I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace that
said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I realize
there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner? I
will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
Larry
Larry It is your money and I can not tell you what to buy....
That said... Most of us accumulated circular saws, hammers drills,
yada yada yada BEFORE we took the plunge into woodworking..(furniture,
benches, etc)...
In my shop the Tablesaw is the most used powertool I own...and I own 2
of them... "enough" Said...
Not going to say anything bad about Sears tools... everyone else will
tell you you are NUTS !
The advice about an adult education program really makes sence HOWEVER
I never had the time to attend one plus I never knew of anyplace
within 50 miles that offered one... so I just made every mistake in
the world and learned from each and every one of them...
Only wish I could say I will never make another mistate...
Bob Griffiths
On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 01:06:33 GMT, "Larry" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
>trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
>at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace that
>said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I realize
>there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner? I
>will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
>complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
>
>Larry
>
You will
>not find the $1000 plus table saws. However I believe that you can find
>some saws that are very functional.
I ran into Sears last night to look at battery chargers and passed by
the power tool section (slowly). I noticed they had a pretty good
looking table saw for $999 or $949 with 10% off for using the Sears
card. It was almost closing time so I didn't take much time but it
appeared to have an enclosed cabinet, large numbers on the tilt angle
gauge, an impressive miter gauge and a Biesemeyer fence. Didn't take
time to look any closer but at first glance looked pretty good for
under $900.00. Maybe they finally decided to offer something decent. I
may take a closer look when I have more time.
> > >
> > > I ran into Sears last night to look at battery chargers and passed by
> > > the power tool section (slowly). I noticed they had a pretty good
> > > looking table saw for $999 or $949 with 10% off for using the Sears
> > > card. It was almost closing time so I didn't take much time but it
> > > appeared to have an enclosed cabinet, large numbers on the tilt angle
> > > gauge, an impressive miter gauge and a Biesemeyer fence. Didn't take
> > > time to look any closer but at first glance looked pretty good for
> > > under $900.00. Maybe they finally decided to offer something decent. I
> > > may take a closer look when I have more time.
After much consideration on features I wanted/needed, price,
power, etc. I bought the new Craftsman saw #922124 with the Beismeyer
fence. I did get the Craftsman Club 10% discount plus an additional
"Today Only" 10% discount and free delivery to my home. For the money
I spent I got a heck of a nice saw! I would take a good look at these
new machines if you are in the market for a decent saw for a
reasonable price. They are made well and have a lot of great features.
The 922124 has the extended miter with clamp down and positive stops,
the enclosed dust collection, solidcast iron wings, sturdy outfeed
table and the Beis fence! A huge improvement over my old Craftsman
saw! It's the pride of my shop now!
MrMortise
On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 03:09:53 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> wrote:
[snip]
|
|The first stop, in my experience, should be at an adult education program,
|where you will have an opportunity to use their tools, and learn a goodly
|number of things that don't teach as well in magazines as in person. There
|also may be a number of reputable commercial facilities, as there are in
|the San Francisco Bay area. Or a woodworking club or two, where folks new
|to the hobby are welcome to visit or join.
|
|These all have several things in common: You get started, safely, and
|relatively inexpensively. You learn how and where tools and project
|materials may be obtained, sometimes less expensively, and generally with
|the benefit of experience and advice from folks who have been there before.
|Often, someone will be upgrading, and have a tool to sell. Sadly, there
|are also shops being sold due to illness or the passing of the woodworker.
|(Such tools already have acquired a soul, in the lore of the wReck.)
|
|Mostly, you meet in person a lot of people like yourself. Or, if you are
|lucky, nicer! ;-)
Excellent advice!
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
> at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
that
> said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
realize
> there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner?
I
> will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
> complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
Tablesaw first. Get the best you can afford. I have a circular saw and it is
OK for rough cutting, but not nearly as precise as a good tablesaw.
There are better places than Sears to buy. Check out places like Woodcraft
and other tool dealers for good support. How serious are you? What kind
of budget? You can get a top of the line contractor style saw for $900 to
$1000. It will be the only saw you ever need. Tight budget? Look to spend
at least $500 for something that can later be upgraded. Don't waste your
money on the $129 specials.
You will want to get a good blade also. Ridge Carbide Tool, Forrest, Freud
make some good ones and a combo blade will run from $50 to $120.
Later you can add tools as you need them.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
--
"tony stramella" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dear Larry,
> The best advice I can give you is to buy the best
> table saw you can afford.There are many things to consider.You can spend
> as little as $100 and as much as $2000.
> Tony
>
Good tools do help improve quality, but there are those that will turn out
high quality work on the $100 saw and others that will never get the pieces
to fit even though they were cut on a $2000 saw. You still have to get he
hands and brain to connect. Not easy to do.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00921830000
>
> That is the one I saw, which was on sale for $369. Is that a decent saw
for
> a deal? or is it junk?
>
> Larry
Probably OK as a jobsite saw, not what I'd want in my home shop. The table
is short, the fence is not so great. Not much you can do to upgrade it
later. You can do better for another $150 or so. Before I'd buy that, I'd
look at contractor saws from Grizzly or Bridgewood (
www.wilkemachinery.com )
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>> there are those that will turn out high quality work on the $100 saw and
others that will never get the pieces to fit even though they were cut on a
$2000 saw.<<<
You've got it. My great grand dad (civil war vet) turned out some pretty
neat stuff (including dove tails) with nothing but hand tools and I doubt it
if he ever even saw a table saw. He would have been thrilled to death with a
powered saw of any kind. RM~
Buy hand tools, you can get yourself completely outfitted for less money,
you'll need them anyway, they are a whole lot safer and once you learn how
to use them, you'll have a better idea how to use power tools.
With 4 handsaws ( crosscut, rip, fine rip backsaw, fine crosscut backsaw), 3
hand planes ( block, smoother, and jointer), 4 chisels, and a fretsaw you
can take rough lumber to finished furniture.
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
> at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
that
> said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
realize
> there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner?
I
> will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
> complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
>
> Larry
>
>
For a starter the Delta X5 looks like a good saw. A little on the high
side, but it has a much superior fence than any Sears model, 5 year
warranty and a bunch of extras. It should also hold it's value much better
if you decide not to like ww and it's made in the US.
http://deltamachinery.com/index.asp?e=136&p=4741
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000A25XO/qid=1086053197/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-2760235-2392822?v=glance&s=home-garden
>>I will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc..
That's pretty broad. Simple furniture like a bookcase can be made with a
circular saw pretty easily, but if you start getting into tenons,
half-laps, and dado's your going to want a table saw.
Hand tools are a great skill to have, but the learning curve is much higher.
It takes a lot of practice and patients.
Larry wrote:
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
> at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
> that said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
> realize there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a
> beginner? I will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc..
> Nothing too complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
>
> Larry
Well what can I say? I was just a little partial to Sears since I worked
there in high school. LOL But I was no hardware expert anyway. I was always
under the impression that Craftsman made good stuff. But this is something
that I will investigate before I buy anything. I think I will look to taking
a class first before I buy any tools. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Larry
"Bob G." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Larry It is your money and I can not tell you what to buy....
>
> That said... Most of us accumulated circular saws, hammers drills,
> yada yada yada BEFORE we took the plunge into woodworking..(furniture,
> benches, etc)...
>
> In my shop the Tablesaw is the most used powertool I own...and I own 2
> of them... "enough" Said...
>
> Not going to say anything bad about Sears tools... everyone else will
> tell you you are NUTS !
>
> The advice about an adult education program really makes sence HOWEVER
> I never had the time to attend one plus I never knew of anyplace
> within 50 miles that offered one... so I just made every mistake in
> the world and learned from each and every one of them...
>
> Only wish I could say I will never make another mistate...
>
> Bob Griffiths
>
> On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 01:06:33 GMT, "Larry" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> >trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table
saw
> >at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
that
> >said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
realize
> >there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a
beginner? I
> >will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing
too
> >complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
> >
> >Larry
> >
>
It's ok to buy any tool you want and, one way or another, a table saw will
probably be on the list of must have's.
I have to say though that that kind of question scares me a bit every time
it pops up, frequently, because of the questions left unasked.
Take a table saw for example. There can be so many factors that contribute
to the selection of this relatively expensive investment. Things like budget
and space.
What kind of table saw, bench top, contractors, cabinet, hybrid? Which will
fit your needs, not use up so much of the budget you can't get the other
things you will need, not take up so much room in whatever you have for shop
space that you can't add other tools and/or leave you with no room to
actually work in?
Woodworking isn't really, as much as some may like to think otherwise, a
matter of tools, but rather a development of knowledge and skills.
It's nice to run out to the local tool/toy store and fondle all the goodies.
You aren't alone there. We all do it, we all check out the catalogs when
they come in and start to do a Pavlov when we see what the new latest
greatest tool is.
Unfortunately, unless you have a budget that Bill Gates would envy, impulse
buying is not something you really want to get into when it comes to your
tools. Even "simple furniture" requires more in the way of tools the a saw.
At it's simplest it will require equipment for measuring, clamping, sanding,
shaping, finishing, etc..
That is not even touching on things that you should have at least a nodding
acquaintance with. Things like appropriate joints, how to make them, what
you need to make them, wood movment, how proper selection of joints figures
in with wood movment, appropriate finishing, how to apply it, best way to
apply it, and for all of the above, what options are available that will
accomplish the tasks. Then there is the care and maintained of the tools you
have.
I'm not trying to scare you off, it isn't rocket science. Window shop to
your hearts content but before you start laying out big bucks do some study
on the subject, take a course if the local adult ed place has one, find a
mentor, read, build a library.
Tools can't think for you. You have to be able to make them do what you
want. IE a table saw can't do anything a hand saw does it just makes it
easier. It is still you that has to decide where to cut, what to cut, and
why you have to make the cut.
Pick a simple project. Plan it on paper and try to figure out all the
options you have in tools to accomplish the tasks required. There will be
several. Finally, Try too arrive a realistic assessment of what to get in
light of your budget and work space. Then spend the money, make some
sawdust, and start to build you skills base.
Good luck.
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
> at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
that
> said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
realize
> there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner?
I
> will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
> complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
>
> Larry
>
>
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00921830000
That is the one I saw, which was on sale for $369. Is that a decent saw for
a deal? or is it junk?
Larry
"Mike Reed" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This must be it. Looks nice. I wouldn't kick one out of /my/ shop :)
>
<http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.doBV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&p
id=00922124000>
>
> Best one for the money? Probably not, but it looks good from here...
>
> They have two more on the site that are bigger...
>
> -Mike
>
> [email protected] (Tom) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > You will
> > >not find the $1000 plus table saws. However I believe that you can
find
> > >some saws that are very functional.
> >
> > I ran into Sears last night to look at battery chargers and passed by
> > the power tool section (slowly). I noticed they had a pretty good
> > looking table saw for $999 or $949 with 10% off for using the Sears
> > card. It was almost closing time so I didn't take much time but it
> > appeared to have an enclosed cabinet, large numbers on the tilt angle
> > gauge, an impressive miter gauge and a Biesemeyer fence. Didn't take
> > time to look any closer but at first glance looked pretty good for
> > under $900.00. Maybe they finally decided to offer something decent. I
> > may take a closer look when I have more time.
Very good advise!! That is how my sister got started. She really learned a
lot from the class and as he pointed out you find where to get good prices
on wood and other contacts.
patriarch wrote:
>
> The first stop, in my experience, should be at an adult education program,
> where you will have an opportunity to use their tools, and learn a goodly
> number of things that don't teach as well in magazines as in person.
> There also may be a number of reputable commercial facilities, as there
> are in
> the San Francisco Bay area. Or a woodworking club or two, where folks new
> to the hobby are welcome to visit or join.
>
> These all have several things in common: You get started, safely, and
> relatively inexpensively. You learn how and where tools and project
> materials may be obtained, sometimes less expensively, and generally with
> the benefit of experience and advice from folks who have been there
> before.
> Often, someone will be upgrading, and have a tool to sell. Sadly, there
> are also shops being sold due to illness or the passing of the woodworker.
> (Such tools already have acquired a soul, in the lore of the wReck.)
>
> Mostly, you meet in person a lot of people like yourself. Or, if you are
> lucky, nicer! ;-)
>
> Patriarch
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took
> a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table
> saw at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read
> someplace that said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws
> as you need. I realize there may not be just one saw to get, but what
> is the best for a beginner? I will start with some simple pieces of
> furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too complex. Looking for any advice.
> Thanks.
>
> Larry
>
>
The first stop, in my experience, should be at an adult education program,
where you will have an opportunity to use their tools, and learn a goodly
number of things that don't teach as well in magazines as in person. There
also may be a number of reputable commercial facilities, as there are in
the San Francisco Bay area. Or a woodworking club or two, where folks new
to the hobby are welcome to visit or join.
These all have several things in common: You get started, safely, and
relatively inexpensively. You learn how and where tools and project
materials may be obtained, sometimes less expensively, and generally with
the benefit of experience and advice from folks who have been there before.
Often, someone will be upgrading, and have a tool to sell. Sadly, there
are also shops being sold due to illness or the passing of the woodworker.
(Such tools already have acquired a soul, in the lore of the wReck.)
Mostly, you meet in person a lot of people like yourself. Or, if you are
lucky, nicer! ;-)
Patriarch
My tablesaw was the first woodworking powertool I bought. I got my circular
saw long before that, but not for woodworking (not serious anyway).
FWIW
Joe
P.S. Did you read this rec before posting any queries? There are a lot of
anti Sears/Craftsman snobs on here.
--
A hobbyist / carpenter with an emphasis on small projects.
"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table saw
> at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
that
> said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
realize
> there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a beginner?
I
> will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing too
> complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
>
> Larry
>
>
This must be it. Looks nice. I wouldn't kick one out of /my/ shop :)
<http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.doBV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00922124000>
Best one for the money? Probably not, but it looks good from here...
They have two more on the site that are bigger...
-Mike
[email protected] (Tom) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> You will
> >not find the $1000 plus table saws. However I believe that you can find
> >some saws that are very functional.
>
> I ran into Sears last night to look at battery chargers and passed by
> the power tool section (slowly). I noticed they had a pretty good
> looking table saw for $999 or $949 with 10% off for using the Sears
> card. It was almost closing time so I didn't take much time but it
> appeared to have an enclosed cabinet, large numbers on the tilt angle
> gauge, an impressive miter gauge and a Biesemeyer fence. Didn't take
> time to look any closer but at first glance looked pretty good for
> under $900.00. Maybe they finally decided to offer something decent. I
> may take a closer look when I have more time.
In article <[email protected]>, "Larry"
<[email protected]> wrote:
Craftsman has always kept a great guarantee on their mechanics tools.
They have not made the top-of-the-line power woodworking tools. If you
visit a Sears store now you will find many brands in their tool section,
Makita, DeWalt, etc. These are tool that are rated highly. You will
not find the $1000 plus table saws. However I believe that you can find
some saws that are very functional.
Dick
> Well what can I say? I was just a little partial to Sears since I
> worked
> there in high school. LOL But I was no hardware expert anyway. I was
> always
> under the impression that Craftsman made good stuff. But this is
> something
> that I will investigate before I buy anything. I think I will look to
> taking
> a class first before I buy any tools. Thanks for everyone's advice.
>
> Larry
>
>
It makes me laugh when I think how long it would take to mill down some 6/4
maple for cabinet work with that setup!
Especially when they come in rough sawn, twisted, warped, bowed, and cupped
in 12 foot lengths. Those are the good ones.
The bad ones are all that with crooks hehe.
Rich
"Roger McIlmoyle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Buy hand tools, you can get yourself completely outfitted for less money,
> you'll need them anyway, they are a whole lot safer and once you learn how
> to use them, you'll have a better idea how to use power tools.
>
> With 4 handsaws ( crosscut, rip, fine rip backsaw, fine crosscut backsaw),
3
> hand planes ( block, smoother, and jointer), 4 chisels, and a fretsaw you
> can take rough lumber to finished furniture.
>
> "Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I am looking at getting into woodworking as a new hobby. So I took a
> > trip to Sears today to look at the tools. Is it OK to just get a table
saw
> > at first? The one I saw, had a mitre gauge on it also. I read someplace
> that
> > said to get a circular saw first, then get other saws as you need. I
> realize
> > there may not be just one saw to get, but what is the best for a
beginner?
> I
> > will start with some simple pieces of furniture, benches etc.. Nothing
too
> > complex. Looking for any advice. Thanks.
> >
> > Larry
> >
> >
>
>
>
On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 23:57:37 GMT, "Larry" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Well what can I say? I was just a little partial to Sears since I worked
>there in high school. LOL But I was no hardware expert anyway. I was always
>under the impression that Craftsman made good stuff.
How long ago was high school? <G>
Barry