Getting Started in Woodworking

[drumpriest]

Hello. I have the Bosch 1617 router kit, and love it. The dewalt is certainly well spoken of also. I think you'd do well with either. As for jig saw, I have a Bosch 1587, and wouldn't trade it for anything, other than a Bosch 1590. Very good jigsaws for the price from Bosch.

I am not a brand loyal person, really, those 2 Bosch tools are just very good, as is thier hammer drill, for those in need of such a thing.

I have the Marples 7 chisel set with mallet, and they've served me very well. I honestly don't use chisels all that often. Usually for squaring up stopped rabbets. I fit my tenons to my round ended mortises that I route with the Bosch plunge router and spiral cutters.

Router bits, if the cutter diameter is greater than 1/2", and you have a router that can use a 1/2" shank, then use a 1/2" shank. Often use a 1/2" shank even for 3/8" bits, but it can limit the height you can set to bit and cut.

As to Craftsman, don't "avoid" ANY tool company, that's my advice, instead research the tool to see if it will work well for you. I current have a craftsman bandsaw (which appears to either be made by Rikon, or a very good copy), and a craftsman jointer (made by Pergrim). Craftsman tools are not made by Sears, they even have a version of the Bosch 1617 router, made for them by Bosch. So it's more about learning what you need to know about the tool.

Circular saw - I use mine for roughing up panels for final cuts on the TS. I have been known to make a finish cut with one, using a 40T freud blade. My Circ saw? 20$ 13 amp ryobi. Certainly not a tool that I use enough to warrent a big expense.

Holbren is a very good guy, for him, I'm fairly brand loyal, he's always treated me very well.

You can do quite a few cabient type projects sans bandsaw, but a bandsaw is a great tool to have. You may also consider a biscuit joiner and/or Pocket hole jig, depending upon the types of projects you will be constructing.

As you grow, there are a couple of other tools that you may want. Such as a lathe and drum sander, or a scroll saw, it's addicting certainly. While you may feel that you are buying too many tools for a start (and you might be, dunno what you are going to build), I applaud your choice to purchase quality tools that will last you for a while.

Sorry to write a book here, but as to the bench grinder. You don't strictly need this to just hone chisels and touch them up, but if you are beating up the edges of chisels, it's faster and easier if you grind a slight curve into the face. BE CAREFUL!!! It's very easy to blue the steel of your nice expensive chisels on a cheap power grinder.

And as always, keep asking things here, we all love talking about woodworking.

[BigguyZ]

Not to take away from Holbren- whom I plan on buying a TS blade from soon- but Woodbits.com also has good deals on router bits, and they have lower prices on some bits where Holbren only has Whiteside bits available for. Things like slot cutters. $30-$40 for a Whiteside, or $15 at Woodbits. Their shipping is always a $4 flat fee, and they have a lifetime warrenty. So unless you hit a nail or drop the bit, they'll replace when they get dull.

[jseklund]

Guys, I can't thank everyone enough for your willingness to help.

JS and LarryG- I am going to get a 1/2" bit set for the router. Thanks for clearing everything up, I think I get it now. It's all simple/makes sense. I think getting a good quality (not high-end), 1/2" set with variety will give me a good idea about what I use and don't use, and where to buy higher-end bits.

As far as the chisels go, I think I am going to go with the $30 set of 4 Marples @ HD. There are only a few lowes in my area, and none of them seem to carry the cheaper Marples. However, I am using gift cards that I bought at 20% off for them, so it should work out. I think I am over-estimating how often I'll use these chisels. Everyone seems to use more powertools than chisels. The marples will be good to start, and if I need more later- I can buy them then. Makes more sense to spend $30 now and find out I need more than to spend $55 and find out I never use them.

Drumpriest- "As to Craftsman, don't "avoid" ANY tool company, that's my advice, instead research the tool to see if it will work well for you."

I agree- in the end it's about having a quality tool that makes the job easier and not the name on the case. The only reason I avoid Craftsman usually isn't because of their quality (although some of their tools are lacking, a lot of them are also good)- but because they charge a huge premium in my mind. I don't know why, but they just seem to. I know DeWalt is viewed as charging a premium also- but I "feel" like I at least get what I pay for 90% of the time with them. They also seem competitively priced with other brands. For instance- DeWalt's Plung/Fixed Base Router is similarly priced to Bosch's competitive model. Are there slight price differences? Sometimes- but Craftsman seems to price things in a world of their own. Maybe I just have some weird perspective though. At any rate- if a Craftsman tool is priced on sale, and a good buy- I don't hesitate (as you can see with the planer! haha)

"As you grow, there are a couple of other tools that you may want. Such as a lathe and drum sander, or a scroll saw, it's addicting certainly. "

Yes, I can see this. There is definetely a long list of tools that go with this hobby. I am the kind of guy, obviously, who will buy whatever tools I can afford, haha. There's always a new tool for me somewhere. A lathe would be VERY nice. I guess I am trying to hold back a little and reach a point where I don't have the MINIMUM variety of tools that barely allow me to compelete a project, but just enough to make the project enjoyable, and not unneccessarily difficult/time consuming.

As for the Grinder- I appreciate the warning about how easy it is to screw up. I have a feeling I'm going to, haha. Sometimes you gotta break stuff to learn. Hopefully I'll catch on before that though!

BigGuyZ- Thanks for the info on the Bits. I REALLY want the $99 set from Holbren. They seem like reliable quality, the service is there, the owner seems honest, and I just overall trust buying them. However, I wish I could get them for about $25 less, with my budget constraints.

I will look into woodbits.com and compare. $25 isn't much, and based on my knowledge of Holbren- the trust is worth $25, but I also have a budget and I have to draw the line somewhere, even if it is only $25. Woodbits.com may be just the ticket to get me started.

[BigguyZ]

I think that going between both sites will get you the best deal. For the large sets- I think Holbren DOES beat the Woodbits price. Then again, I don't know if they have a warrenty, or if that matters to you.

[drumpriest]

Jskelund, I think you have the same perspective that I have about craftsman. If you get a great price on an item, it's worth it, otherwise not. But that's true of any vendor. I have never just gone and bought something without price comparisons, not just in woodworking but everything in life.

The craftsman tools that I own have been very good values for me.

[David Coleman]

I have the Dewalt combo router kit and I love it. However, I wish someone had told me to get the variable speed instead of the single speed. Sometimes I get burn marks on softer woods like cherry.

[jseklund]

BigGuyZ- I noticed that some of the sets are more expensive at woodbits.com. The warranty IS very nice, but I may go with Holbren to see what I really use at a decent price with a trustworthy product. Woodbits.com will definetely be helpful once I know what I need to buy in the future though. Thanks!

Drumpriest- Yeah, Craftsman are decent tools. I think we're along the same lines. Just something about them seems like they're priced in their own little world, at their everyday prices- and I am also sure that this is my perception to some degree.

For instance, I can get a DeWalt Router for $205 (router and plunge base, no bits, no third base, after $25 off) and the Similar Bosch model is $206. The closest Craftsman model is $199 at Sears. At these simliar prices, I'd get the DeWalt or Bosch no question. Sears makes down and dirty tools IMO. They're good, get the job done, but there's no glamour. DeWalt and Bosch are hollywood, haha. However, as you can see by this example, my perception that they are priced in their own world- is just my perception and isn't reality.

Now on other examples, and probably where I get my perception from- if I was looking for a simpler tool, say a wrench or socket, etc.- The Craftsman would cost $15-20 and I could pick up a cheaper tool that is JUST as good for about $7- even at Napa. I've bought a 3 Socket set of Spark Plug Sockets at Wal-Mart for $6, and ONE Socket at Sears was like $15. Granted- Wal-Mart wasn't a great brand name, but it will get the job done. And for the 1-2X a year I use it, it will last for quite a while.

Now, if DeWalt made wrenches- I'm sure they'd be overpriced too. But DeWalt doesn't and Craftsman does, so that's probably how my perception is actually formed......