Wood – Good low cost tools for woodwork

toolswood

I'm starting to get into some woodwork for building a desk for my home and I need to purchase some tools, but I'm not really sure of what to look for to determine if a tool is of good quality.

I don't want superb top of the line tools as I won't be using them that often but I need something that will not hinder my work, and I definitely want something that will at least be good for a couple years (maybe).

I'll probably be needing

a power drill
a circular saw
a jig saw
orbital sander or belt sander

Best Answer

A Doweling jig can be useful.

or a Pocket hole jig.

And plenty of clamps (big ones, small ones, band clamps are nice).

For power tools I find that Ryobi has decent tools for a good prices.

Related Solutions

Wood – Good technique for squaring-up hardwood edges

You don't say what saw you used to cut the wood, but if you use a tenon saw you should get a cleaner cut in the first place that requires less sanding. This is because the saw has finer teeth for a smoother cut and a stiffening spine that means you get a straighter cut.

Clamping a second piece of wood to use as a guide is another alternative.

Alternatively you could use a plane to remove the excess wood - but make sure that you clamp a piece of scrap wood to the end of the plank to avoid it splitting:

------> direction of plane
+---------+---+
|         |   |
|    ^    |   | <- Scrap
|    |    |   |
|    |    |   |
  direction of grain

Wood – the best tool for cutting up scrap wood

Reciprocating Saw

Most fun.

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Miter Saw

Fastest.

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Circular Saw

Most likely to have on hand.

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Jig Saw

Slow.

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Hand Saw

Slower.

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Butter knife

Slowest.

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Pruning Saw

Longest reach.

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Fire

Cut right to the chase

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Beaver

Requires lots of training, food, and cleanup (thanks @SteveJackson for pointing this method out).

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Chain saw

By popular demand (don't use on PT wood)

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No affinity to Ridgid, just the first brand in the list when searching for reciprocating saw.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Wood – Good technique for squaring-up hardwood edges

Wood – the best tool for cutting up scrap wood

Reciprocating Saw

Miter Saw

Circular Saw

Jig Saw

Hand Saw

Butter knife

Pruning Saw

Fire

Beaver

Chain saw

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