What should a novice do? Getting started in woodworking...

Out of all the other hobbies you’ve mentioned so far none of them will make you money. But a $500 table saw and the standard fence that comes with it, a $200 chop saw, and a Variable speed router. Hitachi makes one and they sell it at lowes for $114. that gives you $50.00 for the router bit of your choice and $150.00 for wood.

Welcome to Lumberjocks.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Welcome to lumberJocks.

Of course you could buy the wood tools and make the canoe. Then you’d have them both. A little tougher to make a bike.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Michael.

That is a really great way to look at the issue! How much can you get for $1,000? Or, if you only had $1,000 to spend starting out, what would you buy?

I would love to hear other people’s thoughts.

-- ~Peter

I guess the question becomes how do we justify our addiction. Price of one fine dinning room table and six chairs…$2500.00. Set of kichen cabinets…$8300.00. The ability to make a handmade wooden valantines day card…Priceless! If they don’t gather dust they can pay for themselves. $1,000.00 will buy alot of used tools.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I just told you what I did. Bought the table saw first. There are several makes and models available for under $500.00 Variable speed router and a plunge router is more versatile. I’d buy a flush bit and a roman ogee bit. One for making the edges flush and one for making edges fancy. ANd a chop saw. OR instead of buying a chop saw you can buy a piece of 3/4” finish plywood and make a sled. I made a cheap one here and that leave $100 for a dado blade set. All of a sudden I got a brain storm. I can put my table saw away for now.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Peter:

There are some basic tools. You’d need a good table saw one that wouldn’t push around as you try to cut wood. So it need a little weight to it. I good router, Something mid like a 2HP, You can then make a router table so you have the use of the router in the table and freehand. One that takes 1/2” and 1/4” router bits. A plunge router or a solid base router. They each have there usefullness. You can buy a kit from Porter Cable that has both bases. I believe that other companies also make a combo kit.

A band saw is nice but a hand jig saw will allow you to cut curves in wood if necessary. A jig Saw for small fine work but don’t expect to cut 1” thick wood with it though. The marketing people say you can but take it from the user. Not the best tool for cutting wood. 1/4 or 1/2” is getting to the edge of it’s useful range.

Skill saw to cut up wood on sawhorses because it’s hard to manage plywood through a table saw by yourself and sometimes it’s harder with a helper. Because, both people are not necessarly working in sync.

Sanders, Random Orbital PSA or Velcro. The velcro seems to be taking over because you can change grits easier and then reuse them whereas with PSA, once you take it off it’s life is gone. Also preferable variable speed.

Drill press, but you can use hand drills but you don’t have the same accurcy.

A chopsaw is nice to allow you to cut those 45 deg corners easier than with a table saw.

It’s usually easier to move the tool and not move the wood.

Some of my suggestions. I’m sure it will be added to or subtracted from by others. There are a lot of personel choices in Woodworking.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Find a project that you like (an easy-ish one) not a morris rocking chair, and check out the list of tools req. Probably a tablesaw, router, and maybe a mitersaw. I’ve made do with a hand powered miterbox, for quite a while before the powered version. picked up a (admittedly too cheap) tablesaw at lowes ($70, reg 100 Delta). My father-in-law has a really nice Rigid, for when mine just isn’t up to the task. Heck, I’ve spent more on blades than on the saw.

Still don’t have a router. (but it’s coming) I think you’ll find with a few good tools, you’ll find different ways to doing things, until you decide what you need…. Another way to go is to slowly acquire your tools one project at a time. That way if you decide woodworking isn’t for you after a few projects, you’ll only have a few tools (that you may likely need anyhow) rather than a shop full of stuff you don’t know what to do with.

I was lucky to find a vintage Shopsmith locally on Craigslist. 50 years old, but in great shape, this $500 +/- deal got me a tablesaw, lathe, jointer, jigsaw, discsander, drillpress and anything else I can find 5/8ths attachements for.

Every so often the magazines will feature their top ten list of tools you need (and in the order they’d get em) Tablesaw is always first. can probably do the most with that. cuts, rips, rabbets, dadoes, etc….

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

SCOTT “That way if you decide woodworking isn’t for you ” BLASPHEMY!!! YOU TALK LIKE THAT AGAIN SCOTTIE, AND WE’LL CUT YOUR TONGUE OUT. HAHAHAHAHA !!!

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Should we tell Peter about Sawstop?

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Wow! Thanks for all of the comments. I can’t believe how quickly the posts followed my original message.

For the record, my budget will be more than $1,000. I am waiting until we move in to our new house at the end of the month before I get started, but I can’t help dreaming of how I want to fill up our unfinished basement.

I have a friend who works for DeWalt and will pick up a 2-1/4 HP router with three bases for me at the employee discount. He is very honorable and doesn’t really do that, but he owes me a favor. I have a DeWalt random orbital sander, Porter Cable compressor & nail guns, a jig saw, and a few hand tools.

The jump to buy a quality table saw is really what I am struggling with at this time. Once I buy one, in my mind, I have made a commitment to this hobby.

Now if I could just decide which one to get…

And I would still like to hear what folks would buy if they only had $1,000 to spend. I am using those suggestions to prioritize my purchases after the table saw…

-- ~Peter

Karson mentioned Sawstop. It’s over $2,000 but if you stick a hotdog into the blade it stops in miliseconds and only scratches the hotdog. If you are experienced on a table saw and still have all of your didgets, you might want to consider it. I think it’s a great saw, but I want a powermatic and they sell for about $2000.00

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Hello Peter,

As the proud Papa of…

I can only say that I hope to never, never , never test the safety device. I was in the same circumstance a few years ago about tools. I started slow, but over the course of a few years, gathered quite a bit. Like everyone has said, you can get some really good tools at low costs to start with….gain experience and find the joy of making much sawdust like us all. I wish though that I would have gotten the SawStop first, and saved the grand I spent on the General and put towards the SawStop.

-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.beavercreekfitness.com)

I’ve got to admit Obi, my first project was done with a borrowed mitersaw and a cheap cordless drill. I wasn’t sure if it was a hobby that was going to stick, so I didn’t want to invest money that would collect dust in the basement from lack of use.

the first tool I purchased was an inexpensive Riobi tablesaw (the $99 version from Home Depot), a router (again the inexpensive Riobi) followed that. My first major purchase was the 6” Ridgid jointer (justified by the need to make kitchen cabinets). A lathe was just for fun, but that required a drill press and bench grinder as well. And to cut down on the cost of buying S4S lumber, the planer was the latest addition.

what to buy first really does depend on what you want to make. I’ve got three daughters and I now want to be able to make as much of their furniture myself as possible.

What drives you to consider woodworking??

-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com

Oh Obi… just offering up a way to ease into it – so his wife could see he wasn’t just offering up the credit card, and blindly diving-in whole hog, without taking the time to think things through.

I’m with Peter on the setting up a shop for “only” $5000. We’re not all rich folk, and some of my better tool purchases have come from much convincing of my wife – and of course the well planned out “requirement” for the next project. I have to admit, the wants don’t get the same use as the needs.

Peter you’re already a Lumberjock, whether you know it or not, you’re hooked!

Welcome aboard.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Oh, and buying a new house…. That will help dictate what you need for sure.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

I knew a cabinet maker who’s only large tool was a table saw. He had some handheld power tools, but he made a living building cabinets out of a two car garage with just a table saw.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I find myself reaching for handtools fairly often.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Hi Peter,

I too would start with the table saw and start building your own jigs. I would also suggest buying the best (most accurate) square and hand plane you can afford, and learn how and when to use them.
This was drilled into us during wood shop (do they have that any more?). The rest are just time savers.

Don’t forget to seal your woodshop (as best your can) from the rest of the house. Dust travels everywhere.

Ahhh, project number #1 for the wife…. a feather duster.

Peter, sell the boat. You’re gonna want all the best tools. A Saw Stop, a minimum 14” band saw. Dick and I will both tell you that 5 routers are neccessary. And Wait til Don gets here, He’ll show you his shop and he has a bunch of cool planes, and phil makes his own planes and they are very nice. I spent $5,000 last year on tools and I could easily spend another $5,000 and not even blink. And they would all be tools that I HAVE TO HAVE!

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Get yourself a set of plans for something simple like a plant stand. All you’ll need are the tools you already own plus the table saw. This “simple” project will teach you to read plans, learn about your saw and your hand tools, learn some things about sanding wood for a finish and applying a finish. All that from a simple plant stand. When your done, you’ll know if woodworking is right for you. Then go spend some real money!!!
Good luck!

-- Dennis, Tennessee

I’m with the advice of “what do you want to create?”
I wanted to do scroll work – so that’s the tool I bought (we already had a mitre saw) and I don’t use the table saw—anything big I get Rick to cut but if I didn’t have Rick, I’d have the wood cut into 12” widths when I bought it.

Also, maybe your passion is bandsaw boxes—then you’d really only need the bandsaw, I think.
Or maybe it is to do lathe work, then… a lathe would be your investment.

Now, I do see that you want to make your daughters’ furniture so that throws out all of my advice. Ha ha.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I agree with Scott’s first comment. Woodworking seriously isn’t for everyone, so if you’ve never done any, you should start with a couple of projects that only require a few tools. If you find you love the smell and feel of working with wood, then you can go to the next step. If not, then that would be a good time to step out of play.

But you shouldn’t take up woodworking just because you think you need to move from your Xbox into a more age-appropriate hobby. I have a feeling that might carry with it a nonchalant attitude one shouldn’t have around power tools.

You’ll also quickly see that there are three general types of woodworkers – the Normites (those fond of using mostly power tools), the Neanderthals (fans of the quieter, less dusty hand tools), and those who’ve found a way (or are finding their way…) to blend power tools and hand tools into a cohesive, more adaptable, style of woodworking.

I’ve thought a bit about it, and find it interesting to see how and why people develop into the kind of woodworker they are. I think people who are brought up in a woodworking environment (having a father or grandfather who did woodworking, for example) generally tend to favor hand tools. Woodworkers who start up on their own seem to employ power tools more in their trade. That’s mostly a generalization, but it seems to fit quite often.

I could probably walk down that road a bit more, but… that’s a great blog topic, don’t you know.

My personal experience is that I started off with power tools because that’s what you learn you need to use when you have no cable and the only woodworking show you can watch is NYW w/the man in plaid. But as I’ve grown more confident in woodworking and my woodworking skills (and got DirecTV and the DIY Channel and started watching other woodworking shows, where hand tools are shown as having an important place in a shop), I find myself getting “daring” by reaching for a hand tool more often. I’ve recently dipped my big toe in the pond of hand planes and I’m finding the water to be quite warm… dangerous territory, man, tread lightly!

Something else you might want to consider is taking a class on some kind of hand tool (using hand planes or sharpening chisels or relief carving or chip carving – there are lots of choices out there!) and see if maybe you like the very personal connection you can achieve with the wood when you don’t need the dust mask and the ear protection.

If you’re lucky enough to live within an hour’s drive of a Woodcraft store, that would be my first choice for such classes.

Oh, speaking of the benefits of Woodcraft… if you decide to jump in with some power tools, one of the best investments you could make would be to take classes on using those power tools. Woodcraft offers classes on table saw use, building table saw jigs, using routers and band saws and lathes and pretty much any other major power tool in your shop. If you don’t go to them, go somewhere else – but GO somewhere.

“Before we use any power tools, let’s take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these – safety glasses.”

Amen, Norm.

No matter what way you decide to go… spend money on quality tools, whether they are hand tools or power tools. If you buy the best tools you can afford, you’ll only cry once. If you buy cheap and poorly-made tools, you’ll cry every time you ruin a project because of one.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Nawww, Peter is a full blown Lumberjock. He wants all the big tools (Have you seen the boat?). He will allow his “Creative Genius” to run wild and free, he will make anything and everything. His lovely wife will deliver his meals to “The Dungeon” where he will spend his every waking moment creating wonderful projects, works of art and beautiful hand crafted furniture (Like Heirloom rockers) for his lovely bride “up” in the big house.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

WAIT !!!! STOP THE PRESSES. BEFOR EYOU BUY ANYTHING LOOK AT THIS

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Hmm, 15 plus years of casual woodworking and have I spent a grand yet? Good question! $60 used table saw, a gift of of a used radial arm saw, a borrowed router and table, lots of flea market hand tools. Lots of hand me down tools from both sides of the family. Garage sale purchases of a Delta band saw, and delta belt and disc sander combo. Wood from my backyard wood from NH brought back on a plane to Texas. I have bought some stuff, new Dewalt router, a Craftsman circular saw, a back saw, set of chisels, drill bits, router bits, a couple cordless drills (looking to buy a third, darn batteries) Still wondering if I’ve reached a grand yet…. probably but I have sure built some stuff with less…

-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX

Awesome reply, Rob…

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

I’ve definitely spent several thousand dollars (in one invoice), but I haven’t bought a table saw yet, and probably won’t for quite a while. My Dad’s got a few short fingers from a bad experience with one, so ‘til I have the space for a SawStop it’s not going to be a part of my repertoire. But you can do amazing things with a good circular saw and rail system combo (I have Festool, the EZ Smart system has different trade-offs), in fact the only problem I’ve run into so far is that I have to figure out my own procedures, because all of the instructions revolve around table saw, but I’m still managing to rip hardwoods and such.

I’m with the other folks on “pick something you want to do, and buy the tool (or tools) necessary to do that”. That could be a few hundred bucks on some good stones and really nice chisels, and a few blocks of wood for carving. That could be a scroll saw, or a good router.

I’m also a big fan of not going cheap, the difference between a $50 circular saw and a $400 one is amazing, but there are also great deals you can pick up, as Rob pointed out, at garage sales, or by finding local woodworkers and scrounging their cast-offs. And remember that there have been some absolutely spectacular pieces of furniture, in all styles, built with just hand tools. Takes some patience, but possible.

And the final thing I’d point out: Even though you’re not into metal working, check out Dave Gingery’s series on building your own metal workshop from scratch . One of the things that you, as a woodworker, are going to have to do is to build a lot of jigs. Gingery’s books are about building a whole metal shop starting with a bucket of clay and a hair dryer (slight exaggeration, but only just), and in the process he goes through a lot of guidance and procedure on how to approach problem solving with the tools on hand.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I’d shop around for some good used equipment. Sometimes you can buy from someone who had dreams of being a woodworker, but his dream fizzled out. You can get by with less. I built my kitchen cabinets with just a radial arm saw.

Woodcarving is also a great hobby. you can get a pretty nice set of chisels for about $200, or less, & the cost of materials is real cheap. You can carve on just about anything.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I think a lot of your decision will be based on what types of woodworking you want to do. Small projects will not require as many tools as larger projects. And, depending on how “handy” you are, you can usually find a good work around if you do not have the exact tool specified.

For example, if you want to build your own deck, some type of saw will be in order. It could be hand-powered, circular saw, or even a table saw. Hanmers or air guns will be needed as well. Levels, squares, sanders, brushes, finishes, etc. will all be included as well.

I would suggesting spending a bit of time first deciding what you actually want to accomplish with the woodworking. Then you can decide what you will need in order to do what you plan. As with many things, life is a series of trade-offs. You do not have to get everything at once, or even make it a one time purchase. The saw you buy today may not be the same one you have 5 years from now when your needs change.

If you are looking for some tips on tablesaws, we have a forum where we discussed what type and brand of tablesaw to buy here. Everyone has an opinion, and a lot will depend on your personal factors.

I think once you get started in woodworking, you will stick with it. For many of us it is a livelyhood. For all of us, it is something we want to do. Welcome Aboard and good luck. Let us know how this story proceeds.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

A theme of most of the replies regarding what tools folks would buy with $1,000 if they were starting out and already had a quality table saw has been: it depends. So in response to that I’d like to share some of my “project list”. At this stage, almost all of the projects involve home improvements, because we are moving in to a newly built house in three more weeks. My plan is to start with simpler carpentry jobs and move towards higher end furniture jobs. Here are te highlights:

Phase one: Simple Jobs
- Utilitatian, strong shelves in the basement to store heavy tubs of random crap on.
- Frame out the perimeter basement walls, and maybe a few interior walls to isolate the future shop dust.
- Tool storage cabinets made from good plywood. For handtools and power tools.
- Wall storage system with french cleats. (I’m not a big fan of peg board…)

Phase two: Mid-level jobs
- Make a workbench.
- Build an outdoor Gardener’s Workbench for my wife.

Phase three: Higher level jobs that others will really see…
- A high end built-in bookcase accross one wall of the office, with lateral filing cabinets on the bottom and perhaps a fire-proof document safe. Maybe cherry with a French polish finish.
- An entertainment center/console for the family room with three bays for stereo equipment, glass doors to protect it all from the todler, etc. Again, probably cherry wood with a french finish.
- An office desk.

That is the highlight reel. Hopefully that gives everyone an idea of where my interests lie.

-- ~Peter

Rob: the difference between a casual hobbiist and a serious woodworker.

Peter. A $200 Chop saw, and Worm Drive Skil Circular Saw. and you’re in business. That’s what I bought. The skil saw to remodel the bathroom and I didnt get the chop saw til I built the deck.

Now for the rest of the list
A 4’ level
A Speed Square
Combination square.
Tape measure
Battery Operated hand drill (My 12 volt Hitachi is the best 12 volt driver I’ve ever used) also is an impact driver.
$20.00 set of Professional Hand Chisels
T-Square
Chalk Box and tool belt

If you’re gonna start on the French Cleat thing, you WILL need a table saw.

DON’T BUY THE HITACHI TIL THEY HIRE ME TO REDESIGN IT !!!

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Peter,

I was in the same position a few years ago – new house lots of projects. That’s where I built up my supply of hand and power tools mostly Dewalt and Porter Cable.

Just last year I really wanted to start making more furniture so for $1900 I got started. I went to Grizzly and got a great 8 in jointer, 14 inch Band Saw, table top drill press, and 13 inch planer (not Grizzly). That’s a pretty good deal. The table saw was not included as it was a b-day present but I’m dying to upgrade it and since I lost about half an inch of my left thumb I am hoping for a Saw Stop ;-)

My biggest problem with this hobby is the price of wood!! At $6 – $10 /bd ft most of my projects will cost around $500 to make. That’s where the real money is. That just about puts me out of the hobby business. My current project has been “commissioned” so I will loose it when it’s complete.

For my two cents worth here – I partnered up in the shop with two buddy’s. One who is there mostly in the day (retired), me, who is there mostly in evenings and early mornings and one who is there infrequently – when we needed clamps, we discussed it, saved X amount of money per month and when Amazon had a sale on Bessy’s we were ready. We stock the shop that way with a lot of the insularly’s, glue, sandpaper, blades etc.

But for the big ticket items, usually, we covet covet covet, whine about what a good job we COULD do if only we had this or that – finally pull a cork in some fine Canadian whisky and before the night is out, one of us poor fools winds up on the internet at the Grizzly site – next thing ya know, you’ve got a new bandsaw! ...and so it goes until one day you look around and go “ …Hey, starting to look like a wood shop in here, man my wife’s mad at me…” again, and so-on and so-on. It’s a crappy system, I know, but it IS starting to look like a shop in here! (…and, man my wife’s pissed at me!)

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Sounds like Peter has a lot of good advice here.

I like your prioritizing of your jobs you want to do, and how to move up scale. You might want to move up that garden workbench up the list. If your wife sees something that benefits her, she will be very supportive.

Lumber costs are always a problem. Rather than buying at the home centers, find a local hardwood distributor in your area. While the wood may be rough cut, you can get quality wood much cheaper. Some work is involved in cutting and surfacing, but the cost savings are worth it. And, it does give you a reason to spend the money for those tools too!

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com