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I am about to embark on some renovation projects in our recently-purchased home. I need to know what tools I should buy.
We are going to: install molding (crown, chair, wainscoting, baseboard, door and window molding); install flooring (wood or Pergo); replace windows and doors; replace planks on deck; install lighting; fix wallboard; install tile.
It seems obvious I need a compound mitre saw, but what size? sliding or fixed? Do I need a table saw too, and what size? Router? Router table? Anything else?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Replies
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Sounds to me like the first tool you need to consider is a carpenter.
P.S. They come with all the other tools you need.
*Books, lots of books. Taunton Press, right here somewhere on the site. Do you have a digital camera so you can post some pictures? Sounds like you are gonna have lots of questions & a picture is a real help when you are trying to describe something that you don't know what it is.Those same pictures can be real helpful when you are trying to put something back together. Joe H
*I'm with Joel- but then we like to have work to pay for all the tools it takes to remodel.Molding- 12"compound mitre,caulk,caulk gun,ladder6',air compressor,hose,brad pinner,and someone to hold the other end of the 16'crown.Windows- sawsall,blades,pinner,door shims,level,caulkWallboard-pan,6"8"10"12"blades,tape and mudElectrical-ladder6'Planks on deck?-make sure the joists under the planks will hold a nail(rot):-) Crowbar, hammer,galvinized nails.A portable table saw would bee nice for your waincoting and if you read this months artical you should get a good idea which one to buy.Good Luck, and have fun, Bob
*Bandaids
*Hey Nat,Really, I'm not trying to be a smart @ss, but if you don't know what tools you need, then you might reconsider doing the work yourself. Tools are just that......"Tools".....They don't do the work, you do.Just a little tip from you Uncle Ed.Ed. Williams
*Rather It sounds like you use an awful lot of caulk ? You have the best name though COOTER
*If you don't know what tools you need, you are ill prepared to even attempt these endevors.Your recently aquired home will be worth a lot less if you start chopping on it like a novice. But heh, an education costs you no matter where you get it right. Or better yet get down to Home Depot, and take there classes regularly, graduate from The University of Home Cheapo.
*Nat,I think that you might want to consider hiring someone to do the work. If you figure in the cost of the tools(a big expense when you consider a sliding compound miter is going to run you about 600 bucks)), the time to learn how to do the job correctly as well as the time to learn how to use the tools,remember tools are just that tools. They make a job easier,faster ect but they dont do it for you. They are not wood processers that you just program to do a job and it is done. Also the rework that will be involved if you dont know the right materials to use in a particular situation it all adds up. Maybe to hire someone. May seem expensive right off the top but in the long run you may be better off. If you have the drive (and you seem like you do) and the time maybe take some courses at a local college in construction technology or woodworking to get the basic skills. Remember no one knows it all. Even the best contractors sub out some aspects of various jobs. But I hope this helps you good luck in your new home
*Wow, guys! Were you all born running trim and rocking? I don't think we're endowed with any special gifts that Nat is incapable of learning...Nat, one of the best tools is the library, and developing your own set of reference books. Joe gave the Taunton reference and the camera advice--both invaluable. You need to break your project into smaller pieces, buy the tools you need for that project after doing some research (look also on the Fine Woodworking forum for hand tools like routers and such), and then ask questions when you get stumped. A question like "What tools should i buy?" won't get you the response that "24 Volt--worth the money?" will. Many of your tools questions can be answered by doing your own work here and in the archives using the search function. You can rent tools from rental centers and some home centers to try them out. Get a subscription to Old House Journal, Fine Woodworking, Journal of Light Construction. Amazon has tools (formerly Tool Crib) with reviews posted, and good prices when you decide to buy, and i've great luck with their reconditioned tools. For pry bars and such, check the second-hand stores. A good hammer is a smart investment, as are air tools if you value your OWN joinery.The folks here might be reluctant to advise you given you've shown less initiative than you might. Doesn't mean you can't do it, just that you shouldn't underestimate the level of skill and knowledge it takes to do a perfect return on wainscot cap or flash a window in proper sequence. Good luck!
*Splinter, I was not trying to be discouraging, but, we all did learn our trades from the bottom up, right? I did not even see a sliding compound miter saw until 12 years ago. I learned respect for the power tools one at a time. Remember...crawl..stand...walk...run...bicycle.....minibike....license...car....race car....faster racecar........hospital. With this thread we could go...compound mitersaw....911....ambulance...hospital. Baby steps....remember baby steps.Keith C...10 fingers, 10 toes,(no nails that grow funny from prior slashes)2 eyes, no disabilities that need medical treatment(mental treatment does not count)
*Keith, I've got a car for sale if you're all healed up & ready for more. Damn fast & comes with a nice trailer too. Full cage though, harder to break bones when you're strapped in well. Fire system too, prevents those pesky bar-b-que injuries also. Got a nice Impala SS to tow it with too if you're interested. Joe H
*Drag car, SCCA, or what? Keith C
*Keith, road racer. Used to run with Southern Cal Alfa Club. Ran many times at Willow Springs, Las Vegas (old track) and new Las Vegas Speedway, PRI in Goodyear AZ, Laguna Seca (no fun due to noise restrictions there), Buttonwillow (up by Bakersfield) the La Carerra road race in Baja years ago before they changed it to a rally, Silverstate in Nevada before they changed to rally format. Fast car, absolutely useless but sure fun. Not my car, it was a friends who died recently. Got a guy coming to look at the Impala on Monday. Those are nice too, get yourself a speeding ticket in a hurry with that thing. Joe H
*Nat--Given your question, it's apparent that you haven't done the sort of work you're planning to do. Go for it!I have some suggestions...--follow SG's suggestion and use the library as your most basic tool.--unless you plan to remodel many houses in the future, don't buy any nail guns. They are expensive and require appropriate nails, and sheesh, houses were built without 'em for a long time! They increase efficiency, ja sure, and make a job easier. But even an 18 gage gun presents a much bigger hazard than a hammer. And the compressor noise is obnoxious.Spend your dough on better materials, not a gun and compressor. Hammer every nail by hand, and use a nailset. Your own house is a labor of love, not commerce. Speed is not of the essence.--get a Dewalt 12" miter saw. Great value. Skip the sliding saw.--get a Milwalkee Sawzall. Gotta have a recip saw.--get a Porter Cable circ saw. The "Sawboss" is a nice little (6 1/2" blade) saw that'll cut framing and paneling, and is light enough for an occasional user to control accurately. With a clamp-on straight edge (either home-brew or commercial) you can get very accurate cuts in sheet goods like the wainscoting.In terms of the overall project, expect to make mistakes, and be prepared to go to the hardware/lumberyard often in the middle of a job. One question--how does your wife respond to adversity and suprises? Is she really "with you" on this, realizing the minor chaos that you both will be dealing with? If she doesn't enjoy adventure, you are asking for trouble. Also if you get frustrated easily, remodeling carpentry is not for you.One last thought in terms of the carpentry--first, get the circ saw, a good wood-handled, 16-19 ounce hammer ( I'm partial to Hart), and some 2-by-4s. Study the books, and build yourself two pairs of sawhorses. No fancy store-bought brackets--just wood and nails. Build the first pair simple, then build the second very stout and complicated. You will not only be learning to use the tools, you will be creating two sets of very important tools for your other work. If you do it right, a grandson or granddaughter will use them and think of you when they do.If you like building the horses, replace the deck boards. Then get the chop saw and do the moulding. If you're still in the game, get the Sawzall and tackle the doors. Then the windows.Hire the electrical out unless you want to thoroughly study the how-to books. Come back if you have done your homework and have something that's stumping you. Good luck.
*GMWAS!!
*Yer celebrating a little early, lonecat!
*OK.....I give......What's GMWAS?Ed.
*I was being rude, and I should retract it now: "Gag me with a spoon", in response to the previous post.
*Some god advice from CAP and others here Nat; but, you'll also want to get a decent level, tape measure (I have both left and right reading), a straight-edge, and a square.
*Thanks for all those that have responded (or who will respond), and particularly to those that have been helpful ;-).I do have a sizeable library of how-to books, but find them lacking in full and accurate explanations about which tools to use. For example, one book I have on molding talks about a 10" compound mitre, but all the photos show a 12". Looking at some of the crown moldings we are interested in, it just does not look like a 10" would do the job. Etc. Hence my question. This is merely part of my advance planning. I certainly did not go into an explanation of all my previous research.I do not plan on doing this all at once, but thought some advance thought into which tools would be needed would spare unneeded duplication down the road.And finally, I do own and have experience with power tools, so no one need worry about me loosing appendages. I am a reasonably intelligent person (electrical engineer, patent attorney, post grad degree and all), so I think I can learn anything and am not afraid to try. Besides, I enjoy working with my hands after working all week at a desk.Thanks again for all your help!Nat
*Nat, this changes the whole perspective of your question. The answer now becomes "ALL tools are necessary" Duh, anyone knows that! Like fishing stuff, no such thing as too much. Joe H
*And don't forget the chainsaw !!!
*Nat,What Joe said....Buy whatever your budget will allow. And realize that the biggest & best tool this month is gonna be old news next month.
*Nat, i think CAP would agree with me now, go with air. For all that trim, there's a really sweet little 15 g. finish nailer by Bostitch i'm thrilled with, N62FNK. You can use the compressor to spray all that trim and get the drywall dust out of the CD player. Nah, just kidding! Nothing gets the drywall dust out...
*One good way to get yourself some hands-on experience and learn the physical skills is to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Starting fresh buying tools, one thing to think long and hard about is the first rechargeable battery tool you buy. Consider all the other such you might want in the future, and pick a make and voltage so you can use all your batteries in all your tools.-- J.S.
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I am about to embark on some renovation projects in our recently-purchased home. I need to know what tools I should buy.
We are going to: install molding (crown, chair, wainscoting, baseboard, door and window molding); install flooring (wood or Pergo); replace windows and doors; replace planks on deck; install lighting; fix wallboard; install tile.
It seems obvious I need a compound mitre saw, but what size? sliding or fixed? Do I need a table saw too, and what size? Router? Router table? Anything else?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Nat
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