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Spend my $1,000

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3K views 54 replies 30 participants last post by  knotscott 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm an old rookie. I have no major power tools. Been reading on this site for a month or so. Looking for a TS first. Thinking rigid 4512, that gets about 500. Now what? Band saw, surfacer,router table. Oh, I forgot I do have a drill press. Want to do wood projects, outdoor furniture, shop benches, way later maybe fine stuff!
 
#3 ·
A quality TS is a must.
With $500 left to spend, and a drill press already in the shop, I think you should consider the smaller power tools.
Router- The Craftsman Professional Model is a well-regarded fixed/plunge combo that is bargain-priced.
Random Orbital Sander
Jigsaw

And don't forget about clamps. Order 3-4 pipe clamps, 3-4 F-clamps from Harbor Freight…..for starters.
 
#5 ·
I'm still just starting out but I'll chime in with Tedstor here. If it weren't for my table saw I wouldn't get anything done.

The Random Orbital sander is in my hand more than I expected. I'm also surprised how often I use my belt sander. It's a handheld model, but sometimes I turn it upside down and clamp it to the workbench.

You won't believe how many clamps you use. It really defies all logic.

But aside from those couple/few things I'd say stop, work with them on a few projects and see what you need.

I made the mistake of buying LOTS of small power tools that just serve as sawdust accumulation systems (my router and hand planer most notably.)
 
#7 ·
Okiecat, you sound like me. Due to the economy I have had to change careers and woodworking sort of fell into place for me as something that I have all ways wanted to get into. My wife is on to me to do an outdoor bench for out backyard and so now I know what I am doing this spring. Your TS and drill press are good starts. I had a corded drill, but finally broke down and bought a Dewalt cordless drill from Home Depot for $100. If you start getting into the cordless stuff look at ALL of the things that they offer that work with the battery pack so that over time you can build up the tools you need. For instance, I have a corded skill saw that you might need for thin material curve cutting but they also have them in cordless models. I am limited in space so that of course becomes a huge factor in my work and maybe in yours too. I have also invested in large 48 inch clamps for the outdoor furniture projects. Regular bar clamps can be good but I bought some that have feet on them so they can sit on the workbench and you put things into them. Electric sheet pad hand sander is a must. A band saw is on my list only because I see myself doing a lot of tenons for joints connects and while you can do tenons all sorts of ways the band saw is faster and cleaner. I recently bought a router for rounding the edges of material on the furniture. You will find yourself using up money on other little do-dads like push blocks for your TS. Different blades, safety equipment. OH! Big thing for me was getting a dust collector. I got a 15 gallon Rigid (made in USA) Shop vac that blows and sucks materials. Got tired of sweeping and dusting. Sorry for the long post but hope this helps.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
For outdoor furniture a band saw allows the simplified
ripping of 4×4 stock as well as cutting curves in
such stock.

A planer is nearly essential for furniture and cabinet
making. In many styles of outdoor furniture boards
do not need to be perfectly flattened or dimensioned
however.

If you buy used you get about double your money's
worth.
 
#10 ·
I'm not nearly as experienced as most on this site, but I'll give you my two cents worth and hope it helps. The two most used power tools I have in my shop are a Bosch 4100 table saw from Lowes.(about $600.-650.) and a Dewalt planer. I bought the TS to build a cedar fence around my house, and after adding an Incra miter 1000HD (measures to .10 degree) I am able to use for more intricate woodworking. For a contractor grade saw, I love it. Seems to have plenty of power and the fence is pretty good - and dont skimp when buyng a blade, you'll regret it. I use the planer alot more than i thought I would. I couldn't get along without it. The TS, planer, and Incra miter probably come out to close to $1000. And keep a patient, close eye on Craig's list, picked up a great Delta drill press that way.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
What I thought I needed:
1)Table Saw
2) Wood
3)Glue

Expanded to:
4)Jointer
5)Planer
6)Router
7)Drill Press
8)Band Saw
9)Couple clamps
10) hand Drill
11)more glue

What that turned into:
12) Better Layout Tools
13) GOOD Clamps
14) Cauls
15) Scrapers
16) Dowel Jig
17) Close to $300-400 router bits (Freud and Whitesides)
18) Router Table & Plate
19) Lotsa Pencils, Where do they go?
20) More Clamps?
21) Hand Planes (Bench, Block, and Shoulder)
22) Finishing Stuff
23) Lots of Project Ply and MDF for Jigs and templates
24) Drum Sander attachment for Drill Press
25) Brad Point Bits
26) Forstner Bits
27) Bench Chisels
28) Router Bushings
29) Sharpening System

all big iron bought off CL, probably in for over $4000

What I should have bought:
1) Local Adult woodworking 8 week class ($280)

So far I've made a blanket chest…. Shoot me now.
 
#13 ·
A TS and router/router table would be my two top priorities. With good blades and router bits, that won't leave much leftover, but I'd start eyeballing a planer soon if you use mainly lumber as opposed to sheet goods.
 
#14 ·
Thanks to everyone. Wow what a site, makes me feel at home. I do have some cordless stuff, and a few bar clamps. The one thing I can't buy is time! I'm self employed and work all the time, at least it feels like it! I have a mid quality miter saw also. The router and the sander both sound like solid ideas.
 
#15 ·
Lynn,

Welcome to LumberJocks , a world of advise, opinions, and experiences, all shared without judgement.

Knowing what I know now, with early onset C.O.P.D. I will suggest your tool purchases as follows;

1st - Tablesaw
1st - Dust Collection System

- and then -

2nd - the next sawdust making tool that best addresses the type of projects you will likely build.

In time you may dream of upgrading your DC System but you will never regret having the most efficient dust collector you can afford.

Work Safely and have Fun. - Grandpa Len.
 
#16 ·
I'd buy a jointer and planer first… Why???.... Because you want flat, square uniform stock, because without that, every other tool is useless in a sense. You can do a lot of stuff with a jointer, planer and bandsaw… Heck, you can get all three if you play your cards right or 1,000k….

I could go into the need for many other tools, but I'd start there… You will be flattening, thicknessng, ripping and milling in no time brother!!!
 
#18 ·
okiecat…...just watch out for that jet/powermatic trap. long on promise, short on delivery and overpriced, making for an extremely poor value. the 4512 is a great little saw, and with the application of a harbor freight"20% off any single item" coupon, it can be had for $400. dust collection is very important and grizzly provides a good value for new retail purchases. if you're mechanically inclined, CL can present opportunities for outstanding values.
 
#19 ·
And here we go. I don't have a dust collection system yet so - I bought a couple of good respirators. That was after I used my lungs to collect all the MDF dust I was producing. That was a very bad night of coughing and hacking.

I'll buy into the safety first concerns.

I saw the exact same Rigid today. I'ts a very hard choice between the $600 bosch at Lowe's or the $500 Rigid for portable saws. Both of them have extraordinary fences. The Rigid seems to grant a little more cutting width. The bosch seems to have the edge on durability.

I'd also follow Len's advice. Buy what you need for the upcoming projects. If you buy a little bitty miter saw, you'll outgrow it really fast.

Keep your eye on Craig's list but check with the guys here first. They saved me from a painful mistake today.
 
#22 ·
Lynn,

After various hand tools (drills, hand saw, sanders, jig/saber saw, ect….) I got my tools in this order. It was not planned. It's just how it happened.

1. Drill Press
2. Circular Saw with straight edge
3. Miter Saw
4. Band Saw
5. Table Saw
6. Router
7. Biscuit Joiner
8. 6" Jointer
9. 13" Planer

I did plenty with these tools in this order. I made outdoor projects, shelves, tool cabinets, even a small 12' fishing boat. Keep in mind I collected these over several years. Looking back, I'm happy with the order in which my collection grew. Only thing I would have changed is the ability to them all at once!!

note: Cordless drills are great but a good corded drill is nice when drilling lots of holes. They are pretty cheap too.

-Rocko
 
#23 ·
Hi Lynn- welcome. Yup, table saw. Yup, used if you can afford the luxury of waiting for the right stuff to pop up. A planer is good. Keep some bucks back for a hand plane or two. A work bench and tool box. Clamps, as discussed.

Decide what projects you like, that will dictate further tool choice. Either case goods, or tables, or jewelry boxes. Or maybe turnings, or scroll work.

Get a few good layout tools, a combination square is a good start.

As for the time to do this- I like evenings, instead of watching TV, I try to spend an hour or two in the shop. Now that I am not working outside, my limit is feet- too much time on them, and those dogs get to barking up a storm.

Have fun with it!
 
#24 ·
Craig's List is your friend.
I've seen deals on CL that defy all logic. But, never when I have any money.
It's possible to get a cast iron, 3 hp, Delta Uni or Powermatic cabinet saw for $500. Thats about 1/6th of retail.
I missed a great 14" Delta band saw for $150.
Jointers frequently sell for $150 to $200, planers for $100.
Then don't forget quality layout tools, like a good Starrett combination square.
And, of course, some good clamps.

Then, I couldn't work without hand planes. I have known people who buy a plane, try to use it right out of the box and when they only get tear out and gouges in their project they stick it on a shelf and that's that. Please believe me, if you read a little about how planes are supposed to be used, do the propper sharpening and honing and tuning, you will be amazed at what these tools can do. And, you can pick up a restored classic Stanley for $35 to $50. A good pair to start out with would be a low angle block and a #4 smoother or a #5 jack. At an absolute minimum get the block. If you really get the bug you might sell the jointer and planer you got on CL and stock up on a dozen or more hand planes.
 
#25 ·
I would not buy that Rigid, it looks like a table saw but it's really an upside down circular saw; those things are made for carpentry not woodworking. If $500 is your saw budget you'd be far better off spending it on a band saw.
 
#26 ·
You can use HF coupons at HD? Cool!

i'm not sure that it's company policy, but i've done it many times. seems to vary by store and by manager on duty. sometimes, i've had to contact corporate CS and they've instructed the MOD to accept the coupon.
 
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