If the laser is still on, try wiping off the lens. My previous miter saw had a laser but would get covered in dust and resin and would just need wiped off, eventually the laser just stopped working completely
Woodworkers Thread
- Thread starter AgronAlum
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If the laser is still on, try wiping off the lens. My previous miter saw had a laser but would get covered in dust and resin and would just need wiped off, eventually the laser just stopped working completely
I have the K5 jig. Bought it when I made an island for my kitchen. I love it. I still use the clamp on jig occasionally but you can attach a vacuum to the K5 and it’s virtually no mess and you can align the holes way faster. Highly recommend.
Yea that’s the main difference. The toggle clamp in the K4 and the ratchet clamp on the K5. Also the K5 has attachments to help hold the longer pieces on a level plane. That and I think 20 dollars are the difference.
The level plane deals are nice for certain things but not always necessary. I screwed my whole K5 to a piece of plywood to keep it together and makes it easier to move the whole unit (and I was a little worried about losing some of the smaller pieces)
Thanks again for the info on this stuff. I added my email to their list so I can watch for the next sale and pick up a few sets.
In fun developments, I was recently given a nice sized gift card for home depot and plan on using it to build out some of my project tools. I've been trying to write down everything that has been mentioned here and prioritizing based on need and function (one function or many. Can it be used for multiple projects or very special needs). Some things like a compressor and nail guns are going to be a requirement for basement buildout. Same with a shop vac. However, things like a jointer maybe I don't NEED to spend that money and instead could use the router trick you mentioned before. And a router can be used for many types of projects. I feel like after a lot of research, clamps are easily at the top of the list. A biscuit jointer would be nice but also adding bits for the router and maybe building out a router table seem high on the list.
I already have:
Compound Miter Saw
Table Saw
Circular Saw
Router (although I may make an upgrade here)
A few clamps
Access to a thickness planer
If you were starting over...what would you prioritize?
It’s a little tough to gauge because with woodworking there are many ways and tools to use to get to the same result. It just depends on what you find you prefer. If I were you, next on the list would be a pancake compressor with 16g/18g nail guns (see link below), a router table and bits, orbital sander and clamps. I use Kregs hand clamps a ton. Leave some money on the card for things you run into along the way for each project. In general, I don’t really buy anything until I see a clear cut need for it.
Don’t overlook getting decent blades for your saws. Diablo blades are pretty common and IMO give the best quality for the money. You may want to buy a cheap set of router bits and see which ones you use the most before buying a bunch of nice bits that never get used. Or just buy as you need and build the collection from there.
This is what I have for a compressor and guns outside of my 23g Metabo and I use the crap out of it with no issues. They do make quieter ones now which might be nice if noise is an issue. The kids bedrooms are above my garage so I have to watch myself sometimes.
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Thanks again! I had learned the value of a sharp blade as a kid so I can appreciate the blade comment. I replaced my miter saw blade last summer with a Diablo and it was night and day difference. I think I'll focus on the router related stuff, wait for those clamps to go on sale, and plan on picking up the air tools when I do the actual build out later this summer.
If I was starting over? Well that all depends on what I wanted to start doing. In all honesty I'd buy this set of books to start with and start figuring things out from there.
Vol. I of The Woodworker: The Charles H. Hayward Years: Tools
Download an excerpt from Vol. I here. There is little doubt that Charles H. Hayward (1898-1998) was the most important workshop writer and editor of the 20th century. Unlike any person before (and perhaps after) him, Hayward was a trained cabinetmaker and extraordinary illustrator, not to...
IMO, your selection depends on what type of work you plan to do. For example, you mentioned a basement buildout which is construction type work. On that basis, the air compressor and guns are important; other would be cordless drill and driver, a track saw, reciprocating saw, good level, etc. If you plan to do woodworking, top consideration would be the drill and driver, clamps, Kreg pocket hole jig, jig saw, then a jointer, drill press, more clamps, sander, hand plane, storage capability. Consider dust collection at some point. IMO, forget the biscut jointer. Add a track saw at some point.
If I was starting over? Well that all depends on what I wanted to start doing. In all honesty I'd buy this set of books to start with and start figuring things out from there.
Vol. I of The Woodworker: The Charles H. Hayward Years: Tools
Download an excerpt from Vol. I here. There is little doubt that Charles H. Hayward (1898-1998) was the most important workshop writer and editor of the 20th century. Unlike any person before (and perhaps after) him, Hayward was a trained cabinetmaker and extraordinary illustrator, not to...lostartpress.com
Maybe it’s just me but I absolutely could not sit down and read a book like this. I know I’d be a better woodworker because of it, but trial and error is more my style. I tend to enjoy the process of figuring stuff out on my own.
That probably means I’ll always be an intermediate woodworker but oh well. Thanks for the hand planes by the way. I’ve already got some use out of them.
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I’d emphasize everything here too and made some assumptions that @Tri4Cy would already have things like a drill/driver, level, jig saw, etc. with the larger tools he already has. I should have made more of a point to buy what you need, not what you think you’ll need. My recommendations were based on what I do, which is a bunch of both but not professionally.
My last projects have been fiber cement siding, built ins for a living room, a stone fireplace, a solid oak laundry table and solid oak shelving. The next will be a solid wood mantle, a closet and a screen door. I’m all over the place with this stuff. I was just naming off the tools I tend to use the most for both construction and woodworking.
I don’t think I ever posted this one. Some built ins and the fireplace stone for a living room remodel. There’s a third one all the way to the right of the row of cabinets.
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I can't sit down and read it like its a Tom Clancy novel either but whenever I want to try something new or do something I haven't done in a while I'll crack that open and read relevant sections. It also comes in super handy when I'm staring at a problem I can't quite figure out.
Now the one woodworking book you can read through like a novel is The Anarchist's Tool Chest but it's pointed towards people who want to focus on hand tools. I bought it when I was on a kick for doing stuff with just hand tools back when my kids were really little and the only time I could find to do work was after they were asleep. If you follow that it'll give you a list of tools to buy for unplugged woodworking and at the end you build a tool chest to put everything in.
The Anarchist's Tool Chest: Revised Edition
“The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” paints a world where woodworking tools are at the center of an ethical life filled with creating furniture that will last for generations. You'll discover the fewer than 50 hand tools you need to get started, and step-by-step instructions to build a full-sized...
lostartpress.com
I think were I'm trying to get better at is differentiating between want and need. Do I NEED this tool, or is it just a want because it may make the job a little easier. What is that return on investment? Is there multiple uses for the tool in question so I can better justify the investment. I feel like the more and more I dive into the subject, the more I realize that I don't know.
That is really the root of my question. I'm surly going to buy more tools as I move through projects but if I can avoid buying a large expensive jointer for example and save that floor/bench space and use tools like a router that have many uses...that is what I'm looking for.
This topic is also spinning out of control in my head. I'm now looking at options to maybe build the shed at the house we are currently building "just a little bit bigger" and turning it into a work shop. Then I could have all of my tools in one location AND better manage dust/paint. I feel like I've opened pandora's box here lol.
Does anyone have any recommendations on a crown jig? There are a bunch of them out there. Are they more accurate or easier to use than adjusting the bevel and miter on the chop saw? My saw bevels to 45 on both sides but doesn’t have positive stops. It does have positive stops at the correct angles on the miter.
I usually use the nesting technique where the top of the moulding goes against the bed of the saw and the bottom goes against the fence. This way you don't need to bevel. If your fence isn't tall enough you could cut a wedge to lay the back flat against. On inside corners coping can be easier to get a good fit.
Can some of you woodworking vets give me the top 5 things I need to know about router bits and where to get them? Starting playing with my new router and already busted one off in my material. Probably operator error I’m sure.