$1000 - what tools should I buy?

**mic-d** · 4th October 2007, 04:46 PM

I had started to write out a list of what I reckon you should get, but now I'm just going to put a question to you instead. Have you ever taken some woodwork classes with a teacher of fine woodwork? Spending half your budget on that would be the best money you'll ever spend. Sure it might be nice to have the instant gratification of using those planes out of the box, but would you know how to use them properly and maintain them? You don't want to end up frustrated and have those nice tools sitting around as ornaments would you? So that is how I would spend this budget.

If you have some leftover, get a colen clenton 4" square, and cutting gauge, and a good combo square (Eclipse make an excellent one BTW), a japanese marking knife and a set of steel rules. Also a veritas sliding bevel. With these measuring/marking out tools you can be assured that any errors are your mistake, not the tools.

For sawing I prefer a Dozuki for fine work and a ryoba combo for larger work.
You seem to be OK for chisels.
For my first plane, I would get an old Stanley 5 1/2 and a replacement Academy blade and spend a day or two tuning it. This plane is a good allrounder. Also a Stanley block plane is a budget tool that can be sweetly tuned. Save the big money planes for later in you ww life.

For sharpening, the low speed grinder from carbatec, with the Alox wheel is wonderful for hollow grinding. A king 1200 and 6000 grit waterstone will initially suffice, and a DMT black diamond stone is great for flattening the stones (or you can get some 10mm float glass - which you will need for tuning the planes anyway and flatten them on that with some paper)

Some extra knowledge - the David Charlesworth dvd's on planing are excellent and a good book on sharpening will help although a tutor should cover this if you do a course.

HAVE FUN and be patient.

Cheers
Michael

Oh hell, I realise I posted a list anyway

**skygazer** · 4th October 2007, 04:55 PM

ok thanks to all again.

I am on the waiting list at the only 2 places down here (Wollongong) that do courses and am keen as mustard to get started. I think I will order the planes at this stage and pickup a cheap saw or two from ebay so I can do a few things before I get accepted to the courses.

Definately need some measuring & marking tools so will look into that a bit too.

Also looking for a table for my Triton TRA001 router (see router forum)

**Just George** · 4th October 2007, 05:14 PM

You'll always open Pandora's Box when you ask for advice like this...

**Ron Dunn** · 4th October 2007, 05:18 PM

There is one question which seems to have been missing to date:

"What task do you want to do that you can't do with your current tools?"

Until you can answer this question, you don't need to buy anything.

Example:

Problem:
Can't saw a large sheet of MDF into cabinet parts
Possible Solution:
Table saw or guide saw

Problem:
Want to use timber that comes rough sawn, in large sizes
Possible solution:
Planer/thicknesser, or maybe bandsaw

You see what I mean? Don't waste money on tools that don't solve a real problem.

**Clinton1** · 5th October 2007, 04:25 PM

http://www.hansbrunnertools.gil.com.au/Users-7.htm

I'd take a long look at the Disston D7 for $40, the Spear and Jackson steel back saw for $40, and the S&J brass back dovetail for $45... if I were looking for the saw types you mentioned.

Hans Brunner has a good reputation and I've bought from him quite a few times and never had a drama.

Thats a $428 saving from the other saws you mentioned, and the quality of these old saws are very good. They should give you another 50 years of use and then you can sell them to the next 'owner'.

Personally I would not get the dovetail saw as they are a bugger to sharpen. A japanese style 'throwaway' or with replacement handles would suit me better... but I just use a coping saw anyway, as mentioned.

You have a Trition workcentre.... will you use that to cut down boards and if so, why get the Carpenter saw? Carpenter saws come in Rip and Cross cut patterns... so if you want to use them to rip and cross cut... will you need both tooth patterns?

questions, questions, questions!

How about putting that $428 saving toward getting a bandsaw?

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