Needing tool advice

[Bamaguy73]

Needing some advice here. I am looking at tackling some projects over the next year around the house and will be needing to add to my current tool inventory and possibly upgrade the current inventory should it be needed. The projects range from simple to what I would consider more advanced (for me anyways). Examples include firewood storage, new work bench, garden tool storage/shed, privacy fence, etc. I also plan on tackling larger projects down the road so I am looking at investing in some tools that will last and perform as my skill level increases. My current tool inventory consists of a Black & Decker 18v cordless drill, Craftsman cordless circular saw, Skil corded reciprocating saw, Skil corded jigsaw, Dremel 4200 Series and a Hitachi 10" compound miter saw. Please keep in mind these tools with the exception of the miter saw and the Dremel are 3 plus years old and were purchased with the intent of completing a specific task at the time...no thought or consideration was given to future projects and the tools ability to complete more advanced jobs or handle the extended use. The caveat is that I do not have a garage, rather, a 20' x 16' storage building so portability and storage organization are a must (I am OCD to a fault). What I am looking at are the following:

• Dewalt DCK955X 18-Volt XRP Cordless 9-Tool Combo Kit
• Dewalt DWE7480 10-Inch Compact Job Site Table Saw
• Dewalt DW618PK 12-AMP 2-1/4 HP Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit
• Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table
• Bostich BTFP12237 3-Tool Compressor Combo Kit

My question or concern would be is this overkill for the projects listed above?

My goal here is to make a single purchase and have the tools necessary to complete the projects I have planned (see above) and future projects the wife has yet to determine.

 

[BK13]

I'm certainly no expert, but I think I would look at something other than the 18v DeWalt system, as I have read that availability in the future might be an issue. I'd look at the 20v DeWalt system or (my favorite) the Milwaukie M18 Fuel system.

 

[astroracer]

Overkill... The four projects you listed can be built with a skill saw and a hammer. If you are going to get into furniture or home construction I could possibly see the router being handy. The miter saw will do most cuts a table saw will (up to a point) where-as a cutting guide and a portable saw will do the job on plywood and sheet stock.
Not that I'm saying don't go out and buy tools.... That's not the case. I just think you have everything you need to build the stuff on your list without buying anything...
Mark

 

[Bamaguy73]

Thanks guys for the advice...I really sppriciate the feedback.

 

[crewchief888]

Overkill... The four projects you listed can be built with a skill saw and a hammer. If you are going to get into furniture or home construction I could possibly see the router being handy. The miter saw will do most cuts a table saw will (up to a point) where-as a cutting guide and a portable saw will do the job on plywood and sheet stock.
Not that I'm saying don't go out and buy tools.... That's not the case. I just think you have everything you need to build the stuff on your list without buying anything...
Mark

^^^ i agree

i pretty much can "get by" with a circular saw, hand mitre box, couple of sanders, hand saw, and a drill.
i do have a table saw, a biscuit cutter, cordless drill/driver, trim saw as well.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I'm a man. I never take do-overs or go back and ask for directions (unless I'm on the golf course).

Nope. I would never replace perfectly good tools with slightly different versions of the same tools unless or until I own every fricken tool ever invented by man. OFTEN I justify buying a new tool like you do...I need it for a specific project where it will make the job easier. SOMETIMES, I buy a tool with no project in mind...because until you get up to speed with the tool...you don't even know what you can do with it.

Case in point...You're thinking about a router.

You can do a lot of things with a router and a router table. Building a shed ain't one of those things though. That doesn't mean you don't need one. I've had a router for about 20 years and while I almost never use it, and can't recall EVER using the router table I bought for it...that's one less tool I don't own....which is good.

So...router = good BUT looking at your list of tools there's other tools you would likely get more use out of.

1. Miter Saw (10" or bigger). Some say sliding-compound is the way to go. I say NO. Get a cheaper one which is also lighter and more portable and upgrade to a radial arm saw if needed down the line. Miter Saws are fantastic for cutting boards to length for framing projects. Quicker and more accurate than a circular saw.

2. Table Saw. My table saw gets used approximately 1000 times as often as my router for instance.

3. Compressor/Nail Gun(s). It's a GUN for gosh sakes. AND...they shoot nails??? Need I say more?

Good luck my man!

Phil

 

[Fast Orange]

Overkill... The four projects you listed can be built with a skill saw and a hammer. If you are going to get into furniture or home construction I could possibly see the router being handy. The miter saw will do most cuts a table saw will (up to a point) where-as a cutting guide and a portable saw will do the job on plywood and sheet stock.
Not that I'm saying don't go out and buy tools.... That's not the case. I just think you have everything you need to build the stuff on your list without buying anything...
Mark

I'm going to agree with Astroracer-to a point. You do have the basics,but you might want to upgrade your cordless stuff to a combo kit including a drill/hammerdrill,cordless recip saw and possibly a cordless circular saw. I'd buy good quality blades for the miter saw and circular saws,a good edge guide,a couple of sturdy sawhorses and make sure I had a few c-clamps and accurate framing and layout squares. A compressor with appropriate nailers-framing,finish and roofing come to mind- would make the jobs go quicker and easier. Depending on how elaborate you want to get with joinery and trim,the router and router table may or not be needed.