Starting Out

[stphnlwlsh]

I sort of hijacked another thread earlier today, so I wanted to start a fresh one with some questions.

I'm starting out.  I have a single Ridgid electric drill that I got as a Christmas gift.  It has lots of power and is probably a good place to start.  Last year I had to sell all of my tools because I thought I'd moving overseas.  Well, plans changed and it looks like I'll be stateside for quite awhile.  I built a bed for my wife a couple years ago and loved every aspect of it.  I'd like to do more furniture and potentially some cabinets, but as I said, I have a drill.  I've been doing lots of research here and at the Woodcraft store nearby, and I'm getting ready to make the plunge.  Since I don't have any way to cut wood right now, I figured I'd start out with the TS 75 because I like doing reclaimed wood and might have some projects that required that depth of cut and power.

What comes next in your opinions?

 

[b_m_hart]

Assuming you have the rails you need for the saw, I'd get the dust collector next.  Pick a CT that fits your needs best.  After that, get a MFT/3.  After that, I'd say it really would be determined by what specific tasks you're trying to accomplish.  But the saw, vac, and table are a great starter combo, and you can get a LOT done with them.

 

[stphnlwlsh]

Pick a CT that fits your needs best.

I was planning on getting one of the combos with the CT36 so I could save a bit on my purchase.  I've been looking at the tables a lot today and watching some of the videos on the FestoolUSA YouTube channel, so that's helped out in realizing how versatile it is.

 

[ART at WORK]

Sanders are useful on reclamed wood. I love the rotex family. For big stuff the 150 and for everything else the 90 with all the attachments. If you have a shed load of money a domino to connect things together, beds cupboards, shelves etc. A cyclon on the dust collection. Lots of clamps.

 

[Paul G]

Random thoughts:

If there is room for a good table saw it will be helpful.

Sanding: Festools are great, I really find the RO90 useful, but my Rigid RO sanders work great as well IMO. Saves money but much less convenient to hook up to vacuum (but they collect dust well if hooked up)

Joints: Dominos and pocket screws will accomplish much, either separate or together. Biscuits are less expensive, much better than nothing but dominos work better and more versatile.

Clamps: the more the better

Router: hard to imagine not having one.

Jig saw: Carvex has been fantastic for vertical cuts, the angle base though has its upsides and downsides.

Miter saw: if dust collection is important then consider a Kapex, otherwise theres other options that will do good work also and save some cash.

Not by any means a complete list but will cover many bases.

 

[wow]

X2 on a router. If you could have only ONE more power tool, I'd say it should be a router. With a router you can:

Rout (of course)
Cut (including perfectly straight lines with a guide)
Joint
Bore (various ways)
Trim

and other operations. Now, some of them can be done better/faster/easier with another machine, but you CAN do them all on a router!

Does that mean I don't think you should get a TS75? Check my signature line if you have any doubt...

 

[jacko9]

Depending on what part of the Country you live in, good quality woodworking tools come up for sale all of the time.  If you are going to be in the same location for an extended period of time get a quality table saw like a Powermatic 66 used for a good price.  Save the money on a skill saw and buy a Domino Joiner.  Planning for a wood shop should start with the basic tools and then add the like to have tools later.  In my opinion a table saw, joiner, bandsaw and planer will give you a good start.  Great power tools are available from Festool and other suppliers but you have to be able to straighten lumber "new or recycled" and you need to be able to cut an assortment of joints to build furniture and cabinets.  Welcome to the world of woodworking where there are many ways to build whatever you desire.

Jack

 

[stphnlwlsh]

Lots of good advice so far.  Thanks!

Maybe frame it this way also.  I have about $2500 for initial investment.  This could become a career change for me as I'd like to get out of the corporate world (software engineering) at some point down the road.  That number will definitely be increased as I grow my skills and find the niche that I want to be in.

How would you spend it if that was your budget for inital purchases?

 

[Paul G]

Lots of good advice so far.  Thanks!

Maybe frame it this way also.  I have about $2500 for initial investment.  This could become a career change for me as I'd like to get out of the corporate world (software engineering) at some point down the road.  That number will definitely be increased as I grow my skills and find the niche that I want to be in.

How would you spend it if that was your budget for inital purchases?

What space do you have for this work?

 

[stphnlwlsh]

One car garage at the moment.  I have a two car garage, but one side has a 1970 Chevelle that's out of commission at the moment.  I have plenty of space in the driveway for portable options, but I can definitely claim at least half of the garage when it's not filled with a car.  I'd prefer to keep the car inside though and put it on the driveway when I'm working.  I have quite a bit of storage space in the garage, but not much workspace when two cars are in there.

 

[dltflt]

I would go for the saw and CT then if you have enough money left over you could get the MFT. Unfortunately once start down this slope you will want multiple sanders and routers along with many accessories. Say good bye to your bank account. But they are enjoyable to use.

 

[Paul G]

sell the Chevelle, double the space and seriously boost the budget  [big grin]

 

[stphnlwlsh]

If there is room for a good table saw it will be helpful.

I wish I had the space.  Plus it seems like I can do quite a bit with a much cheaper track saw.

sell the Chevelle

Wish I could!  Ha! Unfortunately, it's not mine.  [sad]

double the space and seriously boost the budget

Both of those in time[big grin].  In a rental house right now, so modification of the space is somewhat limited by the controlling landlord.  Additionally, the budget is being increased as soon as student loans are paid off. 

 

[Paul G]

$2500 is tough but not impossible. A TS75 + dust extractor + rails will take over 1/2 your budget. Now that you've cut some wood how will you join it together? Domino works great, the small one is $850. Biscuits is cheaper but not as good. Pocket screws works also but not as versatile. Now you need some clamps to glue stuff together, that can eat up a few hundred for the basics. Now you want to sand, festools are great but you don't have much money left, probably look at rigid or some other brands. You'll want a router sooner than you may think. Festools again are great but you're almost out of money, maybe look at other brands like Porter Cable. Other stuff include air nailers, compressor, squares and rulers, and the extremely handy miter saw, which at $1400 the Kapex is way out of your budget so look elsewhere. I use a 10" non slider and it handles a lot. Make yourself a portable workbench, there's many threads here with many options to consider.

Oh and whoever owns the Chevelle, get them to buy it a cover for the dust...and hopefully you can charge them some rent as well to get you some more Festools  [wink]

 

[jacko9]

Keep the Car and buy a car cover.  Think about where you want to go un woodworking and set a plan to "tool up" I got started with a portable drill and then got a router and skill saw all less than $200.  However, once I got serious about building furniture and home cabinets, I consulted with professional cabinetmakers and purchased a table saw for starters.

Jack

 

[semenza]

Hi stphnlwlsh,  (Stephen?)

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    Router OF1400

    Rotex sander (if reclaiming wood) plus they can do the whole job in one unit.

  Seth
   

 

[SoonerFan]

So it seems to me you are wanting to save space based on the no room for a table saw comment.  I will also assume you are interested in Festool given this is FOG.  Therefore, you might want to consider:

1.  TS75 & CT26 package to start (ask to upgrade to the LR32 rail and pay the difference)
2.  Add an OF1400 router
3.  Add an RO 125 sander
4.  Use your drill and use pocket screws for joining to start

Over time you might acquire multiple sanders/routers.  I have found the RO125 and the OF1400 to be good starting points given the capabilities and flexibility of these tools.  Tools above would run about $2300.  You could order online with free shipping and likely no tax.  That allows you to have a couple hundred for clamps, squares, glue accessories, etc.  You'll need more clamps and other accessories but can add these as funds allow.

I have a setup similar to the tools above plus I added and MFT/3.  Next up for me is likely another sander or maybe save a little more for a Domino.  

Good luck!

 

[juststartingout]

Hi Stephen,

I'm in a similar boat as you are(check my screenname). I uses the forum and some local woodworkers to help me answer this question. So let me tell you how I'm going about it.

I've built a few things using a woodshop I have access to. Enjoyed the festool system and decided that as a guy with 1/2 of a stall in a 1 car garage I was looking for something portable/storable and something that had good dust collection. So I started out with the TS55 And the mft and ct 26. I didn't have a bench. After that the RO150 sander. Then the of1400 router. And the RO90 sander. You can do most everything with those tools. If you work with non s4s lumber you could technically mill it with your router though that seems like a lot of effort to me  so I bought the dewalt Planer and am putting together a planer sled to mill lumber. 

The other stuff you can build like, I am now building a second bench and a router table, though I have yet to really start the router table but I'm in the planning phases. Lots of free plans out there on the forum and elsewhere. All in all I thought my budget was going to be about $3k but after adding accessories to the router, bits, sand paper, clamps, kreg screw jigs, screws, glue, safety equpment(goggles, ear, gloves) and hand tools(chisels, block planer) I'm about $4-5k in. Oh by the way that doesn't count the previous drill I owned and  other drill bits.

Good luck! I'd recommend you talk to whatever folks you can and ask for advice. Obviously this forum is awesome and I might even recomend buying a share at a woodshop in your area to see what exactly you need.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

One thing about Fog...you can always count on some good advice.
I too work in a small space...too small.
I would be looking at that car in the other stall like a cat looks at a bird.

Jack always has excellent suggestions as does Seth and the other moderators. There were also some good suggestions from some others, here, I thought.

You will have to figure on what works for your budget, time frame, projects, and space. Not necessarily in that order.
First thing that I would do, now this is me talking (I can't stand cars), is sell the car and buy some tools or a vehicle to haul wood. Like Jack said...you can find some excellent used shop tools on line from guys who " have to have the best" and use the tool for a few months and then quit. If I had a two car garage, like Jack said, I would get a table saw, band saw, planer and jointer if you plan to make furniture, track saw if you plan to use plywood, Domino XL, some Festool sanders, router table, dust extractor, disc sander, spindle sander, chop saw, chisels, small hand saws, plenty of Bessey or Jet clamps, rubber mallet, good measuring tools, etc. Not necessarily in that order, either. Buy the tool that will make your experience building what you wish to build better, safer, and if needed-faster. Hmm, I've heard that somewhere before. [scratch chin]

 

[stphnlwlsh]

I would be looking at that car in the other stall like a cat looks at a bird.

Agreed...

I've been doing some more number crunching, and I've thought a bit more about the major woodshop type tools (jointer, bandsaw, planer, etc.).  I think I'll have to wait on the larger ones for now mostly because space is limited.  I live in Kansas City and there is a guild here that is just a short drive away.  I could join and participate in their open shop times which would give me access to their tools.  I could mill my lumber there and then use my smaller Festools at home to cut, shape, sand, etc.  Knowing that I can use the shop up there I might not start with the tracksaw but go with some of the other items first while leveraging the hands on experience, knowledge, and tools of the open shop.  You guys (and girls?) have given me a lot more to think about and some good ammo for thinking stuff out.

I was not expecting such an enthusiastic response, so I'm extremely thankful for all of the helpful input here.