is it possible to woodwork without 20k in tools?

[kleptic]

I have a jigsaw, circular saw, corded and cordless screw gun, and an orbital sander. I plan on getting a bosch combination plunge/fixed base router soon. I'm wondering though. Is it even possible to do much woodworking without having a full shop of all the huge tools like tablesaw/planer/jointer/bandsaw/etc

I don't really have room for a lot of huge tools and I will probably be working outside most of the time so I will be moving them outside to work.

I guess I'm wondering what tools are required and if there are any shortcuts or cheaper ways to do the jobs these huge machines do.

Over the years I'll be able to get some more equipment but in the mean time I would like to see what I can do without.

I just made a couple bookcases and I plan on making a king size platform bed with drawers in it. I also want to make a liquor cabinet and a couple computer desks. eventually I would like to get more advanced though.

so I kind of rambled but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Kyle

[curiousgeorge]

Hello, Kyle. Welcome to the forums.
If you think about it, how was it done before the industrial revolution and power tools? By hand! So, you see, all of these expensive "POWER" tools are not really necessary. So, with just a good supply of the basic hand tools you could build just about anything. Now. Having said all that historical BS, you would be surprised at what can be accomplished with a circular saw, router, and the basic hand tools. There are some good craftsmen who make some fine furniture out there with less than that.
Check out this site:
http://sawdustmaking.com/

[nzgeordie]

Heck yes, Kyle! Look under Tools and Woodworking and you'll see a $20 plane I picked up and refurbished. All it cost was some time and effort. Now the shavings just curl off it If you've got the basics, you can turn out some beautiful work without expensive power tools.

[bobj3]

Hi Kyle

Woodworking it just like any thing you want to do it takes money.

Let's take racing cars (drag racing) anyone can run in the 16s but if you want to run in the low 9s well it takes more money,, when you get into woodworking you are running in the 16s and the more you get into it the more you want to run in the low 9s...just like the big boys many don't get into the 10s until then drop the big bucks for more equipment ... same thing is true for anything you want to do...it takes bucks and time..


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[Mike]

Kyle, There are many jigs and fixtures you can build that take the place of spending big bucks. Power tools does not mean better, but it usually means easier and faster. Perhaps the single most important tool you can own is a bench that is easy to clamp to. A handsaw will cut wood the same or better than a power saw IF the material is held firmly in place and you have learned how to use the saw properly. Hand cut dovetails are usually superior to dovetails that have been routed but at the cost of much more time. Most of us opt for the easier use of power tools so we can complete our projects quickly. We are not trying to create museum quality furniture, we are trying to build functional, useful items with a fair amount of quality.

[fibertech]

Kyle, You have a great start. Pick up a couple of woodworking magazines at your local grocery store and you will see numerous projects that are exclusively done by hand or small power tools. You found us here and you will find tons of information. Most of us are hobbyists and many people are very advanced. Turn on PBS on Saturday afternoon and if lucky, you will see Bob and Rick (the 2 guys at the top of this page). Get a router, use what else that you have and build a table for the router and you will be amazed. Stick with it. Post lots of pictures and Harry with be your friend for life. -Derek

[Hamlin]

Welcome to the router forums Kyle. To answer, yes it is. The most important tools any type of worker has is, their brain and hands. Patience, ingenuity, one can do anything.

[vapochilled]

It's actually better to not start with 20K of tools, you'll hurt yourself and you probably wont understand what is happening to the wood!
Take a cheap $30 plane and make it sharp and true, then have at a piece of old 2x6 pine! You will learn much, you'll Learn to "feel" what the wood is doing.
Take a hand saw, mark some straight lines on the wood and cut those lines........straight! It takes years to build the skill to all this by hand, power tools simply speed up the proccess, but they don't teach as well as by doing it by hand.
If your doing woodwork as a hobby, there's no rush right? learn slow, make mistakes with cheap tool. dropping a $4 chissel is a lot less painful than plunging a mortising machine into a piece of wood that has a hidden nail in it! lol

[Drugstore Cowboy]

Contrary to what many woodworking magazines and forums might lead you to believe -
Actually very little is required.
And -- no -- it does not take a lot of money
As evidence I invite you to visit most any museum or antique store and observe some EXCELLENT examples of the very items you mentioned built with little more than a chisel, a draw knife, a plane, a hand saw and a brace and bit.

Beyond that you get into the realm of things that are desired and preferred.
There are all kinds of things that make various jobs go easier, faster etc.
And when you get into that realm you can spend a FORTUNE.
Mind you - there are a lot of things I desire and prefer just like anyone else.

It sounds like you have a pretty good start.
The only thing I would add would be a router -- and not because that is the topic of this site but because it does make it easier to round over corners etc.

Beyond that -- as has already been mentioned -- the most important 'tool' in a woodshop -- is the craftsman. To me it is much more valuable to spend time and energy learning skills than money buying bells and whistles.

[Dr.Zook]

Welcome to the Router Forums Kyle.