Starting out, which tools to buy, total budget c.£700-1000?

[cs02rm0]

There are some cracking projects detailed on this forum.

So, I've got a new garage to fill and with the Mrs wanting a new coffee table, wardrobe, desk, dresser, cupboard, various other tables, cabinets and boxes I'm looking to see what I can manage to knock together. The only existing tool I have is a (cheap) cordless drill.

I was thinking along the lines of:

Table saw (Axminster TS200 seems popular?)
Biscuit joiner
Planer thicknesser
Mitre saw
Router

Probably in that sort of order the way I'm thinking at the moment. Budget might have quite a bit of flex and if I can start with something simple that won't particularly be on display (desk for the study perhaps) and acquire the tools as I go along then there should be even more flex in the budget.

What items would you buy first and which models?

Thanks in advance.

 

[woodbloke]

There are some cracking projects detailed on this forum.

So, I've got a new garage to fill and with the Mrs wanting a new coffee table, wardrobe, desk, dresser, cupboard, various other tables, cabinets and boxes I'm looking to see what I can manage to knock together. The only existing tool I have is a (cheap) cordless drill.

I was thinking along the lines of:

Table saw (Axminster TS200 seems popular?)
Biscuit joiner
Planer thicknesser
Mitre saw
Router

Probably in that sort of order the way I'm thinking at the moment. Budget might have quite a bit of flex and if I can start with something simple that won't particularly be on display (desk for the study perhaps) and acquire the tools as I go along then there should be even more flex in the budget.

What items would you buy first and which models?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum

I'd opt for a small bandsaw first of all, Axminster do a nice one which ought to satisfy all your machine cutting needs at the moment and they also do a decent little p/t A router is also indispensable, as is a biscuit jointer. Forget about a mitre saw...get a decent hard point hand saw instead. The absolute prerequisite though is a decent bench, best built yourself, so allow some fundage for that. You'd then need to do a bit of financial juggling to sort out some basic hand tools (plane, square, couple of chisels etc) - Rob

 

[Chems]

+1 on the little P/T

Now having used both a bandsaw and a table saw my personal preference is a Table saw first, then a bandsaw. Just to mix it up! I got the one Rob linked to and its a good little machine.

I agree with Rob, excellent advice, make your first project a nice little bench from some hardwood, you'll learn loads and will have one of the main things for future projects. A router, P/T and some form of power saw is all you need.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I'd go for a decent spec Workmate. You can do a lot on a Workmate, including making your own bench. And I'd recommend softwood for your first bench, on cost grounds, because you won't have it very long before you realize that you really need a different workbench. I'm on my third and when I get evicted I'm not taking it with me. The design is OK but I can improve on it (plus it has woodworm )

I've no wish to take the wind out of your sales, but I think you will soon find that 1K doesn't go very far. Don't be tempted to buy cheap, always buy the best you can afford. In general you really do get what you pay for, so a plane that costs twenty quid will not be anything like one that costs 80. See here. It's better to buy one good chisel than a set of nasties, for example. Consider buying second hand. The are very knowledgable and helpful people on here who, It's sad to say, get a kick out of buying junk, spending 6 months polishing away and bringing it back from the dead, then sell it on at a price that makes the Minimum Wage look like a King's Ransom. Old doesn't automatically mean past it (but nor does it automatically mean better, either. You just have to learn).

So there we are. Welcome to the Forum (and to that most slippery of slippery slopes).

Cheers
Steve

 

[woodbloke]

I recommend looking at Workshop Heaven for some affordable though excellent quality hand tools. No affiliation btw - Rob

 

[OPJ]

As Steve says; a Work Mate will allow you to do a fair bit if you're only starting out and working to a strict budget. I would immediately look to replace the thin tops though with something like a nice offcut of wooden kitchen worktop - which you may be able to scrounge off your local Freecycle site, or similar. :wink:

Trestles or saw horses are also a good idea as you can store them away when not required but, with a sheet of ply or MDF on top (or, even, without) you'll have a "bench" that can be adjusted to suit almost any size. Though, I've definitely advise you build a sturdy pair from 4"x2" timber, here. Plastics ones won't be nearly as sturdy.

You can do a lot with a small bandsaw and they're inherently safer than table saws (without the risk of kickback), if you're had no formal training.

 

[stoatyboy]

a bench and bench hook transformed what I could and couldn't do

my workmate wobbles all over the place and makes it nigh on impossible to do anything of any use

I do like my Axi TS200 - after a bit of a moan when I first got it

enjoy

 

[Dan-K]

I started relatively recently too.
I have bought a number of power tools and am probably sneaking quietly past the 1k mark now, but a few of the things I bought I've found less useful than I anticipated, and other sometimes unexpected things more useful. I've also found it worthwhile to invest in some decent hand-tools. A few things from my experience of starting out:

Bench. You will need a bench.
Drill. One of my first purchases was replacing my corded drill with a useable one - and I use it a lot.
Router. I bought a decent Dewalt router, which I use a lot more than I expected - needed to buy a few decent cutters for it as well but now I reach for it all the time.
Dust collection. I currently use LOMLs Dyson as dust collection :lol:
Planer/thicknesser. I have the small Axi P/T, and its slowly paying for itself by tidying up the cheaper timber I can buy as a result.
Chip collector. I have a chip collector to go with the P/T.
Circular saw. With decent blade for sheet goods. For a guide I just use a length of straight timber - its a deal cheaper than those purpose designed guide rails
SCMS. I have a SCMS and a bandsaw, both of which are useful for certain tasks; I use the SCMS more as I most usually need a 90 degree crosscut when cutting timber to length. A handsaw and shooting board would be a much cheaper option, but I still havent got my head around shooting boards yet and I like the convenience
Bandsaw. I do much less ripping.
Handtools. A couple of planes - wasn't really expecting to need those but I do hate sandpaper - though I've just got some Abranet and that stuff is a revelation A decent set of Marples chisels - very pleased with those. A dovetail saw. A 6" engineers square. A decent spirit level. Other basics like hammer, screwdrivers, spanners etc.

I dont think a biscuit jointer is an essential by any means, though I guess I havent really tried to glue up panels yet and it may be useful for that if you're not using sheet material. A router table would also be very useful and I intend to make one somepoint.

Welcome to the slope!

 

[RogerS]

When you buy your router, you will need cutters. Don't be tempted to buy a 'set'. You'll find that you will use maybe a quarter of them. Better to buy singly.

I'd agree on the biscuit jointer. That was one of the tools I bought late and use infrequently. Hire one if you need it.

Table saw or band saw....it depends on what you're making. Cutting up sheet goods...a bandsaw isn't much cop. I'd go for a small table saw as my first saw.

 

[TEO]

Hi there,
Welcome and lucky you....space to fill and some cash to do it with, perfect.
I agree with Olly and Chris about the workmate, super versatile if you're working away from the workshop but a simple cheap bench as your first project would probably make it redundant pretty soon.
If I could only have the one, I'd rather have a TS than a BS though as Olly says the TS could make more of a mess if things go wrong. Don't let that put you off though just maintain a healthy respect for anything sharp and read whatever books are to hand and watch the million vids that are online (some of the vids are a good lesson in what not to do!)
While it's lovely to dream of the perfect set-up with top of the range machines and hand tools that cost more than a small car.......most people probably started with relatively cheap tools and hand me downs.
I like your attitude to buying the tools as you need them rather than all in one go, although it's great to have planers and thicknessers etc. any decent timber yard will dimension the timber for you, maybe not a well as you'd do yourself but close enough to start with and then winding sticks and a plane will sort out any irregularities. Same goes for cutting down panels if that's what you're working with, let the yard or shop do it for you and you won't need to break your back hefting 8'x4' sheets around.
Get a good router (1/2", you can reduce the collet but not the other way round) and as Rob said, most of the sets are pretty crap, best to get good cutters as and when you need them.
Your going to need to clamp stuff so best put some £ by for that too, loads out there second hand etc.
Sorry just realised I'm droning on, just wait a sec while I fetch my anorak..... :roll:
Have fun with whatever you choose,
cheers,
T

 

[Steve Maskery]

As regards buying as you need. My dad gave me some good advice when I started. He told me to buy at least one tool every payday. It doesn't matter whether it is a carpenter's pencil or a tablesaw, buy something.

It makes you prioritize what you need and you'll be surprised how quickly you get a nice little collection, I mean kit, together.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ByronBlack]

Id put more emphasis on good handtools, for your money you won't get good machines, and decent joinery can be done with hand-tools.

 

[softtop]

For what it's worth I started down the slope relatively recently and have bought the following things:

Circular Saw - I've had one of these for years and with a good straight-edge (i.e. a length of ply) I find it fine for cutting sheet goods down. With the SCMS as well I don't feel a great need for a table saw.
SCMS - I've had this a long time too but it's surprising how useful it is and saves a lot of sweat, plus is great for mitres etc. Mind you I've done a lot of building work (stud walls, skirtings, mouldings etc.) and it's been great for that. Great for cutting stock to length.
Planer/thicknesser - Recently acquired. Wouldn't be without it now, as in the past timber was never quite the right size and I was paying a LOT more for it. Also when you find you need to make a replacement for a window or something you can get it exacly the size you need. Plus if you've bought it second hand you can always sell it back on if you decide you've had enough. I tried planing by hand but it takes SOOO long.
Bandsaw - Again a recent purchase and really handy for resawing and I find it fine for ripping stock down (that then goes in the P/T).
Dust extractor - definitely a must for P/T and Bandsaw, plus handy for other tools too.

I reckoned I had a reasonable collection of handtools built up over the years (though mostly entry level ones), but it's still surprising how easy it is to spend £50-£100 at workshopheaven or axminster on a few essentials...

Good luck with it all.

 

[cs02rm0]

Thanks all. Given me plenty to think about before I make the jump down that slope!