tools you have

[mo khan]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering how many tools you all have in your workshop- power and hand tools- that you actually use in everyday projects. I like to keep my tools to a minimum. I have a mitre saw, a plunge router with a fence (not a table), a jigsaw and a cordless drill. I also have a hand plane, 2 chisels,a  Jap back saw and some general hand tools- mallets, screwdrivers and clamps.  That's it. I have never felt the need to buy anything more. Anyone here agree (or strongly disagree!) with me? 

[steve kidd]

hi mo, if you look at my page you will see most of my tools. i like to have multiple tools to do the same operation, such as all my drills. i can have one set up with a drill bit and another one set up with a driver bit, this saves time for me. i also have two router tables, this works for me when making raised panel doors. i can set one up for rails and the other one for stiles. im lucky to have plenty of room so keeping tools to a minimum isnt an issue. thanks for the post, cant wait to see what others think about this subject.

[Mike Kahle]

I am a tool horter. I am constantly looking for a good deal on anything. I just found and bought a Radial Arm Saw the other day for $25. I had no true need for it. I have everything needed to do everything the RAS can do.

I also do what Steve does with the drills. I have one that is dedicated to driving screws, the other is dedicated to drilling.

 

Not going over hand tools, in my shop I have a table saw, router, router with table, miter saw, miter saw with table, drill press, scroll saw, band saw, belt sander, table top belt and disk sander, the RAS mentioned above, random orbital sander, 3 black and decker 18v drills, 2 dewalt 18v drills, dewalt 120v drill, 2 circular saws, 2 18volt B&D circular saws, 2 jig saws..... and probably more that I just cannot think of off the top of my head.

 

[Ken Darga]

Whew!

I don't have enough time, this evening, to list all my tools.

I have many hand and power tools, for wood working, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, mechanical repairs, metal working, concrete---about everything needed for construction--- remodeling to building.

 

Table saw, miter slide saw, electric hand saws (for finishing and construction), router table, drill press--- several drills and drivers, battery operated and electric.

Drills and drivers for wood, metal and concrete.

Hammers--- air and electric power driven---hand hammers for small finishing rivets, for woodworking, metal working, and framing hammers.

Palm nailers for small brads and nails, to as large a the 20" nail---finishing nails, box nails and large headed nails, like roofing nails, and large nails for beams.

Routers for hand routing and in a table---palm/trim router for edging and routing small profiles.

Electric, air and manual staplers and brad nailers.

Air tools---grinders, saws, chisels, hammers, die-grinders, nailers, socket drivers, wrenches, etc.

Power and hand sanders---belt, orbital, oscillating and finishing.

Mobile vac system.

Polishers & buffers.

Painting and finishing tools---wood working, drywall, etc.

Chisels---hand, air and electric driven.

Drivers---hand and battery driven---for wood screws and screws for metals.

Hand and power tools for electrical work---building and remodeling.

Electrical testing equipment.

Rotary tools---saws, grinders, and the like, for building, repairing and refinishing.
Sharpening equipment and tools.

Finishing tools and equipment for wood, metals and concrete. 

Grinders for metal, concrete, etc.

Outdoor equipment---hand and power tools.

Tools for making small scale models to building a house.

9 ft work bench with electrical outlets along the front and back-splash area, 3 vises (for metal and woodworking).

Work stands and tables---permanent and adjustable heights, for use indoors and outdoors.

................................... 

That about covers the highlights. 

[Jens Jensen]

Gobs of hand tools,Contractor saw,radil arm s aw 1956 DeWalt , jointer ,planer,scroll saw,Edge dander 24 ",dust collector. plus a woodstove   haha

[Fins59]

Besides the usual tools, I find a Rockwell Jaw Horse very handy for sanding and cutting.  Also a hand held grinder.  I use it for cutting off protruding nails and screws, etc.  I too have a number of routers so I don't have to change bits and settings.  Also 3 Milwaukee cordless drills.  Also have 2 Kreg drill bits....I keep the collar on one set at 3/4" and the other at 1 1/2".  I have 2 miter saws, one is a Ridgid 12" beast and the other a nice small 7 1/4" sliding Craftsman.  That little Craftsman will cut up to a 1"x10".   Next on my wish list is a planer. 

Like Jens, I also have a wood stove in my shop,  probably the most important "tool" in the winter.

Clamps...got a few of those.  Anytime Menards has a sale on clamps I pick up a few more.

[Fins59]

Forgot to mention the Multi-Purpose oscillating cutting tool.  I guess Fein started making them first ($400) but the patent expired and now everybody is making them.  I got a cheap HF $29.95 one.  That tool can cut in tight places no other saw can get to.

 

[mo khan]

mmm I might have to buy some more tools to impress you guys! And Ken you can stop showing off :P!

[Carl Vella]

I am an ardent follower of Norm and New Yankee Workshop so I kept pace with he and his tools until he got that massive belt sander!!  I admitted defeat and now only buy tools to make life easier for me.

[Robert Decker]

Well I have a lot of tools in my shop and I find from time to time I use them all. There is one tool I don't have but will get next and that is a drill press . But each project require different tools ,So I am not sure you can have to many. I have to say I am running out of room but it works for me.

Robert Decker

[Dale Liley]

Ditto all of your tool plus I could not live without my table saw and bandsaw and because I have access to a saw mill I have to have my DeWalt  planer.

[Ken Darga]

mo khan,

Nope---not showing-off, my friend---

Just giving you the facts.

 

I've been a homeowner, for nearly 50 years.

I consider myself an ''avid advanced do-it-your-selfer'', that does professional work---

lots of it better, than I've seen done my many ''professionals''.

i put thought and time into planning my projects---make notes, sketches, drawings, and the like.

 

My first house was a fix-ur-upper.

(I learned many things, working with my Dad---building and remodeling.

Started with basic woodworking tools, hand and power tools, then added tools as needed, for the task at hand.

Remodeled the house, inside and out.  Sold it, and moved on to another.

 

Remodeled and upgraded the next one---inside and out---2-1/2 car garage was my entire workshop.

 

Also, worked with a friend, help build his entire new home, from ground up.

Started in May and he moved in by Thanksgiving.

Yes, we had some help from a few others, on and off, carrying lumber and driving nails.

Also, had one carpenter, on and off.

Brink and stone work was done by masons. 

This structure turned out awesome, in a wooded area with big oak trees---5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 fireplaces, 4 car garage, custom cabinets, and all.  Two of the cars bays, had doors on both ends, so as to drive thru and around.

 

Also, help remodel others houses---inside and out.

Finished basements, making them into living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms, game rooms, or what even they desired.

 

Then I moved on to another fix-ur-upper.

Remodeled and refinished---inside and outside.

Remodeled the entire lower level---bathroom, family room, bedroom, utility room, pantry, closets, small workshop area for my wifes work room for her hobbies and crafts.

Replaced all windows, upper and lower level---also, new entry doors.

Rebuilt the upper level bathroom, refinished the hardwood floors and all trim work.

(Work in progress---replacing all interior doors and closet doors).

Converted 2 bedrooms into offices, one for my wife and myself.

The dog has the run of the house---(when were home). 

(5 kids are adults, and with their own families.  Youngest son, in his senior year of college, then on to grad school).

 

Recently built a new elevated deck---tore down the old one and started from scratch.

Frame work and structure, heavy duty---(future plans to build an all-season room above it).

It turned out great.  Designed and built an ''under deck drain system''---water drips thru the deck boards---down onto transparent wave panels, slanted so as to direct the water to troughs and down spouts.

(Selected transparent panels, so as to see-thru, if anything drops thru the cracks---then remove the applicable deck board, from the top-side, retrieve the item and replace the deck board).

The trough and downspouts are hidden---not visible to the outside.

Privacy lattice around 3 sides---allows air-flow to keep things dry.

Under-deck storage used for lawn and yard working equipment, lumber storage, and more.

Under-deck electrical power and lighting---motion control lights---lights turn ''on'', when doors are opened during entry, and shut-off when exiting.

Electric power for running power tools in the back yard and on the patio.

The plans were in the works for 3 years, before work began---lots of planning, 'til I got it where I wanted it.

 

Built an outside storage shed, to store goods, no longer needed in the house.

It started out to be my auxiliary workshop, but my wife got other ideas.

 

Re-landscaped, front, sides and back of the house and yard.

 

All of this work done on weekends, weekday evenings, and days off---during full-time employment.

Yes---I'm busier than a one-legged cat in a sand box.

 

I've been semi-retired, for a few years, so i've been able to do more tasks and projects, in a shorter time period.  (Got several more on my list).

 

I've invested in all the tools I have, on an as-needed basis.  They weren't all purchased at one time---they've been accumulated over many years---most new and some previously owned, that are in good working condition.

 

If one is a newbee, start out with the tools as needed for the desired task, and then expand from there.

 

Lots of used/pre-owned carpentry and woodworking tools available on todays market.

Lots of construction workers out of work---need the money, and selling off good stuff, for a good affordable price.

 

Some building supply houses, tool stores, and the like, are overstocked, and will sell at reduced prices.

Visit resale shops, pawn-shops and the like---look for bargains, make an offer---some are willing to sell, to bring in the cash.  (Payment with ''cash'' will get you better deals).

 

If one has old stuff or goods no longer needed---sell or trade and upgrade.

Someone will find your old tools just to their liking.

 

NO---none of my tools are for sale, at this time.

My mission on earth is not complete---I'm still here.

 

BTW---just picked up another biscuit planer/joiner, in good working condition, for $10!

Suitable for some rough joinery work.

 

Needed new batteries, for some cordless tools---they're were on sale for 2 for $50.

Instead got a new drill/driver, 2 batteries and charger for $60.

Don't need another stinkin' drill, but for another $10 bucks---couldn't pass-up the deal/offer.

I can sell the drill for $25 dollars, (below the selling price of the single drill), and make a few bucks to buy more tools.

 

ps---gotta go, have to get 30 bags of red-wood mulch put down today--- top-dressing around the landscaping and plantings.

 

mo khan said:

mmm I might have to buy some more tools to impress you guys! And Ken you can stop showing off :P!

[Eduardo Artigas]

I feel admiration for those who work with few tools. I have seen great pieces made with just hand tools and today some people can make lots of things with a few additional power tools. I can't, but the fault is on me.

I  feel great reading this thread because I am also a tool hoarder. I have many waiting to be used but I like them with me not in a tag sale or Craigslist.

I think a lot can be done with a few tools but also a lot can be done, and may be faster, with power tools if you have the skills.

I have 110 and 220 volts tools, table saw, router, miter saw, planer, band saw, etc. But my skills are still building up. I also enjoy refurbishing some old jewels (tools of course)