Posted: 1/4/2017 8:07:36 PM EDT
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I am wanting to start buying quality hand tools for wood working such as saws and hand planes. I have checked out the local hardware stores and the big box stores and everything seems to be cheap built. What are your suggestions for a buy once cry once approach?
Thanks |
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Go to Paul Sellers blog and Youtube page and do some reading/watching.
His blog in particular has an excellent series on necessary tools and what to look for. If money isn't a big concern Lie Nielsen and Veritas make good stuff, but reading Sellers can save you a ton of dough. |
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Im a big fan of Samurai Carpernter on youtube.
He has done a very good job explaining why he uses the tools he uses, does quite a few breakdowns of chisels, planes, hammers, hand saws etc. Believe he has a store similar setup to wranglerstar where he provides links for the equipment he uses. |
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Start at Lee Valley.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/index.aspx |
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Vintage is the way to go for many tools, especially chisels, hand saws, and even planes. I'd agree with the first post in that there is a lot to be learned from Paul Sellers. There's a ton of information out there so I'd also recommend spending some time doing targeted Internet searches for what to look for in vintage tools. Yard sales and auctions are a good source. There's an occasional deal on eBay, but generally you will have competition.
It really is sad that you can't go to the local hardware store for a chisel or hand saw. |
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You may have a more specialized tool retailer in your area that would be more likely to carry the more esoteric stuff. Mass population is not going to spend the kind of dough needed for a good quality hand tool that's why they don't carry them. In my area we have a Rockler and another non chain called the shelter institute.
You really can't even get good modern power tools at most hardware stores and chains usually need to go to a real building supply for those... Or online. |
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I guess first what type of woodworking do you plan on doing that will determine what you need for tools
I enjoy woodworking even though I suck at it BAD!!! I recommend checking out Jay Bates on youtube April wilkerson, the Carmichael workshop. I really like these three because it seems they dont have super high dollar setups and I feel like I can personally relate to their projects. |
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If you have the time to chase estate sales and flea markets and other stuff, it can pay off. You will spend time chasing.
I like lee hardware catalogs and there are some other ones out there as well. Read a ton before buying. Know what you want to accomplish before buying. I used to chase estate sales and flea markets and stuff. Have a lot of stuff. Some of it does what I want. A lot does not. Working on a purge probably later this year. Just too much stuff overall and simplifying to what I use vs. what I own. Read batmancaws posts on stuff cause I think he got into chisels in one of them. Being able to sharpen your own stuff is needed if messing in used category. |