Getting Started in Woodworking

**LCHIEN** · 08-07-2006, 10:51 AM

congratulations, you are a scrounger and got some good deals.

I think you should build some stuff and see what its all about before investing a lot more.

Personally, I think a Drill Press and a Band saw are important tools, perhaps moreso than Jointer and planer (altho you got a great deal on those). As a project, perhaps build a router table.

**MilDoc** · 08-07-2006, 10:56 AM

Can't say much about the DeWalt router. I have a Hitachi and a Bosch myself.

I also have the Bosch jigsaw and love it. No experience with other brands.

As for chisels, I have the Marples set and they work fine, especially after an initial scary sharpening. I don't need chisels often so I saved money there. But if you're going to be dioing a lot of hand work with them, I'd get a better set.

You're correct about the router bits. But, bigger bits demand 1/2" shank. For smaller cuts, takeing small bites with the 1/4" works well. I use 1/4" all the time in a laminate trimmer for such as 1/4" roundover. I use 1/2" in the router table. For the bits I use frequently I tend to buy the best. For the ones I don't need often, I bought the Hickory sets on Amazon.

You mainly need a jointer/planer if you're using rough lumber (like the red cedar I get around here). If using only dimensioned lumber, I'd go for the planer for those occasions when you need thinner stock. And I agree that a bandsaw is a mighty fine tool to own!

**jseklund** · 08-07-2006, 11:10 AM

LChien and MilDoc, thanks for your replies.

LChien- The router table and workbench are going to be my first two projects. I figured I want to pretty much put a stop to the spending until I've completed a few projects after those, like you said. I know the jointer/planer aren't really necessary, but where they were decent deals it seemed- I justified it with the fact that it MAY save me a little $$ on material costs....at the very least I'll have flat edges, haha.

MilDoc- I am leaning towards the Marples. I keep flip-flopping. The Narex seem like a good set for a value price and it would be more "complete". But the Marples are loved by all, and those soft-grip handles, I imagine, will be appreciated if I am hammering away at something for more than a short while. Like you said, if it turns into something I do a lot- I will probably buy something better anyway.

As for the bits- I hadn't thought about doing fine work and how the smaller bits would be better for that. I guess it should have occured to me. I guess that's why they call us beginners.

**maxparot** · 08-07-2006, 11:33 AM

I also have the Bosch jigsaw it is the one that all others are judged by and few other come close to performing as well.

My best router is a Hitachi dual base variable speed w/ soft start Rockler has been running it on sale for $140 and it a great deal at that price.

A good 7 1/4" circular saw is a must have so put one on your list if you don't have it covered.

One of your first projects should be to make yourself a good sawboard to aid in cutting down sheet goods with your circular saw.

I have a Marples set of chisels they are worth the price, do a fine job and hold an edge well.

Speaking of holding an edge you may want to consider how you will be keeping your cutting tools and bits sharp.
I like a combo a Japanese water stone but that requires something to keep it flat so a float plate and wet/dry sandpaper(scary sharp) may be a better place to start for sharpening and then it can be used to keep a stone flat.

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 08-07-2006, 11:44 AM

"Also, like I said, I may have become overzealous in my tool-buying."

Yes you have. However if you are getting great deals on the items as shown below you might as well pick them up now. I do think you should focus on learning each tool individually and build a few projects to determine what you need instead of just writing up a list of dream tools. Having said that, my soap box moment is over and I will conceed that your list is very reasonable and the items you are looking at will certainly be needed. I use router and bits on every project.

My router line up is pure Bosch but the Dewalt seems very favorable and will take Porter Cable style bushings (this will make sense to you in the future when you start dovetailing). If you are brand loyal, at least in the case of the router you can't go wrong.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1?ie=UTF8&s=hi
All three bases for $249 - $25 off = $225

Absolutely the Bosch 1590EVSK is a great jigsaw and I highly recommend it. You can not go wrong and I don't believe there is a better <$200 jigsaw out there. Above $200 and you hear rumblings of Festool, though many say the Bosch is still superior.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...200621?ie=UTF8
Sold by Bosch Certified Pre-Owned is reconditioned and $119.95 saves you $40 off regular retail and full warrenty applies.

As far as the chisels go, you are not going off the deep end either way. I'd probably go with the $54.00 set of Narex. That gives you blends of sizes (read longer time between having to sharpen cause you have other sizes that are sharp lol!). If you really get into handtools you will probably then jump to a set better than the Marples you are currently looking at.

Router bits : One word answer : Holbren. Period.

Ok, more words . . . lol. Brian Holbren is a regular poster on BT3, owns a nice online retail biz focusing on quailty bits and is one heck of a nice guy.
Forget 1/4" shank unless it is bit that can not be found in 1/2" In this case size does matter. Twice as much metal there to stand up to intense heat and stress. Here is the link to the set that will take care of 99% of your routing needs until you stard doing raised panels. Then Holbren also has a nice beginner raised panel set for under $30!
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...&cat=85&page=1
Discount code : BTR310 gets you 10% off for being BT3 forum member
Free shipping, EXCELLENT service.

That along with your other purchases = $900. Done.

**LCHIEN** · 08-07-2006, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by Jeffrey Schronce

...Forget 1/4" shank unless it is bit that can not be found in 1/2" In this case size does matter. Twice as much metal there to stand up to intense heat and stress. ...

Actually, four times the metal.

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 08-07-2006, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by LCHIEN

Actually, four times the metal.

Well . . .ya . . . .I knew that. Just keeping it simple for the kid.

Jeff (who has no idea why it wouldn't be 2x because he had to take statistics and probability in HS instead of geometry)

**Tom Miller** · 08-07-2006, 12:37 PM

Is the router the 621? I've only heard good things (really good things) about it.

Concerning the chisels -- while researching, keep in mind that any comments you see about Marples may be outdated, as the latest Marples sets are now manufactured by Irwin(?). I hear they're not the quite the product they used to be, but I have no 1st hand experience with that.

Regards,
Tom

**LarryG** · 08-07-2006, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by LCHIEN

Actually, four times the metal.

And, from most vendors, there is either no difference at all in the prices between 1/4" and 1/2" shanks, or else the premium for 1/2" shanks is so small as to be virtually meaningless.

I have the Marples chisels, in seven sizes. Far from the best available, I know, but for a non-Neander like me they're way more than adequate.

I'm another Bosch 1617 router owner and I regard it and the DeWalt 618PK as the two best in the class (I also own a DeWalt 616, the single-speed version of the 618, and a DeWalt 621 plunge router). Most of the Bosch kits I've seen include more accessories, but the DeWalt 618 plunge base is slightly smoother and lighter than even the excellent Bosch. And, as has been mentioned, the DeWalt accepts Porter-Cable bushings directly. Bottom line, you will not go wrong with either.

**jseklund** · 08-07-2006, 01:30 PM

maxparot- The circular saw IS of course on the list. However, my dad has one and lives about 5 minutes away, so I will wind up snagging his tools when needed. I will probably eventually get a new one so I don't keep grabbing his though...

Also, the sharpening issue is a good one to raise. There is a Craftsman bench grinder that someone on this forum picked up for $20. I'm going to see if I can grab that for that price. Think this will do the trick? I normally avoid Craftsman, they are so over priced. But with the deals on these close-outs, I figure it'll get me by. I have to do a little more reading on how to sharpen though....

Jeffrey S- I am a off-the-deep-end-kind-of-guy.

I feel like I'm buying all these nice to have tools that I may not need, but I think the list looks like this in reality:

1. Tools I have- Drill, Miter Saw, Belt Sander, Hand Tools
2. Tools I need- Table Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Chisels, Router Bits
3. Tools I don't need but have good deals on- Jointer, Planer, Bench Grinder
4. Tools I should one day get- Circular Saw, Band Saw, Drill Press.
5. Tools I will make- Work Bench, Router Table, and Maxparot signed me up for a sawhorse project

I think the Dewalt 618 with the Fixed Base/Plunger is going to be my choice along with the Bosch 1590EVSK on the two big items on my list. I am somewhat brand-loyal with DeWalt, but I know they have some tools that aren't what you'd expect either. In other words- Ryobi isn't below me either, hehe.

And Holbren seems like a great product, great service, great guy. I am heavily looking into their bits. Like MilDoc kind of said, I figure I will buy a set that has different styles of reasonable quality, and then upgrade to better bits once I know which bits I use the most.

LChien- Obviously Jeffrey knows how much medal is in a 1/2" bit. Duh.

Tom Miller- I am looking at the DW618PKV. It's about $40 more, but comes with a Plunge base and a fixed base and is 2 1/4 HP instead of 2. Or for another $10 above that one you can get all three bases- tempting, very tempting. But I think I may try to squeeze this out of my GF for my upcoming birthday, so I want to put SOME limit on it, haha.

The Marples set I am looking at is at HD, and may be left-over. It appears to be a true Marples set, not the new Blue-Chip set that says Irwin on it. I'm torn between the $30 Marples and the $55 Narex. Really torn.

It seems the Narex have 8 chisels, will require less sharpening (due to more available chisels), are great quality. The Marples give 4 chisels, have soft-grip handles (which will be good I'm GUESSING, if I am using them for a while), have a great reputation, and are $30 instead of $55. Of course, if I'm doing that much work with them that I need the soft-grip handles, I will probably need a better set anyway....

LarryG- I think I am going with the 1/2" bits for now. I may get a 1/4" set later, if I need more detailing....but maybe I don't need them. Like you said, you get stronger bits for the same price.

On the Marples chisels, LarryG- would you think you could get by just as well with 4 Marples Pro-Touch Chisels if you had to? Or would you prefer to have more chisels?

Thanks again for all the input guys. I haven't been able to pick up my TS, Planer and Jointer yet, because I have to get a truck to go get them. I can't wait though- I wanna get started on my workbench! Gathering all the pertinant info is kind of daunting- and I'm burning out. It's time to just get to work already.

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 08-07-2006, 01:48 PM

I don't think the need for a circular saw is that great. Of course the cost is not that great either. For ripping sheet goods (with no helpers) I use the jigsaw with Aggressor blade.

"I may get a 1/4" set later, if I need more detailing...."

THere maybe a little confusion here about 1/4" shank bits and "fine work". Like the other poster I do have a few 1/4" shanks that go in my Bosch Colt router for quick little jobs like small profile round overs. However that is only out of laziness. I can keep a round over bit in the laminate router and not have to change the bit as much in the 1/2" collet router. I have the exact same bits in the 1/2" shank and they would work exactly the same. I can't think of a job you would need to do that could not be done with the Holbren set, other than specialty molding and raised panels.

I think your 1-5 listing of haves, wants and needs is right on and a good idea. Watch BT3 bargin alerts and you have many, many, many more to add.

Oh ya, CLAMPS BABY!!!!

**LarryG** · 08-07-2006, 02:10 PM

Router Bit Shank Size: As Jeffrey says, there's generally no good reason to choose 1/4" shanks over 1/2" shanks, regardless of the type of cut you're doing. The exceptions would be bits that are not available in anything other than 1/4" shank, and bits for which the difference in shank size is immaterial. One example of the latter would be a 1/4" straight bit, which is weakest where the cutting portion joins the shank; having a 1/2" shank on a bit like this accomplishes nothing, other than keeping you from having to change collets. A lot of times, bits that fall into one category also fall into the other.

Chisels: I bought the four-piece Marples set (actually they said Marples on the package, but Irwin on the handles; AFAIK, the two lines are identical apart from the handle cosmetics) and later filled in with the other three sizes. I probably use the "in between" sizes -- the 3/8", the 5/8" -- more than those that came in the set ... I'll grab the 5/8" to clean out the bottom of a 3/4" groove since the 1/8" narrower width gives me a little bit of manuevering room.

I know of a number of very advanced, or even professional, woodworkers who say a well-sharpened set of the Marples/Irwins are all the chisel one will ever need. Again, this assumes one is primarily a power-tool woodworker who relies on edge tools only for touch-up and final fitting. I like nice toys ... er, tools, and have arguably spent more than I should have for some of the stuff in my shop, but I've never felt like I underspent on my chisels. (And as a point of reference, my block plane is a Lie-Nielsen, if that tells you anything.)

**Pappy** · 08-07-2006, 08:11 PM

On the chisels, unless you are going to do a LOT of work with them, save $10 and get the same set without the cushion grip from Lowe's. Except for paring, I tend to grip the shaft of the chisel just below the handle like I am holding a pencil.

**Tom Miller** · 08-07-2006, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by LarryG

I know of a number of very advanced, or even professional, woodworkers who say a well-sharpened set of the Marples/Irwins are all the chisel one will ever need.

And, while not an advanced, much less a professional woodworker, I loves me my Marples, too. Didn't mean to sound so disparaging about the Irwin takeover above -- sounds like the hearsay I heard was overstated.

Regards,
Tom
p.s. I have the 4-pc set. Seems like enough to me, but more is better.

Getting Started in Woodworking

Getting Started in Woodworking

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