anyone else starting from lvl 0 woodworking?

[coupon]

I have never touched a powered saw in my life and will have to go out and buy everything. I'm hoping I can get a decent tool set up for around $500. Anyone else start their build at this point? Do you have any tips to share on basic tool purchasing and learning how to use them properly?

[Gregory East]

A nice saw with a fine tooth blade, clamps and a framing square, screwdriver, cartridge glue gun, half a brain, you're good.

[bassmonster]

I'm a teenager and the TT was my first horn build. I had very low woodworking experience, but being careful and following the plans, my build went relatively smoothly. A table saw is where it's at, but they can get spendy real quick. And dangerous.

The tools I used most often were the jigsaw, table saw, sander, and screwdriver/drill. I used the circular saw for the two main side cuts and a couple of quick rips, but a table saw for all the inside panels. I used a jigsaw for the baffle, all the braces, and for the driver access door (I didn't bother much with it, the TT doesn't need an access panel cover so I wasn't worried about accuracy or cleanliness as I didn't need to keep the cutout). Surprisingly I didn't use the clamps all that much really, as I used screws to set the panels while the PL was curing. I used the clamps a couple of times to reverse small warps.

As Bill mentioned in a different thread, these tools you should be using more than for just building speakers, they're very common and irreplaceable for a lot of things.

[coupon]

would this be enough in terms of saws?

http://www.eurekazone.com/content/ez-start-package

[bassmonster]

What is it?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

This:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_37894-79992-PC2 ... facetInfo=

and this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_159333-70-PC18J ... facetInfo=

is all you need. If you wish this as well:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_241413-70-382_4 ... fo=Orbital

[philrev]

I only learn to use electric jigsaw, electric drill bit last year when i built my first cab which is jack110, since then i built my 2nd jack110 a year later, then recently i finished my t39 lab12 29w.after 2 months, with only powered jigsaw, drill bit, hand planer, 40+ inch ruler, 3 pcs c clamp, screw driver and epoxy.
Use youtube for tips in proper technique using tools.

[AntonZ]

I had not lvl 0 but very limited woodworking experience before starting on my first BF project. Since then I have purchased and learned to use a router, router table, circular saw and table saw. I have learned to use these tools on building T18, AutoTuba, Omni 10.5 (came before Jack 10), SLA, WH8 as well as some additional work on cabs built by others (OmniTop 12, DR250).

My budget is not unlimited and I do not build large numbers, so I usually buy cheap tools and only upgrade when I find through personal experience that I need a better tool. Router was some €35 (box of 12 router bits included), circular jig home made, table saw about €100, needed some adjustment and a panel cutting jig. Since I need to do some cutting in the home, I got a shop vac at about €50, with home made cyclone dust thingie (the latter at zero cost: from an old bucket and some scrap parts).

Table saw and router not necessary but a practical addition. And they are the most dangerous tools in my shop. If you do purchase a table saw: use the Panel Jig!!!! - best few bucks you will ever spend. Read a lot about these tools or talk to someone with the knowledge if you start using these. These machines cut through fingers like a knife through warm butter. Safety first in the workshop.

Clamps are nice, more clamps = nicer, yet more clamps = ("there is no such thing as having enough clamps in the workshop"), but if you drill and screw there's no necessity to own a large number either.

I find it useful to have two cordless drills: one for drilling, one for driving the screws in. No need to change bits and drills back & forth all the time. Again: if you have more time than money this is not necessary.

You can make both a sled and circle cutting jig for a jig saw and do all the required cutting with that. Not the fastest way and you will use some saw bits, but it can be done when working on a limited budget.

[Gregory East]

The other half brain is required to remember the jigsaw. I already owned one. If I was starting over and had to choose I'd get a router way before a jigsaw. Mmmmmmmmm router, insert slobbering Homer.

I'd rather use a handsaw than a jigsaw for cutting panels so circular saw is required as well if you ask me, but they're right that you could do it all with the jigsaw, or adze.

[jswingchun]

would this be enough in terms of saws?

http://www.eurekazone.com/content/ez-start-package

There is no saw included with that package. Obviously, none of the EZ stuff is necessary for building these cabs, but add a saw to that and you are getting pretty close to the capabilities of a table saw without all of the space requirements of a table saw. You won't have the repeatability of a table saw with that package though.

[Gregory East]

The diy sled can be used to cut identical width panels by clamping the first one under the sled and ensuring the other side is flush, same result as a table saw but slow progress.

[coupon]

score! friend of mine has a table saw and few other tools. now i have someone to show me how to use these stuff so i can figure out how to use them before buying em

[UROK]

+1 on philrev for YouTube vids. There are hundreds on all tools and techniques. And safety. Always with the safety.

Well done on finding a friend with a table saw. Hopefully he will know how to use it. The panel jig gets 100% good reviews on here. You can easily borrow and use other people's tools initially...that's how I'd do it if I were back home in UK. Being I am in China I have had no choice but to buy a whole load of wicked tools by top German mfrs! Ahem...that's how I justify it to myself anyway!

I chose the EZ One bench because I too am not an experienced woodworker. For me Sawstop and the panel jig are ingenious solutions to the shortcomings of table saw technology. The EZ-One with a 1600W circ saw to my way of thinking is a total update of the technology. Far as I can make out table saws win on panel size capacity esp if you build/have/add a feed table, or extension tables. I think for cabs, however, the EZ bench can handle 5x5ft and 4x8ft panels. But you need to pay more, I think, to go over 50" on the standard version IIRC.

The other issue is price. The EZ-One bench is as expensive as really good table saws. Personally, I don't mind paying for safety though. And I as I said in another thread, the SSRK and ripping table accessories alongside the clamps, measuring, and stops make it good value for money for me. Then again I don't have a wife and kids!

Best of luck! Please post photos and pass on your experiences. They are invaluable to others in a similar situation.

Edit: Buy a new Freud Diablo blade for the table saw and make sure everything is set up right, including: making sure the blade is secure on the arbor and that the blade is cutting dead straight and that the fence is properly aligned in true parallel to the blade. Again, YouTube has vids of all that. A well-set up saw with a new blade and the panel jig will are good first steps in avoiding mishaps and accidents.

[djtrumptight]

I already had a drill,circular saw,jig saw,belt sander,for my builds i bought a $99 table saw,router,router bits,saw blades,circle cutting jig.I didn't really have any woodworking experience but the desire to do it and do it right pushed me.More important than the tools was the jigs,it makes dangerous cutting ALOT less dangerous.I even built DR 250's which alot of guys don't want to tackle.Build those jigs,they will make life much simpler.