the best tools or good enough?

[Zahid Naqvi]

I have read the concept so many times "buy the best tool you can afford". But it does not work for a starting wood worker, like myself, who is trying to equip his shop. If I stick to this axiom I would more likely quit wood working as the price tag associated with just getting started is beyond a hobbyists range. I have a mixed approach towards this, tools that would produce a finished edge I tend to buy the best I can afford; these wopuld include router, hand planes, chisels etc. While tools that would probably require another process to produce the finished edge, I tend to go a little cheap on; these would include bench saw, jig saw etc. The intent being instead of waiting six months where I can buy the minimum set of tools to get me started why not buy a mixed bag of things, eventually replace the cheap one by high quality tools as time goes by. This keeps my hobby alive, and hopefully by learning the craft on cheaper tools I develop skill faster/better and also get to appreciate more what a quality tool can do for you.

There are two reasons for this outburst. Firstly, yesterday I went to the dreaded "Harbor Freight tools" outlet in Little Rock and bought a couple of 36" bar clamps for $4.49 each (similar clamps in Home depot will cost me $40 each). I eyeballed them and they looked reasonably straight, besides there is enough play in the clamp jaws to make up for that anyway.

The second reason is to ask you guys about what tools do you think should be of absolutely the best quality affordable, and which ones we can get away with less than the best quality.

Zahid Naqvi

[Lee Schierer]

You have to consider more than just price when you buy a tool following the axiom "Buy the best you can afford".

You have to consider how much time and materials you will waste on a "cheap" tool. You also have to consider whether the level of frustration you will develop from using a less than satisfactory tool will exceed your desire to complete the project. Buying good tools doesn't always mean buying the most expensive tool.

With regard to your second question, you can probably get away with lower quality, I know I'm going to hear lots of opinions on this, clamps to a point. I use pipe clamps and they do a perfectly adequate job. They cost about $12 each plus a length of 3/4" pipe. Now you can buy Bessy clamps and spend a whole lot more and you will have some really nice looking clamps, but do they clamp any better, most likely not. An plain electric drill will work just as well as a cordless one and it is cheaper to buy. Yes there is a cord, but that isn't all that hard to deal with.

You can buy any number of table saws starting at a few hundred up to a few thousand dollars. The more expensive ones are usually more powerful, but really don't cut any better than the blade you put on them. You can pay less and get the same job done. However, you might have to do some more alignments to get it set up and maybe align it more often than the higher priced one. I've seen some mighty fine work come off some really cheap saws.

In the end it the hands using the tools that have the skill, not the tool.

[Dave Sweeney]

In the end it the hands using the tools that have the skill, not the tool.

That just about sums it all up really. The only tool that must always be of the highest quality available is patience. With it you can create some beautiful work, without it, firewood.

[Bobby Hatfield]

I have read the concept so many times "buy the best tool you can afford".

The second reason is to ask you guys about what tools do you think should be of absolutely the best quality affordable, and which ones we can get away with less than the best quality.

Zahid Naqvi

Zahid, I did the same, many years ago, with a brand called "globmaster", precursor to HF I guess, only you can decide if your tool is quality enough. If it does the job you want at the quality and quanity you will accept, (you will accept less and less problems in your hobby "work"), then it is the right tool for you, (it was for me). Until you will not accept that problem with that tool. Cheap tools that do a low quality or quanity job does help you develop your woodworking skills faster. Work holding tools that we use while working on a project, that really do a quality job will give more satisfaction than the tool that does the job. Take care. Please help us with keeping that tropical bird of your aquaintence in line.

[Zahid Naqvi]

Please help us with keeping that tropical bird of your aquaintence in line.

I am afraid Dennis is a lost cause. I've had the pleasure of visiting his shop on one ocassion, he has got more money invested in his shop than I have in both automobiles I own. Then again he is much more comitted and skilled at this craft than I am and produces some absolutely wonderful work. The pictures he posted of the CD rack a short while ago don't do justice to the actual piece.

Lee your advice is well taken, my thoughts exactly. As a hobbyist I don't expect to make any money out of my projects, and since I do woodworking for recreation time spent in the shop is time well spent irrespective of whether I have anything to show for it or not. To quote an example, I bought a $30 Buck bros. hand plane from Home depot a few weeks ago. Last week, after having read a book on hand tools, I decided to tackle tuning the plane. I pretty much spent all day Sat, about 6-7 hrs, flattening the bed, filing and adjusting the chip breaker, sharpening the blade etc. and still it was not done. On the other hand I learned a lot on what function each of these componants performs and how much impact in usability and quality of work will be produced by improving each one. Now if I had bought a LN or any other high quality plane I probably would have been able to use it out of the box with minimum tuning needed, how would in that case I learn about all these interesting things my cheap Buck bros. taught me. Now if I can get hold of some old Stanleys from a flea market it will further my education of hand tools.

On the otherhand the router I use is Porter Cable and the finishing sander is Makita, sticking to my original theory of using the best I can afford for finishing cuts.

Zahid

[Tyler Howell]

You will find a couple of HF things around here one actually gets used regularly. Most didn't live vary long.
As a ski instructor I caution students not to by the best they can afford and be painfully honest about their abilities when they shop until their skills improve. The more expensive skis and snowboards are made for the advanced rider that can take advantage of the side cut, stiffness, camber, and beveled edge of the ski. I have watched new students flail around needlessly for hours with equipment that was too advanced for the user. Skis are specialized for ability, terrain, conditions and type of skiing.
You will find the same in guitars where the noobie instrument is forgiving and makes it easy for the student to learn.

With power tools the pro modal is heavier, more duarable, more powerful, can take a header off an 8 foot ladder and live to tell about it.
I have an old Milwaukee Magnum Hole shooter that will spin you around the room if you’re not watching.
Before you buy the best make sure you like WW. Then Never buy cheap tools.

[Jim Becker]

The most expensive tools are the ones you need to replace early and often.

That being said, Lee is correct...it's what you do with the tools you have that counts the most. It's the bottom line. Any advantage you can give yourself with buying better quality, however, will make things easier...less fighting with the tool lets you concentrate on the art. That doesn't necessarily mean buying "top of the line"; 'just making careful investments that you are comfortable with.

[Mark Singer]

Tyler,
You actually do something with all that terrible weather....I guess its great weather if your skiing...I've done a bit myself...in the mountains that is...we never get any in So Ca.!, Mammoth,Utah, Colorado....my daughter was a ski instructer ...her only woodworking project to date was sanding her wood high heals down a bit...it was an Ebay purchase...you know some things need a bit of work

[Tyler Howell]

Tyler,
You actually do something with all that terrible weather....I guess its great weather if your skiing...I've done a bit myself...in the mountains that is...we never get any in So Ca.!, Mammoth,Utah, Colorado....my daughter was a ski instructer ...her only woodworking project to date was sanding her wood high heals down a bit...it was an Ebay purchase...you know some things need a bit of work

Mark,
Met a lot oF CA guys in Colorado and Utah. Almost like Flying!

[Chris Padilla]

Mark,
Met a lot oF CA guys in Colorado and Utah. Almost like Flying!

Tyler,

I am originally from CO...grew up skiing! I sure do miss snow living in the Bay Area...Tahoe is too far to drive for too few lifts and too many people and too much money! whine, whine, whine...I need some cheese now...where are the WI boyz...oh, wait, CA is cheese country now!!

[Mark Singer]

Chris,
Your wining about cheese....thats fine just don"t cut it ...my computer is very sensitive

[Tyler Howell]

Chris,
A skier and woodworker!!!???? I feel much better about our business deal. The check is in the mail! I'll respect you in the morning, I'm from the Gov. I'm here to help you!

[Chris Padilla]

Zahid,

It is tough when you are starting out. Should you buy 5 so-so tools to get you going or only get 2 great tools but potentially limit what you can do?

Unless you have a lot of money, the obvious choice is to buy what you can to do the job you need. Frankly, I am amazed what my Dad built with second-hand tools, and an old Craftman contractor saw. It was only many years later that a 10" Makita miter saw made it into his garage and he thought he hit the motherlode! That saw is now 7 years old! Only recently did he get a planer and, again, he thought he hit the motherlode!

Do your best to establish what you need to do what you want and then go for it. When your skill develops and money stockpiles a bit, you can then go for more using the same method.

One thing I will say, and it isn't much fun nor will it help you make any nice pieces, is dust control. This is really a health concern. Unfortunately, many of the tools that have good dust control are not cheap and the whole DC issue isn't cheap. Choking on MDF dust isn't fun but it isn't terribly cheap to control correctly. I guess a good facemask might be the cheapest way to go.

Good Luck to you in your quest and we'll always be here to offer our two cents worth.

[Dennis Peacock]

Zahid,

You have to remember that I NEVER started out with what I have today. I started out very much like you....except I never saw the need for a hand plane until years later. Wisdom does come with age!!

I don't have a single Ashley chisel - Buck Brothers and Marples
I don't have a Powermatic or Delta or General TS - It a Jet
I don't have a single LN hand plane - a Record Jack Plane and a Stanley Block Plane
I don't have a Oneway or Stubby lathe - a Jet 1236
I don't have a Felder 731 Combo machine - Robland X31

I could go on and on here. My point? I don't have the best there is either. The best is only in the eye of the beholder. If a Lowes bought Stanley plane is best for you....then that will be perfect. I have visited with woodworkers that have a LOT nicer stuff / tools than I, but I was only jealous for a few hours and then it was back to reality. I have been to woodworkers shops that have a LOT LESS stuff / tools than I and yet turn out better / nicer furniture that any I've seen.

In short? Buy the best and most affordable "golly-gee-whizz" you can and learn about the tool AND develop your skills. As time, knowledge, skill and patience increase for you, so will the quality of your tools. If anyone tells you that you can't do woodworking unless you have a 10" Industrial Cabinet Saw.....they need to go back to school.

Middle of the road tools in skilled hands can produce beautiful things.

Off Soapbox Now......

[Michael Ballent]

The way I see it is that you can ramp your skills up faster if you are using quality tools from the beginning... I have seen people rip what little hair they have on their head trying to compinsate for the tool. I will take you example of the jigsaw to illustrate the point. Both cut wood, but how easy is it to follow the line or stay on one side of the line when the jigsaw is bouncing all over the place... Blade changes one the better machines are quick and easy, on mine I just flip a lever and I can have the blade pop out, saving me from burning my fingers or getting some pliers, rag what ever to pull the blade out or protect my hands when you need to find the screw driver to change out the blade...

In the resale market you can at least recoup a larger percentage of your cost with a name brand tool... Or make money on E-Prey if your auction is caught up in the bidding frenzies I have seen in the past . HF stuff well you can give them away once you upgrade or toss them if they break. I have a friend that purchased a Ryobi cordless drill about a 12-18 months ago and the battery has died, the only replacements he can find cost as much as the original drill he bought... now what??? He will probably buy another Ryobi drill because it is cheap and will probably have to go through the same deal down the road... PC, Dewalt, Milwaukee, etc not such a big deal to get a replacement battery, unless your drill is 10 years old .

Just my thoughts on the subject. Take them for the 2 cents they are worth

-Michael