using a new tool

[John Beauchamp]

When you get a new tool that you have never used before  do you jump right in to the project with it or do you do some testing first to learn what to expect? I have to admit more than once I have ruined part of the project material because I didn't  think it would be that hard to learn without using  scrap before jumping on the real material. I'm getting better though, ts55, dom, and ro90 all got tested first so didn't ruin anything.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I always test them first, get the feel of it. Normally doesn't take long.

 

[peter halle]

I would always recommend testing a tool on scrap wood first.  Even my dog had to learn on hot dogs before he could try steak.  [big grin]

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I just get right to it.

 

[Staniam]

I just get right to it.

Standard Warner reply. It probably depends on the tool or type of tool. I'd imagine most people, for business or hobby, would atleast spend a few minutes getting familiar with a tool before potentially f##king up material.

Drills are probably not a tool you need to break in. When I first got the RO 125 I tried it out on a board for around 10 minutes before putting it to work on a project. The TS I went right to work with but I watched a crap ton of videos first and read what the guys on this forum said. The Carvex was the same situation, went to work right out of the box.

Just depends on the tool/type of tool and how much homework you've done on it.

 

[DB10]

I always try to get familiar with a new power tool in the comfort of my workshop, without any distractions before I take it out on site and use it anger, so to speak.

 

[shaun.mcc]

Depends what it is...I bought a kreg foreman....and I played with it. I guess it all depends on the severity of the damage that I can do to a piece...i.e. A sander or a drill is one thing...a domino is another.

 

[TomGadwa1]

I read the manual first, which with a Festool takes about a minute, then test functions on scrap before committing to project materials!

 

[sancho57]

Depends.

I familiarise me with the tools then jump right in. Lost of my projects are test so I build them knowing I'll prolly messed them up and have to redo it

 

[charley1968]

First try-out i do on scrapwood. But to get to know a machine, i think it's insufficient. So i do projects where i don't mind being a little wrong.

 

[tiralie]

I just get right to it.

Same here...I have screwed up a piece or two, but nothing that couldn't be repaired.
Tim

 

[#Tee]

pending on the tool, if its something you never played with before then use scrap (pretty common sense) a hammer, hand saw, drills, dust extractors lol

 

[SittingElf]

Oh yeah!  Test test test!

Used my 500 Domino for the first time last week. Had to figure out the height and width settings. Saved a lot of pain later.

[attachimg=1]

Need to make a domino "story stick" out of some scrap... much like Peter Parfitt had in his Domino reviews.

Cheers,
Frank