Best way to build up a home project woodshop?

[big_slacker]

Hi all,

I'm closing on our long term home this month, and one of the super awesome things about the property is a HUGE shop. Like the garage door on it is commercial huge, like park 2 fullsize RVs in it huge.

Part of it is going to be the family gym. Part of it will be a climbing wall. I'd like to have part of it be a small woodshop so I can do DIY house projects and I've long had the idea to build SOLID long lasting furniture since you can hardly buy decent stuff anymore without paying insane $$.

I have a scroll saw that I was gifted. I guess I'll need a table saw, a router and a planar. I have various hand tools.

Anything else critical to start with? Best way to buy this stuff, craigslist? I'm sure given the MMM fans here a bunch of you have some tips and mistakes to avoid.

[bythewall]

Haunt your local Cragislist or equivalent.  2-3 times a year near us someone's poor widow or children are tasked with selling 'the entire workshop, we don't care just get rid of it all for a fair price.'  You may have to drive a box truck a few hours out of your way, but it'll be worthwhile.

I love picking up industrial / commercial quality tools for 20% - 50% of their original price.  Our laser cutter, for example, has paid for itself so many times over I've stopped keeping track.

A google search for 'home workshop best practices' will keep you daydreaming for at least an afternoon.  As will the phonebook-sized Grizzley Industrial catalog, which they will mail you at no charge.
 

[BudgetSlasher]

How I have built my shop:

1) Stalk CL. There are some good deals, but the good ones have either been ignored for a month or are gone within the hour.

2) Buy good tools. I am not saying buy all festool or fein, but I have learned don't buy the cheap no-name tool, I always end up replacing it. There a point of diminishing returns. Even if you think a tool is a one time project it will likely come to be used again and you will kick yourself for a "good enough for this one time" quality tool. I'm almost always better off buying a quality piece of old iron or DeWalt/Makita/so on.

3) Don't look at it as kitting out a workshop. Pick a project that you want to build, determine how you want to complete in and buy the tools necessary to do it in the manner you chose. Then move on to the next project and repeat. The first few projects will be expensive as many of the tools you will need to buy, but once you get further it you will find you already have most of the tools. In fact, after a few projects you will find there are ways to do the project with the tools you have, but you prefer or are more comfortable to do it a different way.

4) There are almost always multiple ways to accomplish the same task at a sufficient quality level, despite what some fanboys of certain tools say (I'm looking at you festool domino people). Sometime all it takes is a simple jig made from scrap wood or a little more time to complete.

Simply be on the look out for good deals, buy good quality tools (old iron can be good quality, and a good deal especially if you can rehab some of them), and buy what you need for the next project.

[Adam Zapple]

I'm jealous of your workshop.

I worked in construction for 7 years.  I've also renovated several of my own properties.  I have never once used a scroll saw.  Not once.  If it is good quality I would sell it and buy your more necessary items.  I have used a router occasionally but it is not a necessity at all unless you plan on making cabinet doors or a lot of furniture.  I would just borrow one as needed unless you find you are using it all the time.  A router is almost never used for general home improvements but is good for a hobby woodworker.  I have used a planar once or twice...another non-necessity IMO.  I've never owned my own planar.

Your necessary items are a table saw, chop (compound miter) saw, circular saw, jigsaw, drill and impact driver, compressor and finish/brad/pin nailers, and reciprocating saw (sawzall).  Start there and then add tools only as you find you need them.  You will also need all of your small hand tools:  Hammer (I find a heavy framing hammer works in almost every situation), levels (large and small), square, speed square, chalk lines, tape measure, chisel set, sheetrock knives/tools & T-square etc.  I might even throw in a good wet saw for tile and a framing nailer if you will do much framing. 

Some tools that few people think to own and have saved me a million times are a HEAVY DUTY paint scraper and miniature vice grips.  The heavy duty scraper is great when you want to pry something but a flat bar is too big and a regular scraper just bends.  The mini vice grips are great for stripped screws or nails whose heads have pulled off.  They are my two favorite tools (with impact driver in a close third), believe it or not.

Your "cool stuff that I don't really need but really would love to have it" list:  Kreg joiner kit, biscuit joiner, shaper table (router), scroll saw, planar.  Don't bother with a lathe.  A drill press is nice if you have the space.  I hate working around giant tools that I'll only use once a year but that's just me.

Good older model delta or sears crafstman table saws can be found on craigslist all the time.  A lot of people don't want them because they are old and heavy.  Good chop saws are a little more difficult to find used.  Jigsaws pop up often as do fair quality circular saws.   

Edit:  I forgot clamps.  Can't have too many.

[FallenTimber]

Congrats on the new shop! That sounds incredible. Mr. JL nailed it. You’ll want an impact driver, drill, miter saw, table saw, circular saw, reciprocating saw, sanders, air compressor, and pneumatic nailers long before you’ll ever need a scroll saw, router, or planer. Those may come later if you find that you are truly passionate about woodworking as a hobby. But for home renovations, building a climbing wall, and similar projects, you’ll want those essentials JL mentioned. All of the quality brands (Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, etc) are great options. I personally would buy all battery-powered tools brand new, and try to find used deals on essentials like clamps, levels, and other hand tools.

[snapperdude]

If your workshop is going to be in the same area as your gym you might want to consider some type of dust removal system.

[big_slacker]

I'm jealous of your workshop.

I worked in construction for 7 years.  I've also renovated several of my own properties.  I have never once used a scroll saw.  Not once.  If it is good quality I would sell it and buy your more necessary items.  I have used a router occasionally but it is not a necessity at all unless you plan on making cabinet doors or a lot of furniture.  I would just borrow one as needed unless you find you are using it all the time.  A router is almost never used for general home improvements but is good for a hobby woodworker.  I have used a planar once or twice...another non-necessity IMO.  I've never owned my own planar.

Your necessary items are a table saw, chop (compound miter) saw, circular saw, jigsaw, drill and impact driver, compressor and finish/brad/pin nailers, and reciprocating saw (sawzall).  Start there and then add tools only as you find you need them.  You will also need all of your small hand tools:  Hammer (I find a heavy framing hammer works in almost every situation), levels (large and small), square, speed square, chalk lines, tape measure, chisel set, sheetrock knives/tools & T-square etc.  I might even throw in a good wet saw for tile and a framing nailer if you will do much framing. 

Some tools that few people think to own and have saved me a million times are a HEAVY DUTY paint scraper and miniature vice grips.  The heavy duty scraper is great when you want to pry something but a flat bar is too big and a regular scraper just bends.  The mini vice grips are great for stripped screws or nails whose heads have pulled off.  They are my two favorite tools (with impact driver in a close third), believe it or not.

Your "cool stuff that I don't really need but really would love to have it" list:  Kreg joiner kit, biscuit joiner, shaper table (router), scroll saw, planar.  Don't bother with a lathe.  A drill press is nice if you have the space.  I hate working around giant tools that I'll only use once a year but that's just me.

Good older model delta or sears crafstman table saws can be found on craigslist all the time.  A lot of people don't want them because they are old and heavy.  Good chop saws are a little more difficult to find used.  Jigsaws pop up often as do fair quality circular saws.   

Edit:  I forgot clamps.  Can't have too many.

Awesome, I really appreciate the advice! The scroll saw is decent and in the box still, should be able to trade it or sell to fund stuff. :D

[Capt j-rod]

Build a GOOD dust collection FIRST!!! Then add pieces as they show up on CL. Look for old craftsman and cast Iron decks. It can be done very reasonable. Make everything mobile on wheels to maximize space. A good table saw is very valuable and a centerpiece. Try to decide what projects you want to do. I thought I would love to turn wood on a lathe... I have used it less than 10 times. My shop is very capable... I have a table saw, band saw, drill press, 8" jointer, 16" planer, sanding station, shaper table, lathe, scroll saw, and MANY MANY clamps!. Don't build it all at once or even attempt it. It took me well over a decade to build my shop. I refurbished most of my tools. It is very therapeutic to work with wood. I make furniture, gifts, and have done all of my interior wood work. I build cabinets as well. Don't think you save money by building things... Have fun and keep your fingers back!!!

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Buy second hand. You can get handfuls of chisels and things at garage sales for a buck. Buy the power tools second hand. If you find that you're using something in particular a lot, you can always upgrade to a new one. But anything new I try - juicing, crochet, running etc - I always buy second hand first. You never know if it'll be a passing fad or something that will stick with you.

Just fyi, juicing and crochet, yes, running, noooooooo......

[$200k]

Watch as many youtube videos of woodworkers as you can.  Here are the ones I watch the most:

Jay Bates: early Jay Bates is great because most of his projects use dimensional lumber, which avoid the need for joiners and planers.  His newer stuff is more advanced.

Jon Peters: My favorite, and most his tools are old.  True craftsman.     

I Like to Make Stuff: Kind of an "everyman" approach to wood-working.  Nothing too extreme, too fine, just getting it done.

Make Something: Mostly for entertainment.

Modern Builds: Millennial word working.  Terrible safety, but nice to see a different perspective.

Steve Ramsay: Another everyman approach.  Probably your best place to start.  Not a lot of fancy tools in his shop.

Once you get some exposure, you'll get a feel for the types of tools you want to get.  I have a mix of mid-tier tools and cheap tools.

[adamsputnik]

Depending on your tolerance for noise and dust, you could always go the hand tool route. That would be a cheaper way to start down the road of building up your shop, though granted the learning curve may be steeper.

If that is an option for you, i can give you some more tips; if not, feel free to carry on acquiring the tailed devils :)

[trollwithamustache]

the garage journal forum has various threads on deals for if you like to buy new tools.  start a list of priorities and check out those threads every couple weeks.

[CCCA]

don't have much to add except to second the chop/mitre saw.  That's by far the most important tool I have (besides a good impact drill/driver).  Mostly just wanted to say this sounds awesome!  Good luck!

[TheWifeHalf]

I used to go to a lot of garage sales, and if I saw something I thought TheHusbandHalf might be interested in for his workshop (1 car garage door, separate room of the garage) I'd tell him. Quite a few times he's go over and buy it.
He bought a kitchen full of cabinets, uppers and lowers, in the beginning, and a Craftsman tool box (don't know if that's what it's called, about 5 ' ht, 3 ' wide.
It's not set up the way I'd do it, but he's not allowed in my sewing room either!

[rocketpj]

Craigslist is a goldmine for tools.  Immediately after Christmas is a great time for buying tools - someone will get a nice new table saw or other tool and put the old one up for sale.  Be careful not to buy crappy tools though - often the electric motor is wearing out.  This is particularly important for table saws - they can be dangerous if they are in poor condition.

Another good place to get quality tools for low prices is if you look for the maintenance outlet for some of the major tool brands.  Here in Vancouver there is a single storefront that does all the warranty repairs for DeWalt, Milwaukee, Porter Cable etc.  And their showroom area is full of high quality rebuilt tools at a major discount from what you would pay anywhere else.  This has saved me thousands over the years.

Don't go out and buy a tool until you need it, or know you will need it.  I've got a couple of tools that I thought I might need that haven't even come out of the box yet. 

That said, if you plan to do a lot of stuff in your workshop, buy decent tools.  Cheap quality tools will produce cheap outcomes.  You can get good tools for cheap prices, definitely.

[DebtFreeinPhilly]

Try renting or borrowing the tool first, especially if its unique. A wet saw is great to won if you are going to be doing a lot of tiling or remodeling. I borrowed a friends wet saw because I was only doing one bathroom worth of tile.

Go slow. Before buying the tool, see if you can do the project with what you have already.

If I were in your shoes, I would buy these things first: shop quality table saw (not fold up type), large chop saw, and a good circular saw. The first project I would make is a proper work bench.