Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 29, 2003 05:40pm | #1

   Here is my list for the bigger ticket items.

   1. Table Saw
   2. Bandsaw
   3. Thickness Planner
   4. Jointer
   5. Lathe
   6. Drill Press
   7. Sanding Station
   8. Scroll Saw

   Hand held power tools

   1. Router
   2. Cordless Drill
   3. Palm Sanders
   4. Circular Saw
   5. Jig Saw
   6. Belt Sander
   7. Corded Drill
   8. 1/4 & 1/2 Sheet Sanders

   Hand tools 1-6 I would buy all at one shot.  It is hard to do much with out them first starting off.

   1. Tape Measure
   2. Jack Plane
   3. Block Plane
   4. Chisels
   5. Smoother Plane
   6. Square
   7. Hand Saw
   8. Back Saw
   9. Steel Rule
   10. Flush Cut Saw
   11. Marking Gauge
   12. Scraper
   13. Rasps & Files
   14. Jointer Plane
   15. Fore Plane
   16. Shoulder Plane
   17. Coping Saw
   18. Dividers
   19. Sliding Bevel
   20. Calipers

   This is just a few things I can think of off the top of my head.  The order is a little off but it gives you a idea.

   Scott C. Frankland

1. 
   BG | Mar 29, 2003 07:41pm | #3

   Ewok62,

   I wasn't going to respond because I'm kinda still a newbie, but the threat of shopping for curtains...even I've developed avoidance skills.

   Scott has a very good list but not necessarily the progression I would follow.  He and Sarge left out router table and workbench and tons of clamps and possibly CMS. Lets not forget DC too..

   On the hand held power tools I would add Biscuit joiner.

   On the hand tools, a tri square is next to measuring tape.  Also,  5', 2' level and scrub plane.

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 29, 2003 07:17pm | #2

   Ewok

      Take Scotts list and insert the power and hand tools after TS. Reverse the thickness planer-jointer to jointer-thickness planer and that's pretty much my opinion. Maybe slight variances, but very slight and not noteworthy. ha..ha..

   Have fun shopping... BTW. hope you still got some hair to pull out. Sure you don't want curtains? ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   PlaneWood | Mar 29, 2003 07:47pm | #4

   I'm presuming this is for a 'shop list'?  List would be different for contract woodworkers working 'on the job'. 

   Put a dust collector (cough, cough) high up in Scott's 1st list and put an orbital sander somewhere in the 2nd.

   For the type work i'm presently doing, I would move the table saw down towards the middle or bottom of the 1st list and raise the bandsaw and jointer towards the top.  BS, Planer, Jointer, overhead sander,...TS......

   You gotta consider what kind of woodworking you're going to be doing.  Maybe we need to list the different kinds of 'speciality' woodworking? Furniture, toys, trinkets, cabinets, trim, tools, ad-infinitum. 

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 29, 2003 11:24pm | #5

   I just started throwing things on the list that I would need but not in the order that I would buy them.  The power tools are about right for me but everything else is just wrote down as they came across my mind.  I never included a biscuit joiner because I hate the things but that is just me.  Clamps I cannot belive I forget.  As for the hand tools being before the power tools would be my thought to but I live in a world where time is not endless and need to get things done some what quickly.  I do how ever do a lot of the finish work by hand.Scott C. Frankland

3. 
   dirtstirrer | Mar 30, 2003 01:19am | #6

   I like Scotts list, but for sequence of purchase, I'd put the jointer at #2. And don't skimp, get the biggest one you can afford. Wish I would have. I really like my SCM chop saw too, it is so much easier to set up then a tablesaw and mitre gauge.

   Steve

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 30, 2003 03:42am | #7

   Ewok

       Getting different priorities from almost everyone, huh. Pulling that hair I mentioned out yet? 

       Everyone has some good points. If you get frustrated, just start some projects with what you've go. You will learn the art of "Know as you Go". ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   TomFerreira | Mar 30, 2003 05:27am | #8

   Good point Sarge. I always try to buy a couple of tools for each project. Hopefully the boss catches me using them for the project at hand ha ha.

   TDF

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 30, 2003 06:43am | #9

   Tom

      In a way you have to do it that way. If I had gone out and bought every tool, device, clamps, etc ; it would have involved taking out a second mortgage on the house. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

5. 
   JohnCabot | Mar 30, 2003 07:02am | #10

   The list reflectsthe frequency and the necessity of using a specific tool.

   1) Table Saw

   2)Thickness planer ( I use almost exclusively rough lumber)

   3) Miter Saw ( 12")

   4) Router Table

   5) biscuit joiner

   6) Orbital Sander

   7) Cordless drill

   8) 12" disc with 6" belt sander

   9) Band Saw

   10) Scroll saw

   My favorite measuring tool: A Starrett adjustable square

   Indispensable' Lots and Lots of Clamps

   John Cabot

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Mar 30, 2003 09:05am | #11

   John,

   No jointer? Ditto on the Starrett combo square. Get the protracter head, and the centering head too. Especially with the matte finish rule. I might also suggest a good pencil sharpener. Sounds stupid, but a sharp pencil sure makes layout easier.

   Steve

   Edited 3/30/2003 2:09:23 AM ET by Steve

1. 
   JohnCabot | Mar 30, 2003 08:00pm | #15

   Steve:  You are right on both points. Of course the joiner is indispensable when you use rough lumber, and so is my electric pencil sharpner.

   Among the non desirable item I should give first place to a Ryobi drum sander ( a copy of the performax 16-32) In two years I have used only twice because of the frustration to install the sandpaper strip and keep it there. It is useless and the classic example : you go to save 150 dollars and you waste 450.

   John Cabot

6. 
   10fingers | Mar 30, 2003 09:51am | #12

   Hello,

   I think that keeping your wife happy should be on the list.  My wife suggested that I get a bigger shop vac  when I needed one and thought putting air conditioning in my shop (Texas 106 summer) was a good idea.   She suggested I put my recliner out there to so I wouldnt have to come in the house so often and should get a small refridgerator for my beer.   I will put up blinds and "poof" curtains whenever she asks.  She asked me if my Laguna LT16 was the last tool I would need and I said that it might be the last one I need but I would always want something else.  Being truthful helps.

   Chuck

1. 
   Ewok62 | Mar 30, 2003 04:59pm | #13

   Thank you for the time spent in responding to my inquiry.To clarify , I have been involved with the construction industry for the past twenty years or so. Carpenter helper,hod carrrier, rod buster, farming carpenter, lead carpenter, small business owner, superintendant for a1.2 million dollar townhouse project, Project Manager for a Saint Louis based Fire and Water Restoration firm and back to what I truly enjoy, a carpenter for a small Mom and Pop remodiling company with a rolling shop in the back of my truck. And no ,I don't have a Nantucket accent.What I am searching for is a  good recommendation  for tools that you have had good luck and results with over a length of time.

   My dilemma is this;    I have started to build and install  furniture and built in cabinetry for my employer and various clients of my own. Even though I have good quality tools they are starting to show thier age and I am getting tired of elaborate jigs and long set up times to perform tasks at hand.I have reached a point where a finer touch is required than a 28 ounce eastwing,( I know, should have swicthed to a wooden handle, at least that is what my elbow tells me every morning ). I have travelled the circus of shops and talked to various fellow enthusiast concerning thier experience with the equipment they use on a regular basis. Yes ,I am looking for the easy way out. Your trial and error with buying shop tools. I dont want to spend money for tools that have good reviews and clever marketing then turn out to be a lemon our diffucult to work with. The brand name, model number, and any complimentary add ons, ie; fence, is what i am looking for.

    I plan to buy a cabinet saw, planer and jionter( they are a team after all ) oscilating drom sander and maybe a belt/disk sander combo. I own a small drill press that seems to be adequite at this point. I was thinking about a 14 inch band saw but dont think I will be doing much resawing.  I realize that a band saw can be used for more than that . My Bosch jig saw works good for and curved or detailed work of that nature. Do you think I would be making a mistake not purchasing one? I have a Delta shaper/router table and am looking for a good add on fence. Various other routers seem to handle my needs for this tool at this time. Any good advice on handplanes, dont require the 270.00 model just some old favorites?

   I would like you all to be aware that their is not many areas we can turn to for sound and practical advice from our peers.How many of you remember when some crusty carpenter was hollering at you to get a box of knot holes from the store and you spent the morning asking around if their was such a thing or is he just bull-#### you???

   Brand names and model nunbers. Any recommendation on some tool over-looked would be appriecated.

1. 
   fdampier5 | Mar 30, 2003 05:36pm | #14

   It really depends on what you are planning to make.  I've had several table saws all the way from table tops to my newest purchase of a 12 inch cabinet saw.  (Which 8 months after delivery I have yet to assemble or evan need).   My band saw on the other hand has proven invaluable to me and I don't do any resawing either..

     I chose a 14 inch Jet for the modest price but I wish it had some more grunt to it.  (yes I got the riser kit and no it hasn't been wasted evan though I don't do any resawing)..

       I bought the Grizzley 8 inch jointer.  20,000 bd.ft. later and it's still going great.simple to use and set-up my only wear has been blades and one drive belt which was replaced at the local auto parts store.

      A shaper is a real asset, router tables will work in a pinch but for the same money as a good router table and router you can buy a decent shaper.. Again I bought a Jet but wish I'd bought a bigger Grizzley for the same money..

     I started out with a Delta portable planer, and switched to the Grizzley 20 inch planer.  no matter what they say, bigger is better. 

2. 
   EdHarrison | Mar 31, 2003 07:18am | #16

   I use my Ridgid variable speed scroll saw quite a lot for cutting out curved pieces. I often quickly cut pieces without much thinking on this machine (for instance the curved part of a jig, or a handle for a tool box) and I enjoy the ebb and flow of this machine, so it's an important part of my shop even though the table saw is king and I'm moving more to hand tools so the workbench is the other king. I have the scroll saw mounted on one end of a 4 foot bench and a Delta belt/ disk sander at the other end. I find myself cutting out curved pieces on the scroll saw and immediately moving to the sander in a definite routine. The drill press is also nearby and more often than not has a drum sander mounted for sanding curved pieces. There are times when it's better or necessary to go to the bandsaw for cutting curves. The variable speed aspect of the scroll saw is useful for slowing down the blade for making sharp curves in hardwood. I would give the scroll saw a high spot up on the list - maybe it's just because it's a machine that relaxes me. Watch out for the blades that break, though! Ed