Beginners Tool Kit!

[Cliffmeister2000]

A plunge router is used to start cutting within the area of the wood, rather than starting from the edge. Plunge routers vary greatly in their ability to do what they were designed to do. Some cheap ones bind, or don't slide down evenly.

Porter Cable and others make routers with multiple bases. Best of both worlds, in my opinion.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... DcQ8gIwBA#

[Vindi_andy]

Not read all this thread (sorry seemed a lot to wade through) and not started my build yet but do loads of odd jobs round the house and built a kitcar.

One thing, or rather 2 things, I found invaluable were 2 cordless drills one decent quailty one with 2 batteries and a fast 1 hour charger bought when on sale at half price, for drilling holes, and 1 not as good but still reasonable quality again with 2 batteries and charger, to use as a screwdriver. Also Im greedy so I have a third with a countersink/ counterbore bit in it, this is a right angle drill which is useful for getting into tight corners. These were all bought at bigbox type stores during the sales

I know someone said a corded drill for drilling holes But i find a cordless easier as you dont end up with the cable caught up

Drill bits I would always buy quality one but then I have been drilling a lot of steel making the car but as has been said before Buy cheap buy twice. Same with saw blades, cheap ones go blunt very quickly then dont cut as clean

[Changer]

What is everyone's opinion on the Dremel Trio and Multimax?

[Alfred]

I just did a search to find this thread again. I am wondering if it should be a sticky perhaps?
Very useful to newbie AL, trying to decide which tools to buy. My current list of tools on hand, more or less:
3 Hammers
1 electric screwdriver (Dang, where's the charger?)
Needle nosed pliers
4 adjustable wrenches
Hex key set (I know I'll use it some day)
Mallet (I think its with the camping gear)
Pocket multi-tool thing I got for 99-cents at flea mart
Vice grips
Super Glue (Where is it? Oh, I think the Wife has this upstairs somewhere)
Partially used tubes of JB Weld
Duct tape
Two rolls black electrical tape
Bungee cords
Razor blade box cutter (no blades)
4 tape measures
Jig saw with drywall blade
Hack saw
One big level, one small level
3 wrenches from an old wrench set (Where are all the others)
One electric drill (The corded kind)
A few mismatched drill bits (Can't find the chuck key)
One cheap staple gun
One half used can WD-40 (Lost the red straw)
Umm, did I mention I have duct tape?
I mean, pretty much up to now, I could do most of what I needed to do with the hammer, duct tape, adjustable wrench, super glue...
So, I have a ways to go.
AL.

Please let me know when you start your build. I want to watch your build, using those tools.

Revisiting this thread, from my early post 3 years ago, in November 2007...

Gage, was right of course, one cannot build a TD with the tools I had on hand. Over the past three years, I have purchased as necessary:

Table saw
Skill saw (power saw/hand saw)
Miter Saw (chop saw)
Variable speed cordless drill
Electric palm sander (wore out two of these from Harbor Freight, buy better quality)
Replaced 2nd palm sander with Random Orbital Sander from Lowes.
Belt sander (borrowed one, would be good to have one)
Router (it was fun learning how to use this)
Clamps, clamps, clamps
Drop light
Multiplug power strip

I'll check in again in 3 years, and let you know if there are any more....



AL in Asheville

[sahaanco]

The tool i used the most was a cordless 1/4 inch impact driver it made putting screws in easy no more stripped heads.

[lcr1000]

#



I must be spoiled
as a general builder electrician my workshop is very well equiped
1,engineering side -- mig welder ,metal bandsaw, oxy acetylene. grinders chop saw metal, milling machine and lathe.vertical drill
2, woodworking--- circular saw, radial arm saw ,chop saw, combination saw/paner/ router table,band saw,12"disc sander,| assortment of routers .jig saw, combi vertical drill with swivel head.various cordless drills pocket hole jig,etc
also the usual hand tools to many to list

but remember its ok having all this equipment as long as you know how to use it and use it safely ie saftey glasses,guards, push sticks etc














9

[campmaster-k]

I am a tool junkie. Now having said that I think that there are some tools you just have to have if you build tears. A good combo chop/miter saw. Several tape measures. Two decent cordless drivers w/extra batts on the chargers. And lots of fresh bits both for drilling and driving.

[bobsmyuncle]

Excellent list

Just to put this out there, there are lots of widows, retirees, and guys who bought on impulse that never made it into a shop that have old Shopsmiths.

While not the best of table saws, they're a lot better than the $250 table saws. For around $500, you can normally get a good set that includes table saw, drill press / horizontal borer, disk sander, and lathe. Often there will be a jointer, bandsaw, and/or belt sander. Also likely to find some tooling such as bits and blades.

[quote="afreegreek"][/quote]

[Todah Tear]

You might also take a stroll through a few pawn shops. I once got a jig saw from a pawn shop that lasted about 8 years. Pawn shops usually only take things that work.

Todah

[STORMRIDER151]

I got a rockwell jaw horse on ebay. I also got the work station and plywood attachments. It's quickly becoming my favorite tool.

[chocy]

Everybody will have their own ideas of what you need for basic woodworking.
Gage has it pretty well covered... Although I'd buy a cheap router before a Rotozip?

Here is what I like to have at hand... more or less in order of preference:

Power tools...
Jig saw (saber saw)
Cordless drill & bits
Random orbit sander
Skill Saw & carbide combo blade
(make your own saw guide)

Nice, but not absolutely necessary:
Pocket hole jig
Table saw
Belt sander
Routers:
Trim router
Plunge router

Hand tools...
Tape measure
Hammer
Screw drivers
Combination square
Carpenters square
Clamps (check Harbor Freight)
Cargo straps

Nice, but not absolutely necessary:
Wood chisels
Block Plane
Cabinet scrapers
Miter box & saw
Small fine tooth trim saw
Quick change pilot drill & driver for cordless drill

A basic electrical kit:
Wire cutter, electrical pliers, circuit tester,
wire stripper, crimper pliers, wire nuts, etc.

If you have a compressor?
A couple small nail guns are nice:
Brad gun shoots up to 1-1/2 in.
Trim gun shoots 1-1/2 up to 3 in.

Also nice to have, but getting spendy:
Lunchbox planer
Bandsaw
Stationary sander, 6" x 48" belt
Jointer for straightening boards
Dado blade set for TS
Router table

Glue & adhesives
Titebond II or III - PVA glue
PL Urethane adhesive (in a caulk tube)

A few tips...
Planes & chisels need to be SHARP!
Here's how: http://www.shavings.net/SCARY.HTM
Making a Circular saw guide:
http://www.members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm

I use LOTS of "sheetrock screws" and keep an
assoortment on hand from 1 in. to 3 in. sizes.

As you can see... You can quickly get into second mortgage
time buying tools! I buy a lot of mine used from Pawn shops,
garage & estate sales and even flea markets occasionally.
But, I know what I'm looking for. I only buy name brand tools
like Porter Cable, DeWalt, Bosch, Milwaulkee, etc. that are in like
new condition... Still you can save 50% or more this way.

Too bad you are so far away. I have gobbs of tools and need
to unload some of the duplicates and extras I don't use.

Have fun with it... and good luck!

As a beginner, I really have no idea where to begin...and I'm always trying to consider how much will I spend, you know, when buying all the tools you need, that always is the most expensive part of the project. This will really help me a lot. Glad to find this, nice tool kit list. Thanks!

[RandyG]

Tears just happen to be the perfect project for me. I acquired many tools from previous jobs and projects. I don't think I'll have to buy anything but materials!

[artfd]

I scanned the whole thread & didn't find the following listed:
angle grinder
This will cut or grind almost anything, depending on the cutting wheels you attach. An essential tool for a homeowner IMHO. I didn't buy one for myself until late in life & kick myself for not doing so years earlier. I combine mine with a foot switch so that I can devote my hands completely to holding & controlling the grinder, while my foot switches it off & on.

[Cliffmeister2000]

You are right! I used my angle grinder quite a bit on my build!

[webbaldo]

Just made this tool add-on as I thought it would help. Its an offset router base. Considering the amount of plywood i'll be rounding off I thought this would help.

They are commercially available but with a bit of 1/2" perspex and a knob off an old wood plane it was easy to make! I now only lose 3/8 off the available plunge depth, but the extra stability working on edging is well worth it.