Twist on getting started...

[supper shaun]

Second post here, so excuse my exuberance, but I really like the website.

Here is my open ended question--can you think of specific projects that acquiring a particular power tool lend themselves to. My reasoning is that I have very few tools, and if I see a great deal and can identify a project, I am more likely to purchase and use it than just getting something on sale. Makes no sense? How about an example:

I found a good deal on a miter saw (or what I thought was at the time) and then installed new baseboards in our then unfinished basement. I found a really great deal on a Milwaukee circular saw and built a small workbench for the garage. I just found another pretty good deal on a reciprocating saw, and plan to use as part of knocking down a wall in the kitchen.

Putting the cart before the horse, maybe. But it makes sense for me. Thanks for any insight.

[Ed62]

Every tool has it's place. But I think most will agree that a good table saw is probably the most used large tool, and the one they wouldn't be without. It can do most jobs well with the help of jigs, which can be user made or bought commercially. Other tools have more limitations.

BTW, welcome to the site.

Ed

[LarryG]

Can't really disagree with Ed's advice. Well, maybe a little. If you think the stuff you might build will tend toward the large and boxy ... table saw. If you think it'll tend toward the small and curvy ... band saw. For nine out of ten woodworkers the table saw is indeed the centerpiece of the shop, but there's always that other one out of the ten, and maybe you're him.

However, do you mean ALL power tools, or handheld ones? All of those you mentioned were handheld except the miter saw, and most of those are reasonably portable. If you are talking about handheld power tools, get a router. With some kind of saw (table saw, band saw, or even a circular saw as long as you have a good way to guide it) plus a router, you can build almost anything.

[LCHIEN]

What tools you need depend greatly upon the type and size of the projects you build.

For me personally, perhaps unfortunately, 8 of ten tools were bought after I completed the project that needed them. Maybe I exaggerate. But I do anticipate tool needs/wants better now (perhaps due in great part to this forum) and have been buying better suited tools at better prices by researchign and waiting.

[supper shaun]

That is the complete list, plus a corded drill and the near mandatory cordless drill. So the "Getting Started" forum is great for me as I have some investing to do. I try to include/balance/justify the cost of getting a new tool versus paying handyman to take care of the honey do list. For example -- I had a quote of around $800 to put up baseboards in basement. Was very reasonable, but instead I spent $200 on miter saw, $150 on baseboard and $75 on everything else. Saved $375, picked up miter saw, and really had fun. This is what got me started.

Have considered one of those random orbit sanders to use along with a rented sander to refinish floors.

TS is just a bit too much $$$ right now, so I am trying to save up and hope for a sale sometime. Till then I am looking for a dependable guide to use with the circular saw. Plus it seems like a tool without a tangible reason for me right now. But if I can picture putting in kitchen cabinets, not pay Mr. Handyman, save some $$, and pick up a tool it all seems much more reasonable.

My $.02.

[TheRic]

I think the router is one of the most underestimated tools in usefulness by people who do NOT own one.

Since I purchased a router, there have been many times I pulled it out and used it for something that several years ago I would have done differently, or not at all. Sometimes it takes longer to set it up then to use it, but it makes all the difference on from an OK project to a great one.

A decent drill corded / cordless can have many uses.

[Tequila]

If you're likely to do more basebord or crown moulding, a compressor and brad nailer are pretty much indespensible. That was the one tool that I regret not buying earlier.

[bigfoot]

If I had it to do over, I would have bought the bandsaw first. I have only had my BS for about 3 months, have not cut a curve with it yet, but I use it every weekend to resaw, and to rip. Properly set up it rips better than the TS, imho

[gimpy]

This is for supper shaun. You mention looking for a good (actually, dependable, you said) guide for your circ saw. Have you looked at building your own saw guide jig. Very simple to do and is very good at cutting long straight cuts. Or is this some other kind of guide you are looking for?

Frank

[supper shaun]

Hey Frank

If you have a good/great/dependable jig for a circular saw, I would love to make it.

Thanks,

Supper

[DeanKC]

I think the router is one of the most underestimated tools in usefulness by people who do NOT own one.

I think you're probably right. Only correction I'd add is that folks (like me) who couldn't/wouldn't wait to save enough $$ to buy a router with a 3/8 or 1/2" collet still end up underestimating that tool. That tool in a table type situation is a pretty potent piece of machine! 'Course, that's why the Router Workshop could sell all those DVDs.

[Stormbringer]

Hey Frank

If you have a good/great/dependable jig for a circular saw, I would love to make it.

Thanks,

Supper

Not Frank but here ya go anyway. It don't get any easier than this.

http://members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm

Make an eight footer and a four footer and you'll be set. With these sawboards you don't have to compensate for the backspacing of the blade, just lay it on your cut line. Just remember to keep the saw tight against the guide.

You just saved a $100

Enjoy
Greg

[sacherjj]

You just saved a $100

Remember, it is illegal to use that $100 savings for anything other than tool purchases.

[onedash]

I bought a mortiser and made a kitchen table with breadboard edges. i bought a router table and raised panel set and made raised panels.
I bought a lathe and made a bunch of pens.

Its pretty easy to go in a new direction with a new tool. Most of the time I get the tool I really need after I finish what I needed it for in the first place. Like my dovetail jig...I have had it almost a year I think and have only made a few practice drawers...I will make some soon though when I get around to building a desk with at least 8 drawers I think...

[drumpriest]

I agree somewhat with onedash. My took a slightly different path. I got addicted to reading woodworking books, and watching woodworking shows. From this I determined the kinds of projects that I saw myself doing, and the tools that I would need.

I also saw all of the tools that I didn't need this way. A mortiser is among them. They are great tools for arts and crafts furniture, but not strictly necessary, and I have a small shop, so I prioritized.

For me, a tool should be multi-functional if possible. I started with a small table saw (bt3100) and a router. You'd be amazed at the projects you can generate with just those 2 tools. Then a jig saw came next. A miter saw was purchased because of home improvement projects, and gets some use in woodworking.

I am rambling, but you get the idea. I add tools when I can forsee a need. As Loring stated, often that's a hard thing to forsee. Buy quality tools that are safe, and you won't go wrong.