I'm almost set up to start my woodwork journey after finishing my workshop! I've gotten approval from my landlady to cover the costs for some plywood walls, and now I'm tackling the big question of tools. My chisels got damaged during the move (unrepairable cracks), and I need to replace them. Currently, all I have are a few basic saws and a plane, but I want to know: from your experiences, when have budget tools really performed well, and when have they turned out to be a waste of money? For example, I've heard good things about Aldi chisels and some affordable options on Amazon, but I'm curious about your thoughts on inexpensive saws or other tools that have stood the test of time for you. Any specific examples would be super helpful!
3 Answers
I’ve mainly avoided modern cheap tools, sticking with vintage ones. I've got a few middle-of-the-road tools that I've been happy with, like my Dictum plane after tuning it up. I suggest looking at quality brand names or hitting up vintage markets for good deals. Definitely try not to skimp on measuring tools, as those are super important. Lower-end saws can sometimes be okay, but you really want to invest in reliable ones for critical tasks.
I have really enjoyed using cheap Japanese pull saws! They cut well and are great for beginners. Just remember, if you're setting up your workspace, building a solid workbench first makes everything easier. And don't be too quick to upgrade your tools — sure, sometimes they might not cut it, but always check if everything’s set up correctly first. Asking about specific tools as you go along is a good strategy too; list what you need for a project and then see what's lacking in your toolkit.
When it comes to chisels, I’ve found that low-end versions often just don’t cut it; you’ll need something mid-range for those. Higher quality planes are a must as well. My coping saw situation was a mess—went through several before finding a decent one. For power tools, invest in the best you can afford. I’ve learned the hard way with cheap tools just sitting around because they didn’t work out, which was super frustrating!