Tools To Start Woodworking?
- Thread starter Rickster
- Start date
plinker
Well-known member
What type of wood working? furniture? or ?
The mini Kreg jig is handy for small or odd size projects, should be around 20$still.
Clamps, clamps and more clamps. They will range from pipe clamps, bar clamps, regular C-clamps, the Irwin quick-grip type and the Vise grip C-clamp type with the pads. You cannot have too many. A good vise is nice to have too.
A doweling jig is also useful. Counter sinks with the drill bit in them (cant think of the proper name) are also good to have. A cordless drill too, I like the small 10v-12v jobs, if your not using long screws.
Dremels are handy if your doing detail work/carving.
A good shop vac is a must have.
An assortment of chisels scrapers and similar tools are nice to have. Check out leevalley.com, they have a nice catalog of woodworking stuff. I dont really do much hand work as it were and mostly use electric power tools, but I do have a a nice chisel set and should get some more.
You can do alot with a table saw and miter saw, pretty basic must haves anyway. I like a radial arm saw for using a stacked dado blade and for wide boards.
I dont have access to a band saw but they are a nice to have item from what I gather.
A thickness planer and jointer are good to have when using rough sawn lumber or if you want a thinner/thicker board then the stores have.
Flipping through a Grizzly industrial catalog will also give some ideas on what power tools are needed for certain types of woodworking.
Thats all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment....
Most of my experiance has been with cabinats and finishing the interior of a house, I have done some furniture making but it's been pretty basic stuff. I do like wood working alot more then metal working as I'm probably better at it.
The mini Kreg jig is handy for small or odd size projects, should be around 20$still.
Clamps, clamps and more clamps. They will range from pipe clamps, bar clamps, regular C-clamps, the Irwin quick-grip type and the Vise grip C-clamp type with the pads. You cannot have too many. A good vise is nice to have too.
A doweling jig is also useful. Counter sinks with the drill bit in them (cant think of the proper name) are also good to have. A cordless drill too, I like the small 10v-12v jobs, if your not using long screws.
Dremels are handy if your doing detail work/carving.
A good shop vac is a must have.
An assortment of chisels scrapers and similar tools are nice to have. Check out leevalley.com, they have a nice catalog of woodworking stuff. I dont really do much hand work as it were and mostly use electric power tools, but I do have a a nice chisel set and should get some more.
You can do alot with a table saw and miter saw, pretty basic must haves anyway. I like a radial arm saw for using a stacked dado blade and for wide boards.
I dont have access to a band saw but they are a nice to have item from what I gather.
A thickness planer and jointer are good to have when using rough sawn lumber or if you want a thinner/thicker board then the stores have.
Flipping through a Grizzly industrial catalog will also give some ideas on what power tools are needed for certain types of woodworking.
Thats all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment....
Most of my experiance has been with cabinats and finishing the interior of a house, I have done some furniture making but it's been pretty basic stuff. I do like wood working alot more then metal working as I'm probably better at it.
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Slip_Kid
Well-known member
Table saw would be the most versatile tool to have.
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Octarine
Well-known member
Thirded on the table saw. I'm trying to think of what I can't do with a table saw, a little time and the right jig and the list is very short. Buy a good one, you want a good cast iron bed, accurate and controllable depth and angle controls. I went from a cheap delta to a Unisaw with a 52" Biesemeyer fence and it definitely paid for itself in under a year.
More clamps. Once you think you have enough, go pick up a few more. Once you think you have too many, you'll be close.
Good measuring and layout tools. I've seen a guy ruin beautiful 4/4 clear cherry stock by using a beat to heck rusty tape measure and a visibly warped plastic t square - the foreman saw what he did and tossed his tool box out the window and told him to go pick up his tools and not to even think of asking for a reference.
More clamps. Once you think you have enough, go pick up a few more. Once you think you have too many, you'll be close.
Good measuring and layout tools. I've seen a guy ruin beautiful 4/4 clear cherry stock by using a beat to heck rusty tape measure and a visibly warped plastic t square - the foreman saw what he did and tossed his tool box out the window and told him to go pick up his tools and not to even think of asking for a reference.
trainer
Well-known member
safety glasses and face shield
power drill
Jigsaw
dual action sander
skil saw
hand plane
hand saw, back saw or japanesse saw
framing square and machinist's square
screwdrivers
chisels
sharpening stone
power drill
Jigsaw
dual action sander
skil saw
hand plane
hand saw, back saw or japanesse saw
framing square and machinist's square
screwdrivers
chisels
sharpening stone
Rickster,
It would help to know a few things about your son for us to help you. How old is he and what skill level does he have? What does he want to make?
About the first thing in any wood project (after choosing the project and gathering materials ) is layout. A variety of measuring/marking instruments are a must. A graduated rule from 6-12" long is handy for a lot of things. I personaly use a 25' Stanley tape with a 1" blade (easier to see with these older eyes). An ACCURATE square is a must. A Starett adjustable sliding square is probably a bit much for a beginning ww'er, bur highly accurate and serves multiple functions. An engineers square with a 6 or 8" blade will suffice, but it will only show you 90*.
The wood will need to be cut. Your choice will be anything from a hand saw to some type of saw with a power cord. Age and skill will factor into that decision .
A drill and bits will help assemble the project. I prefer cordless drills for convenience. Twist drill bits are OK but brad point bits are easier to start holes with, but sharpening them takes a lot more skill. A variety of clamps will be needed acording to the project.
After nearly 40 years of woodworking I'm still buying tools!
It would help to know a few things about your son for us to help you. How old is he and what skill level does he have? What does he want to make?
About the first thing in any wood project (after choosing the project and gathering materials ) is layout. A variety of measuring/marking instruments are a must. A graduated rule from 6-12" long is handy for a lot of things. I personaly use a 25' Stanley tape with a 1" blade (easier to see with these older eyes). An ACCURATE square is a must. A Starett adjustable sliding square is probably a bit much for a beginning ww'er, bur highly accurate and serves multiple functions. An engineers square with a 6 or 8" blade will suffice, but it will only show you 90*.
The wood will need to be cut. Your choice will be anything from a hand saw to some type of saw with a power cord. Age and skill will factor into that decision .
A drill and bits will help assemble the project. I prefer cordless drills for convenience. Twist drill bits are OK but brad point bits are easier to start holes with, but sharpening them takes a lot more skill. A variety of clamps will be needed acording to the project.
After nearly 40 years of woodworking I'm still buying tools!
american lockpicker
Banned
The best woodworker I know said get something to sharpen your tools with before you get anything else. That can be anything from stones to a Tormek.
rkevins
Well-known member
If he's doing furniture, as stated above good tape measure, frameing square, good combo square, table saw, miter saw, sanders (I like my 1/2 sheet porter cables), lots of pipe clamps ( you can't get to many but can spend a ton) bisquet jointer, the list goes on and on woodworking is something you can spend lots of money on tools and like anything else you get what you pay for and it does pay ion the long term to buy quality tools.
Voi
Well-known member
Lost my previous attempt at replying.
Are you planning on starting with rough sawn wood?
If yes, do you want to mill it with hand tools or stationary power tools?
If the answer is stationary power tools then I'd stress to read up on dust collection first. I'd also look into various plans on the web that allow you to face and edge joint with jigs used with a regular old "lunch box" planer. With the appropriate jigs I think the planer is the more important tool vs. the jointer.
If you're thinking mostly hand tools with some router use, then I'm not the guy to give advice. I hope to get some experience with hand tools before my 3 and 2 year old boys want to try wood working.
Are you planning on starting with rough sawn wood?
If yes, do you want to mill it with hand tools or stationary power tools?
If the answer is stationary power tools then I'd stress to read up on dust collection first. I'd also look into various plans on the web that allow you to face and edge joint with jigs used with a regular old "lunch box" planer. With the appropriate jigs I think the planer is the more important tool vs. the jointer.
If you're thinking mostly hand tools with some router use, then I'm not the guy to give advice. I hope to get some experience with hand tools before my 3 and 2 year old boys want to try wood working.
Stuey
Well-known member
What kind of furniture? Fine joinery or robust functional pieces?
One idea is to let him source his own tools and instead supply him with some nice new project boards.
One idea is to let him source his own tools and instead supply him with some nice new project boards.
Don't know what you are planning on doing as far as woodworking goes. I bought a scrollsaw and just love messing with that thing.
Also a good table saw, jointer, planer, I have a sliding compound miter saw that is invaluable.
You can see some of my stuff here under shop pics. http://www.huhdowhat.com
Also a good table saw, jointer, planer, I have a sliding compound miter saw that is invaluable.
You can see some of my stuff here under shop pics. http://www.huhdowhat.com
a lot of good suggestions up here. coming from a relatively new wood worker starting out i would also recommend: www.grizzly.com is a great source for cheaper intro wood working stuff.
brands that are usually a good buy:
bosch
milwaukee
hitachi
bessy
grizzly
powermatic
some jet, some delta,
rockler but its overpriced
quality tape measure, combination square, rafting square
clamps, lots. i like the bessy bar clamps http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bessey-Tradesman-Clamp-Kit/H5115
good circular saw and clamping straight edges
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Straight-Edge-Clamp-3-Pack-24-36-50-/T23204
router set, table
12v or 18v cordless screw gun set, milwaukee, bosch, hitachi
10" dual compound SLIDING miter saw w stand if possible, makita ls1015
vacuum
5" random orbital sander
and once you really start going big,
15" planer
8" joiner
14" bandsaw
floor drill press
anything festool
brands that are usually a good buy:
bosch
milwaukee
hitachi
bessy
grizzly
powermatic
some jet, some delta,
rockler but its overpriced
quality tape measure, combination square, rafting square
clamps, lots. i like the bessy bar clamps http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bessey-Tradesman-Clamp-Kit/H5115
good circular saw and clamping straight edges
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Straight-Edge-Clamp-3-Pack-24-36-50-/T23204
router set, table
12v or 18v cordless screw gun set, milwaukee, bosch, hitachi
10" dual compound SLIDING miter saw w stand if possible, makita ls1015
vacuum
5" random orbital sander
and once you really start going big,
15" planer
8" joiner
14" bandsaw
floor drill press
anything festool
american lockpicker
Banned
If you need a jigsaw I can't recommend the Bosch 1590 EVSK enough.
Bandsaw over table saw maybe.
Get him a copy of this book: The Anarchist's Tool Chest
http://www.lostartpress.com/The_Anarchist_s_Tool_Chest_p/bk-atc.htm
Read it before you give it to him - its all about what a woodworker needs tool-wise.
Get him a copy of this book: The Anarchist's Tool Chest
http://www.lostartpress.com/The_Anarchist_s_Tool_Chest_p/bk-atc.htm
Read it before you give it to him - its all about what a woodworker needs tool-wise.
Stuey
Well-known member
It's about what Chris Schwarz thinks a woodworker needs tool-wise. It's written by a seasoned expert who doesn't really remember what being a beginner is like. It's semi-well written, although I HATE the style and voice he chose to write with. Overpriced as well, but an e-version is now available. I read about half-way through and put it down. Maybe the rest is better? I'll get to it eventually. A good read, but can be frustrating.
ctb
Well-known member
Start with a sturdy workbench, a set of decent chisels, a block plane and a jack plane, and a couple of handsaws. Once you can work decently with these, then get power tools.
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Furniture can get incredibly expensive and complicated to build. It can also be really easy to get discouraged (ask me how I know). Real wood is $$$$$ - one wrong cut, one look at the diagram wrong and you could be out a lot of time and money (again, ask me how I know).
Might encourage him to start small, like with birdhouses. Those are fun to build, and require very few tools. I usually build them with plywood, which is much more reasonable than hardwood. Plus, there are lots of free plans floating around the internet.
You can build birdhouses with just a small hand saw, a coping saw, a drill with some bits, a square and a straight edge. Then, he could learn to stain and paint them. After that, he could sell them at a local craft fair!
Check out the prices on hardwood
http://www.advantagelumber.com/bundlepricing.htm
Might encourage him to start small, like with birdhouses. Those are fun to build, and require very few tools. I usually build them with plywood, which is much more reasonable than hardwood. Plus, there are lots of free plans floating around the internet.
You can build birdhouses with just a small hand saw, a coping saw, a drill with some bits, a square and a straight edge. Then, he could learn to stain and paint them. After that, he could sell them at a local craft fair!
Check out the prices on hardwood
http://www.advantagelumber.com/bundlepricing.htm
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plinker
Well-known member
I you can find someone with a mill or a mill localy, you can probably save some on lumber.
I agree start with some basic projects to practice with and learn the tools. It does help when you need to know how to properly set up a jig or how to make a special cut.
I agree start with some basic projects to practice with and learn the tools. It does help when you need to know how to properly set up a jig or how to make a special cut.
TireTracks
Well-known member
In my experience, a Saber( jig) saw with a good Rip guage/fence thing, that has a pin/hole to use for cutting cirlces, and a 3/8" corded drill are incredibly nice. When I was younger, thats what I was useing.
And while a jigsaw is slower thand a circ saw, it will rip/crosscut/mitre/scroll, while a circ saw can only rip/crosscut and miter. Also( if the kid is younger) a jigsaw is safer, Never heard of anyone ending up with the name "3 fingered xXXX" from one of them.
And the corded drill will never stop working half way though a project. The only downside to a corded, is theres an extention cord following you around.
Also, depending on where he might be useing the tools.( If you can't get a good heavy duty cord that has a multi plug on it) cut the single end off of an extention cord, and put a 2-4 plugin outlet on it, in a box. We have a few of them, and it's nice to not have to swap plugs constantly when your switchign between tools, and you can only use 1 tool at a time, so you shoulden be able to over draw it.
I can't recomend brands, because I have the Absolute cheapest power tools you can imagine( how could I pass up $8 per tool?
), but get decent ones, I'm going to as these die.
And while a jigsaw is slower thand a circ saw, it will rip/crosscut/mitre/scroll, while a circ saw can only rip/crosscut and miter. Also( if the kid is younger) a jigsaw is safer, Never heard of anyone ending up with the name "3 fingered xXXX" from one of them.
And the corded drill will never stop working half way though a project. The only downside to a corded, is theres an extention cord following you around.
Also, depending on where he might be useing the tools.( If you can't get a good heavy duty cord that has a multi plug on it) cut the single end off of an extention cord, and put a 2-4 plugin outlet on it, in a box. We have a few of them, and it's nice to not have to swap plugs constantly when your switchign between tools, and you can only use 1 tool at a time, so you shoulden be able to over draw it.
I can't recomend brands, because I have the Absolute cheapest power tools you can imagine( how could I pass up $8 per tool?
), but get decent ones, I'm going to as these die.
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