Handy Woodworking Tool Recommendations

Martynt74

Martynt74

Martynt74

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Joined
20 Feb 2004
Posts
23,496
Location
Hondon de las Nieves, Spain
I've been enjoying building bits of furniture recently. Having made a new gate, log store and recently a wooden planter.

I'm now looking to build an outdoor table (as per my other thread), but have had a few family members ask me to build them planters and the like aswell. I could also do with building a cabinet under the TV in the alcove.

I've been buying tools that i need as i've gone along but there are a few things i think i could do with so after recommendations. Some may be really simple and the cheapest may do, others may be more specialised.

Things i have

2x sash clamps. These are really old that i got from my dad, i need to wedge screws in the holes to tighten it up
2x trigger quick release clamps
Keter plastic work bench - Could do with another to support long length of wood during cutting
Combination square
Panel saw
Tenon saw
Electric mitre saw
Jigsaw
Drill
Impact Driver
24" Spirit level
Nail gun


Things i'd like/new recommendations for
Bevel gauge - It'd be better to know the correct angles rather than using guess work
6" spirit level
36" spirit level
Band clamps - This will be handy for making my table, i see them ranging from £5 to £30 though. Any point with the dearer ones?
Sliding mitre saw - This is a longer term goal i think.
Right angle clamp - I really struggle to fix things to be square. If i make a timber frame it always seems to be slightly out of square. Any tips for correcting my technique?
Drill guide - I seem to always drill at an angle so getting that right will help things too
 
rather than buying another workbench (although that can be handy) why not get a couple of saw horses, eg http://www.screwfix.com/p/folding-saw-horses-pack-of-2/7965p

Im in a similar boat. Last year i did a load of decking, and got a bit of a bug for making things so this year im building a fruit cage on the whole of my allotment, at 13x8M its quite big!
Also made some planter boxes and next project is a shed. Whilst i can buy a shed cheaper its not as good quality, what i can make for the money is better, as its going to the allotment it will see some harsh conditions so happier to make something robust.

I bought this saw earlier this year, its not going to be uber, but for hte money its damn impressive. If I was cutting really serious amounts I would hire in a top end piece of kit, but for odd jobs then this beastie seems to do a good job.

To put it in perspective, the saw i used when doing the decking was about £3k, it cut slightly smoother and clearly did it a little easier, but I could only just lift it myself a few feet due to size and weight, plus a transformer as well, the one I link you can carry with one hand!

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb598msw-210mm-single-bevel-sliding-mitre-saw-240v/73135
 
Oh forgot to say, Ive been eying this up personally.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb672dbt-290mm-pillar-drill-230-240v/1009j

If you have a load of holes to drill, seems quite a lot for the money, its not trade rated which i personally normally look for a screwfix, but drilling holes in wood, this looks pretty decent value for the diyer

Oh actually it is trade rated, I didnt think it was. Think thats made my mind up to buy it
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
I bought this saw earlier this year, its not going to be uber, but for hte money its damn impressive. If I was cutting really serious amounts I would hire in a top end piece of kit, but for odd jobs then this beastie seems to do a good job.

To put it in perspective, the saw i used when doing the decking was about £3k, it cut slightly smoother and clearly did it a little easier, but I could only just lift it myself a few feet due to size and weight, plus a transformer as well, the one I link you can carry with one hand!

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb598msw-210mm-single-bevel-sliding-mitre-saw-240v/73135
Click to expand...
I bought one of those a few months back. Only used it for one small job, but really impressed for the money - I got it from B&Q for £70! amazing value.
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Oh forgot to say, Ive been eying this up personally.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb672dbt-290mm-pillar-drill-230-240v/1009j

If you have a load of holes to drill, seems quite a lot for the money, its not trade rated which i personally normally look for a screwfix, but drilling holes in wood, this looks pretty decent value for the diyer

Oh actually it is trade rated, I didnt think it was. Think thats made my mind up to buy it
Click to expand...

I've eyed up pillar drills but think i'd just buy a drill stand which fits my drill. Would love a rip saw but really need more space for that. Good call on saw horses though. Would be cheaper than £50 for a workbench

I've also got a shed to build over the summer as ours was £100 from B&Q and is about 6 years old and not in the best of conditions.
 
Haha, see my other thread i wanted to buy a Kregg pocket hole jig but can't justify that much. Dowelling jig would be better but £150 to do a few holes seems excellent! Can't you just do what i normally do and drill holes and then sand down wooden rods to fit?

Skiddley - I'd love a solid workbench an vice but i don't have a garage/big enough shed to justify it so my portable one just gets carried out into the back yard. I have bought a clamp mounted vice but haven't used it yet. Not sure i have much faith in it!
 
Marvt74 said:
Haha, see my other thread i wanted to buy a Kregg pocket hole jig but can't justify that much. Dowelling jig would be better but £150 to do a few holes seems excellent! Can't you just do what i normally do and drill holes and then sand down wooden rods to fit?

Skiddley - I'd love a solid workbench an vice but i don't have a garage/big enough shed to justify it so my portable one just gets carried out into the back yard. I have bought a clamp mounted vice but haven't used it yet. Not sure i have much faith in it!
Click to expand...

Excellent or excessive? No doubt cheaper ways of setting up holes for dowelling but a fool and his money are easily parted :D I was sold after watching some of the Youtube videos for it - got a few bags of ready made dowels from Screwfix
 
I'm also tempted by either the kreg pocket hole jog or the cheaper wolfcraft dowel jigs on the rainforest store. The none kreg pocket hole one might suit me better as I could use regular countersunk screws with them, saving me money in the long run.

In terms of getting things square, having a framing square is handy, as is a small spirit level. Also having a decent sized flat and level surface to make things on helps. My 20 year old rickety fake workmate is long overdue for replacement!

Dave
 
Yeah i'm going to buy a framing square. Also fancy an "angleizer" to help me work out angles. Also looks like it'd be handy for when cupboards are out of square and fitting flooring/shelves.

Following on from me not being great at drilling straight and i'm going to just dowels for my table top i've decided to buy this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-...F8&qid=1493221213&sr=1-1&keywords=drill+press

Looks great, especially being able to drill at certain angles so can use for pocket holes and the dust extractor.
 
I've seen a few videos and it looks ok.

I think the main benefit is I'm going to be making a hexagonal outer so each piece will be cut at 60 degrees. I then want to dowel them together to make a stronger joint but ive never really tried drilling anything other than straight on.

End of te day it's Amazon so f it's crap I'll return it!
 
Yeah that second one is what i'm after, it's annoying that all the ones on prime etc are £18 as i could've done with something sooner.
 
Marvt74 said:
Skiddley - I'd love a solid workbench an vice but i don't have a garage/big enough shed to justify it so my portable one just gets carried out into the back yard. I have bought a clamp mounted vice but haven't used it yet. Not sure i have much faith in it!
Click to expand...

Something to work towards! I can never produce anything meaningful with a small\unstable bench. Bigger the better! :).

The problem with woodworking is the amount of kit you acquire....and the space it demands!! I'm desperate for a dedicated table for my router but don't have the room.

Don't think you mentioned a coping saw. Or chisels + wooden mallet. Use these all the time. Infact, I would say your list is very power-tool centric and you should think about what skills you want, and what you would like to make. I much prefer the feel of classic hand tools.
 
Yeah, i keep throwing hints out to move to a new house. I spotted this

https://www.reedsrains.co.uk/proper...-sale-russell-square-chorley-pr6-id-200927422

Check out the description of a workshop to the rear!

Workshop 10.09m x 5.25m

A fantastic space accessed via a garage style door and also a personal door. Power, light and water connected. Currently utilised as a wood working room but offers potential to be utilised for a variety of uses or home office. Separate WC. Velux window.
Click to expand...
 
I know, it's an absolute steal.

I'll admit it's not the nicest area of Chorley but i don't think i'd care. Even the interior is done to a decent standard from what i can see, not a dump inside that needs doing up.
 
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