I've drooled/dreamed and longed to make things like these with my hands all of my life. I never had the courage, or the belief that I could. Now I believe that is a bunch of baloney, and I am determined and brave!
Thing is all I have is a hammer LOL
What tools would you recommend for a beginner? I'm not rich!
Thanks so much :o)
Tami
MoxieCat
Sat, 11/19/2011 - 04:48
next day, checking back :o)
next day, checking back :o)
Guest (not verified)
Sat, 11/19/2011 - 07:35
Answering...
Well. . . we aren't rich either and built our first project this summer. We have been able to make a lot of projects using the following:
A hammer
Screw Drivers (slotted and phillips)
An electric drill - can't live without it (make sure you have the "bits" to use for drilling holes and for putting in screws)
A skill saw - hard to cut a straight line - have to draw a line and go really slow but its possible - but when you don't have a chop saw you make do
THE KREG JIG. . . they aren't THAT much and really are used in a lot of projects. (It really is an attachment that goes on your electric drill not a whole machine)
We picked most of them up at harbor freight with their sales. Things go on sale quite often there. Heard there will be some GREAT deals for this next week!
Good luck. We took a whole month to finish our first project - the storage bed - but we did it. Such satisfaction to know we have a sturdy piece of furniture that is beautiful and that we made ourselves.
claydowling
Sat, 11/19/2011 - 08:23
Getting tools cheaply
Harbor Freight is a great store, but you need to have some care about buying tools there. I have used their sanders and their jig saw. The sanders are workable. My jig saw experience was fine (buy better grade blades somewhere else though), but a friend had terrible luck with his. Their larger tools have a terrible reputation and I'd skip them. I did, for a very brief period of time, have a cordless drill from there, but threw it out after the first day because it was so terrible.
A drill is essential, but you don't need a cordless. Skil makes a decent, very basic drill for not much money.
If you are going to work with plywood or mdf, you'll need a circular saw. You can spend a lot of money, but I've found my inexpensive Skil saw sufficient. I did put money into decent blades. If you're not going to work with sheet goods right away, you can skip this tool for now.
DON'T by a nailer. They're really great tools for heavy production, but you won't be doing that right now. Do buy a good hammer. A 16oz hammer with a good wooden handle and a smooth striking face will last you for years. A cheap trio of small medium and large nail sets should also be picked up.
Lowes sells decent hand saws as well (sorry, Home Depot's selection isn't that great). You'll need a larger panel saw (something between 18 and 26 inches) and a back saw. Both are inexpensive but will get the job done. You'll also need to read up on how to use them effectively (google Chris Schwarz and Roy Underhill on sawing). There are additional tools you'll want to make to use these saws, but once you learn how to use them you can build amazing things.
There are other tools you may want in time, but those tools will see you through a lot.