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Before you spend cash on any tools you really need to think about what type pf things you want to make as this will dictate what tools you will need
A good planer thicknesser will mean that you can buy rough sawn timber and plane stock to your required thickness, which is by far the hardest /most labour intensive to do by hand. You could just buy Planed all round timber but then you are probably stuck with commercial sizes and much higher price
Everything else can generally be done with hand tools, its just that power tolls speed everything up
My list would be
Solid 10 inc planer thicknesser almost certainly second hand with a chip extractor I wouldnt waste money on a cheap lunchbox machine
Small / Medium router
Dust extractor
Solid 16 inch+ bandsaw almost certainly second hand
That has probably blown your budget Any money left over buy good quality hand tools
 
I'd say build your skills then tools!

Build your bench first as a training exercise it dosent need to be perfect as it's a tool in itself.

Look at tibi one here recently for inspiration.
 
seanash said:
Many more thanks for the excellent advice lads.
Well, up in orkney I'm restricted in what timber I can buy. I have been in contact with my local craftsman who informed me where to source from, this will involve a shipping cost which obviously increases my costs significantly.
Is there a chicken and egg situation here. I guess the first thing I want to build is a decent woodworking bench. Are any of the online plans any good? I have a work bench in my workshop as I also fettle with the odd motorcycle, but I'm going to focus more on woodwork and want a bench to work from.
I thought that I would need the p/t to get the material true to construct this, I'm guessing that if the bench is not true then the datum from then on will effect my work.
Buying used is something I'm looking into. There is a significant cost of shipping in this but I guess that's just something I have to put up with given my location.
I'm looking at cramps and hand tools at the moment to get underway with the essentials.
My workshop is about 25m3 and is 240v single phase.
Again, I can't thank you all enough for the invaluable advice. I hope that other new starts are looking in on this chat and getting as much from this as I am.
Click to expand...
I recommend you buy only the tools you will need to build your workbench for now then add as needed. Also watch YouTube videos to learn techniques that work for you then practice, watch again try again - rinse and repeat

Router - I would buy a trim router not a bench router at this stage and the best value is a Katsu and I would buy the cordless for versatility but the 240v is a lot cheaper and just as good.
https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collecti...collets-1-4-and-3-8-battery-4-0ah-and-chargerMallet This is excellent as a chisel mallet - use the white end https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0086F9AHU/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item
Plane I would buy a good 2nd hand Stanley No 4 Smoother from eBay but there is a risk. I bought one and despite it looking fine the cutting iron in it was the wrong size and couldn't be retracted. There are a lot of plane restorers on eBay, some are good some not so much. Avoid any with heavy rust or pitting or any that look like they've been overly sanded down and check the tote (handle) and knob are in good order. If in doubt post the advert on here and ask for opinions.
Chisels Very personal choice this - ask here and get at least dozen different answers, I'd avoid 2nd hand as it's risky and could take you a long time to restore (unless this appeals of course). As you will get a lot of use from a relatively cheap set, bearing in mind you might find they blunt faster than dearer ones (which you can always upgrade later). These ones look ok
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Marp...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482456222489&psc=1Sharpening Again a very personal choose and please don't ask for opinions on this forum as you will really regret it - just do a search on the forum to see what I mean. I use 3 Vaunt diamond stones from ITS 200x75 Coarse, Medium and Extra Fine. Watch how they hand sharpen and practice on an old chisel if you have one - you won't regret it, a jig is handy for grinding, but learn to hone by hand, you won't regret it.
https://its.co.uk/hand-tools/more-hand-tools/sharpening-tools/I use cheap glass cleaner to lubricate them but watch this useful video

She refers to Paul Sellers video which is also very good here

Sandpaper Sounds a no brainer but quality sandpaper will save you a lot of time. I use this and it is excellent stuff, lasts ages and doesn't clog
https://www.toolstation.com/mirka-mirox-sanding-sheets-230mm-x-280mm/p84980Combi Square These are recommended just make sure it's metric or both if you're still working in imperial. Some prefer Stanley Rabone but they are getting pricey now. If you need a birthday present ask for a Starrett combi!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-CS30...EuMDQifQ==&sprefix=stanley+rab,aps,93&sr=8-17Try Square These are superb value for money
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starrett-K...==&sprefix=starrett+try+square,aps,208&sr=8-7Marking Gauge - Get a single gauge and a 2-pin mortise gauge as they will save you a lot of time marking out your bench leg joints. Also buy one of these as they are easier to use than a craft knife
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Fo...ix=stanley+folding+pocket+knife,aps,75&sr=8-2Pencils Seems simple but I would buy a pack of these Staedlers as they sharpen easily to a good point
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Staedtler-...jIuNzEifQ==&sprefix=stadler+2b+,aps,89&sr=8-5Sharpener this is excellent
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pencil-Sha...2&sr=1-1-1890b328-3a40-4864-baa0-a8eddba1bf6aEraser comes in handy for rubbing out marking mistakes on wood
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Staedtler-...ifQ==&sprefix=staedtler+eraser,aps,145&sr=8-6Combi Drill - Again a personal choice and depends on your budget, there are lots available
Saw - You will need a carcass rip saw and a crosscut for tenons, I bought these veritas saws and they are excellent
https://www.axminstertools.com/instantsearch/result?q=veritas sawClamps - You will need quite a few. Think through what sizes you are likely to need for your bench, watch what YouTubers use sizewise but beware some are very expensive. One handed clamps are useful for light clamping and are cheap enough from Aldi, Lidl or similar. F Clamps are good and Screwfix sell a good range that I have
https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/cl...anagedredirect-_-handtools-_-magnussonsfclampI recommend these for medium clamping force but they need strengthening with wood inserts to be really useful
https://www.rutlands.com/sp+workhol...ash-clamps-1500mm-pack-of-6-rutlands®+r3008x6For strong and long clamping I have these which are excellent
https://www.axminstertools.com/axminster-trade-clamps-sash-clamp-1-370mm-505580Rulers Get a 150mm, 300mm and 1000mm
https://www.banggood.com/150-1200mm...d=31986729&sc_lid=105229698&sc_uid=Yl0GhAUFGs
I think that should get you started I hope it helps!

Edit: I forgot to suggest power saws, I prefer my bandsaw but If I was building a bench I think a table saw would be better for rip cuts and a mitre saw for cross cuts (I bought a dewalt mitre saw over 16 years ago, I use it most days and it is still cutting accurately. My bandsaw is very useful but quality is key and good ones are expensive, all need careful setting up and decent blades. Also, to see a good 2nd hand one before buying could be problematic. I would buy a good site table saw such as a Dewalt or Bosch and buy a band saw sometime later when you feel you really need one.
 
Last edited:
In my experience the table saw and the planer/thicknesser are the two machines that add most to the productivity. Everything else can be made using simple hand tools if there are limitations to space or budget. Only a couple of years ago I got around to get a router. Only then my production runs became large enough to make it worth the cost.

One can rip timbers by hand and one can plane timbers by hand as well but it is a highly quailified and very labour intensive way of doing it. Labour intensive enough to prevent you from getting anything productive done.
To me your budget seems to be just enough to get you a decent planer/thicknesser.
 
OP - I expect by now you've realised that it you ask a hundred people you'll get a hundred and one opinions.
Unless you see top class tools ridiculously cheap, buy decent stuff as you need it. You don't need the very best tools, but avoid the cheapest unless you treat them as throwaway. It might pay to amend your location - there's no point in people steering you towards something in Glasgow.
 
mikej460 said:
I recommend you buy only the tools you will need to build your workbench for now then add as needed. Also watch YouTube videos to learn techniques that work for you then practice, watch again try again - rinse and repeat

Router - I would buy a trim router not a bench router at this stage and the best value is a Katsu and I would buy the cordless for versatility but the 240v is a lot cheaper and just as good.
https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collecti...collets-1-4-and-3-8-battery-4-0ah-and-chargerMallet This is excellent as a chisel mallet - use the white end https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0086F9AHU/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item
Plane I would buy a good 2nd hand Stanley No 4 Smoother from eBay but there is a risk. I bought one and despite it looking fine the cutting iron in it was the wrong size and couldn't be retracted. There are a lot of plane restorers on eBay, some are good some not so much. Avoid any with heavy rust or pitting or any that look like they've been overly sanded down and check the tote (handle) and knob are in good order. If in doubt post the advert on here and ask for opinions.
Chisels Very personal choice this - ask here and get at least dozen different answers, I'd avoid 2nd hand as it's risky and could take you a long time to restore (unless this appeals of course). As you will get a lot of use from a relatively cheap set, bearing in mind you might find they blunt faster than dearer ones (which you can always upgrade later). These ones look ok
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Marp...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482456222489&psc=1Sharpening Again a very personal choose and please don't ask for opinions on this forum as you will really regret it - just do a search on the forum to see what I mean. I use 3 Vaunt diamond stones from ITS 200x75 Coarse, Medium and Extra Fine. Watch how they hand sharpen and practice on an old chisel if you have one - you won't regret it, a jig is handy for grinding, but learn to hone by hand, you won't regret it.
https://its.co.uk/hand-tools/more-hand-tools/sharpening-tools/I use cheap glass cleaner to lubricate them but watch this useful video

She refers to Paul Sellers video which is also very good here

Sandpaper Sounds a no brainer but quality sandpaper will save you a lot of time. I use this and it is excellent stuff, lasts ages and doesn't clog
https://www.toolstation.com/mirka-mirox-sanding-sheets-230mm-x-280mm/p84980Combi Square These are recommended just make sure it's metric or both if you're still working in imperial. Some prefer Stanley Rabone but they are getting pricey now. If you need a birthday present ask for a Starrett combi!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-CS30...EuMDQifQ==&sprefix=stanley+rab,aps,93&sr=8-17Try Square These are superb value for money
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starrett-K...==&sprefix=starrett+try+square,aps,208&sr=8-7Marking Gauge - Get a single gauge and a 2-pin mortise gauge as they will save you a lot of time marking out your bench leg joints. Also buy one of these as they are easier to use than a craft knife
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Fo...ix=stanley+folding+pocket+knife,aps,75&sr=8-2Pencils Seems simple but I would buy a pack of these Staedlers as they sharpen easily to a good point
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Staedtler-...jIuNzEifQ==&sprefix=stadler+2b+,aps,89&sr=8-5Sharpener this is excellent
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pencil-Sha...2&sr=1-1-1890b328-3a40-4864-baa0-a8eddba1bf6aEraser comes in handy for rubbing out marking mistakes on wood
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Staedtler-...ifQ==&sprefix=staedtler+eraser,aps,145&sr=8-6Combi Drill - Again a personal choice and depends on your budget, there are lots available
Saw - You will need a carcass rip saw and a crosscut for tenons, I bought these veritas saws and they are excellent
https://www.axminstertools.com/instantsearch/result?q=veritas sawClamps - You will need quite a few. Think through what sizes you are likely to need for your bench, watch what YouTubers use sizewise but beware some are very expensive. One handed clamps are useful for light clamping and are cheap enough from Aldi, Lidl or similar. F Clamps are good and Screwfix sell a good range that I have
https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/cl...anagedredirect-_-handtools-_-magnussonsfclampI recommend these for medium clamping force but they need strengthening with wood inserts to be really useful
https://www.rutlands.com/sp+workhol...ash-clamps-1500mm-pack-of-6-rutlands®+r3008x6For strong and long clamping I have these which are excellent
https://www.axminstertools.com/axminster-trade-clamps-sash-clamp-1-370mm-505580Rulers Get a 150mm, 300mm and 1000mm
https://www.banggood.com/150-1200mm...d=31986729&sc_lid=105229698&sc_uid=Yl0GhAUFGs
I think that should get you started I hope it helps!
Click to expand...

You give my Mrs a run for her money in Amazon!🤣🤣🤣
 

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