A Basic First tool box set?

[steven c newman]

Ok, say I'm a rookie, wanting to start out building things from wood.....
No tools in the house to work on wood...
Very LIMITED Budget to buy anything....

Very strong desire to learn and use tools for working wood into simple projects....

With the above in mind, what would you tell this earnest person to "pick up" and pack into a basic set of tools? to maybe build a box, or a small table?

Not really interested in brand names. maybe a list and explain why each tool would be needed?

have fun with this...

[steven c newman]

Maybe something like this, just to get things a-going?
316849
Maybe some clamps while I'm at it?
316850
That I happen to have hanging around....

[Mark Almeidus]

You can also pick some rasps and (or) spokeshave?
Limited budget is the best way to start and learn making your own tools, like I was when I started woodworking. You can make krenov style smoother and jack planes, and in the process of making it you will understand them better and enjoy it even more when using them, and save a lot of money.

[William Adams]

Start w/ a project you want to make, (I’d suggest a simple tool box).

Get the tools to make it, build it, then plan for the next project. Never buy a tool w/o a clear purpose for how it will help the next project.

When I was a kid, I made an awful lot w/ just a pocketknife, combination square, saw, jack plane, some C-clamps, hammer, drill, bits, file and chisel (and sharpening stone and oil).

[Archie England]

Wishing I had known you folks way back when....


28 years ago two friends (old and older) invited me over to their shops: both built furniture (from farm harvested, aged, and kiln dried walnut and pecan). The older gent had a shotgun shop with OLD IRON and Vintage tools. Yuck, said I! The less old gent (just retiring, late 50s) showed me his 3,000 ft power tools outfitted "heaven" and I was hooked. Ten years ago, I had shoulder surgery, and would you believe that hand planing is good therapy for recovering from that surgery. Yep, so 18 yrs later, I was wishing I had chosen the other path. I'm beginning to divest myself of several power tools to make room for benchs and vintage-style wood working. But, when one comes out of power tools into the hand tools arena, the old pull to amass all that's needed is pretty strong. Hence, wonderful advice above!!!!!!

Make the Paul Sellers bench build your first project. This will essentially lead you to the above tools and clamps, plus give you the needed platform for most future projects.

OTOH, what's need got to do with acquiring another beautiful old tool? :eek:

[Tom Stenzel]

No matter what else is in the box, it has to include the means to sharpen the tools or what you have is worthless. Possibly an Eclipse style jig for someone just starting out. Stones that are easy to maintain. If I was starting out now with nothing I probably would get something like a medium Spyderco and strop from that. A finer stone would come as needed and budget would allow

-Tom

[steven c newman]

Maybe invest in a Four-in-hand? Rasp with four different faces. Flat on one side, curved on the other. Rasp and file. Budget choice would be the one by Stanley right now for a new one....

[Matt Lau]

Great advice.

Do you have an older neander to take you under their wing?

I'd say, get a few good chisels 1/4", 1/2" 1" to start with.
Get some sort of drill. Can be a hand drill or a muscle powered drill (eggbeater or brace).
Get a good crosscut saw. Later get a good rip saw. I prefer Japanese saws. A 180 or 210 mm ryoba is a great start.
Get a good block plane. Either have a neanderbuddy fettle it for you or look into getting a premium one (Lee Valley, Lie Nielson, etc). Alternatively, you can get great info here. Lapping a Stanley 60 won't take too long.
Get some clamps. If you really have to, you can use ropes and rocks like the Spanish guitar builders. However, some good cam clamps are heavenly.
As a marking knife, a generic utility blade will be fine.

That should get you started.

Then, I'd say to get a smooth plane (#3 or #4 or LA jack).
Make/buy a workbench (preferably with dogholes for holdfasts)
Get some stones for sharpening. The Spyderco medium is a great start. I have a Spyderco UF. Great stone. Eclipse jig comes in handy.
You can get creative from here.

I think that Paul Sellers (for all his opinionated rantings) is a great place to start. He knows his stuff, and is actively trying to get newbies to dive into woodworking without worrying about fancy tools. (I disagree with him regarding low angle planes, british chisels, etc, but it's just quibbling.)

[William Adams]

If at all possible, only buy quality tools which aren't a compromise.

The 4-in-1 is a trick tool which doesn't afford a way to use it w/o touching what should be cutting surfaces.

Save up for a real rasp, made of real steel and properly hardened and in a useful shape.

[steven c newman]

Four-in-hands have been around for a century or three. Nothing wrong with them. They are a LOT better than those "Sureform" rasp-like objects. Been using mine for maybe 30 years...

Now, depending on where this person want's to start. It can be a toolbox saw. maybe a good crosscut saw. maybe a decent coping saw with a selection of blades. The Japanese pullsaws could be their "dovetail saw" IF they learn how to use them.

Drills: One can find an eggbeater drill about every third yard sale, same with a brace. It will take a bit to clean them up. Same with the bits. Some out there may even break down and buy a electric drill. Depends on what there is available.

Chisels: I mainly use a 1/4", a 3/4" and a wide one. Maybe a 1/2" now and then. That's about all one really needs. Mortise chisels can picked up later on. The wide chisels can pare tenons, clean the sides of mortises. No need sore a "full set"

Remember, this person is just starting out, maybe tries a little of it on a quiet saturday afternoon. They might have a bit extra cash, AFTER the bills get paid.

One can pick up an older rasp at a yard sale. May be a tad rusty. Wire brush it clean. Good chance it is an OLD Nickolson USA, or, like mine, a Diamond is stanped on it. Some things, that person will still have to buy new-in-box, when they get a little extra.

[Frederick Skelly]

What a great list! I could only think of a few minor additions: a folding rule or tape measure, a square and at least a couple screwdrivers (slotted and phillips).

Fred

[steven c newman]

As for rasps to add to this "set"
316912
These are mine. Two are the coarse half rounds, and two fine half rounds, and a four-in-hand.
316913
The newest might be the Grobet USA fine rasp.
Now, have to find the room to put these into the set...
316914
Somewhere?

[John T Barker]

I think you are getting a lot of good advice here. I'll limit my input to these points. Make your bench when you've gotten a few tools. Make it simple so you can start to work on more projects to hone your skills. Example; I built a second bench for my shop of 2 x 4 cut offs from one of the big stores so mine was smaller than you might want but the idea is it is quick and easy and relatively cheap. It is also strong as hell. The top is glued up 2 x 4's with a gap for the legs to be locked in. More 2 x 4 is glued to the sides of the legs for extra strength and to prevent rack. There is a shelf done the same way as the top and built the same way to house the legs.

A good sturdy work surface like this will be a critical first step for you starting out. Build as many tools as you can yourself. Become a flea market hound for the others. I worked in a shop full of fantastic craftsmen and flea markets were one of our best sources for tools. Cleaning up old ratty ones will help you learn more about the tool.
316916Bench top
316917End view shows how legs lock and prevent rack as well as support top.

[steven c newman]

I guess the "plan" right now is to make a tool chest to hold these things. "pattern" is based on the Hady-Andy sets. The kind that stands up, and opens like book, with tools on holders on the inside of each side. Just simple pine box, couple hinges, and a handle or two. Not sure about any "graphics" on the outside...

The completed set MAY get donated......not sure where are the moment...

Eggbeater instaed of the brace, with bits in it's handle. Some other items may get scaled back a bit. we'll see how this goes...

[Pat Barry]

A small bottle of Titebond would be a good addition to your toolset

[Frederick Skelly]

Ok, so tell us the backstory behind this thread. You don't seem to be doing this for yourself or just to start an interesting conversation. What are you up to Steven? :)

[steven c newman]

Maybe put together asmall "starter" package. Donate the package to the local chapter that help disabled youngsters. Maybe a Veteran's group that could help out recovering vets. Something along those lines. maybe get others interested enough to provide an inexpensive set for thier area. Not only to get more people interested in our craft, but help others recover from the trials of life, as it were...

Just a thought....

[Matt Lau]

e-bay old USA files. Cheap, and better than the new crap.
Get a Saw rasp--Stu at Tooldfromjapan.com has them at $16!
I plan to buy a few for presents.

+1 to Steve's tip on older files--tends to be better than the new crap.
Personally, I'd go for a Shinto rasp and cabinet shaped NOS files in bastard, first, second cut (Nicholson, Grobet, etc).
Get scrapers to clean up. A good card scraper is very versatile, and great for post rasp cleanup. Microscope slides or razor blades work well.

The 4 in hand is pretty useless imo--at least the inexpensive ones at BORG. Vintage may be worthwhile.
Haven't tried a handstruck one--suspect it'd be better. The grobet one is likely great, but I haven't tried it.

Stanley makes pretty crap tools imho...at least the current ones (didn't try the new sweetheart chisels though. They may be good).

[Frederick Skelly]

Maybe put together asmall "starter" package. Donate the package to the local chapter that help disabled youngsters. Maybe a Veteran's group that could help out recovering vets. Something along those lines. maybe get others interested enough to provide an inexpensive set for thier area. Not only to get more people interested in our craft, but help others recover from the trials of life, as it were...

Just a thought....

That's a good idea! I may "borrow" it and do the same. Thanks Steven.
Fred

[Mark Stutz]

I have 2 vintage four in hand, at least one is Nicholson, maybe both. They can't compare to a full length rasp for ease of use, but they work well. I just wrapped some blue tape around the end for a handle.

[William Adams]

Wasn't aware the four-in-hand was available as anything other than a cheap stamped thing from the big box stores --- love multi-purpose tools, so will have to keep an eye out for one, or spring for the Grobet. There was a guy on one of the bowyer lists who made a leather handle for his, will have to try that.

Maybe this old thread will be of interest?

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?173912-Bonsa-Tool-Kit

Or perhaps: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?141768-A-basic-tool-set-Hand-tool-bug-out-bag&p=1440933#post1440933

Paired w/: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?216597-I-made-a-bucket/page2 that latter would be way cool.

[steven c newman]

Tool Box has been delivered this afternoon: Coatains the following toys:
Assorted screwdrivers, three slotted, three phillips
A 16' and a 6' tape measure
A compass with pencil...drawing arcs and circles
2 nails sets
Stanley #602 eggbeater drill with bits in the handle, along with 4 spade style bits..3/8", 1/2" 9/16", and 5/8"
14" handsaw, Stanley dovetail saw, stanley coping saw, Union Hacksaw
1..16oz curved claw hammer
4 wood rasps. 2 coarse 1/2 rounds, 2 fine 1/2 rounds, 4in-hand.
3 wood chisels 1/2", 3/4" and 1" wide.
oil stone plus leather strop
small 6" level
12" combe square
#3 Millers Falls made for Dunlap smooth plane
Block plane, refurbbed Buck brothers
Stanley scratch awl
12" "F" style clamp.

1 black plastic tool box with pull out tray

Had many a "THANK YOU"s when I left out there. Hope they enjoy the tools. And..LEARN to use them. People with Disablities is whom this place serves and trains.