I agree, It all depends on what you may think you'll need and the frequency of use.I guess that would depend on what type of work. Woodworking, automotive, welding, gardening, etc. For wood working, my tables saw, and my mitre saw are what I use a lot. I various tools for various things as in too many hobbies:tinysmile_hmm_t:
I definitely agree about the hand tools! There is nothing that teaches you more about working with wood, than using hand tools to cut and shape it.As a professional cabinetmaker, I have to agree whole heartedly with ppine, but I'd make the drill an 18 volt "cordless".
I would add a power mitre saw, preferably a sliding compound mitre saw, though they are more expensive. And if possible get the appropriate saw stand that features some kind of "stop system" for repeated "same length" cutting. I'd also add a biscuit joiner or at least a Krieg Jig.
All of this assumes that you already have a decent woodworking hand tool kit as that truly is where you should start.
Unless you use cordless drills daily, they're a pain in the arse. I was given a nice combo set of cordless tools, every time I needed to do something, I had to make sure the batteries were charged. Screw that! Give me a drill or any power tool with a cord and I'm happy. Plug it in, get the job done and go have a beer!A word about battery powered tools. I grew up with power tools that come with a cord. I have an old drill made by Black and Decker that cost $12 new in about 1974 that works fine. I used it for commercial electrical work for several years.
The batteries on even 18 volt power tools wear out. The old Makita 14v is not even worth buying batteries for and will go in the landfill. The more recent purchase an 18v Rigid drill that is about 5 years old, has two bad batteries. New batteries cost $150 because the charger has changed. They have less run time than the original. A super duper new drill, with hammerdrill, 2 higher powered batteries and a charger costs $200. The smart move is to spend $200 and now I have two drills. Meanwhile the $12 corded drill still works fine. Are we going forward or backward? You tell me.
Flea Markets!!Not exactly a bushcraft related question but it's at least about tools. I want to equip my garage with power tools. What tools would you buy first?
In a like vein as this, son called this weekend. A coworker with money problems sold him an 8 gallon 160 psi air compressor, hoses, a brad gun, and an air drill for $100. There are bargains out there. As Coz said, be patient.Flea Markets!!
I bought a "like new-used once" Craftsman Professional router table this weekend for $60. Probably would cost me $300 at Sears new.
Just be patient and shop around.
DC
Well, you're right about that although I wouldn't know anything about the drugs. What I did thirteen years ago was buy a 12 volt drill, wore the batteries out over about two years, took a piece of hickory and carved it to the same shape as the shank on the battery, drilled some holes in it to pass the wiring, put some brass shims in place to match the connections on the battery, and since my cabin is solar powered and runs on 12 volts except for the inverted power to 120 volts, I have a battery that, during the day, does not run out. I can take it anywhere I can drive my 4X4 and it works like a charm. It's chorded but it's transportable. and I don't need a generator.Cordless tools are sort of like drugs. Buying them is relatively cheap (free drugs at first), but the batteries to keep them going are expensive.
The all-in-one stuff is pretty handy, especially for a smaller shop. Sometimes you can get separate tools pretty cheaply, and you don't have to spend time resetting the machine to different functions.If you are into woodworking I would suggest this tool.
Shopsmith Mark 7 and Mark V
If you like metalworking try one of these.
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