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Power Tool Set for the Home WoodWorker with Limited Space
By an Amazon.com customer
Makita 6280DWPLE 14.4-Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with FlashlightMakita 6280DWPLE 14.4-Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with Flashlight
Buy new: $158.94
The single most useful power tool is a 3/8" cordless drill. Makita makes very good ones. I've had my latest Makita drill for over 15 years and it's still going strong other than having to replace the battery. You want two batteries so that you can basically work continuously. The flashlight is nice too.
Bosch 1194AVSRK 8 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer DrillBosch 1194AVSRK 8 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill
Buy new: $99.00
Occasionally you will need to some really heavy duty drilling. This requires a powerful 1/2 inch drill. Because this is a relatively small (but nevertheless important) part of home woodworking, I think it's better to stick with a corded model. It's cheaper and will have more torque. Also, it should support hammer operation for masonry.
Bosch PS20-2 Litheon 10.8-Volt Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver with 2 BatteriesBosch PS20-2 Litheon 10.8-Volt Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver with 2 Batteries
Buy new: $150.40 / Used from: $70.00
This is not a necessity but sure makes a nice companion to your full size, chucked drill. It's light weight and small size make it ideal for situations where you don't need a lot of torque and can use hex shank bits. The built in light also comes in handy. and the hex shank is great, especially when using small bits which often get stuck in wood and tend to spin the chuck on a chucked model.
Stanley ST-04650 14 Piece Titanium Twist Drill Bit AssortmentStanley ST-04650 14 Piece Titanium Twist Drill Bit Assortment
You will need a basic set of drill bits. This Stanley set is great. Because it has the hex shank, the small bits are less likely to spin the chuck when drilling in hard materials. They also work great with the Bosch drill above.
Denali 13-Piece Wood Boring Spade Bit SetDenali 13-Piece Wood Boring Spade Bit Set
Buy new: $14.99
For holes bigger than 3/8" in wood you can use these wood boring bits with hex shanks. Because of their hex shank they can work with the Bosch and Makita drills.
3 pc HINGE DRILL BIT SET Self Center Door Cabinet3 pc HINGE DRILL BIT SET Self Center Door Cabinet
Buy new: $13.25
Very useful for installing hinges and has hex shank so it can be used with the Bosch drill as well.
Makita LS1040 10-Inch Compound Miter sawMakita LS1040 10-Inch Compound Miter saw
Buy new: $191.04
For cutting small pieces of wood, a miter saw can't be beat. You can cut anything up to a 2x6 or 4x4 with this with a little flipping of the wood during sawing.
Makita LS1013FL 15 Amp 10-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw with Laser and Fluorescent LightMakita LS1013FL 15 Amp 10-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw with Laser and Fluorescent Light
Buy new: $574.99 / Used from: $350.00
If you've got the money, this saw will increase the size of wood you can cut. But I would consider it a luxury for the casual woodworker. A Skil saw and a good homemade cutting jig can handle the bigger wood.
Freud LU85R010 10-Inch 80 Tooth ATB Ultimate Cut-Off Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield CoatingFreud LU85R010 10-Inch 80 Tooth ATB Ultimate Cut-Off Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
Buy new: $84.99
A good carbide blade will last a long time. This blade will give very smooth cuts on your miter saw which means much less problem when joining pieces of wood.
Skil HD77 13 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive SawSkil HD77 13 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Saw
Buy new: $119.99
For wood wider than 6" or too cumbersome to use with the miter or table saw such as plywood or particle board panels, this is the perfect tool. It has the power to cut through anything.
Bosch 1590EVSK 6.4 Amp Top Handle JigsawBosch 1590EVSK 6.4 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw
Buy new: $144.99
This will complement your circular saw for cases where you need to cut very small sections or irregularly shaped sections. I have tried this grip and the barrel grip type and prefer this one in terms of control.
Makita 3901 5.6 amp Plate JoinerMakita 3901 5.6 amp Plate Joiner
Buy new: $219.99
Biscuit joinery to me is the best approach for the casual woodworker to connect two pieces of wood (e.g. for a cabinet or edging on a particle board shelf). This Makita supports all of the standard size biscuits and has a very flexible and accurate guide when used correctly.
BOSCH RA1181 Benchtop Router TableBOSCH RA1181 Benchtop Router Table
Buy new: $229.89
To give your shelving and cabinets that professional look you will want to finish the outer edges with a round over, bullnose or ogee'd edge. The router is the tool for this. It can also be used to slot wood and rip thin strips. I find using a table gives you better results for these jobs.
Bosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch ColletsBosch 1617EVSPK 12 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets
Buy new: $193.97 / Used from: $179.00
Of course you will need a router to go with your table. This combo will serve to work with both the table and as a stand alone router when working on something that can't be put on the table. You can also buy a separate base just for the table to make it easy to switch from table to standalone routing though I would consider this a luxury.
DEWALT D55151 14 Amp 2-1/2-HP 4-Gallon Oiled Twin Hot Dog CompressorDEWALT D55151 14 Amp 2-1/2-HP 4-Gallon Oiled Twin Hot Dog Compressor
Buy new: $233.24
A portable air compressor is a great shop tool for the home woodworker. It's three main uses: 1)Driving a nail gun 2)Driving a paint sprayer 3)Clearing off dust and other floating debris It's also handy for inflating your tires and pool toys.
Porter-Cable BN200A 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad NailerPorter-Cable BN200A 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
I find the brad nailer the most useful. You can use it in place of clamps to hold wood together while gluing. You can also use it to temporarily join to pieces of wood when testing the fit and then later pull out the nail.
Porter-Cable DA250B 1-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch 15-Gauge Angled Finish NailerPorter-Cable DA250B 1-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer
Buy new: $209.99
The finish nailer is good when you need to drive permanent nails and for bigger projects
Porter-Cable FR350A Round Head 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing NailerPorter-Cable FR350A Round Head 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer
Buy new: $192.25
This can take care of all your framing needs
Surebonder 9600 Pneumatic Fine Wire Staple Gun with Carrying CaseSurebonder 9600 Pneumatic Fine Wire Staple Gun with Carrying Case
Buy new: $29.29
You can use this for attaching materials to wood (e.g. attaching fabric to cornice valences)
Bosch 1295DVS 5-inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Palm Sander w/ Micro Filter Dust CollectionBosch 1295DVS 5-inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Palm Sander w/ Micro Filter Dust Collection
I find the orbital sander to be the most versatile sander
Bosch 1297DK 2 amp 1/4-Sheet Sander with Dust CanisterBosch 1297DK 2 amp 1/4-Sheet Sander with Dust Canister
Buy new: $54.99
If you use a miter saw and good quality blade, you shouldn't have to adjust joints but there are still times you need to make an edge or surface straighter and the sheet sander is good for this
Bosch 1274DVS 6.6 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speed In-Line Belt Sander with Cloth Dust BagBosch 1274DVS 6.6 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speed In-Line Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag
Buy new: $170.36 / Used from: $160.99
For really taking off material this sander works fine and can serve as substitute for a power planer if you're very careful