My first post here ...

I'm Liz, a "woman of a certain age" -- older than Tommy, younger than Al. I'm finally getting into woodworking, after years of other things. [I would have loved to take wood shop in high school, but I have this genetic abnormality that kept me out -- no Y chromosome. Girls were not allowed in shop classes, even drafting.] I'm taking a basic woodworking class at the local tech high school, and finding time in the shop is the high point of my week. But I guess you guys know what that's like.

Anyway ... I'm looking to put together a beginner's kit of hand tools. I don't have a lot of money to invest in tools, at least not until I know I'll be doing this for the long haul. All I have right now, aside from basic handy homeowner tools, is a Craftsman block plane that even I can tell needs a good tuning, a 1" beater chisel, and a coping saw. [I actually have a fair selection of power tools ... my husband does metal work in his spare time, and he also haunts CraigsList and buys tools.]

I know my woodworking plans affect what tools I'll need ... I'll be doing finish carpentry and some built-ins when we add on to our house, but I'm drawn to making furniture — contemporary / Scandinavian modern / Shaker, not period work. I like the idea of doing hand work, instead of paying NStar huge electricity bills.

So ... what should I get? Prices? Brands?

OK, I think your first priority should be something to cut lumber to size with. I know you are leaning toward hand tools but I would recommend some kind of power saw. A contractor's table saw or a high end portable circular saw would work. I also think a router would be a good power tool to have. You could do all hand work but I think rip sawing and routing are the two things that are much harder to do by hand tools alone.

Here are the first things I would say you need.

1. Table or portable Saw. Some people like a bandsaw but I like something that leaves a straighter edge for most work. The bandsaw is good is you do a lot of curvilinear or freeform stuff.
2. Good set of chisels, maybe Marples (Irwin) Blue Chips (cheap but a good value).
3. Router and table (you could make your own table and you can joint wood with it as well).
4. Good layout tools, an accurate combination square(Starrett), good ruler, good tape measure, pencils
5. Bench plane and block plane
6. A backsaw and a good small saw like a dovetail saw or a gentlemen's saw (sorry, that's what its called
7. Clamps (appropriate for what you intend to make)
8. Workbench (Tommy has a good affordable solution for this). This is a top priority.
9. A sharpening method (look up scary sharp in Google if you want to go cheap, Tormek is the Cadillac method)

Learn to sharpen first thing, probably tuning up those new chisels. Hand tools do not usually come out of the box ready to use so this is an important skill to have and will pay back by making your work easier and crisper. Learn to sharpen and tune up your plane. You can find these skills here and on the Internet.

My wife is just learning now and it was eye opening for me to instruct someone. Measuring and layout were something I did not think a lot about until I had to start with a beginner. Now I realize just how critical those skills are. Learn how to "square up" pieces using your saws and planes.

Find a good woodworking supplier. The big box stores are not going to have a lot of what you want. Online, you could try Rockler and Woodcraft if you have no stores close by.

Also, look at some of the projects here on the forum and see what tools the procedure list calls for. Buy them as you need them and it won't be as painful. Have fun and good luck. Ask us if you need recommendations on brand or type of tool. There is a ton of experienced knowledge here.

Steven Naslund
Chicago IL

Stephen pretty much said it all.

For my two cents, I would recommend looking for some pre-WW2 hand planes (stanley baileys, sargents, etc). The castings and machining were much better in the old days. Ask around, your friends or family probably have a couple laying around unused or you can find them at garage sales and antique stores.

I would also recommend getting a scraper. You will save on sandpaper and you won't be inhaling all that dust.

A marking gauge and a bevel gauge will help you make mortises, transfer cut lines, set angles, etc.

These guys have got it covered. My only comment is that I'd go for a bandsaw first, because it has the versatility of doing straight work with a fence, or curved work. Obviously, the straight cuts aren't as good as a table saw, but that's what the plane is for. Also, it takes up less floor space.

Eli

I know this is dredging up an old post, but just wanted to say thanks for the great info in the replies here. Gives me a great starting point for setting up a beginner shop.

A good initial but that you can build skills on is the set if woodworking tools Tommy created a couple years ago. I use mine all the time. The marking gauge works well, the mallet is just the right weight and the layout blocks for cutting dovetails are great. Even if you buy a dovetail jig eventually k owing te fundamentals will serve you well.