Tools

Tools you're Going to Need

SAWS

Now when it comes to tools, I always consider one major thing, how often will I need this tool. That helps me decide what quality of tool to buy. If I just plain can't afford a really good saw, I will get the least expensive. Don't get a mid grade saw that almost does what you need it to do most of the time. It will last longer and only make it harder to get the one you really need. A "disposable" 10" compound miter saw at $100.00. will do the same thing that a good 10" compound miter saw at $300.00 will do. It just won't last as long. That savings of $200.00 will go towards the 12" slide compound miter saw at $550.00, that will do everything you need it to do. I'll wear out the $100.00 saw while I'm saving up! My favorite, the 12" compound slide miter by DeWalt.

 A note on miter saws. They seem like they are really powerful and will just "CHOP" right through a piece of lumber. One then gets complacent about holding wood and the next thing you know, you're moving the blade too fast and it grabs the wood. If you have your hand gripping that lumber and it "grabs" the lumber, it'll grab you too! Never try to cut a small piece of wood with a saw of this nature. And really, KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY!

So, a compound miter saw falls into the needed category. Being new to building, this will help you make angled cuts that only experience will allow you to make with a circular saw. However, you also need a circular saw.

This is not only for making long cuts or cuts you can not do on a miter saw, but as time and experience are acquired, you will use this more than the miter saw.

Circular Saws

Worm drive saws are worth the investment as they will be far more capable of servicing your needs. They are geared and have much more torque than direct drive saws. You will need that if you go to cut a thicker piece of lumber. Oh, and by the way, when your good buddy, Joe Carpenter, comes over and shows you how to hold the blade guard open with a nail or shim of wood, tell him, "No thanks. I like my fingers and I need my femoral artery to stay hidden in my leg." Most tool accidents occur due to misuse and skirting the safety mechanisms of the tool.

Jig Saws

A Jig saw is needed to cut curves. You will need it somewhere along the line. If you are really on a tight budget, wait till you actually need it and buy the least expensive you can find. You never know, you may get through a deck without it however if you're building a room, you'll need to cut a round hole somewhere. If you are wanting to do a lot of finish work yourself, you may want to upgrade a bit and get a better one with a scroll feature and a headlight.

Table Saws

Now for finishing, you will need a table saw. Once again, a lower end saw will do. But if you get a table top model, you will need to lock it down on something. They are too light to just set on a table top and push a piece of lumber through. I like the portable models that fold down and have wheels. They are heavy enough and have a good stand and once again, IT HAS WHEELS! that'll be important when you are the only one cleaning up and putting the tools away. One last thing on table saws, this is the most dangerous saw on the job site. The blade is exposed and it too can easily pull your hand into it. And this is a tool you want to take your gloves off for. They will not protect you from the saw and will only give the blade something to pull your hand in with. Learn to use "push sticks" to move the lumber through when cutting small lumber close to the blade. And when you are ripping long lumber, push it a bit more than half way, take it out and flip it over. Cut the rest from the other end. It'll give you a good handle on the wood all the way through. Make sure you feed the same side against the rip fence.

Reciprocal saws

Reciprocal saws, also known as Saws-alls, are used for demolition and getting at places you can not get to otherwise. They have a variety of blades that will allow you to cut nails and finish cuts the circular saw cannot. My choice, the Tiger Paw by Porter Cable. Has two hinge joints that allow you to move the saw on two axis to adjust to many cutting angles.

Tools and Materials

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