Carpentry and Woodworking - Base minimum setup for woodworking

I'm new to woodworking - very new - but I'm really eager to give it a try. I'm having a new home built and would like to add some of my own handy work after the construction is completed (maybe some built-in bookcases, desktops, etc.) I'm not naive to the fact that it's not a cake walk, but I'm willing to go slow and do it right. My question is, what's the base minimum setup I would need tool-wise to really be productive? I'd rather buy the right tools than flounder with something that might work, but would make life difficult. I've just bought a nice router, which I figure is one of the most versatile tools I could get, but other than that we're talkin' a circular saw and an orbital sander. Slim pickins'. Any advice on where to start?

Thanks for the help.

Try flipping the thought process over and think about what your first couple of projects might be. Then, find a book or magazine with plans and step-by-step instructions on how to build those things. As you read the instructions, you'll find out what tools you'll need. Be prepared for some substantial "startup" costs because there is a ton of "little stuff" you'll need that only the most basic instructions will even mention.

The beauty of it is that as you build stuff and aquire tools, you'll eventually get to a point where you don't really need anything new to build whatever your latest project may be. When you get to that point, do not (under any circumstances) tell your "significant other" because you're at one of the most dangereous places you can be.............the point where you start thinking that you "really need" a better 'whatever' or that if you just had a 'whoosis', you could then make the next 'whatsis' even better (or faster.........or whatever).

Pretty soon, you're getting 4-5 tool catalogs a month and skipping the kids activities so you can roam around the tool department at Home Depot. You may even quit using the front door and come into the house through the garage (shop?) so you can stash your latest toy where the significant other won't see it until you can (semihonestly) say "Oh, I've had this for a long time".

That's when you have to look at yourself in the mirror each morning and say "Hi, I'm Hgrays and I'm a toolaholic". :D

Signed

"Been there, done that, and got the tee-shirt." :eek:

LMAO!! :D Dave

I'm not married, so I can't contest for that fact, but buying tools is like any addiction and Jay's potato chips, "Once you pop you can't stop" I think that's how it goes.

If your budget doesn't allow you to buy a lot of tools right now, you'll slowly accumulate them. Ask for them for X-mas or your holiday, bday, etc.

Just continue shmoozing the family members for tools and before you know it, you'll have more than you can imagine.

Hgrays -

The first paragraph of my earlier post is the only part that should be taken semi-seriously. It was getting late and I just took off on a tangent. :)

Another thing to consider is what kind of shop setup you'll have. Most of us start out in the garage and have to share space with a car and/or household storage. This will usually mean that the tools need to be somewhat portable so they can be pushed out of the way when they aren't being used.

In my opinion, a decent table saw should be your first "big" tool. You can do lots of things with a circular saw but making really accurate cuts isn't high on the list. I think that most folks would agree that the table saw is the base tool in any shop. I would recommend a decent contractor-type saw mounted on some kind of roll away stand. There are several brands out there so it's mostly a matter of which one you like best. Figure on spending around $500 - $700. There are less expensive saws, but I would be a little leery about them and the more expensive ones are probably overkill for someone just beginning.

There's a never-ending debate about buying tools. Some people say to buy the very best and others (like me) believe that having 3-4 mid-range tools is better than having one top of the line tool. I've gone through dozens of shop tools in my 30 yrs of woodworking and (in hindsight), some of them were real junk. Even the junkers served a purpose, however, because when I fnally upgraded them I had a pretty good idea of what I really needed.

LOL :D

Great stuff Dave. Actually, your entire post is really not too far off the mark. I play this game fairly regularly with computer stuff ;) . "No Honey, I'm not really sure how you missed noticing that scanner there before...".

Thanks for the advice on the tools. My new home will have a third garage that's separate from the main garage. It will be a workshop/storage area at least until my boys are old enough to think they need a car. It should be plenty big to do what I need, but portability will still be a key. I had thought that a table saw was probably the next "big" tool on the list, although I batted around the idea of a miter saw as far as usefulness for my projects. I've seen that Bosch 4000-09 saw that is on a mobile cart before. Is that kind of what you're talking about, or do you mean a separate stand and saw? It seems that some of those smaller saws have such a small deck that ripping long sheets of plywood or cross-cutting even a medium-sixed board would be hard. That's probably inexperience though.

I also thought I should look into building a simple router table to make things a little easier, or at least give me more options.

Lastly, at what point to you finally come home with a biscuit cutter? LOL :D

Thanks for the info.

In addition to what Dave said, when purchasing a table saw, the motor matters, but what it all comes down to is the accuracy of the fence. You can have a 5hp table saw, but if the fence isn't accurate, your saw isn't any good. Eventually, if you really get into this trade, you'll want to look at higher quality table saw like Powermatic or Delta with 220, instead of your normal 110 plug in. In my opinion biesmier or accufence "Same thing" are the best fence set ups on the market. I don't like the metal uni-fence.

You will find a million different opinions on what the "best" table saw is, but in the industry, the main ones that are used are Delta and Powermatic. We use them every day, so we need something dependable and very accurate.

Hgrays,

Hmm. Well, if you want a good quality saw that will work well and middle of the road pricing, you could go with a Jet. You want a saw that has legs to it. Don't get a bench top or you'll be wasting your money and you'll grow out of it real quick. When someone can afford to and has the space, the bigger saws, they have a 52" fence.

A biscut cutter?? I would have to say Porter Cable and Lamello are the two best. Porter Cable is more affordable and works like a charm.

See, I'm not married, but if I were, I would say, "Honey, there will be many new uses with this "Name of tool goes here", for me to make you things. The more tools I have, the more projects I can make for ya. LOL

Hgrays,

To reinforce what has already been pointed out, a table saw is the heart and soul of a woodworking shop. Spend the money on it now! If you buy a cheapo, you will be replacing it as soon as you realize just how inadequate it is. I started years ago with a near the "bottom of the line" Craftsman. It didn't take long for me to move up a bit. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!

I now have a Delta contractor model on a mobile base....sweet. If I had space for a stationary saw, I would get cabinet saw.

As for a miter saw, they're handy to have. I wouldn't want to discourage you from buying one, but if you can only buy one major tool, go for the table saw up front. Unless the piece I'm working with is really large, I use the table saw for most of my precision cross cuts.

Good luck,

Hgrays -

Omigod!! You're into computers too?? I got my first one in 1980 (remember CPM? It's pre-DOS. - lol)

Having that third garage will be wonderful. Everyone talks about mobility but it's also a PITA since setup and cleanup time can become obstacles. My money says that you'll soon have it set up pretty much as a permanent shop. My shop is in the garage but I took it over 15 yrs ago and it's "permanent". Here in CA, we don't have the weather extremes that require indoor parking. - lol

I don't think that the DeWalt is what you really need. DeWalt makes great tools, but that one sounds like their "portable" table saw and is meant for the contractor who will carry it from job site to job site. I'm suggesting a "contractors saw" which has legs and can be mounted on a roll-away stand.

Other than a full blown cabinet saw, nothing you'll buy will have a large table. Most contrators saws can be equipped with extension wings to give you a wider table and you'll also need some kind of separate outfeed table so long stock is supported as it comes off the saw. I have a workbench directly behind my table saw that doubles as my outfeed table and can easily handle 10' - 12' stock (if I clean off the junk).

You'll probably find that cutting full sheets of plywood is better done with a circular saw and a saw guide. I set up a platform on sawhorses and slide the plywood out of the pickup onto the platform, then rough cut it into manageable "chunks" then make my final cuts on the table saw. Mike (Sawdustguy) has both infeed and outfeed tables and can handle full sheets with ease (I've seen pictures of his shop). We peasants, however, have to be more creative. - lol

A miter saw is really handy, but probably wouldn't be in my list of the top five "most needed" tools. Depending on what you're doing, I would think that a band saw or drill press should be next. (See, it's starting already. :eek: )

If you'll shoot me an email (Dave_D@sbcglobal.net), I'll be happy to send you some pix of my garage setup. It's been thru many iterations over the years but it's actually pretty efficient. Last year, I started my woodworking business and have done some pretty substantial projects in it. If Mike offers pix of his shop, I urge caution...........drool can play havoc with your keyboard. :D

Well, getting back to the original answer, the system I use to get tools is this: I decide what new tool I want, then I sell the wife on a project that requires it, then I buy the material, and then I finally tell her I can't finish the project without the new tool. Works great for me, she doesn't get quite as upset when she sees it will benefit her :D

Ive seen Dave's setup and it is damn nice, if I may say so myself. (Can I say damn?). Im envious. I have to go with the 'put up and tear down' route everytime I need to use my old craftsman TS..but that saw works for me. Just need a better fense for it. I often think Id like a newer one, but cant justify the expense vs usage of it, so that upgrade is on the back burner. If I had a 3rd garage..or even just a garage, that might be another story.
Im always interested in other's setups...so I can dream on. Hey Mike, I'd like to drool.
Buying tools reminds me of an old Tim Allen routine he's done as a standup, about buying tools. It was quite funny! Got down to him just backing up a truck to the store's loading dock and had them load everything in it.. lmao!
Hope this is permitted....http://www.rascalscomedyclub.com/winmedia/tim_allen.htm
.
But Dave's idea of seeking your projects out 1st will help determine what you will need.
.
I started out by building 2 night stands with 3 draws ea by only using a circular saw. So you dont need to go BIG to get the job done.

Ive seen Dave's setup and it is damn nice, if I may say so myself. (Can I say damn?).

Just to keep everybody happy, try and say darn next time! :eek:


Buying tools reminds me of an old Tim Allen routine he's done as a standup, about buying tools. It was quite funny! Got down to him just backing up a truck to the store's loading dock and had them load everything in it.. lmao!
Hope this is permitted....http://www.rascalscomedyclub.com/winmedia/tim_allen.htm

Getting a little bit off topic, but funny nonetheless. :rolleyes:

Well, maybe a little off the topic, but kinda relates to what tools to by for what is needed rather than buying everything at once...that may not be needed for a specific project.

Jatco,

A word of advice:

They're getting really strict on people staying "on topic", so please becareful on what you say. They have been known to ban people for getting off topic.

Over the past 5 years, I've built my shop slowly, tool after machine after tool, etc. I still have a little bit more to go with mine. I'm looking at buying an edgebander this year. It should really increase how quick I'm able to get projects done.

Thanks for the compliment on my table saw set up Dave. Ya, it's great having so much space, but I also pay for it too. :wall:

In certain ways, I do miss working out of my home. Especially the travel time now. I have a 40 min hike each day.

If someone is going to spend their money on something and are willing to spend some extra bucks, I would definately put it into the table saw. Properly taking care of a quality table saw, will leave you with the same table saw working great 20,30, etc years from now.

If someone does a lot of Solid Wood, I would recommend a good jointer too. It isn't always the person behind the saw, as good, accurate machinery certainlly helps a great deal too. If you're looking for "Quality Machinery" stick with Powermatic, Delta, and Jet. Tools and power tools, Porter Cable is great for sanders and routers. Miter/Chop Saws, DeWalt is great too. I have the 12" Double Compound and I have no complaints about it at all.

Ok........ :eek:

Thanks guys for the advice. I think that based on the project list I have right now for the new home, a table saw would probably be the next tool to purchase. I don't want to break the bank, but I also want to get something decent. I took a look at some of the recent tool reviews in a couple of woodworking magazines and a few reasonably priced models from General and Grizzly got top marks for value. In general, it seems the fence is always the number one complaint about any value priced table saw. Of course, I've also learned that you can upgrade about anything you want on a table saw, even with after market products. That's something I really never knew about tools, but is common place with things like computers. So it seems you can go value on the main saw for example and upgrade the fence (and also the blade) and have a pretty darn good table saw. The router I got was the Bosch 1617 dual base variable speed model. It got reasonably good reviews in the research I did and was a little cheaper than the Porter-Cable model of the same speed. I hope it was a good decision.

Right now, I'm reading everything I can about these tools so I have a good basis of understanding. I bought a book on routers ("Woodworking with the Router") and tables saws, as well as one on trim carpentry since I'll be doing a fair amount of that.

Thanks again for all the help.

Here's the thing,

Just because people sell "After Market" parts for something, doesn't mean it's necessarily a better value. After Market parts aren't specifically designed by the manufacturer. Sure, you can find parts from the same manufacturer, but you'll probably end up spending more in the long run, "patching" to make it better than you would have if you would have spent the money one time and one time only. Out of any tool in your shop, the table saw is the most important.

In regard to your router of choice, as long as it accepts 1/4" and 1/2" bits, you'll be fine. You will find that not all profiles are available in both 1/4" and 1/2". Some only come in either or.

Agreed. There's undoubtedly a point at which an upgraded component doesn't add value vs a higher priced (and better) base unit. I guess my point was (and I could be wrong) is that as you move up in price, there's an increase in quality among all the components of the saw. If, however, you could find one component in particular that made a significant impact on the saw's produced results and upgraded that component, you might be in as good a shape as if you spent more on a saw that was generally better quality overall. To me, it's like building a computer in which you sacrifice processor speed for more memory. More RAM will generally add more value results wise than a faster processor. So you load up on RAM vs spending top dollar for the latest and greatest processor. Perhaps, however, it just doesn't work that way with table saws and thus shows what a newbie I am. :confused: It helps to discuss these things though since it increases my chances of making a good buying decision. :thumbup:

Hgrays -

Don't beat yourself up too much with a decision making process. Your computer analogy is good but it's not really applicable to table saws. Computer technology moves so fast that you're looking at an upgrade every few years - no matter how much RAM you have or which processor you're using.

Even an "average" table saw will last a lifetime if you take the time to set it up right and take reasonably good care of it. As your skills grow, you may find yourself looking into an upgrade (maybe a better fence) but by then you'll have a much better idea of what you really need.

Unlike a computer, even an "average" table saw will have some resale value a few years from now. :)