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Forum topic by ToolCrib | posted 03-30-2007 09:50 PM | 13373 views | 0 times favorited | 17 replies | ![]() |
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03-30-2007 09:50 PM |
Here’s a hypothetical situation that I think you guys might have fun answering… 1) You have no woodworking tools. Zilch. Zero. Not even a pocket knife. What woodworking tools would you buy? Why? Here’s how Marc Spagnuolo answered this question: I look forward to hearing what you think! Also, just so you know, I may write about this LumberJocks thread in our ToolCrib blog (on our site). G -- Editor, www.ToolCrib.com |
17 replies so far
#1 posted 03-30-2007 10:38 PM |
Give me the $1,000 first, then I’ll tell you after I spend it! :) This is a tough question because I am a power tool guy and there’s not much I could do with $1,000. I would have to try to find some of this used: Table Saw first, Jointer second, and planer 3rd. -- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't! |
#2 posted 03-30-2007 11:01 PM |
Someone else asked a similar question a while back, except it was what to buy with his bonus money. One answer that was given, and the answer I agree with the most, was to find a few projects that you’re really interested in making and figure out what tools would be necessary for those projects. I’d start with buying those tools and I would make sure I bought the best quality tools I could afford. If I had to pick specific tools, I’d say to start with a good contractor-style table saw and outfit it with a better blade (Ridgid has a 10” blade Popular Woodworking rated just a notch under Forrest blades for a meager $30), crosscut sled (make it), an upgraded miter gauge, and a really good dado set. That gives you a lot of versatility with just the one main tool. With a table saw and these additions, you can:
After that, I’d look for a good router with multiple bases. Wait until the next Woodcraft $5 Router Bit sale and pick up a set of 10 of them for $50. With some inginuity and some scavenged pieces, you can use a wing of your table saw to make a router table and then your TS fence does double duty. With a good router and router table, you can:
I’m sure I missed a lot of the uses of both – these were just off the top of my head. You might be pushing it, with the $1000 limit, but I think it could be done. -- Ethan, http://thekiltedwoodworker.com |
#3 posted 03-30-2007 11:01 PM |
I’ve changed my mind. If I only had $1,000, I would purchase a band saw, a mini lathe, a few high speed chisels. I could begin turning pens and small bowls and sell them. Eventually making enough money to purchase my other equipment. -- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't! |
#4 posted 03-30-2007 11:23 PM |
Table saw…without a doubt. Last year I made $10,000.00 profit on one set of cabinets. I bought the Hitachi C10FL tablesaw for $500.00 and for the price it wasn’t a bad deal. I wish I’d have know then what i know now. 3 1/4 HP Plunge Router for $275.00 Buck Professional Chisels for $20.00 |
#5 posted 03-31-2007 12:43 AM |
Hmm…. only 1 grand. I think i’d get the best tablesaw I could, can do a lot with that. I”ll make all my jigs and fixtures. If there was money left over, I’d get incidentals like clamps and so on. Next year I’d get a lathe…. or maybe I’d wait a couple years and get an awesome lathe! or vice versa! -- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/ |
#6 posted 03-31-2007 12:51 AM |
since I don’t use the table saw I can pass on that .. but the mitre saw is a must for me ( I can’t handle a handsaw effectively and I do have to cut the wood somehow!!) -- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant) |
#7 posted 03-31-2007 02:36 AM |
Obi, you’re pushing $1,000 without a saw blade, bits for the router, sharpening system for the chisels (even sandpaper sharpening costs bucks these day – for a whole year don’t forget!), set of sanding pads for the orbital sander, and ya didn’t put a price on the clamps. I won’t even get into basics like, you know, glue, some mineral spirits, a hammer, a fairly good measuring ruler, something to check right angles… it really starts adding up. Even Marc left off all this stuff on his list. As the saying goes, “The devil lies in the details.” I hate to sound negative and I know the question said “tools”, but I just don’t think it can be done. I will be very interested to see some more lists but woodworking is expensive, even as a hobby. -- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt! |
#8 posted 03-31-2007 02:53 AM |
I saw (on tv) turners in Morocco making chess peices with small hand powered lathes (using a bow in their right hand) holding the tool with their left hand and guiding the tool with their foot, while using their other foot to hold the tail stock in place… would I want to have a similar set up? no… but I can make a pole lathe, a shaving horse and all sorts of other tools and accessories… maybe I should pull back the price of my tablesaw a bit so I can get a drawknife, chisels etc (used, on ebay, or a yard sale) Funny how many woodworkers got into this because they couldn’t afford furniture… and end up making things that are definately not cheaper than an equivalent piece. -- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/ |
#9 posted 03-31-2007 03:13 AM |
Chip, my sharpening system for my chisels cost me $25.00 $70 .00 for clamps and that leaves enough for a quart of Elmer’s glue. This isn’t a custom saw shop we’re starting up, it’s a basic “I have to have the basics” thousand dollars. |
#10 posted 03-31-2007 03:16 AM |
Scottie, |
#11 posted 03-31-2007 03:20 AM |
I hear ya Obi. -- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt! |
#12 posted 03-31-2007 05:49 AM |
I hate seeing stuff in circulars when I know the wood costs more than the final project…. Granted my wood would be better, and I wouldn’t throw the darn thing away after a few months… I’d never send people to Wal-mart… but actually, if they don’t want something from an artist, an artisan, or a craftsman… then they deserve to go there. On the ride home I rethought my 1000 shop. I just want a really good lathe, with chisels, chucks etc… then I can spend the year “meditating” while I wait to get going on building the rest of the shop… plus with access to Dads, my father-in laws, and grandfathers stuff… I could easily make do until then. -- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/ |
#13 posted 03-31-2007 06:22 AM |
Chip this reminds me of an old blog I wrote. |
#14 posted 03-31-2007 06:36 AM |
I’d buy a Skill 77 worm drive and make a cutting guide. $140 Rockler 5 piece router bit starter kit $100 Straight bit, rabbet bit, roundover , ogee, and chamfer -- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne |
#15 posted 03-31-2007 06:43 PM |
I would go strait to Craigslist. Used Table Saw, Jointer, Planer, bench top drill press, Bandsaw if I could find a decent one. Then I would hit the flea market for the basic handtools. Saws, hammer, drill, drill bits, block plane, jack plane, etc. -- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov |
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