I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
guitar (for starters)
I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my dad suggested I
would also need a joiner as well and a planer. Now, I don't care to do
things "the old fashioned way" but that first chest is looking mighty
expensive.
What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project as
the chest? I was going through some of the old messages here with
Google Groups and many recommended a good table saw, contractor
quaility. I would like to hear any recommendations on one of these as
well, preferably one that is dirt cheap with exceptionally high quality.
:) (I'm willing to bend on both sides of that a little)
Richard
A TS, router and drill press will suffice. You can buy wood S2S1E which
gives you a board that is the thickness you want and it has a joined edge
(straight). With a good blade, you can make glue joints on the table saw.
You may find you need chisels (Stanley 60's are pretty good), oil stone and
leather strop (with sharpening compound), hammer, a decent old hand plane,
rasp, . . . . .
OBTW, you can't buy the S2S1E at a borg, you need a real hardwood lumber
company.
"Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446@okepread01...
> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
> basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
> build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
> guitar (for starters)
>
> I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my dad suggested I
> would also need a joiner as well and a planer. Now, I don't care to do
> things "the old fashioned way" but that first chest is looking mighty
> expensive.
>
> What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project as
> the chest? I was going through some of the old messages here with
> Google Groups and many recommended a good table saw, contractor
> quaility. I would like to hear any recommendations on one of these as
> well, preferably one that is dirt cheap with exceptionally high quality.
> :) (I'm willing to bend on both sides of that a little)
>
> Richard
Buy what you need when you need it and don't break the bank doing it because
there will be any number of unforeseen other things coming up that you will
have to get. Like wood, finishes, GOOD measuring tools, sharpening
equipment, dust collection, shop vac,etc..
You may not want to do things the "old fashion way" but unless "your daddy's
rich and your mama's good looking" (summer time and the living is easy?) you
are going to have to, like, put up with it and also put with some tools that
many would consider undesirable. I.E. a bench top table saw.
If you are in the same boat most are in if you start a project and then have
to wait every step of the way until you have the best tool you can get to do
the next step you'll be having grandkids by the time that project is
finished. Only the wealthy don't have to make compromises on tools,
You are also going to have to do a fair amount of study. You figure you need
a table saw and a router, you dad says maybe a jointer and planer. I expect
you know what a table saw's primary function is but do you know the
difference between bench top, various levels of contractors saws, cabinet
saw, hybrids? Do you know what the primary functions are of a jointer Vs a
planer? Do you know what tools are
available as viable options for those tools?
People can give you what they consider "must have tools" all day long but
unless you have the knowledge to evaluate those suggestions in light of your
own circumstances you will end up a confused and unhappy camper.
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446@okepread01...
> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
> basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
> build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
> guitar (for starters)
>
> I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my dad suggested I
> would also need a joiner as well and a planer. Now, I don't care to do
> things "the old fashioned way" but that first chest is looking mighty
> expensive.
>
> What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project as
> the chest? I was going through some of the old messages here with
> Google Groups and many recommended a good table saw, contractor
> quaility. I would like to hear any recommendations on one of these as
> well, preferably one that is dirt cheap with exceptionally high quality.
> :) (I'm willing to bend on both sides of that a little)
>
> Richard
> If you are in the same boat most are in if you start a project and then
have
> to wait every step of the way until you have the best tool you can get to
do
> the next step you'll be having grandkids by the time that project is
> finished. Only the wealthy don't have to make compromises on tools,
The operative word is/was "afford" ...
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/13/04
Richard A. wrote:
> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few
> of the basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw.
> I would like to build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever
> and maybe later an electric guitar (for starters)
>
> I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my dad
> suggested I would also need a joiner as well and a planer.
> Now, I don't care to do things "the old fashioned way" but
> that first chest is looking mighty expensive.
Richard...
You have some good basics; but the choices really depend on where
you want to go with your woodworking. I'd like to offer one more
approach to answering your question.
Check local adult education offerings for woodworking courses. A
fair number of high schools make their well-equipped shops
available for adult ed; and enrolling in such a course would
provide you with the opportunity to build that chest with good
tools and experienced guidance. This would enable you to answer
your own question in terms of your particular woodworking
interests. That way when you buy your tools you'll know that the
choices are exactly right for /you/.
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
In article <[email protected]>,
"Lowell Holmes" <[email protected]> wrote:
> A TS, router and drill press will suffice. You can buy wood S2S1E which
> gives you a board that is the thickness you want and it has a joined edge
> (straight). With a good blade, you can make glue joints on the table saw.
>
> You may find you need chisels (Stanley 60's are pretty good), oil stone and
> leather strop (with sharpening compound), hammer, a decent old hand plane,
> rasp, . . . . .
for the handplane and chisels, start looking at garage sales and trade
places and flea markets, estate sales, etc. I got some very decent
japanese chisels(5 for 2.50$) much better quality then the ones at home
hardware or whatever for 19.95$. same strategy for plane, also try used
tool shops; pawn shops specializing in tools usually.
We ended up getting a very decent old general table saw(no frills like a
fence that tells you the cut width, or guards or splitters) but it was
200$, and is good solid cast iron certainly better quality then anything
we could have got new for the 200$.
try looking in buy and sell magazines(I don't know what they may be
called where you live) but they often have tools in them.
for sharpening try an old appliance store, get a motor from them, and
then get a grey wheel, usually about 10$ attach it on and you have a
grinder, almost exactly the same as the free one I have for sharpening
turning tools.
> OBTW, you can't buy the S2S1E at a borg, you need a real hardwood lumber
> company.
>
>
> "Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446@okepread01...
> > I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
> > basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
> > build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
> > guitar (for starters)
> >
> > I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my dad suggested I
> > would also need a joiner as well and a planer. Now, I don't care to do
> > things "the old fashioned way" but that first chest is looking mighty
> > expensive.
> >
> > What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project as
> > the chest? I was going through some of the old messages here with
> > Google Groups and many recommended a good table saw, contractor
> > quaility. I would like to hear any recommendations on one of these as
> > well, preferably one that is dirt cheap with exceptionally high quality.
> > :) (I'm willing to bend on both sides of that a little)
> >
> > Richard
"Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446
@okepread01:
> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
> basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
> build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
> guitar (for starters)
> What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project as
> the chest?
It depends an awful lot on how fancy you want to make the chest. Mike
Dunbar wrote an article for Fine Woodworking a couple of years back
on building a classic blanket chest with handtools - you might see if
you can get that (library?) to see what one approach would be (as I
recall, he used a jack plane, a rabbet plane, a bowsaw, a block plane,
a drill and a screwdriver. And a hammer)(*)
The other extreme, of course, would be to make the chest out of some
rare wood that can only be bought rough-sawn, with ornate mouldings
& decoration. For that you'd need a ton of tools. So I guess what
I'm saying is pick the project, and then get the tools it needs (which
is pretty much what Swingman said). Thus, for instance, you wouldn't
need to get a bandsaw until you actually get ready to start the guitar.
John
(* I built one of these, just for fun, using "whitewood" from the
borg. Came out looking pretty decent, better than I expected).
John McCoy <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> "Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446
> @okepread01:
>
>> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
>> basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like
>> to build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an
>> electric guitar (for starters)
>
>> What tools would you consider the minimum needed for such a project
>> as the chest?
>
> It depends an awful lot on how fancy you want to make the chest. Mike
> Dunbar wrote an article for Fine Woodworking a couple of years back
> on building a classic blanket chest with handtools - you might see if
> you can get that (library?) to see what one approach would be (as I
> recall, he used a jack plane, a rabbet plane, a bowsaw, a block plane,
> a drill and a screwdriver. And a hammer)(*)
>
> The other extreme, of course, would be to make the chest out of some
> rare wood that can only be bought rough-sawn, with ornate mouldings
> & decoration. For that you'd need a ton of tools. So I guess what
> I'm saying is pick the project, and then get the tools it needs (which
> is pretty much what Swingman said). Thus, for instance, you wouldn't
> need to get a bandsaw until you actually get ready to start the
> guitar.
>
> John
>
> (* I built one of these, just for fun, using "whitewood" from the
> borg. Came out looking pretty decent, better than I expected).
>
If you want a somewhat fancier heirloom chest with your hand tools, get a
copy of the most recent Fine Woodworking, and see what Chris Gochnour did
with hand tools.
It's a step up from the Mike Dunbar project, for when you're ready.
By the way, you mentioned your dad telling you that some pretty good sized
power tools were needed. Any chance he has any of these, and you could do
some of the first projects together?
My dad was/is an enthusiastic golfer. I was 30 before I got interested
enough to have my own set of clubs, and 40, before I bought my own, new.
The minimum standard for gear, woodworking or golf, varies greatly by
talent, available time, available cash flow, space, projects and your
physical condition.
Another recommendation: See if you can thumb through a copy of Lon
Schleining's book "Treasure Chests". Hundreds of great ideas.
Patriarch
Andy Dingley <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 22:31:04 GMT, patriarch
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Another recommendation: See if you can thumb through a copy of Lon
>>Schleining's book "Treasure Chests". Hundreds of great ideas.
>
> What do people reckon to this book ? I really liked it when I first
> read it, but I've started to wish that some of the modern work was
> better done. Are these really the best examples that could be found ?
> I'm thinking in particular of the one on the cover, or the "Grand
> Voyager" chet that looks like the worst of the "plywood & poly"
> school.
>
I look at this book as a compendium of 'places people put their worldly
treasures', often when they were traveling, or in less than settled
circumstances. They are also very often intergenerational gifts, either
intended so from their creation, or by tradition.
Very few were created by graduates of North Bennett Street, or College of
the Redwoods, but mostly by folks who did other things to keep body and
soul together. They are more works of the heart, than works of art.
My tuppence, is all. That's why it appeals to me.
Patriarch
Andy Dingley <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> You can build an ocean-crossing ship with an adze and an axe.
Ignoring St Brendan's coracle for a moment, I'm inclined to think
you'd also need some means of making holes - an auger - in order
to fasten it all together.
Not that that takes anything away from the point you were making.
John
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 07:35:06 -0500, "Richard A." <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
>basic tools
You can build an ocean-crossing ship with an adze and an axe.
If you want a chest, why not go for the archaic medievalist route and
do it all (or nearly all) with hand tools ? Six-board chests are
easy, clamp-fronted chests are attractively medieval. You can do
either with almost no investment in tools.
>I figured I would need a table saw and a router
Cheap table saws are a good route to dissatisfaction. Save money from
everything else and put it into a decent table saw.
You don't need planers and jointers. Not having them just puts up the
timber costs, because you buy it at a more "finished" level. You can
manage without.
--
Smert' spamionam
Mike's advice, IMO, is excellent and "sort of" the way I got
started myself. The only "big" mistake I've ever made was
the purchase of a wood lathe many years ago: I wanted it so
bad I could taste it, was a new homeowner, and had all sorts
of ideas for projects. Long story short, yesterday,
approximately 26 years hence, I finally dis-assembled it and
put it into storage. The ONLY usable thing I ever made on
it was a set of coasters for drink glasses. Oh, and some of
my foster kids have enjoyed just making round "things" out
of square scraps they glued up, but that's it.
So, I guess what I mean is, yeah, don't wait until you
absolutely must have something to buy it, but give fair
consideration to what you'll buy next BEFOREd it's become a
necessity.
In my case, having the basic tools as you pretty much do
now, I learned as I went along what my next tool should be
as I became disenchanted with making, say, blink dadoes for
shelves on the table saw. Finally bought a cheap router, &
wow! Much faster, better. Now I have a good one - bought
the same way - the cheap one just wasn't capable of the
tools etc. that I needed and after a few work-arounds, well,
... .
Now, I wouldn't ignore lists of tools, etc. from people
either, because they might point out things you hadn't
thought of or didn't realize were available. Just remember,
it's YOU that needs to be satisfied; all anyone else can do
is suggest and give opinions.
As for a planer and jointer and the like I'd say that
unless you have a nearby teacher/advisor and LOTS of known
needs (not just wants) for either, you should wait until you
have the knowledge and experience under your belt so that
you won't need to ask "which is better" and so on - you're
lots more apt to get a tool that fits your needs and your
budget. I always dreamed of having them too, but the
actual, verifiable, tangible requirement for them has neve
arisen; partially because I have a small shop, which means
no room for them, but, ... <g> <sigh> not the budget
either.
Now, if you've got lots of money and a cow barn you can
make a shop in, have at it!
Pop
--
If you want something done quickly,
give it to a busy person.
"Mike G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Buy what you need when you need it and don't break the
bank doing it because
> there will be any number of unforeseen other things coming
up that you will
> have to get. Like wood, finishes, GOOD measuring tools,
sharpening
> equipment, dust collection, shop vac,etc..
>
> You may not want to do things the "old fashion way" but
unless "your daddy's
> rich and your mama's good looking" (summer time and the
living is easy?) you
> are going to have to, like, put up with it and also put
with some tools that
> many would consider undesirable. I.E. a bench top table
saw.
>
> If you are in the same boat most are in if you start a
project and then have
> to wait every step of the way until you have the best tool
you can get to do
> the next step you'll be having grandkids by the time that
project is
> finished. Only the wealthy don't have to make compromises
on tools,
>
> You are also going to have to do a fair amount of study.
You figure you need
> a table saw and a router, you dad says maybe a jointer and
planer. I expect
> you know what a table saw's primary function is but do you
know the
> difference between bench top, various levels of
contractors saws, cabinet
> saw, hybrids? Do you know what the primary functions are
of a jointer Vs a
> planer? Do you know what tools are
> available as viable options for those tools?
>
> People can give you what they consider "must have tools"
all day long but
> unless you have the knowledge to evaluate those
suggestions in light of your
> own circumstances you will end up a confused and unhappy
camper.
>
>
> --
> Mike G.
> [email protected]
> Heirloom Woods
> www.heirloom-woods.net
> "Richard A." <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:ypQfc.2528$ec1.1446@okepread01...
> > I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have
a few of the
> > basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw.
I would like to
> > build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe
later an electric
> > guitar (for starters)
> >
> > I figured I would need a table saw and a router but my
dad suggested I
> > would also need a joiner as well and a planer. Now, I
don't care to do
> > things "the old fashioned way" but that first chest is
looking mighty
> > expensive.
> >
> > What tools would you consider the minimum needed for
such a project as
> > the chest? I was going through some of the old messages
here with
> > Google Groups and many recommended a good table saw,
contractor
> > quaility. I would like to hear any recommendations on
one of these as
> > well, preferably one that is dirt cheap with
exceptionally high quality.
> > :) (I'm willing to bend on both sides of that a
little)
> >
> > Richard
>
>
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 22:31:04 GMT, patriarch
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Another recommendation: See if you can thumb through a copy of Lon
>Schleining's book "Treasure Chests". Hundreds of great ideas.
What do people reckon to this book ? I really liked it when I first
read it, but I've started to wish that some of the modern work was
better done. Are these really the best examples that could be found ?
I'm thinking in particular of the one on the cover, or the "Grand
Voyager" chet that looks like the worst of the "plywood & poly"
school.
--
Smert' spamionam
"Richard A." wrote in message
> I'm would like to start into woodworking but I only have a few of the
> basic tools such as a drill, circular saw, and jig saw. I would like to
> build a chest for like keepsakes or whatever and maybe later an electric
> guitar (for starters)
Conventional wisdom condensed into a three step program:
Step one; buy wood for your first project ... probably a bench on which to
work. You will notice immediately if there is another tool you need to get
to step two. Buy whatever tool it takes to get to the next step, but only
when you need it, and buy the best tool you can possibly afford, even if it
hurts. Repeat the process.
If there is a tool out there, regardless of make or model, you can bet
someone here owns it, has owned it, or knows someone who did and will be
willing to advise you.
You will be expected to do your own research. Suggest you start out by doing
a Google search in the forum archives on the words "contractor's saw".
Good luck ... it's a slippery slope.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/13/04
You guys can't see the tear in my eye, but trust me it's there. I've
been to newsgroups for years and I would have to say this is the one of
the best group of answers I've ever received.
I can't wait to check out some of the book recommendations, especially
the one about Treasure Chest building. A trip to the library will be my
next step. I also loved hearing that you can avoid some of the need of
a planer/joiner by buying wood from a quality woodshop. (My daddy's not
rich, and neither am I, so this is a great tip)
I'm already looking into woodworking classes for this summer.
Thanks again for all the great responses. I'm off to Google now for
some more research.
Richard