Thread: The true cost of woodworking

I've been accumulating tools on a regluar basis since i was in the 7th grade (just finished 2nd year of college now) and before my parents would help pay for them, but now I have my student loans, they're related to school right? After recently becoming interested in japanese hand tools, i have an almost endless pool of tools to chose from and it seems like once i finally get that tool i've wanted for months, (in this case, two mitsukawa dovetail saws) i need something else. And besides getting more tools, i want to get better tools. My first dozuki cost 30 bucks (it was a present too) and the mitsukawas cost 170 and the i want now (handmade Miyano Dai Endo) costs 550 and its never going to end, but hey, i love it.

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

IM SCREAMING for another shed he must be going totally friggin troppo!!!

I'm only 6 foot tall so I'm guessing the photos are making my collection look higher than it is. For over 5 years between the time I got divorced and the time my girlfriend and I moved into this place, a lot of those tools were packed away in a garage.

My workshop is in a room down in the basement and after all those years, I'll take anything I can get!

The only bloke I know with more tools is probably my Dad. We have a bit of a running bet: Whoever has the most tools when he dies, wins. I don't like coming second...


Damien

I once thought that when I eventually come home, that I would sell up all the tools and start again in Oz. But from what I've learned in here, I might be better off organising a bit of a container and shipping the whole lot back to QLD... It might work out a whole lot cheaper!


Damien[/quote]

Check out the voltage differences first
- when you get back I'll have that pie + peas and Chico roll with you
Bob
Geez I hope you don't like square bear or I'm really in trouble

Originally Posted by damienhazo

I'm only 6 foot tall so I'm guessing the photos are making my collection look higher than it is.

aaahso!! Said the blind man to the deaf blonde... I see now... so your 6ft your arm reach is lets say 2ft so your tools are say 7ft of the floor for a comfy reach... and that mate explains a lot!!... as a fella with the well known ducks desease I take offence at that "Im only 6ft tall" comment... so everyone else you know is 7ft tall?... strewth in some environments Im regarded as tall at 5ft 6in (an a bit! )... but no Damien ol mate not having a go just pullin yer leg is all .. saw the height of those routers and the other stuff up top and thought where the blazes is the step ladder :eek: ... well that was my first thought

Originally Posted by damienhazo

My workshop is in a room down in the basement and after all those years, I'll take anything I can get!

See!! Geez I love it the few times a year when Im right!!

One of the things I like heaps about woodworking is you can pretty much get a tool to do anything you are after for what ever you can afford (there's always some exceptions). But what i mean is you can buy budget to get by or rollroyce for a lifetime use but really you don't have to miss out on getting into it.

Darkside approach can be as cheap as a saw and chisel of as dear as the budget will go.

Machines can be big or small GMC or Atendorf. I try and balance my purchases with costs versus expectations and have found the cheaper stuff is replaced soon and the dearer stuff is prized.

I probably have about $10k worth of stuff and expect another $10 to $20K before I slow down and then i will most likely dabble with occassional expensive planes per annum.

I still think this hobby is cheaper than when I used to go fishing a lot - just the boat then the fuel :eek: - usually only sunburn and the story of what could have happened to show for a days effort.

I love woodworking and really enjoy making things for family and friends.

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

.......snip
Then we moved a year ago... made a pact with SHE sorta much as one would I imagine make a pact with the devil that sorta thing ... and ended up with all the tools I will ever need... well okay theres a couple I could use and one or 8 that would really come in handy... one day also ended up with a smaller than intended shed and at 9mtrs x 6mtrs way way WAY too small for my needs... no that needs correction!!... Too small for my tool needs!! my own needs are fairly modest the tools needs thats a whole other matter!!... and I did put most of the planks in there which sorta buggared up the spacial effects just a tad

And this is why Im askin the questions of Damien... I mean with my tools and a 9x6 area IM SCREAMING for another shed he must be going totally friggin troppo!!!

Shiite, and I'm wondering why I'm struggling with a 6m x 3m - walking like a crab all day. I'd be in frikkin heaven with 9m x 6m!

Damien, bloody great workshop there mate.

As a beginner I spent around $20K to buy tools in the past 3 years. To me it is like an investment.

I did not start out buying cheap tools and hoping to upgrade them later. I prefer to spend a bit more to buy good tools. If you buy good tool and you buy it once. I have made enough of furniture in to justify the spending.

My wife is aware of it and she is OK with it. As long as I keep making furniture for the house I am not afraid to buy more. Take it this way we will never have to go out and spend a few $K to buy a dinning table or a bed again.

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

I take offence at that "Im only 6ft tall" comment...

Sounds fair to me, at 6'4", bloody shortasres

Originally Posted by Wongo

My wife is aware of it and she is OK with it. As long as I keep making furniture for the house I am not afraid to buy more. Take it this way we will never have to go out and spend a few $K to buy a dinning table or a bed again.

So, where's all the piccys eh?? eh?? Where's the piccys?

Originally Posted by Wongo

My wife is aware of it and she is OK with it. As long as I keep making furniture for the house I am not afraid to buy more. Take it this way we will never have to go out and spend a few $K to buy a dinning table or a bed again.

I'm in a similar situation ... kinda gives you that warm glow when you go out shopping and she turns to you and says "you could make us one of those!!"

Cheers,
Krunchy

Originally Posted by Wongo

As long as I keep making furniture for the house I am not afraid to buy more. Take it this way we will never have to go out and spend a few $K to buy a dinning table or a bed again.

Dammit I have such a case of tool and shed envy:mad:

I'm allowed to go and buy a table saw or router etc but our finances wont allow it....

I've got orders for different bits of furniture being fired at me daily but the tool selection is limited.

As for my shed, it is approx 2000Wx4000Lx1800H (the door is 1500H and im 1760 so DUCK), so the cat sort of belts her head everytime I test it by swinging her:eek:

We are renting so I'm not going to fix/replace it for the landlord!

Originally Posted by Krunchy

I'm in a similar situation ... kinda gives you that warm glow when you go out shopping and she turns to you and says "you could make us one of those!!"

SWMBO generally chuckles at me as I'm the one walking through and disecting the furniture saying "I could make one of those..."

Originally Posted by Bob38S

Check out the voltage differences first
- when you get back I'll have that pie + peas and Chico roll with you
Bob
Geez I hope you don't like square bear or I'm really in trouble

Mate, 220 V over here, same as Oz. The German plug however, is far superior to the Aussi IMHO.

Look forward to the Chico roll but have no idea what a square bear is. If it's anything to do with pillow-biting, you don't have to worry!

Originally Posted by Wild Dingo

so everyone else you know is 7ft tall?...

Didn't mean it like that... The girlfriend's father is just under 2 metres tall. Her brother as well. My mate Karl has 3 inches on me and the girlfriend's newphew has just turned 14 and I already have to look up. I think it's all the steroids in the meat...:eek:

Thanks for the compliement Wongo. Saw the pics of the new table and the little Wongett giving you a hand. I'm with Keith. Get the top done and post more pickies!

Originally Posted by damienhazo

My mate Karl has 3 inches on me and ... !

3 inches eh !!
Les