Ok, so I've made my choices and the tools are starting to arrive!
Budget constraints were such that I ended up going for a mixture or new and second hand stuff.
Chisels
Mathew at Workshop heaven did us a fantastic deal on some sets of Narex 8105 BE chisels. He also very kindly slipped some other odds and ends into the box unasked which will make a big difference to our still rather sparse workshop - thank you!
Planes
2 record and 2 Stanley no 4s, second hand. I spent a few hours fettling these up. It's always an eye opener working on old planes and finding how many that were clearly used for years had soles shaped like bananas, with irons completely un-flattened and unpolished on the back. I guess it's OK if you are doing rough work in softwoods which is probably what a lot of them were used for most of the time.
There were already two old block planes, which I fettled, and to which I added one Quangsheng low angle block - another great deal from Workshop Heaven!
Saws
I took Rob's advice and steered away from Japanese saws. I got 5 Benchcraft Tenon saws from Axminster. These are the same blades as their Victor range, with more basic handles and fittings. I've used the Victor saws for years and been happy with them, so this was an easy decision.
Measuring and Marking
Basic engineers squares, steel rules, & marking knives from Axminster. There were six squares in the workshop already - not one of them was accurate to closer than 2mm over its length....
End Vises
I've also found an answer to the problem of how to easily hold larger boards flat on benches with no end vise or dogs. Something I read about a long time ago and just remembered today - put a sash cramp in the front vise and hold the board with that. Works really well....
So now we have a useable workshop. Thanks for all the suggestions. Now comes the difficult bit!
Cheers
Marcus
