Hi All-
First time writer, long time reader.

I am looking for suggestions on getting my workshop started. I haven't touch anything woodworking related for several years now and would like to startup again. I am starting from square 1. I am looking for tips on hardware as well as which items recommended to purchase first. I know the saying goes "Don't buy any tool until you need it" but where to begin is the bigger question.

I am planning to start small (jewelry boxes and humidors) to get a hang of things again. I may get into lathe work as well, but most likely not right off the back. I don't want to invest huge amounts of money immediately. As I start to use the shop more and more I'll upgrade the equipment as needed.

I am planning on making use of my abundant 3rd floor attic space for the shop. Do you think this is a good or bad idea? My basement wont work so well and garage is pretty much out of the question also. I will need to run electric as well as insulate for the cold winters and hot (well they used to be at least) summers of Wisconsin! I know getting equipment up to the attic will be a real pain but it is all I think I can do.

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

Me again...

I'll fill you in on some more background information. I own a duplex that was built in the 1920's. Strength of the attic floor should not be an issue (things were built to last back then). I reside on the 2nd floor. Since I have a tenant that lives on the first floor I'd rather not build my shop in the basement. I was thinking that by going up to the 3rd floor that there would be a nice sound barrier by having my living quarters between the shop and tenants floor.

My garage is separated from the house and is shared by the tenant. Putting the shop in the garage won't work... At least how it is designed at the moment. I took another look at it after reading some of the responses posted here. I can possible put an addition on the North side of the garage. This may work but dramatically drives up the cost factor for getting started. Hmmm... Things to stew over...

What about equipment? What would you recommend as the basics. Are there starter combo machines that are worth the investment? I have heard rumors of a shop in the area that you can rent time at that has everything you need, I may start here.

Again your thoughts are appreciated.

~~
Nick.
"Nick Z." wrote in message ...
Hi All-
First time writer, long time reader.

I am looking for suggestions on getting my workshop started. I haven't touch anything woodworking related for several years now and would like to startup again. I am starting from square 1. I am looking for tips on hardware as well as which items recommended to purchase first. I know the saying goes "Don't buy any tool until you need it" but where to begin is the bigger question.

I am planning to start small (jewelry boxes and humidors) to get a hang of things again. I may get into lathe work as well, but most likely not right off the back. I don't want to invest huge amounts of money immediately. As I start to use the shop more and more I'll upgrade the equipment as needed.

I am planning on making use of my abundant 3rd floor attic space for the shop. Do you think this is a good or bad idea? My basement wont work so well and garage is pretty much out of the question also. I will need to run electric as well as insulate for the cold winters and hot (well they used to be at least) summers of Wisconsin! I know getting equipment up to the attic will be a real pain but it is all I think I can do.

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

When I started gathering the major power tool, my first purchase was a table
saw. In retrospect, I probably would have been better served by starting
with the band saw. It is more versatile, and I use it more than my table
saw. I have the Grizzly G055, and it's a great saw, but I may replace the
bearing blade guides with plain blocks.

Let us know what you do and how well it works.
"Nick Z." wrote in message
...
Hi All-
First time writer, long time reader.

I am looking for suggestions on getting my workshop started. I haven't
touch anything woodworking related for several years now and would like to
startup again. I am starting from square 1. I am looking for tips on
hardware as well as which items recommended to purchase first. I know the
saying goes "Don't buy any tool until you need it" but where to begin is
the bigger question.

I am planning to start small (jewelry boxes and humidors) to get a hang of
things again. I may get into lathe work as well, but most likely not right
off the back. I don't want to invest huge amounts of money immediately. As
I start to use the shop more and more I'll upgrade the equipment as needed.

I am planning on making use of my abundant 3rd floor attic space for the
shop. Do you think this is a good or bad idea? My basement wont work so
well and garage is pretty much out of the question also. I will need to run
electric as well as insulate for the cold winters and hot (well they used to
be at least) summers of Wisconsin! I know getting equipment up to the attic
will be a real pain but it is all I think I can do.

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

"Nick Z." wrote in message

What about equipment? What would you recommend as the basics. Are there
starter combo machines that are worth the investment? I have heard rumors
of a shop in the area that you can rent time at that has everything you
need, I may start here.


Renting shop time is a good idea if you have no tools are need a particular
tool that you don't have yet.

There are a few combo tools, such as the Shopsmith. It is a tablesaw,
bandsaw, drill press and a couple of others. If you are tight on space, it
may be a good idea. The problem is, you cut out a part on the bandsaw, then
you convert the machine to a drill press. Drilling the holes you screw up
and have to cut a new piece. Tear down and re-set. Then tear down and
re-set. Nice to have all the tools sitting and ready.

Looking at the "for sale" ads in our local shoppers paper, there are many of
them for sale. Some weeks there will be a half dozen Craftsman table saws
and maybe four Shopsmiths. I've rarely seen contractors saws, once saw a
Grizzly, never saw a Unisaw listed. Since Craftsman sells many saw
(especially low end starters) I can see the reason of so many. OTOH,
Shopsmith is in the minority and yet just as many are for sale.

If you are unsure of your dedication to the hobby, buy used and the minimums
before you dive in and spend a bundle.

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 22:11:43 -0400, "Ron S."
wrote:

When I started gathering the major power tool, my first purchase was a table
saw. In retrospect, I probably would have been better served by starting
with the band saw.

And I thought I was going to be the only one to suggest this. I had
the benefit when I started of already having access to a table saw and
I use it a lot, but for small projects starting out it's hard to beat
a band saw. They are versatile, fun, and for your particular
situation, don't throw as much dust around as a table saw. Invest in
a good 14" one. I got an el cheapo 9" and yikes.. better than no
band saw at all, but not by much.

Direct a lot of your attention towards building up hand tools at the
start, as a lot of them are bare necessities and while they don't
generally have the sticker shock of the big power tools they sneak up
on you a little at a time. Plus if you change your mind you can
easily resell them on ebay for little loss. A good low angle block
plane. A good set of chisels. Clamps, four 12" Besseys is a good
start, but only a start.

Learning how to sharpen properly and mastering the band saw will keep
you out of trouble for a while. If your interest holds then start to
worry about where the table saw will find its home.

Searching this newsgroup via groups.google.com will provide you with
more information about just about anything you'd want to know.


-Leuf

On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 01:11:53 GMT, "Nick Z." wrote:

I am looking for suggestions on getting my workshop started.

Nearly everyone spends far too much on tools and not enough on timber.

Find a good timber supplier; affordable, nearby, and with a good range
(preferably locally grown) of useful timber. Then start buying timber
that attracts you, and choosing your projects accordingly.

--
Smert' spamionam

Andy Dingley wrote in
:

On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 01:11:53 GMT, "Nick Z." wrote:

I am looking for suggestions on getting my workshop started.

Nearly everyone spends far too much on tools and not enough on timber.

Find a good timber supplier; affordable, nearby, and with a good range
(preferably locally grown) of useful timber. Then start buying timber
that attracts you, and choosing your projects accordingly.


Andy's right for another reason. When SWMBO sees a new tool arrive, she
counts it as being for me. When she sees timber arrive, she starts to
think I might actually build one of the projects on the honey-do list.

Patriarch