I know I am not the poster of the original "cheap tools to start" thread, but I had a couple more questions about the topic! :)
Does anyone have a list or recommendations for some starter tools to be able to build the furniture on this website?
I don't have much experience, and live in a tiny apartment on the third floor--not a whole lot of room, tolerance for noise (air compressors are out of the picture for me), etc! And of course, we don't have a ton of money to throw around right now (who does?).
What I'm looking for is a list of necessities.. of "must-haves".. As an example, I probably won't be able to get a good brad nailer AND a good finishing hammer.. which one is more versatile, useful, etc?
Any suggestions maybe for a starter set? I know that Black and Decker and Craftsman have tools that are all run off of the same batteries.. are they good quality for what I need them for? Do these sets even include everything I'll need?
Since I live in an apartment, I won't be doing any household stuff. Just this.. But I want things that are good, capable, and will at least last another 6 months to a year. Hopefully, by then, I'll have moved into a larger (and hopefully, more permenant!) location, on a lower floor 
, and can get more of the things I want--a table saw, air compressors and big, bad nailers.. and all that good stuff.
Thanks so much in advance for your help and expertise. I am looking foward to the responses!
Carrie and 3Chicks
Sun, 09/19/2010 - 11:47
For hand tools:
a good tape measure with the fractions listed/ Takes the guess work out of it.
A speed square (this is a triangle) it works for marking smaller boards and marking angles.
A carpenters square for marking straight lines on bigger than 6" boards.
Clamps (a couple small hand clamps and a couple ratcheting type with rubber rectangle ends)
Nail Punch (get a set of three) to recess nails
A Kreg Jig (the $40 one) it's a budget Kreg but you can still do 2 holes.
A set of counter sink bits (4 in a set). I've never needed more.
Sliding Compound saw in your case would be pricey, noisy, big. You can still do it all with a full size circular saw. 110v corded would be better than battery in this instance.
Shop Vac- just a little 2gal would be fine.
5 gallon bucket (variety of uses- scraps, stool, prop, cleaning)
2 folding saw horses. (Just get cheap plastic ones)
Drill bit set. ( I love dewalt's)
I have a 18volt Black and Decker set that I've used for years. The new batteries last longer than the originally designed. They are also readily available on Ebay. I've got a lot of stuff there.
I run with 2 drills, 1 small saber saw, palm sander. I'm not happy with their jig saw. Could be user error!
That's all I can think of right now.
Hope that Helps!
Happy Building.
aluacesr
Sun, 09/19/2010 - 11:56
VERY HELPFUL, thanks for your quick response--i have just been going to orange and blue a lot, and window shopping, trying to familiarize myself with the merchandise.. the workers are often more of a hindrance than a help, trying to sell me huge expensive stuff i don't need! so, your list has helped me tons. thank you so much.
Carrie and 3Chicks
Sun, 09/19/2010 - 13:21
I forgot one more:
#2 Drill Bits for a drill chuck. Get a couple. If you get a magnetized one too.
bhoppy
Tue, 09/21/2010 - 06:23
Great list Carrie Thanks! I just found Ana's list under getting started. http://ana-white.com/get-started
I had the page bookmarked on the old site but she now has pics and more details!! I'm so happy to actually know what a coutersinc bit looks like!
aluacesr
Tue, 09/21/2010 - 06:29
Not to sound ignorant (although I am, on this subject at least!), but what is a "drill chuck"?
Tsu Dho Nimh
Tue, 09/21/2010 - 16:08
Alejandra said:
It's the part of the drill that holds the bit (the thing that makes the holes). Chucks are replaceable on some drills.
You usually tighten it with a "chuck key" or "bit key" or whatever they call it ...
Looks like this: http://www.statestreetsteel.co.....%20key.jpg
cherylincanada
Thu, 10/14/2010 - 09:27
Thank you for this thread, Alejandra, and thank you to Carrie and 3 Chicks for the awesome reply!!! It was very helpful. I am in the exact same position as Alejandra--I went to Orange earlier this week and basically window shopped and browsed for all the stuff I thought I would need. I've been browsing this site for months and planning on building, but haven't started yet. I'm also living in a rental apartment (with carpet) and so the challenges of building furniture in my space are kind of scaring me. I did enroll in a woodworking for women class at the local tradeschool, so that I would have a nice shop to build in, but ended up dropping out of the class for reasons beyond my control.
Good luck to you Alejandra, and if you have any tips on building in a small apartment, please don't hesitate to share :-)
Cheryl