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Buying Woodworking Tools

Woodworking Tools

What to buy, when to buy, quality to buy...

While it is generally believed that a small fortune must be invested in woodworking tools and equipment to obtain great results, this is not always the case. It is better to buy one quality tool, than several cheap tools. A high quality tool will work with you, while a cheap tool will work against you.

I worked for a guy who would buy the cheapest tools available. For him, $ 21.00 for a circular saw was outrageous. (it included a $ 5.00 blade). You could see the shaft slide in and out as you cut something. The quality of the cut was horrible, which lead to wasted materials and time. Tools like this are no bargain, and the frustration caused by using them would drive anybody crazy.

This is often the reason some people give up on woodworking, as it's too hard to get good results. Generally the poor results, are in direct relation to the tools used. If it takes a while to save up for another tool, it will give you time to master the ones you have.

Buying woodworking tools is a confusing proposition. My policy has been to buy tools as the need arises. In other words, when you need a specific tool for certain process, or when it would save so much time it would be silly not to, I make the purchase. (in spite of the fact I usually can't afford it).

This was a problem when I was working in my basement, as my wife would see what I bought. Now, in a separate shop, I can get away with it. (sometimes). She has a knack of coming into the shop to bring us coffee, at exactly the same time as we bring in a new machine. She just looks at my face and says, "alright, what did you buy? I still can't figure out how she does that.

When possible, buy a tool that can serve more than one function. For instance, when buying a hand saw, consider a good quality Japanese saw, with teeth on both sides. These are designed to crosscut on one side, and rip on the other. Or when buying a hand plane, get a high quality, mid size plane. This can help you postpone some purchases until a later date.

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Written by: Lee A. Jesberger  © 2006

Inventor of Ezee-Feed systems  ®

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