Anyone else have a poor man's shop?

We don't care what you have or what you don't have when it comes to tools.
Just bring your enthusiasm and interest in working wood and making something
with it - any way you desire.

You will be surprised at what some of the talent that hangs around here uses
for tools and turn out masterpieces and pieces of art that will blow you
away.

Welcome to the wRECk Bob... (this place is becoming a regular village of
Bob's.....no, we won't go there...)

Bob S.

A poor man's shop is quite different than a frugal mans shop which is what I
have. I get all my equipment used from estate sales and auctions. I'm lucky
to live in an are where there are alot of both. Got a Unisaw for 275.00 (Just
had to add a fence and scrub a little). All hand planes, routers (2 PC, 1
Crapsman), marking gauges, knives, chisels, hand saws, etc were all under 40.00
( hand tools mostly under 20.00). Got a Bosch SCM saw for 75.00 (Needed a new
plug). The list goes on.

On the other hand, I had to do without a Drill Press for 5 months until I
scored with a Delta for 45.00. This is the case, and although I spend very
little money for my toys, I have to do without until I get them. I have
collected all these things over a 3 yr period.

I do buy cheap on occasion. Clamps especially, because I can't do without
them. Mostly HF and such. The 2.75 build-your-own pipe clamp is a staple in
my shop. As well as many shop made jigs to keep costs down.

All in all I have what many would consider an above average shop. Nothing
nearly as nice as a pro's, but when you walk in you feel as if its quite a bit
more than a hobbyists. To my delight and also my wife's, it all came at a cost
of a little time, some ability to fix broken things and keeping my eyes open.
Its still very possible to set up shop this way.

Google Poster wrote:

>
> In the family I married into we have 5 men between 20-30.
> All in the home building stage of life.
> It is off that we have all purchased houses that needed some attention
> and all of us (bar 1). For tools.. we informally (men would *never*
> plan) take stoke of ALL of our tools and will try not to duplicate
> anything major. That does not always happen though - men and tools, I
> now own three drills.


I've been thinking about this and it occurs to me this is how
communities use to be. That is, before the great disposable income and
toy collection race.

This is going back decades, it seems that everyone would have their
basic tools and one quality communal tool, not that the communal tool
would be passed around but if someone really needed to use it they knew
where they could get access. The tools owner would usually be the one
running it because it is *his* tool. I remember Dad loading up tools and
taking off for a day.

Now we don't even know our neighbors names let alone being philanthropic
with time or trusting them with our equipment.


Poster, I'm envious. You have 4 people you can go to for help in one
form or another. My extended family , let me say they aren't at all handy.







--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens,
A.K.A. Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the
suspense. (Gaz, r.moto)

Bob wrote:
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.

I don't know if you're a turner, yet, but come over and listen in at
rec.crafts.woodturning for a little while. We've always got the tools
vs user argument going. The other week it was $3000 lathes vs powered
apple corers. You'll also recognize alot of the people.
Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/

Bob,
I think, in some respects, it's a glass half-full/half-empty situation.
Each of us here
had to start somewhere and "poor" is just a state-of-mind when it comes to
woodworking. There are always better (and more expensive) tooling to equip
one's shop with. In that respect alone, I have a poor man's shop. Hell, if
I could just win the lottery, I would have one of everything (plug in your
favorite brand) from Delta, or Griz or Powermatic, or...well you get the
picture. There are Normites and Neanders here and one man's junque is
another's treasure. It all involves time. And commitment. Yes, a
top-of-the-line tool may make the job go quicker, maybe hold tolerance a
lot better and may outlast a less expensive tool, but the quality of
*your work* depends on *you*. Sometimes you just got to make do.

Best Regards,
Philski

Bob wrote:

> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

I'll bite: how do you manage a pipe clamp at $2.50.

Lamont

[email protected] (GBsCards) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

> I do buy cheap on occasion. Clamps especially, because I can't do without
> them. Mostly HF and such. The 2.75 build-your-own pipe clamp is a staple in
> my shop. As well as many shop made jigs to keep costs down.

I know what you mean.

Somehere, out there, is a Delta Unisaw with a bessimer fence calling my name.

I just can't seem to FIND it.

Lamont
"Ken Mattsson" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Bob" <[email protected]> kirjoitti viestissä
> news:[email protected]...
>
> clip...
> > for my paintings, but the tools just kept calling out to me-- "you
> > need me". ....clip
>
> Oh yes, I´ve heard the voice of the Sirenes too, trust me! =O))
>
> Ken
>
> P.S. Sorry, but I just couldn´t resist posting this=)

Sounds like you live in a dreamworld to me. Router? Bandsaw? I wish!

I have:
- Ryobi non-compound miter saw (the cheapest one from HD)
- Skil circular saw (the cheapest one from HD)
- B&D 7.2V VersaPak crappy drill (the cheapest one from HD).
- Craftsman scrolling jigsaw ($5 at a yard sale)
- used Craftsman contractor table saw (actually this is a great saw with
major upgrades)
- Wilton palm sander (weird thing shaped like an iron with velcro sandpaper)

Except for the table saw, I don't think that I spent over $200 for all of
them combined.

Mind you that I read catalogs and drool a lot. But, like they say, "it's the
poor musician that blames his instrument".


codepath




"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

Well, it hasn't been said here yet, so I will say it. Most tools
(unless they are outright junk)today FAR exceed the skills of the
people that use them. Tools do not make the carpenter, woodworker,
etc. any more than a good set of brushes make a Van Gogh. Good tools
help do a better job, but still, like your computer, you probably use
any given tool at 10% of its capability. Do you think that Duncan
Phyfe needed a table saw that you could balance currency on to make
his beautiful tables,chairs and buffets?

I learned to make kitchen cabinets in the mid seventies with a
circular saw, router, and a jig saw. No, they were not raised panel,
but the old "half-lapped" doors on rail and stile carcasses. Hand
nailed everything too, since compressors and nailers were for "the
hacks that couldn't drive a nail". (Actually, they were just so damn
expensive we couldn't afford the guns.)

All of my early habits stayed with me, and I don't need a shop full of
tools, even being a specialty carpentry contractor. I still make
solid door frames for outside doors on site out of 2x6 and mortise out
the head rail frame piece and dado out the thickness of the door with
my circular saw. A great blade, a good saw, sander, and chisel and
you are in business. Small cabinets are made on site as well on my saw
horses. I do use a router now on the hinge mortises, but did it for
years with the chisel. There are a lot of us out there that are "on
site" carpenters that do things this way, and while all of us would
like more tools, none of us is stumped by not having one certain tool.

The best advice you could get has already been given. Join a club or
a group and learn to use the tools you have the best you can. Shared
information with others increases the learning curve a billion
percent. The side benefit is that you will know if you want to
upgrade what you like and don't like in each tool. The archives of
this rec also make a wonderful library of information.

Good luck! Remember that the average man has more wood working tools
in his garage than the old, *non-powered* crafstmen ever dreamed of...
yet somehow they turned out masterpieces.

Robert

Thanks for all the great replies. I dont feel so bad anymore.

I am actually very grateful for all the tools I have. My first project
was to build an 3' deep by 8' high case for holding painting canvases.
I constructed in on my knees in a gravel driveway, cutting the dadoes
with a heavy worm drive saw-- one kerf at a time. It was the worst 12
hours of my life- but ever since then I've been absolutely hooked.

I started out just intending to buy a miter box and saw to make frames
for my paintings, but the tools just kept calling out to me-- "you
need me". I will have about 900 to spend in Feb and Im going to make a
real decent Veritas workbench, the Workmate is just not doing it for
me (Ive allready broken the top), as I am 6'4". Should probably spend
the cash on a TS but I like the BS better, as its queiter for an
apartment dweller, its a 9" and I guess that will be big enough for a
while.

Again, great to be a part of this group. Thanks for all the welcomes.

Bob



"Ken Mattsson" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> During the time I was a full time student, I had a hard time getting
> materials and the like for model building (been a rc-plane building freak
> all my life=) and getting tools was also difficult. However, because I had
> done some building classes for children at a school nearby, I once heard
> they were getting rid of old stuff and that way I got a small benchtop drill
> press for nothing, just had to ask since they were going to throw them away.
> (mostly, of course, for my work simple hand tools will suffice)
>
> The thing was in a sorry state, had not been maintained at all I guess and
> it has a work table that has a lot of holes in it from students not
> elevating their material before drilling. But just cleaning it up and
> removing broken parts, getting a new drive belt, setting it up right, got me
> a drill press perfectly good enough for drilling in model airplanes. It sure
> helps getting perpendicular holes and runs very quietly, so I use it alot.
>
> So, I guess what I´m saying is, that it pays to ask around, you never know
> what you´ll find. Of course, those living near an industrial area may have
> an easier time finding old useful stuff. Nowadays I try to save money for as
> good equipment as I can afford. Still being a half-time student, that´s not
> alot after paying the usual monthly bills, but I do find nice deals
> sometimes, AND I haven´t stopped looking at flee markets and the like! :-)
>
> Cheers, Ken
> Finland

Mon, Jan 5, 2004, 5:07pm (EST-3) [email protected] (Bob) puts out:
<snip> Does anyone else have a similar setup?

Somewhat. You can go thru the tunes page, below, to my web page,
and then my shop page, for a description.

I deal with not a small amount of an inferiority complex hearing
everyone here talk about their great 20,000 dollar setups.
My stuff is all paid for, it works for me, I have no problems with
lack of expensive tools, or the fact that many of the people here have
more invested in one tool, than I have shop and tools combined. Altho,
I did acuire a very nice Delta planer a bit back, from a friend for the
cost of shipping. And, I would imagine a few have over $20,000 tied up.
Be nice if I had the resources for that, but I don't, and I don't let it
bother me.

I guess Id like to hear from some other poor saps out there.

I don't consider myself a poor sap. Up to you if you want to call
yourself that, just don't include me in it.

JOAT
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of
enthusiasm.
- Sir Winston Churchill

Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 5 Jan 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/

[email protected] (Bob) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...



So I'm not the only low budget wood worker out there. I live for last
years model, yard sale specials, and the refurbished power tool. Last
month I made my biggest purchase ever when I splurged $370 ( a product
return and on sale) for a 13" planer. Before that most things were
sub-$100 with the exception of the $190 (on sale) TS I bought last
year. When I go to Sears to look at tools I first go to the parts
department to see if there are any refurbished deals to be had. I'm
now in the market for a good, inexpensive joiner. "Good" and
"Inexpensive", are those terms mutually exclusive when talking about a
jointer?

Greg

Bob wrote:
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.

I started with similar tools, but fewer of them. They were fine to start
with; my errors were more than theirs.

Over time I upgraded to a good 1/2" plunge router and later a contractor
saw.

-- Mark

"Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Don't get to feeling special. I would willingly give good odds that, at a
> minimum, ninety five percent of everyone posting to this news group, no
> matter what they have now and including myself, started off the same way,
if
> not with even less.

Your odds are probably fairly good. There's always a few who have more
dollars than brains, who go out and spend thousands on <whatever> and then
abandon it because they tried to turn shit into gold. There's no substitute
for skill.

My fisrt tools were an old Gilbert Handyman kit, really not much more than a
toy, that my dad gave me when I was a kid. This was about 1978 or so, and
he'd had it since the 50's. The next was a B&D pad sander, and I still have
it. That was in 1982 or so. I was 12. I built a lot of "stuff" as a kid
using crappy old hand tools in my dad's basement.

I can't confess to being one of the poor, but I will say I'm frugal. I
inherited a lot of really solid old cast iron machinery in excellent shape,
and what I've bought, I've needed, and bought on sale or used, and heeded
the saying "buy once, cry once". While I don't discount the usefulness of
inexpensive tools for the hobby or occasional user, I feel that if I buy the
absolute best I can afford, and a bit more, and have that tool for a
lifetime, then whatever I paid for it was worth it.

The OP shouldn't need to have an inferiority complex, but should be able to
skillfully use what he has and can afford, and that will make all the
difference.

Jon E

"itto That "

Just a tip for you and other scroungers,
Get a list of your local glass and mirror shops and go got the crates that
their glass 7 mirror come in,
You will find some heavy duty pine and som real goodlooking stuff.
A crate of Glass or mirror is if i remmember correctly over 2000 lbs so the
crates are made real heavy duty.
Good pickingds for a wood scrounger
Good luck,
George

"Bob S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> We don't care what you have or what you don't have when it comes to tools.
> Just bring your enthusiasm and interest in working wood and making
something
> with it - any way you desire.
>
> You will be surprised at what some of the talent that hangs around here
uses
> for tools and turn out masterpieces and pieces of art that will blow you
> away.
>
> Welcome to the wRECk Bob... (this place is becoming a regular village of
> Bob's.....no, we won't go there...)
>
> Bob S.
>
>
>

Yeh, I am afraid so. How about a 1949 shopsmith 10ER ($300), $20(used) B&D
benchtop jigsaw, B&D miter saw from pawn shop($50-I think) and hirsch saw
table ($40-years ago) for a router table. So to answer your question, you
are not alone. Here is where it gets weird as far as myself. I could
theoretically afford better equipment....(SWMBO-would have to
approve)..........but I work about 10-16 hours per day in refrigeration
(commercial-type) and there is little time for hobbies. I do enjoy every
moment in the shop. Most time when I am reading this NG I am on call,
killing time waiting for the pager to go off..........and then it is to the
truck and heaven knows when I will get home. Untill this lifestyle changes I
can't see investing in high dollar stuff, just to watch it rust. Another
thing is that being a repairman........I can fix up any old tool and get by
with it. So possibly for different reasons......we both use about the same
quality tools. You must understand that Home Depot does not make all their
money on DeWalt etc. otherwise why would they carry the cheap stuff. BTW
just got a pickup truck load of free poplar boards 8/4 from a guy at
work.........to build window sash for my aunts house that is literally
falling in. Got it free cuz it is full of rough cut square nails. Going to
Biglots to get some cheap throw away carbide blades for the shopsmith. I
guess I will rip it down to size between service calls this week. I know you
don't know me .....................but trust me when I say we are not alone.
:-)
Lyndell

People should be judged by their ability to use what they have available,
rather than by the actual quality of their product. :-)


"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

Bob -

It took me a long time to accumulate my tools, and I bought the best I could
afford, new or used, as opportunities and cash came available.

Don't let your tools or your perception of them interfere with your work and
progress as a woodworker. I started out several years ago building a small
altar for my sister. I had an old arthritic 7" TS and little else... Yet
the project and satisfaction that started with that project have now
blossomed. My wife and I build furniture, small boxes and commissions for a
living.... There isn't yet quite enough work, but there is always more
coming in, so it is going in the right direction, and we are doing fine.

There was a post about a fellow here who was very talented and he used his
circular saw to cut dovetails... My advice is to learn as much as you can -
most WWers are self taught - and keep an eye to safety. If you really do
like the craft and the pleasure it brings, everything else will come along.
Using tools that are "entry level" (and don't take me wrong in using that
phrase) will give you the experience to REALLY know what you want and like
when you do get a nicer drill, saw, whatever. When I started out I *almost*
bought what I thought was GOD'S OWN tablesaw at Home Dopot for $400 because
I *thought* it was the creme-de-la-creme... But I held out until I learned
more. Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut...

As for having a shop full of... whatever.... that isn't as important as
being able to use what you have, regardless. A crappy woodworker could have
everything in the PM or Delta book and still not cut a square tight joint,
while someone that KNOWS what to do, or can figure it out could probably
build a Queen Anne Highboy with a, well, circular saw or that saw I almost
bought at HD. Tools *DON'T* take the place of good craft, but they DO make
it ALOT easier. Post some pics in ABPW if you're able - I'd love to see
your work. Good luck!

John Moorhead
Lakeport, CA.

PS: One thing I can tell you I *KNOW* you need is MORE CLAMPS... Scary,
huh? :0)

"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

Thanks for the tip George.
Bob my shop sounds like yours only my router table is home made and I =
have a HF scroll saw.

"George M. Kazaka" <[email protected]> wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
> "itto That "
>=20
> Just a tip for you and other scroungers,
> Get a list of your local glass and mirror shops and go got the crates =
that
> their glass 7 mirror come in,
> You will find some heavy duty pine and som real goodlooking stuff.
> A crate of Glass or mirror is if i remmember correctly over 2000 lbs =
so the
> crates are made real heavy duty.
> Good pickingds for a wood scrounger
> Good luck,
> George
>=20
> "Bob S." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%[email protected]...
> > We don't care what you have or what you don't have when it comes to =
tools.
> > Just bring your enthusiasm and interest in working wood and making
> something
> > with it - any way you desire.
> >
> > You will be surprised at what some of the talent that hangs around =
here
> uses
> > for tools and turn out masterpieces and pieces of art that will blow =
you
> > away.
> >
> > Welcome to the wRECk Bob... (this place is becoming a regular =
village of
> > Bob's.....no, we won't go there...)
> >
> > Bob S.
> >
> >
> >
>=20
>

On 06 Jan 2004 01:58:00 GMT, [email protected] (GBsCards) wrote:

>Got a Unisaw for 275.00 (Just
>had to add a fence and scrub a little).

Drive- By- !!

During the time I was a full time student, I had a hard time getting
materials and the like for model building (been a rc-plane building freak
all my life=) and getting tools was also difficult. However, because I had
done some building classes for children at a school nearby, I once heard
they were getting rid of old stuff and that way I got a small benchtop drill
press for nothing, just had to ask since they were going to throw them away.
(mostly, of course, for my work simple hand tools will suffice)

The thing was in a sorry state, had not been maintained at all I guess and
it has a work table that has a lot of holes in it from students not
elevating their material before drilling. But just cleaning it up and
removing broken parts, getting a new drive belt, setting it up right, got me
a drill press perfectly good enough for drilling in model airplanes. It sure
helps getting perpendicular holes and runs very quietly, so I use it alot.

So, I guess what I´m saying is, that it pays to ask around, you never know
what you´ll find. Of course, those living near an industrial area may have
an easier time finding old useful stuff. Nowadays I try to save money for as
good equipment as I can afford. Still being a half-time student, that´s not
alot after paying the usual monthly bills, but I do find nice deals
sometimes, AND I haven´t stopped looking at flee markets and the like! :-)

Cheers, Ken
Finland

> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.

In the family I married into we have 5 men between 20-30.
All in the home building stage of life.
It is off that we have all purchased houses that needed some attention
and all of us (bar 1). For tools.. we informally (men would *never*
plan) take stoke of ALL of our tools and will try not to duplicate
anything major. That does not always happen though - men and tools, I
now own three drills.
It was my *turn* last time so I purchased a nice Bosch router. We
share tools and trade sweat with each other while working on our
houses. At one of the houses we store most of our collective lumber.

I have grown in confidence and like to think my skill has increased.
Apart from the construction work in all the houses, I have made
several wooden toys, boxes and a couple of pieces of outdoor
furniture.

My wife likes the results and is saving pictures of furniture she
likes for future projects. She will also occasionaly watch norm
(actually the 1st minute and the finished result).
She now knows... if she wants XYZ furniture - I need ABC tool FIRST.

If I had $20000 dollars TODAY and spent it on tools - it would hamper
the learning experience. Not having all of the tools to hand NOW
makes you think a great deal about the task...That is SO IMPORTANT -
you need to come up with a strategy and plan your work. I believe
that makes the process more fulfilling and promotes safety. Within 6
months of starting out I had a close call with a circular saw. I now
will not take risks because I do not have a tool to hand. I learnt my
lesson and when I get a nice TS - it will get my respect (but not any
part of me!).

--
gp

[email protected] (Bob) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta.

You suck! I wish I had a bandsaur.

Aside from that you have about the same set up that I have (er, well I
have a DP and a lathe, so I guess that puts me ahead by one major
power tool :-).

With the exception of a ROS which my wife paid full price for,
everything else that I bought was either garage/estate sales or close
out sales where I got 20% or more off regular price.

Oh yeah (drive by Gloat coming), recently a relative on my wife's side
of the family decided to get rid of all his old tools from his
contracting days, and figured I could probably use them. So I have a
steady supply of hand tools and power hand tools that keep arriving in
dribs and drabs, every couple of weeks. (Now if I can just figure out
what to do 3 drywall screw guns.)

-Chris

Don't get to feeling special. I would willingly give good odds that, at a
minimum, ninety five percent of everyone posting to this news group, no
matter what they have now and including myself, started off the same way, if
not with even less.

--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

I have some real nice tools, and some that are barely adequate. I like
the real nice ones better ; ^ )

getting stuff at garage sales doesn't mean you're buying junk. a lot
of my tools were purchased used, including the real nice ones.
Bridger





On 5 Jan 2004 17:07:42 -0800, [email protected] (Bob) wrote:

>I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
>some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
>line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
>tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
>bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
>all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
>sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
>Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
>of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
>20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
>saps out there.
>
>Bob
>
>If I were a rich man,
>All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

Bob wrote:
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.

You're definitely not alone. I have some good, some cheap.

- Ryobi 180PL Router w/ self built table
- Ryobi 10" benchtop drillpress
- Ryobi 5" ROS
- Ryobi finish sander
- Ryobi 18V drill w/ only 1 working battery
- PC laminate trimmer
- Freud biscuit joiner
- Skil 7 1/4" circular saw
- Skil jigsaw
- Makita LS1013 10" SCMS (I love this saw!)
- Skil 10" benchtop table saw
- floor standing belt/disc sander ($100 from my uncle)
- Ryobi 10" benchtop surface planer (long term loan from my dad)
- Ryobi 6" (?) benchtop jointer (also on loan from my dad)

All this in a 12x22 foot oddly shaped shop.

I built it up over time. My next major purchase will be a bandsaw
(getting tired of driving to my parents to use my dad's), and then I
will probably upgrade the table saw.

I'd love to have the setups some people here have, but I'm just in this
as a hobby. Never made a dime at it, so it's kinda hard to justify
spending thousands of dollars on equipment.

...Mike

On 5 Jan 2004 17:07:42 -0800, [email protected] (Bob) wrote:

>Does anyone else have a similar setup?

No, they're all different.

I've got no money these days. When I did last have some, I sunk it
into more of the job-holding-up consumables (abrasives, fixings,
finishes) than I'd ever run out of, a really good cabinet saw, and
every bit of decent timber that's ever offered to me at a bargain
price. Seems to be working out for me.

>I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
>saps out there.

I helped build windsor chairs last year. We had drawknives and
home-made drawhorses. Made some nice chairs too.

--
Smert' spamionam

[email protected] wrote:

> But, like they say,
> "it's the poor musician that blames his instrument".

;-) Within reason. I've seen children's guitars with necks so warped you'd
need a Bessy to press any of the strings down on the first fret... <g> A
friend's music store always took children's guitars in trade, and *always*
smashed them in the back alley.

-- Mark

"Bob" <[email protected]> kirjoitti viestissä
news:[email protected]...

clip...
> for my paintings, but the tools just kept calling out to me-- "you
> need me". ....clip

Oh yes, I´ve heard the voice of the Sirenes too, trust me! =O))

Ken

P.S. Sorry, but I just couldn´t resist posting this=)

lamontcranston wrote:
> I'll bite: how do you manage a pipe clamp at $2.50.

HF sometimes goes that low. Cheapest now is $2.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?categoryid=222&pricetype=S&categoryname=PIPE%20CLAMPS

-- Mark

"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.

It's not what you put into it Bob. It's what you get out of it. If you are
happy with a chisel and a piece of scrap, by all means, enjoy your craft.
SH
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...

Don't let price of tools get to you, my best most used plane is a 2 dollar
Russian made plane that I have spent a few hours "fixing up" it's a piece of
junk but does well for what I want it to do. I started out with a skill
brand skill saw, a b&d yellow saber saw and 3/8" drill. I now have one
wall of my shop with tools valued at about 20 grand hanging around on it,
about 15 grand of them are tools that I have picked up for free and their
only function is to hang around and look pretty. It has taken 30+ years to
get them there so I leave them and every once in a while I find a use for
one of them. Many of my tools are scrounged and it has only been in the
past few years that I have bought with out looking so hard at the budget.
You will get there when you need to get there so on the way enjoy the tools
you have and learn how to use them, it's 3/4 of the fun.
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have recently gotten into woodworking and while I have purchased
> some nice hand tools, most of my power tools are the bottom of the
> line, 100 bucks or less variety. I have a router/table, miter saw, and
> tabletop table saw all from the entry level Ryobi line, and I just
> bought a 9" bandsaw by Delta. My drill motor, sander, and jigsaw are
> all Firestorm combos, most of my other stuff Ive gotten at garage
> sales. My wood I look around the local recycling yard for.
>
> Does anyone else have a similar setup? I deal with not a small amount
> of an inferiority complex hearing everyone here talk about their great
> 20,000 dollar setups. I guess Id like to hear from some other poor
> saps out there.
>
> Bob
>
> If I were a rich man,
> All day long Id be a dee-dee dum...