Carpentry tools

[SpaceBus]

Sounds like I'm on the right track with a 12" miter saw and a decent table saw. After we fix out house and build a workshop a nice 14" miter saw and 10"+ table saw will be more likely. As expensive as the Dewalt Flex Volt stuff is my wife likes the sound of being able to work in the woods and not trip over cables or running a genny. My wife wants us to build some tree houses and cabins in the woods far from power. We also won't need to worry about wiring our shed for electricity with cordless tools and just charge batteries in the house. I'm still going to think about it today and maybe pull the trigger tonight.

 

[blades]

Forest Blades about .007 clearance per side and use micro grained carbide tips apx c-3 ( general hardness scale C1-6) the micro grain acts like a C4 which holds an edge longer but has impact resistance of c3. Not one of my favorite blades to repair/sharpen. My 2 primary blade suppliers both have similar blades to the Forest - they do not deal directly with public. Quality of the blade body has a lot to do with the cut quality as well. As with a lot of items you get what you pay for most of the time.

 

[Sawset]

My recommendations for the 5 power tools I wouldn't want to live without for general carpentry:

1. Impact driver (not a drill) cordless
2. Corded sliding miter saw (I like the DeWalt)
3. Track saw (table saw later if needed) use with corded or cordless circular saw
4. Reciprocating saw (corded or cordless)
5. Cordless circular saw (this and a speed square can do an awful lot)

I have all but the miter saw and track saw/table saw.

Look for that miter saw. Compound if you can. A lot of good accurate work can be done with one, construction and cabinet work. Also, the table saw really saves a bunch of time trying to square up and rip. Work can be done without those - a lot of work, and a lot of good accurate work too. But that takes skills using hand tools as well. Projects tend not to bog down in the details when the common cuts are sped up to begin with.

The only things I would add, maybe, would be some air nailers. I end up using mine, not a lot, but when I do they really get used. It's another thing to keep projects from getting bogged down in details, like nailing 2000 3" spikes at all angles, or 5,000 trim nails.
18ga brad
narrow crown stapler
framing nailer, if you plan on putting up stick built buildings
Putting up trim, building anything from chicken coops to sheds, house additions etc, lots of good uses.

 

[SpaceBus]

Look for that miter saw. Compound if you can. A lot of good accurate work can be done with one, construction and cabinet work. Also, the table saw really saves a bunch of time trying to square up and rip. Work can be done without those - a lot of work, and a lot of good accurate work too. But that takes skills using hand tools as well. Projects tend not to bog down in the details when the common cuts are sped up to begin with.

The only things I would add, maybe, would be some air nailers. I end up using mine, not a lot, but when I do they really get used.
18ga brad
narrow crown stapler
framing nailer, if you plan on putting up stick built buildings
Putting up trim, building anything from chicken coops to sheds, house additions etc, lots of good uses.

I have a trim stapler and a framing gun. Working on a siding gun of some sort.

 

[begreen]

We did our old growth cedar shakes on the greenhouse by hand. It took a little longer and we didn't rush it. Do they make a siding gun for cedar shakes that uses stainless ringshank nails?

 

[Ashful]

We did our old growth cedar shakes on the greenhouse by hand. It took a little longer and we didn't rush it. Do they make a siding gun for cedar shakes that uses stainless ringshank nails?

When I had my barn redone in cedar clapboard three or four years ago, the guy installing it was running stainless ring shanks in his pneumatic nailers, but he had to be very careful with dialing in is depth gauges, so as not to split the siding. It worked like a charm, but was a little tedious for him.

That was a paid job, as much as I’d have preferred doing it myself, since it was part of a larger project. Too much chit to do, too little hours to get it done.

 

[Sawset]

For outside trim I've used the framing nailer with 2-1/2 galv ring shank nails. Once the depth was dialed in it was consistant and did a good job.

 

[Ashful]

The foot on my framing nailer is as nasty as miniature chainsaw dogs, it would tear up cedar, something fierce. Do you have a soft foot for your framing nailer?

 

[SpaceBus]

The cedar shingle agency says to use stainless crown staples with 7/16 minimum crown and 1 1/4" min length. Stainless einch shank nails also work, but they say staples hold better. I'll have a siding/fencing stapler and nailer either way. We are doing a mixed siding of board and batten and cedar shingles.

 

[SpaceBus]

The foot on my framing nailer is as nasty as miniature chainsaw dogs, it would tear up cedar, something fierce. Do you have a soft foot for your framing nailer?

I have a non marring tip and we used spruce framing and sheathing.

 

[SpaceBus]

We did our old growth cedar shakes on the greenhouse by hand. It took a little longer and we didn't rush it. Do they make a siding gun for cedar shakes that uses stainless ringshank nails?

View attachment 245319

Are those hand split? They look fantastic! I want to make my own hand split shakes for future projects.

 

[begreen]

Are those hand split? They look fantastic! I want to make my own hand split shakes for future projects.

Yes. They are aging nicely now. It's quite a rush to look at this picture taken almost a decade ago. The plantings have grown huge and the wall is barely visible in some areas.

 

[OT_Ducati]

table saw close to you (broken link removed to https://maine.craigslist.org/tls/d/hancock-rockwell-model-10-contractors/6909029061.html)

 

[SpaceBus]

Yes. They are aging nicely now. It's quite a rush to look at this picture taken almost a decade ago. The plantings have grown huge and the wall is barely visible in some areas.

Could you post a picture? I'd love to see how they aged.

 

[firefighterjake]

For renovation work around the house . . .

Cordless driver and drill set . . . I cannot tell you how often I use these and sincerely wish I had broken down and purchased them much, much earlier in our renovation process. This will be a tool you will use often.

Corded table saw . . . I bought a cheap Craftsman years ago. For my needs -- ripping down plywood, boards, etc. around the house it has served me well.

Corded compound miter saw . . . Bought this when the Sears in Bangor use to have returned items for sale at significant discounts. I've used this way more than I thought I would.

Reciprocating saw . . . Cordless would be nice for ease of use without a pesky cord getting in the way as long as you're not foreseeing extensive demo work, but rather a few cuts here and there. I have a corded reciprocating saw that has been wicked handy in demolition.

Circular saw . . . I have a corded one that works fine for my needs.


I've had a few other power tools that I have picked up over the years which I have found handy when needed . . . oscillating cutting tool for tight spaces (picked up a cheapo from Harbor Freight), saber saw for more intricate cutting when needed (not needed that often for my needs), trim stapler (should have picked this up much, much sooner and I would have saved myself a lot of grief in nailing up brad nails and trim nails.)

 

[redmanlcs]

I used to work for a contractor. Some of the tools he used were tools that I never thought about needing.

When I do construction I just use a corded circular saw, hammer and nails, tape measure and square and a level is about all I need.

A cordless impact driver---- not a drill is my newest favorite tool... makes sinking screws very easy and now I use it more than the hammer and nail method. An air powered nail gun is worth its weight in gold for framing and cabinet making since you can use staples up thru brads and nails.

If your doing any trim work you need a miter saw... learn how to cope as it makes the joints of the trim very tight and looks very good.

Oh... and you will need something to mark with... so ...................... a pencil.

 

[semipro]

my wife likes the sound of being able to work in the woods and not trip over cables

I can attest that this is very important when working on a roof. Even stepping on a cord on a slope can result in it rolling and you falling. This is one of the primary reasons that I bought a cordless circular saw.

 

[SpaceBus]

I can attest that this is very important when working on a roof. Even stepping on a cord on a slope can result in it rolling and you falling. This is one of the primary reasons that I bought a cordless circular saw.

Let's just say the Dewalt fairy has been making visits, at my expense of course

 

[MTY]

I hope you know there is no end to this. Just when you think you have everything you could possibly use, another money spending opportunity arises. Now I need a siding break.

 

[SpaceBus]

I hope you know there is no end to this. Just when you think you have everything you could possibly use, another money spending opportunity arises. Now I need a siding break.

Indeed, I just hope I've sated the need for a while.

 

[Ashful]

Now I need a siding break.

If you’re tired of hanging siding, take a break! Maybe use the time to shop for a siding brake. [emoji14]

 

[johneh]

It is written ( I don't know where) that he with the most tools upon death Wins
My wife says that I am in the running . I have tools that young mechanics have no idea
what it is how to use it and where . So how many here Know what a Dwell meter is and how
to use it and when was the last time you used one ?

 

[bholler]

It is written ( I don't know where) that he with the most tools upon death Wins
My wife says that I am in the running . I have tools that young mechanics have no idea
what it is how to use it and where . So how many here Know what a Dwell meter is and how
to use it and when was the last time you used one ?

I don't have anything that still uses points so I have no need for one. I always switch out the distributor for a more modern one.

 

[johneh]

I don't have anything that still uses points so I have no need for one. I always switch out the distributor for a more modern one.

I still do a lot of point ign. 50 and 60 original
Don't do street Rods don't do Modernization
our club only does Totally Original . I am one of
the few who know how to rebuild Carbs and set
up point ign with in our club 200 active members
Small yes

 

[Ashful]

It is written ( I don't know where) that he with the most tools upon death Wins
My wife says that I am in the running . I have tools that young mechanics have no idea
what it is how to use it and where . So how many here Know what a Dwell meter is and how
to use it and when was the last time you used one ?

I just put new points and a condenser on my 1963 IH Cub Cadet in 2013... so more recently than most.