Thread: Tools???

Originally Posted by whubbard

Ok, Well I have a small <S>Workshop </S>‘Workarea’ with these tools (listed below). I'm wondering what other tools I should consider buying to enable me to make more things.

G'day Hubbard. Well, let me take a stab mate and see if I can sort you out.

First, what kinds of "things" do you want to make? Most woodworkers I know let their projects determine what tools they need. So, pick a project and figure out how you will do it and what tools you are lacking. That's one approach.

If money is no object, you'll want to add a bandsaw, thicknesser, jointer, a couple or three routers, a router table, plus replacements for all the Ryobi cr*p.

If you are interested in what the best-dressed workshop is wearing, there are a lot of DIY web sites that will recommend set-ups. Try DIYnetwork.com

As for brands, as this is an Australian forum, not all brands will make sense. These blokes will recommend a Triton router. Now try to find one at Home Depot. Porter-Cable, Delta, and DeWalt, all decent brands, are available widely in the US but do not export all their products to OZ.

We can all agree, however (despite a recent thread to the contrary) that generally Black & Decker are shyte.

All are welcome here, of course, but you might want to try a US forum such as Sawmill Creek for a general tool question such as this.

Is there ever enough tools?

I know there are lots more tools I need but there are many many many many other I want. So you need to categorise your tools and then decide where to go.

Pete

I say buy what you need, when you need it for any given job, and a planer + thicknesser will save on timber costs.

Definitely a bandsaw but dust extraction as well. A bandsaw was one of my first purchases as I had a lot of small logs to process and then I found out I needed a thicknesser. So needs should drive your collection, unless you just like collecting.

I agree with the others.

Wait until your project requires a new tool then buy it. That way you will find it easier to decide what make/model and how much money you should spend. If you buy them all up front before you start building something, you will find that more than half of them will be wrong when you come to use them.

Originally Posted by Bob Childress

All are welcome here, of course, but you might want to try a US forum such as Sawmill Creek for a general tool question such as this.

OI! Are you trying to snavel forumites from us and turn them over to 'merican sites?

You forumite pincher you

A packet of bandaids is essential

Bandaids are always close by. My first purchase was a bandsaw which I don't use too often. Second purchase was a scroll saw and that one is getting a lot of use. Found that this is the one tool that I would not do without.

step 1: Think of a tool you desire.
step 2: Find a project around the house that SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) would just die without.
step 3: Buy the tool you now need.
step 4: Explain to SWMBO that the tool was really necessary for her complete happiness.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

step 1: Think of a tool you desire.
step 2: Find a project around the house that SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) would just die without.
step 3: Buy the tool you now need.
step 4: Explain to SWMBO that the tool was really necessary for her complete happiness.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

step 1: Think of a tool you desire.
step 2: Find a project around the house that SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) would just die without.
step 3: Buy the tool you now need.
step 4: Explain to SWMBO that the tool was really necessary for her complete happiness.

Good luck.

Shedhand -you forgot the most important step: 2.5 Explain to SWMBO that the cost of essential tool + materials is less than project would cost to buy. Then you're actually saving money by buying tools. The more tools you buy the more money you save - it's SWMBO shopping logic used for good instead of evil.

whubbard

G'day and welcome to the best woodworking website on the Net.

Shedhand's proposal is the accepted and time-tested method for acquisition of new tools. It is also important for you to understand that this subject is covered comprehensively in the Code of Practice (see here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...Code+Practice).

Here is an extract:

6. Tools

6.1. A bloke shall NEVER have enough tools. It is an immutable Law of Shed Physics that there is no known quantum of any given tool that can be considered to be in excess of requirements.


I hope this helps.

Col

You'll find in the fine print that you don't actually need to use the tool to make the item for SWMBO, just convince her you absolutely had to buy it to ensure completion.