[OutPutter]

I have the following tools in my workshop:
Compound Miter Saw, Circular Saw, Jig Saw, Router (Fixed), Cordless Drill, Dove Tail Saw, Chisels (1/8 - 1"), 54" All in One Clamp, 6 12" Irwin Clamp/Spreaders

I plan to make a major upgrade to my tool inventory and need some good advice on where to put my money. Most of the work I plan to do in the workshop will be construction of small hardwood boxes in the approximate dimensions of 10" x 12" x 3". I will be using dovetail joinery for the sides and gluing up panels for the tops and bottoms. I will not be able to afford much more than $500 in tools, equipment, etc. so, I have to be careful.

My priorities are safety, durability of the boxes, impact on the cost of the boxes, impact on labor required for each box, and anything else I don't know enough to think of.

I'm considering: a table saw, band saw, jointer, planer, sander, Grrippers, LittleRat, Dovetail Jig

Please tell me what you think I should do. Thanks in advance.

 

[gene]

Hi Outputter,
I feel that you are going to get this response the most. (table Saw, Table Sax, Table Saw)
It's the one tool that I would not like working without. I have a Delta contractor's saw and I am very happy with it. The price range should be in line with what you plan to spend.
I hope this helps.

 

[bbrooks]

I think the table saw will take most, if not all, of your budget. So, get the best you can afford.

Do you do your dovetail joints by hand? You might consider a dovetail jig, especially if you are going to be building lots of boxes. With the jig, you may want to get a new router as well (plunge and fix base). Both could be a labor saver, as well as time saver and consistent results.

Do you have a market already for your boxes? Do not forget your materials and supplies you will need. The $500 will buy you a lot of materials to start with. You might want to start your venture with a few basic items, and then add the tools as you identify your needs. If you are doing this as a business, you will go about it one way. If it is a hobby, then you will probably go about this differently.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Dadoo]

Your 12" Irwin clamps are too short to clamp a 12" box…buy the longest ones you can as they will come in handy for other stuff too.

 

[jpw1995]

I agree with Bill's comment about business vs. hobby. If it's just a hobby and all you are building are small boxes then you may be able to get more for your money if you just buy a bench top table saw. Then you could afford some more clamps, a dovetail jig, a mult-base router, or whatever you feel will be most useful to you. There are a thousand ways to spend $500 on tools. It'll be up to you to decide what you ultimately need (or want).

 

[mot]

I think that most small shops should be built around a tablesaw. You can build them around a bandsaw if you're proficient at using hand tools. The bandsaw would allow for gross dimensioning and resawing, allowing you to finish the rest on the bench. It's a neat way to go if that's what trips your trigger.

 

[WayneC]

Dare I say a few handplanes…. #7, #4 and a low angle block plane. Your going to need to mill your stock. Jointer and Planer would break the budget

You can handcut the dovetails or use a PC router jig. May need a good handsaw if your hand cutting.

Agree on the bench top table saw - if I was working with $500, I would start with http://craigslist.org

Also, I would check yard sales or flea markets for a couple of pipe clamps for gluing up your panels or drop the $20 or so (including pipe) for them at a big box store.

 

[gbvinc]

Hmmm, boxes, eh? Given your current tool list and budget, I think I would take a peek at the Incra Universal Precision Positioning Jig, or one of it's bigger brothers. This system quickly creates nice accurate dovetals and you would have $400.00 left over to put toward building the router table you will want. Here is a link to the tool I am yakking about: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11494&filter=incra This is also a link to a video showing the tool in action.

 

[OutPutter]

All,

Thanks for the help. I've heard the argument that the table saw is the center piece of the shop. But, what if I can rip with my circular saw and cross cut with the miter saw? Do I still need a table saw to build a box? I'm pretty sure I'll have to buy better clamps too Dadoo. I read an article about the amount of clamping pressure needed for a good glue up and the type I have can't generate the amount of pressure needed.

I'm going to be giving the boxes to family so I just need to get them done while respecting my priorities of safety, durability of the boxes, impact on the cost of the boxes, impact on labor required for each box, and anything else I don't know enough to think of.

I'm working on my prototype box now and doing the dovetails by hand so, I can do them all by hand if the money can be better spent on something else. But what is the best way?

What a dilema? I guess another way to ask the question is "If you couldn't have anything but my equipment and $500, how would you spend the money so you could make nothing but boxes?"

Thanks again,

 

[Paul]

It seems to me for a 10×12x3 exterior dimension box you would perhaps be using stock that's less than 3/4" thick? Otherwise, there's only 1.5" interior space?

Therefore, I would suggest a thickness planer be in the mix.

 

[Treefarmer]

I bought my son-in-law the Dewalt 10 in. compact table saw. http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/Treefarmer/blog/1564 I like it so much that it's on my list for my next purchase. I spent $340 or so at Home Depot.

I like it for the rack n pinion sliding fence, and it's great portability. It cut's like a big saw too with some outfeed support added. It would be great for boxes.

 

[WayneC]

Limited to $500. If I was building for my enjoyment and as presents family and friends. I would probably go the hand tool route. Show off my craftsmanship in the work.

Tools

• Good dovetail saw
• Couple of good used handsaws
• Jewler's saw
• Handrill (north brothers)
  

• Set of handplanes
  
  • Sandpaper and float glass to sharpen
  • #4 Smoothing Plane - For finishing work (Bench planes would be Stanley type 11 restored)
  • #5 Jack Plane - Set up as a scrub plane
  • #7 or #8 Jointer Plane - To flaten stock
  • Record 043 or 044 Plough Plane - To groove for bottom panels and such (http://uk.ebay.com)
  • 60 1/2 or 65 Low Angle block plane

• Cabinet scrapers, mill file, and burnisher
• Pipe clamps for panels
• Combination and machinest's squares
• Marking knife
• Some form of portable workbench

Jigs

• Bench hook
• Shooting board
• Planing stop

 

[mot]

Yup, with wayne's example, then I go back to the bandsaw to allow for resawing. You can rip with your circular saw, cross cut with the mitre saw, resaw with the bandsaw, then dimension with the hand tools. Then you're covered. Just an option.

 

[WayneC]

I agree Bandsaw would be a good choice given your existing tools…. You would get some increased flexability.

 

[jpw1995]

Don't forget glue, sandpaper, finishing supplies, safety glasses…..... The list just keeps growing.

 

[Josh]

I have been setting up to make smaller boxes as well. I agree with Wayne on his suggestion to pick up hand planes. I have been picking up planes for a few bucks at different sales and having a good deal of fun with them.

I would also look at picking up a used table saw. Without a bandsaw you can set up a table saw to resaw. Picking up a used table saw will also stretch that 500.

The last must have for me would be a good table saw blade. This is the only thing I would buy new.

Good Luck.

 

[gene]

Also, you might check with any vocational schools around your area. They normally update their tools every couple of years and sell off the used ones. Some will let you know when they are going to change out and notify you.
Good Luck,

 

[BarryW]

Make a list of anything you want. Having a list puts your dreams into solid form. Yes, make a note of that table saw…check the want ads. I just scored a large set of braces of bits at a garage sale. $10. They'll need some restoration work…covered in light rust….but once cleaned up…I'll have a great set I didn't have before. And there are things one can do with brace and bits one can't with a stationary drill…or sometimes even powered hand drill. I just missed a 14 inch bandsaw at the same garage sale. Dirt cheap and in good condition, but I already had one. Some woodworkers only use a bandsaw and are happy with the results. I like WayneC's suggestions. Auctions are another great source of tools. Given $500.00 doesn't grow on trees…a good used table saw might run $75 to $250 advertised in the newspaper…depending on the brand, etc. The new items I bought were carefully selected…but alot of my tools are used. And some important tools can be crafted. A great book called Acres of Diamonds describes how a man searched for riches beyond his own little farm only to discover that his farm was literally a diamond mine. Sending out feelers among friends and acquaintances can often provide directions. I got a call on some tree trunks last night. 60 acres of hardwood trees. Mostly ash and oak. I'm chomping at the bit. That came from a feeler I put out to someone.

 

[OutPutter]

Paul, yes I guess the 3" is the interior dimension so the out dimension should be about 5". I'm also figuring out that unless you want to hand cut dovetails, the limit for thickness of your stock is 7/8" or so. So, I may have to revise those dimensions.

Thanks,

 

[OutPutter]

gbvinc - I liked the idea of a router table jig so much that I spent all day researching Incra and their jigs. The best I can tell is that by the time I get the jig, the bits, a new router, make a table, etc. I'm going to be out of money. I will have a residual lust for a $1000 Incra set up now for quite a while I can already tell.

Bob - That is one nice looking DeWalt contractor's saw. I guess I'm struggling with how to make a box by just adding a table saw. I can buy stock in any length or width since I can cut and rip with the saw. How do I get it to a uniform thickness because I may not have enough money to get a thickness planer too? Uniform thickness is required for all the joints to match up in a small box right?

WayneC - If I invest in all the hand tools, I may face a pretty long learning curve (one I would probably enjoy but, a long one nevertheless). You may have suggested the right addition to a table saw for me though in a hand plane and some kind of workbench to use with it. That would take care of the thickness problem wouldn't it? What kind of planes would I need to get a "good enough" uniform thickness by rookie hand?

Tom(mot) - I like the idea of a band saw too because if all I need after that is a way to control thickness, I may be able to get a band saw for $150 and a planer for $350?

Thanks again ya'll. I'm getting some good ideas. I think I'll try to come up with several options for how I would work the wood given different combinations of tools next and see what you think.