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What tools to get - $1k to spend

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funstuie

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Oct 8, 2014
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12
Hi All,

I have recently moved to the US from the UK (Now living in San Francisco area). Before I moved I had to sell all my power tools as they would not work here in the US.

I am a home bodger/trier and I like making/doing woodwork projects - totes, benches/seats that sort of thing. But I now have a huge two car garage (which is bigger than my first flat I lived in when I moved to the UK) I want to get some bigger tools.

What I am thinking - open to suggestions either way here - is a table saw (portable), bench drill press, router. I have some hand sanders (I found Harbor Freight), a mitre saw (10" compound from HF - it's OK but it was $60), and plenty of hand tools.

So with a budget of $1000 (this is what I made from selling my tools in the UK) what would you buy?
 
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F

funstuie

Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Messages
12
I was also thinking of getting a small compressor to run a nailer but not sure what the wife would say.
 
G

gte718p

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Mar 12, 2009
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kiatech said:
You got a garage in San Fran and only 1000 to spend?
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With the price of housing in the area I am amazed he has anything to spend. He is either very rich or using San Francisco as a loose location.
 
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EdT

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Sep 21, 2010
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Location
North Georgia
Don't buy many tools on the speculation that you might need them someday (unless you're pretty sure and/or it's a great deal ). Get tools you need to do the project at hand as the need arises. No pressing need to go off and spend all your money right off the bat.
 
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woody 73

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I think he means he has 10,000 he must have left off a few zeroes cause 1000 in SF will only get him a cup of coffee and the newspaper, well maybe if he is lucky a bus pass for the day.:eek:
 
T

thewatusi

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Dec 27, 2013
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Philly Burbs
Put the $1k aside and buy tools as you need them.

I'm frequently disappointed with my speculative tool purchases.
 
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F

funstuie

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Oct 8, 2014
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12
I don't live in San Fran, I live in the Bay Area and while it's ridiculously expensive we do have a garage. $1000 is my budget right now.
 
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Davefr

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funstuie said:
I don't live in San Fran, I live in the Bay Area and while it's ridiculously expensive we do have a garage. $1000 is my budget right now.
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Welcome to the US!! In the case of woodworking, I'd really recommend CL, G-sales, Estate Sales and searching for quality used machinery/tools.

There are many owners that bought woodworking machinery and lost interest in the hobby and now need the space. It's a buyers market.

Don't go to HF and buy new junk when there's a sea of quality woodworking tools/machinery out there.
 
A

AA/FC

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Dec 9, 2010
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2,080
funstuie said:
I am thinking of something like this being my first project:

http://makezine.com/2014/06/14/building-your-workbench/

Anyone on here done something similar? There are no measurements in that link.
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I've built a few workbenches in the past.... You don't need exact measurements from a custom bench someone else built for them self. If you're not comfortable designing your own bench from scratch, you can copy his general design but build it with your own custom dimensions to fit your available space and needs. Building a workbench can be a fun project.
 
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geojag

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Oct 11, 2012
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359
Location
Little Rock, AR
I would say an oscillating multi tool would be worth the investment. I have the cheapest, got it for about $13 at harbor freight with a coupon. It has saved me countless hours with the chisel and a lot of frustration. I would have never guessed I would have used it as much as I have. I will buy a better version as soon as this one fails.
You know what you will use, buy quality proportionate to use.
 
S

skippy24

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Oct 31, 2012
Messages
546
Location
Reno, NV
As far as woodworking tools go a table saw is usually the first choice. Look on Craigslist or check out the Ridgid ones at Home Depot.
 
F

FMC1959

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Feb 9, 2014
Messages
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Location
Montreal, Canada / Upstate NY
woody 73 said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/4730443807.html

Good start.
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woody 73 said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tls/4696543798.html

Another tool for your collection.
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woody 73 said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/4723547168.html

Another good tool.
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woody 73 said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tls/4711578056.html

Great old woodworking vise.
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Give the $1000 to Woody, he is off to great start. He can get you a complete shop and have something left for Vegas :D
 
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Jere

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Oct 26, 2011
Messages
708
funstuie said:
I am thinking of something like this being my first project:

http://makezine.com/2014/06/14/building-your-workbench/

Anyone on here done something similar? There are no measurements in that link.
Click to expand...

There are lots of 2x4 tables out there with free plans if you need dimensions. You could also just make some up for your own space.

personally if I was going to build a table that was going to be around for a while I would make one that is a little more versital. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=woodworking+bench&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sock23.com%2Fsamfurrow2%2FWoodworkBench.aspx&ei=BBJLVOClEIm6yQTkuIHoCQ&bvm=bv.77880786,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNGluR7APakJXKAkZJfAsRw4NXhllg&ust=1414292199152320 check out a used book store they have piles of wood working books with this sort of thing also.

1000 dollars will go a long way or a short way depending on how you want to spend it. A bench is a really good first project as you start you will find some of the basic most used tools. A used american made vise is a must have, a used shopsmith might work for you as a do all wood machine for $200 or less. harbour freight hand held router, circular saw, wrenches, sockets set, screw driver set, adjustable wrench set, corded drill are all safe buys. for older machines watch craigslist buy older USA made or in a pinch Taiwan made stuff. Watch craigslist tools daily research before you buy and you can't go wrong.
 
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