Replies

1. 
   GettinTher | Sep 14, 2007 05:26am | #1

   There are primarily 2 camps around here: power tools v. hand tools.  As an artist/craftsman who is used to working with your hands, you may find yourself roasting marshmallows with the "neanderthals."  But you never know.

   Here is a link to a similar question posed by another newbie a few weeks ago, and the ensuing debate:  http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=37204.1

   Truth is, you can do a lot with a circular saw and a sander, alternatively, you may find it more rewarding, quiter, and safer to go with a decent hand saw, hand planes, and chisels, many of which can be picked up on eBay for a good price.  The above thread will tell you a lot.

   Best of luck,

   Danny

1. 
   jampwork | Sep 14, 2007 05:40am | #2

   Thanks. That was a great answer. I have a lot to think about. I usually dive in too fast, so I'll try to go more slowly and think longer and harder. I appreciate this forum greatly. Latah....

2. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Sep 14, 2007 06:14am | #3

   Danny, it seems to be best to tackle the purchase of woodworking tools as they are needed for a particular project. If, for example, your first project is the boat dock, then a circular saw or hand saw would be very important to have. Now, for picture frames the circular saw or hand saw wouldn't be the best saws to have. For those a miter saw, either powered or not, would be the best choice. So, pick your first, hopefully rather easy, project and buy the tools needed for it. Then, as money and time are available move on to the next project.

   Edited 9/16/2007 9:44 am ET by basset-hound

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 14, 2007 08:24am | #4

   Whatever tools you get, if you're shopping used, I'd like to strongly suggest searching on Craig's List rather than eBay.  eBay tools tend to go high (sure, there are occasional bargains), and they are rarely local, so the opportunity to check them out hands-on is rare.  Click here for Craig's List, navigate to your state and area.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 15, 2007 12:02am | #5

   I am really a glassblower/ceramic artist, but want to start building some simple things in wood.

   I thought you folks used wood and wet newspaper to form the glass!

   My suggestion would be to think of a project you really want to do.. Get the wood you want from wherever.. And start with your idea and begin with what you have at hand.. You will find out soon enough what you need to finish the task. Be warned! You will NEVER have enough tools you 'really' need!

   You typed.. What I really want to make are very simple tables, chairs, .. LOL.. LOL.. Tables maybe, but chairs are another matter completely! Just my opinion!

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 15, 2007 02:30pm | #6

   Will,

   Whatta ya mean chairs are another matter!?  

   Some cinder blocks and a couple o' 2/10's and yer done!  No tools required at all.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 9/15/2007 7:33 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 16, 2007 02:41am | #11

   Good One!

4. 
   frenchy | Sep 15, 2007 07:44pm | #7

   jampwork,

     I'm a fan/advocate of power tools,  there is little art/craft in doing repetitive work like sawing or plannuing.. the results often are what you seek rather than the jouney to get there.. besides when finished well done work will not show that the worker spent 50% less time doing it with power tools than by hand tools..

      The two tools that I feel are absolutely essential are a band saw and a planner..

     A band saw can be used to saw straight or curves and is far more gentle and respectfull of  fingers than a table saw.   A planner is needed because with it much can be achieved.. it's real task is to unmask the natural beauty of wood.  that can be done by planning rough wood be it old pallets or rough sawn lumber.. It has the added advantage of being able to quickly show the woods grain and coloring..

     The final advantage is cost ..

    If you use wood you need a source for that wood.   The wood sold at lumberyards and hobby shops is terribly expensive while sawmill wood  sells for a tiny fraction and there is a lot of found wood out there for free.. pallets may be made with all sorts of interesting woods while oak is most common I've seen countless other varieties used in pallets and shipping crates that are discarded.

1. 
   jampwork | Sep 15, 2007 09:19pm | #8

   Thanks Frenchy. I was feeling the same way down deep. I didn't quite get the planner thing, but you explained it well. Now I get it. As far as the band saw, can it rip and crosscut well enough. I was thinking a circular saw and jigsaw would be good for mobility and versatility and price. Would you still go with bandsaw?

1. 
   saschafer | Sep 15, 2007 09:30pm | #9

   "I didn't quite get the planner thing..."

   Frenchy meant "planer," not "planner."

   A bandsaw can only crosscut up to the depth of the machine's throat, typically a couple of inches less than the saw's "size." So, for example, a 14" bandsaw can crosscut up to 12" or so.

   A bandsaw excels at ripping, and also at resawing (which you can think of as ripping with the board standing on edge).

   But a bandsaw can't cut down a sheet of plywood, or crosscut an 8' plank in half, so you still need another tool for that. A circular saw is one of those tools that doesn't really excel at any one task, but it's a workhorse that can be pressed into service for a variety of things; it's what I use to cut sheet goods down to manageable size (but I don't expect to be able to use the pieces without taking a clean-up cut).

   If you plan on cutting a lot of curves, a jigsaw may be useful, but I think of it as being kind of specialized; for most tasks, a different tool is often the better choice.

   -Steve

    

    

   Edited 9/15/2007 2:32 pm ET by saschafer

1. 
   jampwork | Sep 15, 2007 10:05pm | #10

   I know it was planer, I just spelled it wrong. I'm thinking jigsaw, planer, compound miter saw, circular saw, nail gun, router combo with table. I was design on a dime show a lot and that's the kind of thing I want to do..just take existing things and transform them, and/or build from scratch but very basic tables, shelves, frames, little pop wooden sculptures like a coffee cup that don't have fancy joints. These are the tools I see them use all the time. Whad ya think?

1. 
   BG | Sep 16, 2007 11:46am | #14

   jampwork,
   You have a pretty good list evolving but, for me, the key tool that differentiates carpentry from furniture making is a good workbench. On a tight budget, I'd probably forego the nailer and opt for a drill press

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 16, 2007 02:05pm | #15

   I don't care about getting really fancy or particular about furniture. Eventually, yes, but for now I'd just like to be really functional and funky/artsy

   Based on your desires I am inclined to agree with bassetthound.  But as you build your tool arsenal I would investigate getting the best tool you can afford.

   I used, and still use a Delta contractors saw that servec me well for many years.  When I started making better furniture it became apparent that the stock fence was, well junk.  I upgraded to a Beisemeyer and heaven was within reach!

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 9/16/2007 7:06 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

2. 
   frenchy | Sep 16, 2007 05:37pm | #16

   jampwork,

     Yes you can rip (not as fast as a table saw) and cross cut (to the depth of the throat)  with a band saw.. The failure of a jig saw is that the blade will wander.. that is you don't wind up with square cuts and that will cause a lot of difficulty.. (not that it can't be over come) The limitation of a band saw is that it's pretty much a stationary machine.  If mobility is an issue then yes go with cross cut saw  Called a circular saw.  and a jig saw and accept the limitation of that equipment.. you will need several differant blades to do decent work with a circular saw. Don't try to do ripping with a fine tooth finish blade,  don't try to do finish work with a cross cut blade..

    Use a straight edge longer than the longest piece that you expect to cut. A simple piece of angle iron or aluminum will work just fine..

     Planners come either bench top which means it's moble or stationary.. clearly the bench topdoesn't have the same capability that a stationary planner does but that often can be worked around.. The other advantage of a planer is you can build a sled to make the planner do jointer work. 

    

1. 
   jampwork | Sep 16, 2007 06:29pm | #17

   Thanks again. I have absolutely decided on a bandsaw. That's a definite. Now I'm thinking tablesaw for big ripping of stock, router, planer, miter saw, nail gun. Someone mentioned a drill press, but I haven't looked into that yet. Thanks to everyone for their help. I'm really excited! I've collected a lot of drifwood over the summer and plan on doing something with it.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 17, 2007 04:20am | #18

   jamp,

   I've collected a lot of drifwood over the summer and plan on doing something with it.

   Lamps, candlestands, legs for a small table.  Just let it dry and apply dyes and a finish. Leave it natural for a picture stand.  The list goes on.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 9/16/2007 9:21 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres

2. 
   noviceneil | Sep 17, 2007 03:54pm | #19

   Maybe it's because I'm fairly new at this, but my cut lines with a band saw are never that precise...shouldn't he invest in a good block plane to get down to the line? Now when I do anything with the bandsaw I cut just outside the line then true it up with a plane...works alot better (for me)

   Neil

1. 
   frenchy | Sep 17, 2007 06:19pm | #20

   Noviceneil, 

     that's another reason to buy a planer.   Cut slightly proud of the line and run it thru the planer, nice and flat!  If you are cutting on a curve flat won't work so go for smooth..

5. 
   Knotscott | Sep 16, 2007 03:29am | #12

   There are alot of ways to skin a cat....as true with wwing as anything. The key ingredient is desire.

   In most shops, the tablesaw is the main tool and is part of the primary work triangle, but there are those who feature their bandsaw instead...it really depends on you and what you want to do and how you want to do it. I find the TS very accurate, easy, and fairly versatile. The other two components of the triangle are a jointer for flattening/straightening stock, and a planer for smoothing and thicknessing.

   A router mounted in a table is one of the most versatile tools you can buy.

   Buying used is the best way to get the most from your budget.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/16/2007 5:34 am ET by Knotscott

1. 
   jimbell | Sep 16, 2007 09:00am | #13

   Newbie, let's look at it from the other end of the telescope: What do you want to build? Pick a simple table, say, a really simple Shaker-style trestle table. What will you need?

   Jointer--to square up two edges of your rough lumber

   Planer--to make the third surface parallel

   Table saw or Band saw to rip the other edge to width; the band saw could also be used to shape the feet of the table

   Clamps to glue up the table top from thinner boards

   Something to cut mortises and tenons a) router; or b) tablesaw and tenoning jig plus a drill and some chisels

   You can do the same list with each of the projects you want to do in the near future, and you'll see what machines and tools will be most worthwhile.

   Cheers,

   Jim Bell