klpauba

I was faced with the same problem. I picked up a guide system for the circular saw and now don't have the need for a table saw. You can use about any saw that you have (I have a PC with brake). I added an option for a router to slide on the guide rail and it works great (I picked up a DW621 for that). I shopped on Craigs list and found a very reasonable planer. I'll be building a sled until I can afford a jointer. I've been making some pretty nice cabinets for the shop and learning a lot on the way. By saving the money by being a DIYer, I will be able to afford more tools as time goes on.

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kleptic

thanks for the responses, its good to hear that I can actually accomplish some things without a dream workshop. After watching the woodworking shows on the DIY network and seeing tools I know most people even with a big shop don't even have I got kind of down thinking I wouldn't be able to make the things I want to make. I'll keep at it though and let you all know how my projects end up.

A couple people mentioned planing by hand. is that really viable or do most people consider it crazy? I've never even tried it so I have no clue the amount of work it would take to hand plane. also are hand planes inexpensive? if they are too expensive it probably doesn't make sense to get them and just save for a machine.

reikimaster

I don't have a dream shop. The power tools that I have, I've kind of gathered over time. I do seem to have several saws. Circular saw was the first power saw and it STILL gets used a lot. Then I got a table saw. Not a GREAT one, but so far it's ok. Then a band saw. Small one. And then recently I got a sliding compound miter saw. Again... YEARS of gathering. I also have hand saws. Crosscut, back saw, and a few japanese saws. Just 2 years ago I got a small bench drill press. I have chisels and hand planes too. My wife bought me this:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=4656
and I love it. Probably takes less time to just go ahead and hand plane something than it does to set up a machine to do it. Now if you have a LOT of planing to do... then the machine would make it easier and faster (maybe) but .... "better"?... I think would be a subjective call. I get a great deal of satisfaction from "feeling" the wood. How is the grain running? How hard is this piece of maple? How is this maple planing when compared to this OTHER maple or that piece of southern yellow pine?

I have 2 routers. For me that's kinda where this whole adventure started.

Yeah I watch the wood shows too. It's funny to watch David Marks make a "simple, yet elegant" little table and then use an $8,000 band saw to resaw something or $500 worth of clamps to hold it together.

You'll also find that you can make jigs to help you do thigs with your smaller collection of tools. The guys that have tens of thousands of dollars invested in power equipment may be able to get it done faster, but you're not a production shop so you take your time and you put some of YOU into whatever you're making.

well... that was probably a bit OVER my 2 cents, but.....keep the change

jerryc

Kyle,

I agree with others who say you don't have to go the high cost power tool way.
I found this out when I was deep into wood turning (still do some). The guy that taught me was an expert, had written a book on wood turning. But he talked of a guy he had seen in Tunisia, using a pole lathe and one skew chisel yet turning out work the expert would have been proud of.

Two basic tools you can't do without are a bench. Your first one can be rough because you will probably redesign it as your skills and need increase. Next are clamps. Everyone says you can't have too many. Most of my hand clamps are home made from scrap and constructed in spare time between jobs.

A couple of good hand planes bought second hand will give you a good start and don't forget you will need to sharpen them. The Scary Sharp method is relatively inexpensive. Sharp tools are the backbone of good work.

I am a believer that your first stationary machine should be a good bandsaw. It is versatile and will do most of what you want. Properly adjusted it can rip wood as smoothly as a table saw, yet can cut curves to match a scroll saw. I have blades from half inch down to one eighth. Blades are relatively cheap and when they are no good for cabinet work they can cut firewood.

I don't do much sanding, it's noisy, dusty and expensive. A well planed piece of timber needs only a sanding block which is very cheap ( it also gives you a little exercise and so cuts gym costs.)

I could rattle on but full advice on setting up would be article length.
Gather advice, good advice is cheaper than bad tools, limit your spending and get the best out of a few tools (like the Tunisian woodturner

Jerry


Everyone is entitled to my opinion

mjeisenbaugh

Ok Kyle,
You asked the 20k question that could become the million dollar qustion as well! But there is a simple answer to what you ask!
When people like you, and I as well as everyone else that's a member on this sight decide we want to create things, it boils down not in what you have for tools, but how to use them as well! Me personally I like to make custom made shadow boxes and frames of different sorts.
Though I have a Rigid brand router, compound miter saw, and a few othe power tool from Rigid (OK Im a big fan of thier LIFET TIME WARRANTY ON PARTS, AND SERVICE) they are just power tools alone. What you need to concern yourself with is if you plan to use the tools you have often, what are you using them with?
What I mean by this is simple, if you have a a say RIGID brand router it is only as good as what brand of router bits you buy. I've come to like the lasting sharpness of PORTER CABLE router bits vs the ones you can get from cheap imports that only last a few times before needing sharrpning often and then later can not be used anymore, it's the old saying you get what you pay for!
The next important tool you just can not buy is knowledge and skill! One thing I'm learning still is ask questions in this forum, and do a lot of test runs that are inexpensive first, learn from mistakes and ask questions.
I can understand you outdoor workshop as well! I use what is called the STANELY FAT MAX work table deluxe, it is very versitile in many ways, it even has power outlets that can be hooked to one extenstion cord alowing you to hook up multible power tools. it doubles as a dolly to cary tool boxes, and bags, but also doubles as work mate bench with adjustable clamping abillity. Next I bought folding table legs, and some maple plywood from HOME DEPOT for under $25 and made two tables to work on but can store easy.
Yea you will spend a few bucks here and ther, but if your in a hurry to start up a biz with it, well it takes money to make money, but if you just want to start small, search out what you need for that job and go from there, and worry about getting the other stuff later as the projects progress.

Special note check postings of others often on this site, you will gain a lot from just a few notes of wisdom!

Good luck, Michael