to buy my tools and it helped a lot, because you get an idea, what to look for and what to avoid.
Dieter
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