Thread: Help - a new woodworking setup - greenhorn timber worker

You will get differing opinions on what tools you need and what is essential tools.
I think a Table saw is one of the items that should be at the top or nearly at the top of the list and of course prices vary on those too. a table saw of reasonable quality without any bells or whistles on will set you back around $1000 and goes up from there depending on your needs, Band saw is another machine that is very useful and probably up for the same sort of money for a decent one. 14" would be the absolute smallest you would consider in a bandsaw, bigger would be better. The list is endless my friend, Planes, chisels, sanders, hand saws, Router,around the $300-plus mark for a reasonable router. Drop saw, Sliding Mitre compound saw..etc etc.
I use all of the above mentioned tools and still find from time to time, I need something else. just start buying up whatever you can afford and add to your tools as you need them and can afford them. Good luck with your projects.

i also just started into woodworking and i was overwhelmed by how many tools are there and how much they cost! just for saws, there are table saw / bandsaw / sliding compound mitre saw as stationary ones and circular saw / plunge saw / jig saw for portability. And surprisingly, you will find them all very useful for particular jobs.

so, the best way i found to build up the tool chest is go project specific.

For example, if you need to build a basic end grain chopping board, you will probably need:
1. table saw to rip and cross-cut the timber (i chose plunge saw + scms rather than table saw, that was because I had limited space in sydney)
2. clamps
3. sander, depending on the pocket depth, you may want a belt sander and/or random orbital sander.
4. a router to route the groove maybe?
5. glue, finishing oil, etc.

later if you started to play around with larger timber or even rough sawn, then a thicknesser and bandsaw would be added to the list. Of course, dust extraction systems.

my advice is, don't settle with low end tools, if you can't afford a decent table saw for now, save and buy later; or buy 2nd hand ones.

cheers,
James

Thanks very much for the advice munruben- Its overwheling getting into any specialisation and your comments are much appreciated. Thanks and keep them coming!

Originally Posted by pkjames

i also just started into woodworking and i was overwhelmed by how many tools are there and how much they cost! just for saws, there are table saw / bandsaw / sliding compound mitre saw as stationary ones and circular saw / plunge saw / jig saw for portability. And surprisingly, you will find them all very useful for particular jobs.

so, the best way i found to build up the tool chest is go project specific.

For example, if you need to build a basic end grain chopping board, you will probably need:
1. table saw to rip and cross-cut the timber (i chose plunge saw + scms rather than table saw, that was because I had limited space in sydney)
2. clamps
3. sander, depending on the pocket depth, you may want a belt sander and/or random orbital sander.
4. a router to route the groove maybe?
5. glue, finishing oil, etc.

later if you started to play around with larger timber or even rough sawn, then a thicknesser and bandsaw would be added to the list. Of course, dust extraction systems.

my advice is, don't settle with low end tools, if you can't afford a decent table saw for now, save and buy later; or buy 2nd hand ones.

cheers,
James

Thanks JAMES very valuable advice and information I appreciate your time!
This will put me on the right track.

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