Hello All - I apologize for the log post. I am new to this forum and am getting back into woodworking/carpentry as I've now been retired for 3 years and have learned that playing golf 7 days a week doesn't cut it for me mentally. So I am seeking advice on setting up a home workshop. I've done, what I think, is quite a bit of research, so I wouldn't have to say "Tell me what to buy".
Some quick background: My Dad was a finish carpenter and taught me quite a bit based on a Delta radial arm saw. He bought that saw when I was 11 years old and I kept it for projects around the house and moved it around the country with me. I gave it away, still working, when I was 55. I used it mostly for simple cross-cuts, ripping, and an occasional dado.
Now I am ready to get back into some wood-related projects. I have several lined up which will require the purchase of new tools and the replacement of others. These projects include: wood storage trays for golf carts; dollies for our large plants (there appear to be some great examples on this site); 2 coat racks; a small shelf project for a broom closet; and (this is the most ambitious) replacing the wire shelves and baskets in the MBR closet with wood. Lastly, I will want to make a few things for our grand kids.
I've read through as many posts on different forum sites as I could find over the past 10 days and I have what I think is the solution. I learned an awful lot in my research. But, I wanted to run this by you folks as you've got far more experience than I do and likely encountered the same issues when you decided to set up a shop. This is going to be a hobbyists shop.
Space - Right now, I'll have an area measuring 6' x 12' in the garage that I can do what ever I want with. I can also move the golf carts out and have as much temporary space as I require. I am in the deep south, so cold weather isn't an issue.
Current Power Tools - Craftsman Circular Saw - 12 years old (it was actually recalled due to safety issues but I still have it); B&D jigsaw - 32+ years old (it's gotta go); Ryobi 208B Cordless drill; Bosch ROS20VS ROS; an old Dremel w/attachments; Dewalt DW100 Corded drill; Ryobi DSW1200 Finish sander.
Current Hand Tools - 2" - 6" C Clamps; 6" - 24" squares; stud finder; rubber mallets; an "okay" complement of hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, nailsets, etc.; 1/4" - 1" wood chisels; levels; 3" and 8" inexpensive planers; lots of glue.
So what do I need to get started? Here are my thoughts based on my research and I'd really appreciate your candid feed back. I believe I really need to replace my circular saw and jigsaw.
Circular Saw - I need to replace the Craftsman circular saw with something a bit more robust. The short-list includes the Dewalt DWE575 ($119); Hitachi C7BMR ($99); Bosch CS10 ($99); Makita 5007F ($119, but the HD folks tell me it will be on sale soon at $99); Makita 5007MG ($149). I am really leaning to the Makita 5007F although I'd like a Makita 5007 as it is one pound lighter.
Jigsaw - Seems like Bosch is the way to go. I found the JS470E to be a bit big for me, and think the JS365 would satisfy my work. Other possibilities include the Makita JV0600K & the Dewalt DW331K. The Bosch feels really nice in my hand. (Interestingly, the Porter Cable PCE345 ($60) felt best in my hand), My choice is the Bosch JS365.
Additional power tools would include:
Router - I figured a small trim router would suffice so I was looking at the Dewalt DPW611; the Bosch Colt: or the Rigid 2401 (comes with a free 1/4 sheet sander, but it's out of stock). I dropped by a Direct Tools store where my wife purchases all of her garden power tools. They had a refurbished Rigid 2200 2 HP router and a 2201 trim router. The manager said he would sell them together to me for $170. That's sounds like a reasonable deal as I can use them for a bit and if they work okay, I'll keep them. If not, I'll sell them and move on to something else. Any thoughts on this?
The other power tool I may (likely) need is a planer and the Dewalt folks seem to have the best offerings here - the DW734 ($400) and DW 735 ($600). There are others but I couldn't find a whole lot about them. Those being the Makita 2012NB (found 1 thread); the Delta 22-555 (very good online reviews): and the Rigid R4331 (seems to be a decent planer). Any comments on planers?
My plans are to purchase in order: a planer, a band saw, a table saw, a drill press and finally a a jointer. (I did read that some folks purchase tools when they need them for a specific project. I kinda like that approach.) As I begin my journey, I'll post what brand/model tools I am considering for feedback.
Am I on the right track with my thinking? Let me know if you need more info and thank you for your time. Best regards.
Some quick background: My Dad was a finish carpenter and taught me quite a bit based on a Delta radial arm saw. He bought that saw when I was 11 years old and I kept it for projects around the house and moved it around the country with me. I gave it away, still working, when I was 55. I used it mostly for simple cross-cuts, ripping, and an occasional dado.
Now I am ready to get back into some wood-related projects. I have several lined up which will require the purchase of new tools and the replacement of others. These projects include: wood storage trays for golf carts; dollies for our large plants (there appear to be some great examples on this site); 2 coat racks; a small shelf project for a broom closet; and (this is the most ambitious) replacing the wire shelves and baskets in the MBR closet with wood. Lastly, I will want to make a few things for our grand kids.
I've read through as many posts on different forum sites as I could find over the past 10 days and I have what I think is the solution. I learned an awful lot in my research. But, I wanted to run this by you folks as you've got far more experience than I do and likely encountered the same issues when you decided to set up a shop. This is going to be a hobbyists shop.
Space - Right now, I'll have an area measuring 6' x 12' in the garage that I can do what ever I want with. I can also move the golf carts out and have as much temporary space as I require. I am in the deep south, so cold weather isn't an issue.
Current Power Tools - Craftsman Circular Saw - 12 years old (it was actually recalled due to safety issues but I still have it); B&D jigsaw - 32+ years old (it's gotta go); Ryobi 208B Cordless drill; Bosch ROS20VS ROS; an old Dremel w/attachments; Dewalt DW100 Corded drill; Ryobi DSW1200 Finish sander.
Current Hand Tools - 2" - 6" C Clamps; 6" - 24" squares; stud finder; rubber mallets; an "okay" complement of hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, nailsets, etc.; 1/4" - 1" wood chisels; levels; 3" and 8" inexpensive planers; lots of glue.
So what do I need to get started? Here are my thoughts based on my research and I'd really appreciate your candid feed back. I believe I really need to replace my circular saw and jigsaw.
Circular Saw - I need to replace the Craftsman circular saw with something a bit more robust. The short-list includes the Dewalt DWE575 ($119); Hitachi C7BMR ($99); Bosch CS10 ($99); Makita 5007F ($119, but the HD folks tell me it will be on sale soon at $99); Makita 5007MG ($149). I am really leaning to the Makita 5007F although I'd like a Makita 5007 as it is one pound lighter.
Jigsaw - Seems like Bosch is the way to go. I found the JS470E to be a bit big for me, and think the JS365 would satisfy my work. Other possibilities include the Makita JV0600K & the Dewalt DW331K. The Bosch feels really nice in my hand. (Interestingly, the Porter Cable PCE345 ($60) felt best in my hand), My choice is the Bosch JS365.
Additional power tools would include:
Router - I figured a small trim router would suffice so I was looking at the Dewalt DPW611; the Bosch Colt: or the Rigid 2401 (comes with a free 1/4 sheet sander, but it's out of stock). I dropped by a Direct Tools store where my wife purchases all of her garden power tools. They had a refurbished Rigid 2200 2 HP router and a 2201 trim router. The manager said he would sell them together to me for $170. That's sounds like a reasonable deal as I can use them for a bit and if they work okay, I'll keep them. If not, I'll sell them and move on to something else. Any thoughts on this?
The other power tool I may (likely) need is a planer and the Dewalt folks seem to have the best offerings here - the DW734 ($400) and DW 735 ($600). There are others but I couldn't find a whole lot about them. Those being the Makita 2012NB (found 1 thread); the Delta 22-555 (very good online reviews): and the Rigid R4331 (seems to be a decent planer). Any comments on planers?
My plans are to purchase in order: a planer, a band saw, a table saw, a drill press and finally a a jointer. (I did read that some folks purchase tools when they need them for a specific project. I kinda like that approach.) As I begin my journey, I'll post what brand/model tools I am considering for feedback.
Am I on the right track with my thinking? Let me know if you need more info and thank you for your time. Best regards.