Thread: suggestions for a beginner?

For picture frames you cannot go past the Nobex Mitre saws.

Nice and quite except for expletives.

There is a Company that sell japanese tools and they are going to be at the Melbourne Timber & Working with wood show. Well worth a look.

I missed an important part - I am more thinking chisels, hammers and saws.

😁

Hi Billy

From my reading from your original post, your interest is in hand tools and not necessarily Japanese ones. Having noted that, it is likely that you will end up with at least some Japanese hand tools in your kit. Most of us have a mix, but some of end up with more Japanese in the mix because we prefer them.

I don't know which Japanese tool supply Co that Jim is referring to that will be at the Melbourne Timber & Working with Wood show (Oct. 19 - 21, 2012) at Showground, but the show is well worth a visit for all manner of woodworking hand tools, mainly western, but also some from the eastern tradition.

Most local major woodworking tool suppliers carry some Japanese hand tools (eg here). In the absence of more accessible Japanese retailers in Japan, that was invaluable in the past. But, in my experience, you won't get much useful advice from these local suppliers. Perhaps Jim is referring to a new local Japanese tool retailer who may be more informed.

However, there are some very accessible Japanese woodworking hand tool retailers now that you can buy direct from in Japan (and also some via US). These suppliers range from entry level through to super premium tools. My preference for entry through to mid-level tools is here, and Stu the owner (who frequently contributes his expertise to this forum) is always very helpful with his advice.

I'm sure that Stu, and others on the forum (Des?), can give you very good advice on which Japanese chisels, hammers and saws to get you under way.

I suggest that you include at least one waterstone in your kit to sharpen/'hone' your chisels (also for your plane blades and knives) and a diamond plate to keep the stone flat. Given your budget, perhaps the Sigma Power Select II stone with the dual grits of #1000 and #6000 for $50 would be a good compromise, plus a diamond plate (if you don't already have one) to keep it flat, like the entry level i-Wood #300 diamond plate for $50. The Sigma Power Select II stone are inclined to dish, so regular maintenance is necessary, but they are fast and also good for any of your HSS blades (chisel, plane or knife).