Woodworker's Journal fall-2009, страница 12

New Woodworkers' Top 10 Tools

These core tools will woodworking off to a

get your strong start

Today's crop of rolling table saws offer excellent portability and some of the best new safety features.

By Chris Marshall

Let's say you're a long-time DIYer who wants to get into woodworking, but your collection of "woodworking" tools amounts to the jig saw, drill and circular saw you've had since college. What do you buy next? That's a sensible question, and I can help answer it. Here are my top 10 picks for tools every new woodworker should own. Eventually you may decide to trade up as your skills improve, but these tools will serve you well without costing a bundle.

1. Rolling Table Saw

A table saw will take you farther than your circular saw ever will, and it's a better initial investment than a miter saw. You can rip, crosscut or cut angles on everything from plywood to purple-heart — safely and accurately. Plus, you can add dadoes, rabbets and box joints to your projects.

A 10" saw mounted on a collapsible wheel stand is a good way to go. That way, you can use your saw in the garage, basement or even outside and take it with you wherever you need to go. It's the most practical style for the DIYer/woodworker and quite affordable. Concerning features, look for a rip fence that

locks down solidly, a riving knife that moves with the blade and an arbor shaft long enough to

A benchtop drill press will bore straight, smooth holes, plus make a good mortiser and drum sander.

accept a dado blade. The blade guard should install easily and offer a clear view of the cutting action. Make sure the stand has durable wheels or pneumatic tires and sets up without hassle.

2. Benchtop Drill Press

A 1/3 or 1/2hp benchtop drill press is all the machine most woodworkers really need—and you can buy a good one for less than $200. Obviously, you'll be able to drill perfectly straight, smooth holes with a drill press, but it also works well for hogging out mortises or smoothing curves with sanding drums. Pick one with a 1/2"-capacity chuck and a pulley system that makes it simple to change speeds. Or invest in electronic variable speed control. A large, cast-iron table is an essential feature, especially if the edges are flat, so you can clamp jigs or workpieces to it.

12 New Woodworkers' Top 10 Tools