Buying Hand Tools. Part 3 - Money
A keen eye can spot diamonds in the rough, saving hundreds of pounds along the way.
That’s hurdles one and two jumped. Time and space are a in the rear view mirror, what snaps into focus next is money. Like the O’Jays said “For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight”.
Again, before you spend any money bring up a spread sheet or grab a pen and paper, let’s make a list. Don’t be fooled, this is not a list of how many tools you should buy, this is a list for your first steps into independent woodworking at home. I’m supposing that you’ll want to make your own workbench. You don’t have to but it’s a great way to learn woodworking.
Building a sturdy workbench has more in common with house carpentry than fine furniture making. Yes, a workbench project can be a fine furniture project with all the trimmings, made from hardwood and dripping in luxury hardware. But from my perspective this is completely unrealistic if you’re following the realistic path I’m setting out.
Why am I even talking about a workbench at this point? Even though it’s not strictly a tool it’s still the most important piece of equipment you can have in your shop. So how much will it cost?
The wood I think is ideal for your first (and perhaps only) workbench will cost about £210. This is untreated construction timber that’s pre planed. I don’t want a plywood or MDF structure. I have nothing against those options. The benches at work have MDF tops but at home I enjoy woodworking, not working with panel products.
You will need a vice. You’ll hear and read about countless opinions on the best, ultimate or rediscovered way to secure your work. The harsh truth is they all work and work well. For me, nothing beats the 9” cast metal quick release vice that Record got right in the early 20th century.
You can purchase them second hand via auction websites for a maximum of £70 including delivery. Brand new versions cost about £110 including delivery but the modern Record vices aren’t the same ones I know and love. Eclipse and a version made for UK supplier Rutlands are decent options. Another word of advise on the new quick release vices available. I favour the trigger for the quick release vice. I have tried a versions that when you slacken the bar you then have to pull loosing all the torque with no graduation. With the trigger you have the advantage of a plain screw when you increase and decrease pressure and then quick release activated when you want it.
A plane or two, I like Bailey No.4 and No.5 from eBay or similar. £60. A sharpening stone, chisels etc. I’ll go no further as we can discuss this in detail later, but suffice to say you’re looking at about £600>£700 and that’s rock bottom. Sure, if you have more time you can do it for less and if you have some things already great. But not everyone does and not everyone has that kind of money hanging about. And after this, it gets worse. Wood, ironmongery, finishes, some more tools along the way. Some books on design. Agreed, it’s not like owning a sports car but we need to be honest. You need enough time, space and money for woodworking. Unless you have all these you’ll fail