What would you buy?

[spencer411]

Hey gang, I'm sorry if this has been posted in the wrong area but hey sometimes you get that. I know there was a post like this previously but I can't seem to find it :?..

I have been given a budget of $4000/$5000 to set up my first woodwork workshop at home. I am currently in my 3rd year of my apprenticeship for cabinetmaking so I have an idea for what I want but I'd like to know what you would get.

I don't really have any tools at the moment (just the basics from my employee, which isn't very much). At the moment I'm in the kitchen making side of cabinetmaking, which has given me heaps of good experience but I want to move into fine furniture making when I finish my apprenticeship. So the tools I have at the moment relate to that side of cabinetmaking (Laminate roller, handsaw, drill bits, hammer etc).

Sorry to go on a little rant there so back to the main issue. What would you buy if you had $5000 for your first workshop.

Thanks in advance for any replies and keep making those sweet, sweet pieces of furniture.

Spencer.

:U

[masoth]

I'd put the money into a bank and buy tools as a job needs them - buying a swag of tools can be fun but not very practical if you don't need something for a few years, and you will gain a little interest too.

soth

[joez]

I'd put the money into a bank and buy tools as a job needs them - buying a swag of tools can be fun but not very practical if you don't need something for a few years, and you will gain a little interest too.

soth

Thats exactly what i was going to say, put the $$$ aside and buy what you need for your current project.

good luck

joez

[Glennet]

:iagree:

Make a piece of fine furniture in the style and with the methods you plan to use and buy the tools as you need them.

I think its great you want to make fine furniture.

[spencer411]

thanks for the avdice guys.. but if u had $5000 what would you buy to start up a workshop? :U:U:U:cool::?

[joez]

If your really keen to make a start, every job i do gets a sanding and most jobs use a router.. So dust collection, a good allround sander and a mid sized router would be worth considering up front and ofcourse dust masks and other saftey equipment!

Dont forget to get a good range of sand paper, and i would buy router bits as you need them, for cheapies i use mcjing for good bits i usually use CMT.

As far as brands go, do some searchs on this forum for ideas, stick to professional quality tools, i dont think you could go wrong with festool, makita, bosch, metabo and dewalt etc...

Now pick a project lol :wink:


joez

[Tex B]

If you're itching to spend most of it at once, my advice would be to start with a cabinet table saw (like Carbatec 10HB), 8" jointer, 12" thicknesser, router, random orbit sander, drill press, and a dust extractor. With those tools, I'd build a workbench and then build a router table for your router. Add hand tools and clamps along the way as needed.

Tex

[carpoid]

Hi Spencer, i've worked as a Furniture maker for many years and also make and install kitchens.

Few thoughts from me.

Are you able to use any of the machinery where you currently work?? Would make your life alot easier if you had access to a panel saw at least. If not you could get a Festool Plunge -Cut Saw and track, you'll get nice clean cuts with one of those, but they are around $1300. Makita do a cheaper version for around $850.
Do you have a ute? Essential for carrying stuff around, delivering finished pieces etc.

I'd definately invest in a good router, they are very versitile, i'd be getting

Festool OF 1400 for around $1040.
Dust extractor (Festool ideally)
Biscuit Machine is always handy, Festool Domino is good but very expensive when starting up, and not essential.
RO Sander (Ihave a Metabo Duo, very good for the money)
Cordless drill/driver (You may already have these??)
Good set of Chisels
Good hand plane (Veritas)
Good Sharpening stone, DMT Diamond stone or Japenese wet stone, you'll need super sharp tools for finer work.


When it comes to converting timber, if it was me to start with i'd find somewhere that can machine it for you until you can afford a Jointer and Thicknesser, its really something you need a good size workshop for with good extraction, and they are noisy.
Maybe get some ideas and cutting lists together, then get timber machined over length and cut it spot-on when you get it home, so maybe a good drop saw like the Makita would be good too, and you can cut tenons and mitres on them too.

Hope that helps, good luck, keep us posted :)

Matt

[Just George]

Tex is right and so is Carpoid. You need to be able to machine timber if you want to solid timber work. You also need decent good quality tools, spend a little more now rather than regretting later the cheaper purchase you may make to get a few extra tools. Try also the Ozzie Multi Jig Ozzie Jigs (http://www.ozziejigs.com.au/) which is awesome for dowelling.

Be open to doing work that pays well that requires little work like kids toys. These can be sold online and at markets and don't require expensive materials. A way of earning some good money is installing kitchens on the side, be open to doing this, it is a good way to get the cash to buy tools.

Hang onto your receipts, as an apprentice they are a tax deduction. Keep a record of EVERYTHING you spend and EVERYTHING you earn. Keep it neat. Photocopy all receipts(some fade) for warranty and as a record of what your "business" has cost you. You never know, it may be worth your while to one day register for GST and egt a business name - after all, is the dream of most of the members here - To earn money from your woodwork, and maybe even enough to make it your sole income.

Another tip, and this applies to a lot of people. When buying tools like the ones suggested by Tex, DON'T BE SCARED TO ASK(ESPECIALLY IF BUYING MORE THAN 1 TOOL FROM THE ONE SUPPLIER) FOR A "PRICE FOR CASH".

What is the size of your work area? This may determine what tools you get, and make sure you get good dust extraction. Neighbours may not like noise but will put up with it but if your dust goes all over their garden/yard they won't be happy.

Good luck, let us know what you do...