Replies

1. 
   stumps | Nov 09, 2005 09:31pm | #1

   With a preface of "you get what you pay for", I suggest you order a Lee Valley Tool Catalogue (Canadian eh!) at:  http://www.leevalley.com.  They deliver everywhere (at very fair rates) or depending on your location and at your own peril (leave your credit card at home), you can wander in one of their great stores.    Cheers.

2. 
   YesIWood | Nov 09, 2005 09:50pm | #2

   Speakingstone,

     First off, welcome and I hope we  see and hear from you.  I have learned quite a bit here.

     With all cutting tools (chisels, planes, scrapers, ect) they are only as good as the edges they hold and your ability to sharpen them.  I take pride in having "good" cutting tools but with super sharp cutting edges.  There are books, classes (see your local woodcraft) and all kinds of ways for you to hone (no pun here:) those edges.  A dull tool cuts the deepest.  You'll be able to tell the difference of a sharp and dull cutting edge.

   Enjoy,

   Joe

   Is it really saw dust or wood dust?

3. 
   JeffHeath | Nov 10, 2005 03:38am | #3

   Speakingstone

   Welcome to the Knots!  The question you ask is a huge one.  It has taken me 25 years and 3 shops outgrown to finally get to where I am now.  Just last year, I built my last woodworking shop.  It's outfitted with everything I want, and have purchased over the years.  The tools you need are the ones you find yourself using the most.  I have found that all the original "inexpensive tools" that I bought to see how much I'd use them, have all been replaced with the best that I can find for the job.  I'm a handtool junky, because I work alot with my hands and planes.  That being said, I also have a cabinet saw, (powermatic 66), a 12" jointer, an 18" and 36" bandsaw (18 soon for sale), drill press, drum sander, oscillating spindle sander, disc sander (the last 2 soon for sale also), a planer, a great router table, a shaper, and a dust collection system.  I use them all. 

   Now start adding the planes, handsaws, spokeshaves, chisels, etc........................  wow, I could go on forever.

   Buy what you need, as you need it.  If you can afford it, buy the best quality you can.  By the time you upgrade 3 times, you've actually spent more money than if you would have gotten the best to begin with.

   This advice goes double when it comes to women.

   Jeff

1. 
   Speakingstone | Nov 10, 2005 04:32am | #4

   Thanks for the information.

    

   John

4. 
   Samson | Nov 10, 2005 04:41am | #5

   Buy everything you can afford from Lie Nielsen (http://www.lie-nielsen.com):

   block plane

   low angle jack

   jointer

   scrapers

   chisels

   it's all good - hell, it's all great!

   Lee-Valley has nice stuff too and at very reasonable prices for what you get.

   Japan Woodwoker is good

   Highland Hardware is good

   Amazon is fine for some things.

5. 
   MichaelPB | Nov 10, 2005 05:11am | #6

   Keep this in mind.  The minute someone comes out with a more expensive tool than the one you have you can no longer produce quality work with it.  If the blade isn't C2, wasn't cyrogenically treated, and wasn't honed for at least half an hour, you shouldn't even touch to to wood.  

    

6. 
   mudman | Nov 10, 2005 05:56am | #7

   I would say if you allready havent get a lot of books. Then buy the tools as you need them there is no reason to get a jointer plane that someone else swears is necessary unless you know that it will compliment your methods of working. Many fine craftsmen don't own one. The same could be true of a 12" jointer. I have a set of marples chisels. They are great chisels for a very nice price. I also recomend a Starret combination square as well as some inexpensive machinist squares.

   Mike