Thread: Hand tools for beginners - where to buy?

Try trash & treasure markets, swap meets, ect for 2nd hand tools. It's a great source for old chisels, planes, saws ect. It's also a great way to learn how to properly sharpen and setup tools, plus allot of satisfaction bringing something old and tired looking back to life.

There is an old guy at St Andrews market (north east of Melbourne on a Saturday) that has a nice assortment to rummage through.

This forum also is a great help. I've bought a few things from forum members by posting a question. I've also found salvage yards are a good place as they don't realize what they are selling sometimes

Don't forget some of the tool sales put on by the hand tool preservation society and the like. I recently attended one up here in sydney (in a similar situation as yours) and found some quality tools for very reasonable prices. I did some quick research into the kinds of tools I was looking for just so I didn't look like a complete mug The seller's were very helpful regardless.

Keep an eye on the 'Marketplace' section of the site, too.

Originally Posted by JPA

Don't forget some of the tool sales put on by the hand tool preservation society and the like. I recently attended one up here in sydney (in a similar situation as yours) and found some quality tools for very reasonable prices. I did some quick research into the kinds of tools I was looking for just so I didn't look like a complete mug The seller's were very helpful regardless.

Actually, they have a great section on their website about steel restoration. If ur buying 2nd hand, u will need to know this

Originally Posted by sean3047

.....and am considering funding my purchases by selling my homebrewing gear).

Ha. I gave up home brewing (and drinking) a little while ago and replaced it with woodworking. Much more satisfying. I kept my brewing gear, though. Been meaning to find it a new home.

Originally Posted by Hermit

Ha. I gave up home brewing (and drinking) a little while ago and replaced it with woodworking. Much more satisfying. I kept my brewing gear, though. Been meaning to find it a new home.

I gave most of my home brew gear to my nephew. If I thought I could have financed tool purchases...... nah - still would have given it to him. His Dad has a nice timber cache he sometimes shares.

Hi Sean,
Try Camberwell Market on Sunday. You would want to be there by 7.30am. I'm told Wantirna is also pretty good.

Thanks everyone!

It seems that all the market action is on the other side of town (I'm in Broadmeadows), but that just gives me a good excuse to make an excursion out of it I guess.

If I was considering dropping some coin on one or two new tools though, what online stores would people recommend?

Tools from Japan, Japanese woodworking tools direct from Japan.

Bit of a different tack, but I really rate Japanese steel for edged tools. Great bang for buck!

Just down the ring road from Broady is the Thomastown trash and treasure on a Sunday morning, $3 entry. One particular vender sells old tools cleaned up at about ebay prices and then there's the other stalls that have bits and pieces.
The same people are at the Mernda market on Monday mornings, not as convenient but free entry !

For new tools either NZ Stu's link or Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Tools, Woodworking Supplies, Woodworking Books for Woodworkers

Or post any ad in the marketplace section - WANTED TO BUY - Woodwork Forums. I think there's a few tool dealers amongst us...........

Dont get carried away buying alot of stuff at the start, you can get by with very little.


Cheers,

Sam

Sometimes, people are clearing out for a move into retirement.
Sometimes, somebody dies and there's an estate sale of their things.
I've bought some hand tools such as a Stanley jack plane. But then, I'm splitting timber I need from log pieces and dressing it up just well enough to lay on a drawing for a carving.

Heed Kyle's advice = learn sharpening and set-up.
There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of tuning up a junky-looking tool that gives me more than 50cm of unbroken shaving off the edge of a board.

Thanks for the link Stu, a dozuki was one of the tools I was considering brand new, so that link is great.

Cheers for the heads up on the Thomo market Sam. Is that where the old Pipeworks market was? Or is it the one further down the road? Haven't been down that way in quite a while

It's opposite the thomastown bunnings on settlement road