Northwest Woodworking Studio Forum

1. joetatoo
   Member

   Hello Gary.

   I recently decided to start trying to make furniture and cabinets.
   I framed homes for about 27 years, though due to health problems I had to stop working about 3 and a half years now. I had gotten rid of all my framing tools (stupid)because I had broken my back in a car crash.(But not paralyzed thank God). Anyway I started buying new tools for furniture work. I have a tablesaw, Skill saw, mitre saw, 2 routers 1 is 1 1/2 HP 1/4" collet and the other is 2hp 1/4" and 1/2" collet, router table, rail and style bits as well as a 20 piece router bit set, frostner bit set, chisels, bench grinder, bench vise, small compresser with brad nailer. The next thing I want to get is a band saw. Could you suggest a good brand, and also what other tools you might think would be good for me to have. The kitchen cabinets I built turned out so great I was inspired to try and build some indoor and outdoor furniture in the near future. Thanks in advance Joe.

   Posted 6 months ago #

2. joetatoo
   Member

   Ps sorry Gary forgot to mention I have a dado set as well as a good couple of drill bit sets.

   Posted 6 months ago #

3. Gary Rogowski
   Administrator

   Hey Joe,
   Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I was busy with a Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event at the Studio all weekend.

   I think you need a good set of hand tools. This is the kit I recommend to my Mastery students:

   Measuring and marking tools: Pencil, tape measure, square, marking gauge, marking knife, sliding bevel, 6" Starrett rule, 24" straight edge/ rule

   Cutting tools: Back/ dovetail saw, bastard cut file, #49 cabinetmakers rasp, mill file, hand scraper, #80 cabinet scraper, burnisher
   Chisels: paring chisels, bevel edge chisels, or mortising chisels, mallet, hammer

   Sharpening stones: diamond stone - coarse/ fine, combination waterstone 1000/4000 grit or 3 water stones: 250 grit, 800 grit, 6000 grit

   Hand planes: #4 smoothing plane, low angle block plane, bullnose or shoulder plane, #5 jack plane, spokeshave

   Bench tools:
   Bench hooks: sharpening, holding
   Winding sticks, diagonal measuring sticks

   There will of course be others to get, but this will be a good start.

   As for band saws, look for an old one first like a Walker Turner, old Deltas, Crescent, Oliver. For new, I'd look at and try out a MiniMax, Laguna, or General. You will have to spend more than you want to get something heavy but it will be worth it in the long run. Good luck to you. Gary

   Posted 6 months ago #

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