Help with prioritizing purchases please?

Mochaboy

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Joined
Aug 22, 2011
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11
Hey gang,

My wife and I just bought a home and I'm starting up my research cycles for all the projects I want to accomplish.  The house is approx 2300sqf, and was updated as recently as 5 years ago with a huge addition and a garage.

Right now the only powertools I own are a Makita LXT drill and impact driver and 2 dremels.  I have next to no practical woodworking experience beyond what I've learned taking classes at the local trade school.

I've got a budget of about 3 or 4k.   I've listed out every project I want to do for the next 10-15 years and I want to make sure I'm investing in the right tools early.  As I tackle the more complex projects I'll go ahead and purchase those tools when I need them.

In no specific order, here are some of the projects I'm interested in.
* Garden with a trellis and possibly an arbor or pergola.  Cold frames will probably be built too.
* Stone tile flooring for the basement
* Install folding attic steps
* Install a whole house attic fan and vents
* Install kitchen ventilation
* Add decorative edging to all the wood moldings (original wood panels were gutted from the first reno, and repurposed as window and door moldings).
* Replace crown molding
* Replace and finish 2 stair banisters
* I see either a four season porch and/or deck in the future
* Absolutely will build a tool shed to store the riding mower and other garden equipment
* Sanding down and repainting exterior cedar shingles
* Looking into relaminating cabinets in the  kitchen
- there are more projects, but these are the ones related to this question specifically.

First projects will be sawhorses and to update and finish the 80 year old workbench in the basement.  These projects will more than likely be limited to weekend work only.

So what I need help with is to prioritize my purchases.

* Festool 150 FEQ sander (two sanders in one for the price of, well, two sanders)
* Festool TS 55 (I think the 75's too large)
* CT 26E (I'm ok with frequent bag changes)
* Festool Router - is the OF 1400 overkill?
* Makita Miter Saw (possibly the LXT version)
* Makita LXT Recipro saw (we'll be removing shrubs and cutting into the house)
* Makita BSS610 LXT Circular Saw (for cordless ripping and 2x# cuts)

So here's my problem - I know I'm supposed to use the right tool for the right job - but I'm having a hard time deciding if I need a Circular Saw + a track saw + a Miter saw from the start.  I realize they're different tools for different purposes, but I can't see far enough into the future to know which will get used the most and early on.

As for that purchase list - I'm open to ideas for any other "must have" tools for the new homeowner.

On a side note - can anyone key me in on a decent hvlp system for finishing?  I think the right way forward is with water based durable finishes but I realize that's a whole other conversation.  I noticed Graco has a battery powered cup system or do I really just need to spend the bens for an Accuspray or Titan system.  I can't see me doing finishing work more than a few times a year if that, and only for home improvement projects.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers

Mocha
 
That looks like a pretty good list, Mocha. The Rotex 150 is the most versatile sander for covering bigger areas and the OF 1400 is the most versatile router. I don't consider it overkill at all because it will swing big bits fine and small bits with ease.

You should take advantage of the package deal with the CT 26 because you get 10% off the price of the CT 26 when you buy it with the router, sander, or saw.

Aside from that, I'm going to stay out of the miter saw question, I prefer the Kapex.

Tom
 
[welcome] to the forum

thats a tough question
i presum you have basic hand tools (hammers, saws, chisels, etc)

most of your projects arnt very tool specific and need only basic(or less acurate ) tools.

the rest dictate the good tools neaded( mouldings, sanding,crown,etc.)
definetly get the ro150 (thats what i think you meant)
ro 90
ts55 definetly, get 3  55" rails
of1400, i dont see the nead from your list of jobs
chop saw , definetly the workhorse doing those jobs
ct26, definetly, get 36mm hose.
compressor and gun
 
Mochaboy said:
So what I need help with is to prioritize my purchases.

* Festool 150 FEQ sander (two sanders in one for the price of, well, two sanders)
* Festool TS 55 (I think the 75's too large)
* CT 26E (I'm ok with frequent bag changes)
* Festool Router - is the OF 1400 overkill?
* Makita Miter Saw (possibly the LXT version)
* Makita LXT Recipro saw (we'll be removing shrubs and cutting into the house)
* Makita BSS610 LXT Circular Saw (for cordless ripping and 2x# cuts)

So here's my problem - I know I'm supposed to use the right tool for the right job - but I'm having a hard time deciding if I need a Circular Saw + a track saw + a Miter saw from the start.  I realize they're different tools for different purposes, but I can't see far enough into the future to know which will get used the most and early on.

As for that purchase list - I'm open to ideas for any other "must have" tools for the new homeowner.

Mocha, you got a pretty good list there. But concerning the track saw & circular saw, you only need one. If you got a track saw there's no need to get a circular saw too, they're basically the same. Instead of a circular saw I'd suggest you get a jigsaw. That thing is incredibly handy and in my opinion a must have.

The OF 1400 isn't overkill. You can probably do 90% of the stuff around your house with a 1010 but for some occasions the 1400 will come in really handy.

As for sanders, the Ro 150 is a really good choice. But I do suggest you also get a smaller sander like the DTS400 to go with it. With a house, you certainly need a sander to get into corners. And for a lot of trim work the DTS400 is also indispensible. If you got the feeling a second sander might be out of your budget you might consider an ETS150/5 as the replacement for the RO150.

Finally I'd say, get an angle grinder also. Incredibly usefull for loads of jobs around the house, again a tool I wouldn't want to be without.

And before we forget, you definitely need a cordless drill. That's the No 1 tool to get. You can't call yourself a man without one.  [wink]
 
From my personal experience, I say no to the battery powered Makita saws.  Stick with the ac powered stuff.  If you must have battery powered, look at the Milwaukee M28 circ saw and Sawzall.  I have the Makita JR3070CT recip saw and highly recommend it.  I also have the Bosch 1677M worm drive circ saw and highly recommend that too.  I'm not going to get into the miter saw debate, but I do recommend the TS 55 along with a CT and the OF 1400 is a good all around choice for a router handling all the bit shank sizes and light to medium heavy tasks.  MFT/3 and an assortment of guide rails + clamps, a battery powered drill and a variety of bits + drivers for it.  Don't forget a high quality set of different sized bubble levels.  My recommendation is Stabila or Levolution.  Also nail guns and if needed an air compressor to power them.

As for the tile work in the basement, rent the tile saw and buy the hand tools you need.

For relaminating the kitchen cabs, the MFK 700.

Also a good jigsaw and blades.
 
Thanks for your input - I'm really in over my head here but I'm starting to get a handle on things.

Alex, that's a great point about the overlap - I'll probably look into the LXT Jigsaw from Makita because there are specific cases where I'll need to go cordless.  As for the sanders - I remember thinking specifically how I was going to do the corners.  I'm not sure I'll go Festool for that application but we'll see.  

I'm set for a cordless drill - started with a corded Ryobi - retired that and rewarded myself with a Makita cordless drill - talk about gateway drugs sheesh.

Alan - yeah - I was referring to the RO150
http://www.festoolusa.com/products/rotex-sanders/ro-150-feq-rotex-sander-571810.html

My understanding from the docs is that it's a combination orbital and random orbital sander - so just pair that up with something to handle the corners then I'm set right?

Oh and no I don't have the basic hand tools but I'm looking into those separately...probably start with a good chisel set and a set of decent deadblows and I should be good.

All in all I've settled on Makita for their cordless options, and Festool for applications where I want to go above and beyond.

Thanks for all your input - look forward to seeing more!

Mocha
 
I'm not seeing the need for the track saw based on your list of projects- a good quality circular saw will be just fine.  As someone else mentioned, a jigsaw would possibly be a good purchase for the pergola and other curved cuts.

I'd also probably skip the cordless circular saw/recip saw and miter saw- definitely the miter saw, actually, and go corded.
 
I agree that if you get the TS55 you won't need any other circular saw. The one tool that I woud add to your list is the Fein Multimaster. It's one of those tools you manage without for years and then wouldn't leave home without it once you've got one. 
 
I don't advise using the TS saws without the guide rail.  They're not meant to act like or be a replacement for a circular saw.  Don't believe me, try it yourself.
 
Since everyone else is making the great comments on the Festool equipment, I just wanted to pass along one tip on the Graco. The battery operated hand held is not an hvlp, it's a piston more in line with an airless system. I've played with the new version, better the the first one they came out with. If you're wanting to fine finish get an hvlp. I have the Graco 9500 and to shoot straight latex you really need the bigger tips, cost extra. That battery gun shoots latex fine, but I wasn't too impressed with fine finishes. I didn't try the cordless inside but outside in a trailer during a show, so I'm not to sure how the control for overspray is. The first version wasn't to good. The new Topcoat cordless seemed pretty clean and very controlled.
You might do as well with a small airless close to the same money if you're wanting general painting abilities as the cordless only hold a quart. The new hvlp's have options to shoot from a gallon but pricey.
 
I hit send before I finished.
The fine finish hvlp's from the local woodworking shops would do fine for what you need. Woodcraft, Rockler and Highland have good priced lower end hvlp that would work.
 
Ken Nagrod said:
I don't advise using the TS saws without the guide rail.  They're not meant to act like or be a replacement for a circular saw.  Don't believe me, try it yourself.

They ARE circular saws... Festool even refers to them as such in numerous places.

They should work just fine without the rail, but what would the advantage be of NOT using a rail?

Just get the TS saw and always use the rail.
 
Try cutting lumber with a TS saw with no guide rail and get back to us with your changed opinion.  [wink]  It's more of a woodworking tool, not a general construction circular saw.  You need to try it just once to fully understand what I'm getting at if you don't want to take my advice at face value.
 
Based on what folks are saying here - I'm starting to rethink some of the things on that list...I'll probably deprioritize the track saw and nudge the chop saw higher simply because I see me doing more compound angle cuts more than long rips.  I'll just  need to figure out if I have to corded or cordless for a jigsaw to compliment that.

My problem with a miter saw is that I don't know how much capacity I'll need down the line, in other words, I don't want to lock myself into a 7 1/2" saw only to realize down the line that I should have spent and extra $100 to get something with a bigger capacity and adequate dust collection.   I honestly don't know how much is too much saw.  Sadly the Kapex is out of my budget, so I'll relegated to finding something "good enough" in the $400-$600 range.

Thanks for the info on the Gracos Jerry - that'll be another month of reading for me down the line - but I will have access to a Woodcraft and Rockler store - so I can go play there :)  I am probably going to throw down for a Magnum X5 to redo the interior of the house.  I thought about going the rental route - but with our erratic timeline to paint, it made more sense to just buy a unit and shoot paint at our leisure.

Great posts everyone - thank you so much for helping this poor soul!

Mocha
 
Ken Nagrod said:
Try cutting lumber with a TS saw with no guide rail and get back to us with your changed opinion.  [wink]  It's more of a woodworking tool, not a general construction circular saw.  You need to try it just once to fully understand what I'm getting at if you don't want to take my advice at face value.

Ken,

I have a really silly question regarding your comment.  My understanding of the TS55 is that it's cut depth is 1 and 15/16th's at 90 degrees so that pretty much rules out 2x stock right?  Further, cutting 2x stock isn't really what a TS is built for right? 

If that's true, am I'm better of getting a chop saw first for general construction involving 1x to 2x stock and pairing that with either a jigsaw and/or a worm drive circular saw?  Does that sound sensible?

Cheers!

Mocha
 
Mochaboy said:
I have a really silly question regarding your comment.  My understanding of the TS55 is that it's cut depth is 1 and 15/16th's at 90 degrees so that pretty much rules out 2x stock right?  Further, cutting 2x stock isn't really what a TS is built for right? 

If that's true, am I'm better of getting a chop saw first for general construction involving 1x to 2x stock and pairing that with either a jigsaw and/or a worm drive circular saw?  Does that sound sensible?

2x4's actually measure about 1 1/2" x 3 1/2", so a TS will cut them, but it's not really what the tool is meant to do.

If you're going to buy a miter saw, go with at least a 10" saw- the 7 1/2" saws will require you to cut crown on the flat, which isn't the easiest thing for a beginner to master.

Regarding the circular saw, a worm drive wouldn't be my first choice- they're heavy as hell, and unless you're planning to do some serious framing work (like whole houses), you really don't need one.  I'd stick with a small sidewinder- I've got the Rigid Fuego, which is a 6 1/2" saw- it's got plenty of power for cutting framing, and it's easier to use for plywood and other light cutting since it's smaller and lighter.  It's also only about $99.
 
BobKovacs said:
2x4's actually measure about 1 1/2" x 3 1/2", so a TS will cut them, but it's not really what the tool is meant to do.

Sunuva....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumber (specifically the section on dimensions)

Going to file that under "really? damn!"

You'd think with all the reading I've done I would have come across that little factoid.  Appreciate the tip.  I just rechecked my project plans and I will need a circular saw at least once but that can wait.  I'm not doing heavy duty framing - for that matter I'm not doing heavy duty anything... 

For the first few years I'm focusing on the easy updates and finishing projects then when I've mastered the tools and techniques - I can tackle the more complex projects...

Thanks for your comment.

Mocha
 
You are in a similar situation as me!  I bought a house about a year ago.  House was built 1966 and few updates here and there but mostly original 1966.

I have spent my youth in carpentry apprenticeship program in high school so I know just enough to get myself into point of no return trouble.

Your list has quite a number of items I have on my list and some overlap of tools as well.

I have the Makita LXT circular saw and reciprocating saw.  The circular saw is underpowered and will not be good enough to make the final cut for you but with Freud blade on it, it does cut quite clean and quickly.  I have used it for ripping down things from shipping pallets to rotted porch hand rail.  I would never take my TS55 for those.  If I hit a hidden nail or ruin the blade of Makita circular saw, it's less than $20 to replace and being under powered, the potential kick back also isn't as forceful.

For any mouldings (specially the crown mouldings) you do need a easy way of making the accurate miter cuts.  One of the first tools I bought were a dedicated miter saw (Dewalt 716 in my case).  If I had to do it again, I would definitely consider Kapex.  I only looked at below $500 mark and non-festool sliders just didn't feel sturdy enough and dust collection in slider just wasn't something I wanted to deal with either.  My skills are questionable enough as is without a help from the questionable accuracy of a tool.  With the combination of Makita circular saw, table saw and miter saw, I don't have to think about ruining the fine tuned machine with cutting pressure treated dimensional lumber.  

OF1400 is an awesome router.  Probably best I have used.  End result just looks great if you don't have to fight the router and get dragged by it.

 
Mochaboy said:
Based on what folks are saying here - I'm starting to rethink some of the things on that list...I'll probably deprioritize the track saw and nudge the chop saw higher simply because I see me doing more compound angle cuts more than long rips.  I'll just  need to figure out if I have to corded or cordless for a jigsaw to compliment that.

My problem with a miter saw is that I don't know how much capacity I'll need down the line, in other words, I don't want to lock myself into a 7 1/2" saw only to realize down the line that I should have spent and extra $100 to get something with a bigger capacity and adequate dust collection.   I honestly don't know how much is too much saw.  Sadly the Kapex is out of my budget, so I'll relegated to finding something "good enough" in the $400-$600 range.

Thanks for the info on the Gracos Jerry - that'll be another month of reading for me down the line - but I will have access to a Woodcraft and Rockler store - so I can go play there :)  I am probably going to throw down for a Magnum X5 to redo the interior of the house.  I thought about going the rental route - but with our erratic timeline to paint, it made more sense to just buy a unit and shoot paint at our leisure.

Great posts everyone - thank you so much for helping this poor soul!

Mocha

Interior painting with a spray.. In the past when I attempted this, dealing with paints that gets away from the target was bigger headache than going the roller and paint brush route.  It could have been my poor technic but it probably is better to get a good quality brush, rollers, and paint tarp to cover things.  Save the money for other fun tools.
 
I second the recommendation on the Fein Multimaster. I'm also working on an older home (mid-50's) and it is a huge help. It'll also help with sanding into the corners. As with Festool, it is more expensive than "common" versions of that tool, but it's worth it.

As for the miter saw, I strongly suggest paying attention to how the motor is mounted to the saw. I have a Craftsman sidewinder and it does get in the way. I had been looking at getting a Dewalt specifically because of this, but now that I know about the Kapex, I'm going to continue to lump along with my current saw until I can afford the real thing.  [wink]

I also noticed that your projects tend to fall into two basic categories: finishing work, and rough carpentry. IMHO, you may want to start with some of the internal finish carpentry projects and related tools. That way you can focus on purchasing good finishing tools first, and save the rough carpentry tools for later. When you move on to the rough carpentry projects, you can add those tools and then take advantage of the finishing tools and practice as you finish those projects. This way you can spread your purchases out over time instead of making them all at once. If you do that, you may just be able to afford that Kapex.  [big grin]
 
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