Best tools for a garage workshop

[Jesse Cloud]

Outstanding post Dan.  Posts like that make this site great.

Only thing I would add, from a furniture making perspective, is that you will need some more traditional tools such as a jointer and a planer to prepare the wood.  If you are doing curves, you will need a bandsaw or at least a good jigsaw.  99% of my projects are furniture, mostly chairs these days, and I use my MFT 10 times more than my traditional bench.  To tell the truth, the main time I use the traditional bench is when I have a set-up on the MFT I don't want to break down yet...

 

[tbellemare]

Jay:

Thank you and your wife for your service!

I agree with what has been said here and I also think Dan's advice is sound.

Festool has 14 sanders that they sell here in the 'States and they all shine in different areas. If I had to choose just 3 of them (and I don't) to cover 99% of the likely sanding tasks, I'd choose the Rotex 150, the LS 130, and the Deltex.

With the Rotex, I can take rough stuff (wood & semihard-to-soft stone) to a shine in short order.

With the LS, I can make quick work of rounds, certain profiles, and flats.

With the Deltex, I can get into those tight spots and corners easily. It's also nice on narrow or small surfaces like face frames.

All 3 can handle quick material removal or produce fine finishes. The Rotex and Deltex can be voracious wood eaters if you want or they can be quite gentle.

Sanding can be enjoyable...

I'm assuming you are in or around San Diego county. I think I live in God's country. I think you trumped it.

Tom

 

[Dan Clark]

Jay,

I am very embarrassed that I failed to thank you and your wife for your service to our country.  Many, many thanks!

Best regards,

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Outstanding post Dan.  Posts like that make this site great.

Only thing I would add, from a furniture making perspective, is that you will need some more traditional tools such as a jointer and a planer to prepare the wood.  If you are doing curves, you will need a bandsaw or at least a good jigsaw.  99% of my projects are furniture, mostly chairs these days, and I use my MFT 10 times more than my traditional bench.  To tell the truth, the main time I use the traditional bench is when I have a set-up on the MFT I don't want to break down yet...

Jesse,

Great post too.    It raises the key point that almost all Festool users also use other tools.   

I have a Dewalt DW735 lunchbox planer, which I'm quite happy with.  With my CT22 hooked to a mini-cyclone, it does a very nice job of capture the vast majority of dust from the planer.  I have a Festool jigsaw which works very well.  That said, you just covered two tools that I'm going to buy when I can figure out how to store them - a bandsaw and a jointer. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[mouppe]

This is a really open-ended discussion. I started this hobby a year or so ago, and picked up tools as I found a need for them. My first Festool was a Ro125 and CT22 dust extractor, followed by a Domino. Since then I have bought a TS55 and OF1400 as well. My first project was to build a workbench. I ordered my lumber cut to my desired dimensions, so as to avoid having to get a planer and jointer. A colleague in my building has a tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press etc. which I can use if I need something on the spur of the minute.

So I would suggest choosing a project first and then seeing what tools are most important to make it. You may not need some big items until later on.

Other than that I would suggest you always buy high quality stuff. And since this is a hobby for you as well as me, I would encourage you to pick up a couple of hand tools in time such as a block plane. It really is a pleasure to use them. And check out the Wood Whisperer's podcast, he is very entertaining and will show you some good techniques.

Good luck
Richard.

 

[Kevin D.]

That was a clinic on how to assess one's needs Dan.  I feel so "Grasshopper" reading it.  Thanks for taking the time.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

I suggest you look at Martin, another German company.  Have a good sized space, some 3 phase power and a good dust collection system.  You will be able to build most anything you can imagine with the addition of a good wide belt sander and perhaps a good bandsaw and some proper tooling.  And you will never look at your Festools as expensive again...

We must dream...

Todd

 

[reesjo]

All:

Every post herein has enabled me to think of my tool requirements from different perspectives. This collaborative effort most certainly forces one to question their motives and find the truth in every decision. Separating the needs from the wants is a critical component in this process.

Special thanks to Dan who did everything short of using MLA format on his post. It was truly a pleasure to read.

Suffice it to say I am still mulling over my options, but will surely purchase a Kapex and CT22 this week, with an MFT to follow. My big debate now is the TS55 vs. TS75, covered adequately in other forums.

As for routers, I'll probably start off with the OF1010 and progress. And the sanders, well, who knows. They all seem necessary at times, don't they. I think I've already acquiesced into the FESTOOL system, and have come to the conclusion that it will take time and a lot more money to eventually reach a healthy collection of these products.

For now, I'll take the advice of the forum and start only with the tools I'll need for my current projects. I will let my projects dictate what tools I'll buy, and not the other way around.

Again, many thanks to all who took the time...

-Jay

 

[peter halle]

Jay,

I think that I can speak for all the members here, thank you for your kind words.  As you start using your tools, if you have questions, or need any sort of help, we will be here for you just like others were for us.  That was the founding basis for this community.  When you are comfortable, we would love to know about and see what you are working on!

Have Fun!

Peter

 

[fshanno]

$2600 gets you a Sawstop PCS.  Then go out and get whatever fence you want.  It will serve you well and safely for the rest of your life.  I just don't see how you can go wrong building a hobby workshop around that piece of equipment.

 

[mattfc]

As for routers, I'll probably start off with the OF1010 and progress

I would think twice about this. I have both the OF1010 and the OF1400. I bought the OF1400 first and use it the most, very versatile taking 1/2", 8mm and 1/4" with collet. Its still lightweight, yet has the grunt for larger bits. OF1010 is lighterweight, the reason I bought it wasn't because the OF1400 was to heavy, but that I got a great deal on it, plus the lighter weight makes it a little easier as I use the Leigh dovetail jigs quite a bit.

 

[reesjo]

I would think twice about this. I have both the OF1010 and the OF1400. I bought the OF1400 first and use it the most, very versatile taking 1/2", 8mm and 1/4" with collet. Its still lightweight, yet has the grunt for larger bits. OF1010 is lighterweight, the reason I bought it wasn't because the OF1400 was to heavy, but that I got a great deal on it, plus the lighter weight makes it a little easier as I use the Leigh dovetail jigs quite a bit.

Would you still suggest the OF1400 if I was planning to purchase the OF2200 also?

 

[jvsteenb]

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I think the OF1010 + OF2200(set)  combination is about the best two-router combo one could purchase.
I own the OF1010 and really really like it, but have also used both the OF1400 ( nice router ! ) AND the OF2200. The OF2200 puts the DW625 and all the other Elu clones to shame, and in my experience they were more or less the benchmark - up untill now.
A term I've used to describe the OF2200 in an earlier post: it's a handheld shaper.... I seriously can't fault it, except for the obvious steep pricepoint, and the fact that it doesn't sport a Plug-It cord.

Welcome to the slippery slope Jay, and thank you ( and your wife ) for your service, even if I'm not from the USA myself. I served in the Royal Netherlands Navy for a couple of years, and I appreciate the effort you guys ('n gals)  keep putting in. Keep up the good work - it's appreciated even if some may want you to believe otherwise.

Regards,

Job

 

[GPowers]

As for routers, I'll probably start off with the OF1010 and progress.
-Jay

I started with the OF1400, as it is more middle of the road. You can use both 1/4" and 1/2" bits.