YouTube woodworkers are lying to you.

[@ENCurtis]

The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/encurtis11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!

[@dustinhenderson8324]

Where do your coffee mugs come from and can I get one?

[@JSarmat86]

I really like Your carving videos - they are the reason why I subscribed to Your channel. The Art and carving make your videos unique, and make You to stand out from a myriad of other woodworkers, for me at least. P.S. That whisky cabinet is gorgeous, by the way.

[@lancerawlings5401]

@@JSarmat86 gorgeous and done with simple tools! Agreed on the carving.

[@jsmxwll]

Rex Krueger's woodworking for humans series builds up from very few tools to building your own tools and picking up new ones as you grow. it's all hand tools and about as cheap as you can get i think.

[@bellybutthole69]

yep ! And as someone with a tiny shop in my basement, hand tools are way less noisy/dusty and they take less space :)

[@MWAWoodworks]

Every garage should come standard with an ENCurtis

[@RootedInThePastWoodworking]

Yes!!!

[@ErikSherman]

Way too expensive in beard maintenance.

[@damepasty9203]

Yes, but he's priceless.......as in way above my pay grade. LOL

[@kevinmeachem2138]

😂

[@pdavid9903]

HONESTY...yes, we need him and all the other Makers that help us hobbyists keep it simple.

[@dtoux]

I grew up in a former soviet union and all tools I had were hammer, hand saw, a dull chisel and a knife - this is how I started… I later acquired a plane and a drill… this is how I did most of my woodworking… I didn’t make anything fancy - just utilitarian pieces for everyday use… that look reasonably nice… so, do I appreciate all tools I have now - yes… but can I make same quality furniture with a fraction of what I have now - absolutely… it may take longer and cause some frustration… but it also forces you to think out of the box and be more creative… and this is in my opinion a fast track to gain experience 😉

[@chrisrobinson414]

One thing I've learned: Time is money, so saving one means spending more of the other. You could start making things with little more than a panel saw and some sandpaper if you're willing to spend a lot more time working on it. Along that same track, you need to ask yourself what part of woodworking do you enjoy? I don't have a table saw, but I can make the same kinds of cuts with a circular saw and a straight edge. However that does require more time to setup to make sure the straight edge is in just the right place, and if you're making a lot of cuts you end up spending the majority of your time doing that setup. I've found that I would rather spend ten minutes cutting and 30 seconds on setup than the other way around, but others may feel differently, and that will determine the tools that you will want to buy.

[@tombiggs4687]

I am a computer programmer, I started in the 1980s. I read articles by programmers from the soviet union who began programming on simple computers with 1024 or 2048 *bytes* of memory, not kilobytes or megabytes. Limited resources meant that they had to do everything with almost nothing, and gained great skill that way.

[@Bob-o-h4k]

That saw is 599 I hate people that say you don’t need that but I am using it if you could make nice stuff without those tools that you said you don’t need then why don’t you do it without it and tell me how long it takes if it take you 8 mo to make a table then you can’t make money to buy more tools

[@synk2]

I worked for years in a small outbuilding with no electricity (or very rarely with a 100' extension cord hanging out the window) - my entire dining room is outfitted with pieces made primarily with hand tools. Mind-blowing pieces have been created for centuries without fancy tools - they just speed up the process and give you convenient precision, but they're ultimately just a great shortcut for a hobby woodworker, not a mandatory thing. That metric changes if you're trying to make a living at it (time is money and all that), but I've found it's amazing what you can make with a very limited amount of tools if you're willing to hone those skills and trade time and effort for smaller budget and space. None of that is to say that you shouldn't have those cool tools, but not having them shouldn't be an impediment to enjoying the craft.

[@mikedean6374]

You don't need the jointer; worked for years without one. I flatten the initial face using the planer with a sled. Edges done with an L fence on tablesaw or hand plane.

[@TNH91]

And it seems to me that just doing it with the planer and a sled takes up a lot less space too

[@monteglover4133]

YES!!!! 50 years without a jointer, 30 years without a thickness planer.

[@chestergregg8668]

The best advice for the budget conscious woodworker is to see if there's a local woodworker's guild or maker space. I may be spoiled, but my guild has 6 SawStop cabinet table saws, router tables, drill presses, bandsaws, jointers, planers, lathes, a range of Lie-Nielsen planes, etc. A year of membership with shop privileges (after a safety course) is $200.

[@oliver299d]

there are very few woodworkers on you tube that have actual skills or knowledge, most are just there to sell tools and make money doing so

[@cj-ef1rp]

One should remember that for thousands of years fine woodworking was performed without electricity, specialty tools, and modern process advances. Sweat, elbow grease, and proper techniques. What does it cost to be a woodworker? Determination to learn the skill and craft. A tape measure, some decent handsaws, a few planes, chisels and mallets. All joinery can be done without hardware, without mechanical fasteners and certainly without electricity. Look at the centuries old Japanese buildings still standing that don’t have a single nail in them for evidence.

[@BigRedNZ1]

I'm starting in woodworking. Inherited a lunch box thicknesses Second hand band saw NZ$250 Plastic handle chisels - gift Wetstones... From kitchen Hammer - eastwing, had it forever Mallet - made it myself from offcuts You get the idea… Don't be in a rush Buy it when you need it. Nothing wrong with second hand.

[@RuudInTheWood]

I would remove the jointer from the list. I get by happily with a sled for the planer. My version doesn't use glues or tape or any other sticky thing and is quick and easy to set up. In some ways it works better than a jointer.

[@rogerlove7588]

I would agree. I did finally buy a used 6” jointer for $300 a couple years ago and have gotten a lot of good use out of it. But I still use my planer to flatten wider boards. Could I live without it? Yeah, I could. I encourage people to purchase major tools used when starting out-table saws, planers, jointers, band saws, etc. Go new as the opportunities and needs arise down the road.

[@antonia4722]

A Plane and Winding Sticks. Takes a while to begin with but the more you do it the quicker it gets..and its sooo satisfying!

[@karl_alan]

Honestly don't need either when first starting out. Sure, they'll pay for themselves in the cost of wood over time, but for those first handful of projects, already flat boards from the big box store is even cheaper.

[@paulgenereux8248]

Also places like Rockler sell S2S lumber and most lumber yards can joint edges for you for a fee. So I'd agree with pulling the jointer

[@zionosphere]

25:35 Huckleberry footage begins. He deserves his own comment for being such a good boy.

[@BishjamIC]

I've been a hobby woodworker for about 4 years. I recently upgraded my table saw from the Hercules table saw I started with to a Delta 36-725t2. I made things with the Hercules, but it had its limitations. Over the course of time I've made lots of tool purchases and upgrades, but you can get started theoretically with a circular saw and a drill and a couple squares as I did.

[@NewTestamentDoc]

wise advice from a woodworking friend... don't buy a tool until you can't complete a job without it

[@mrfirestop415]

That's a great way to hold yourself back! Encouragement never starts with the word "don't".

[@CaptainofmyShed]

He didn’t say dont buy it, just dont buy it until you need it. This is a great way of avoiding buying those tools which you end up never using. You’ll save yourself a lot of money this way.

[@polerin]

​@@mrfirestop415that isn't "don't do it" it is more " wait till you need a tool for a job, THEN buy it " which means that you shape your tool collection to your actual needs and work type

[@mrfirestop415]

Buying tools "you" never use is a "you" problem. I don't need advice about "your" problems.

[@agcons]

@@mrfirestop415 Advice about other people's problems is not what is being given, actually, but you do you.

[@lennierichardson1387]

For resawing, before I got a big bandsaw, I built a Roubo-style resaw. I think it cost me 60 bucks all in. I've used it to break down a lot of 4X oak and sycamore material into 2X lumber. Bonus: Good upper body workout. It is surprisingly accurate and efficient. I bought a roll of nonslip drawer liner stuff from the dollar store to use as a sanding mat. Very grippy and stows away easily.

[@zonial]

Loved this video honestly. Hit right at home. 7 years ago my wife bought me a miter saw. Then I bought a table saw. The rest is history. I’m a full time woodworker now and love everything about it. I have everything from sawstop to festool to lie Nielsen. And everything I got essentially for free cause I saved all of my profit from side projects and now I’m here. I can’t emphasize enough how much this video hit to heart to the point I have a tear in my eye. Now it’s how I provide for my family and how we take our vacation every year. Thank you encurtis!

[@RobertCade-zm3cy]

Nice video! Let me start by saying I agree with your assessment of what a new woodworker today would need to start as a hobbyist. However, setting aside the limitations of time, that list could be a whole lot less expensive. There was a time in this world before electricity and before power tools, when craftsmen, professionals and hobbyists, turned out beautiful wooden projects. A hammer, a hand saw, a jack plane, a couple of chisels, a couple of files and rasps, a hand auger and bits, a square, and a ruler were the fundamental items needed to make something out of wood. Very time consuming for sure but very doable. Today’s newbie, in any field, is generally impatient and wants to be able to make things just like the woodworkers on you tube, right from the git go. They assume that it is the tools and not the craftsman that makes the difference. And, as you know, that is just not the case. There is no substitute for experience, practice, and knowledge. If you are just starting out as a woodworker, learn to be patient first of all. Second, start out with simple things and when they turn out less than you wanted, learn why, and work on doing things better next time. America’s pawn shops are packed full of nearly new tools, sold off by frustrated newbies who want perfection but lack the fortitude to stick with things until they master them. Start with a rudimentary set of tools and master them before you go out and spend thousands and thousands of dollars on tools and equipment. It’s 10% the tools and 90% skills and ability that get you where you want to go. Master the skills and the tools will eventually come along out of necessity. Remove time from the equation. If you find joy in working with wood, and in making things, it shouldn’t matter if a process or project takes 15 minutes or 15 hours. Enjoy the time spent, and constantly work on refining your skills and craftsmanship. Use the tools you have or can afford, and learn how to make them work to your level of satisfaction. You would be amazed at what you can actually make with a bare minimum of tools.

[@Mcinoh]

I do think that floor space and making the most efficient use of it is always a challenge. But a necessity to add to your list would need to be dust collection. I was surprised you didn’t have any in your video.

[@chipsterb4946]

As he wrapped up I thought “Wait! What about at least a shop vac?” Dust mask too.

[@mm9773]

This is one of the stumbling blocks people encounter at some point in their “journey”. I also treated this as an afterthought until I saw a video by Xyla Foxlin in which she described how she had to sleep sitting up for weeks because wood dust from a rare species had seriously effed up her lungs. You can sort of get away with using a dust mask, but you’ll still have to clean the whole room all time, and that can take the fun out of it and make the costs pile up. The barrier to entry into woodworking is indeed very low and I would still encourage anyone who is interested, but it just isn’t a cheap hobby.

[@mrfirestop415]

​​​@@mm9773 When i was a grade school aged kid, a family friend had a machine woodshop in his basement that was utterly fascinating to me. He worked exclusively in black walnut. I remember writing my name in the brown dust that covered every exposed surface in his shop, including the underside of his bench. Zero dust collection in the shop. I'd bet if that bench is still around my name is still in the dust... That guy ended up suffering chronic bronchitis and alveolitis by the time I was in highschool. It was so bad he had to drag around an oxygen tank and could no longer do woodworking, let alone climb down and up the stairs to his shop. Less than 10 years without dust collection, friends. If your boogers are the color of the wood you're working, start that cumulative dust inhalation clock.

[@kb6dxn]

The big box store will breakdown the plywood for projects for free too.

[@rikbitter]

When starting a hobby woodshop, Craigslist/Marketplace is your best friend. Used machinery will save you at least half usually 2/3 of the new price and you'll likely meet a few characters along the way. Enjoy the journey.

[@skippylippy547]

Yes, that's a fact! 👍

[@craigfrank5112]

Have a shop full of great second hand gently used equipment. Let someone else take the hit 😊

[@balzac_jones]

Maybe it's just my local area, but I almost never see used machinery costing less than 75% of current new prices for sale on the various Internet marketplaces.

[@FrankPace54]

This brings back memories! I've been working for over 30 years and still look for garage sale tools and used tool deals although my shop is very complete now. But to give an example, a friend who is setting up a new shop just got a 3 hp Unisaw at a local town auction for $80, and had it cleaned up and running with only one day of sweat equity. Love the channel Erick, I need more design and theory and things.

[@twostepaasr]

This video is why I watch your channel. I am lucky that 95% of my equipment was inherited from my great-grandfather down to my Dad. Most everything else came from social media and Harbor Freight. In truth, I didn't become a woodworker until late in life; before that, I was a carpenter on my best days. Maintaining and repairing our farm and uncles' and family friends' places is where I got my basic skills growing up. You don't realize how important these types of videos are, from respected craftsmen, for young boys and girls who have an interest in woodworking. I promise you there was no one doing what you do when we got our first black and white TV in 1954 when one station came on the air that we could watch..

[@Carpentry344]

I have been watching you for a while, and I have to say. You have been my hero in my new experience of woodworking. Now I do woodwork, but I think I'm not good enough. This video is going to be another motivation for what I do now because this is what my situation is. A budget garage shop. Thank you so much for the hard work you do. I know it is not easy, thank you again.

[@skippylippy547]

I rarely ever bought my tools new. Almost everything I have came from garage sales, Craigs List, etc. I clearly remember paying $2.50 for a Stanley #5 Jack Plane - completely rusted - took me 2 weeks to restore it. I still use that plane today. It works like new. Used hand saws were a couple bucks. Same for used chisels. All my power tools were purchased used. They are still working for me just fine today.

[@red58impala]

Agreed. Most of my tools current set of tools were purchased used. When I first started I bought a new table saw and band saw, both bought on sale at Sears, thinking I couldn't do anything without them. My lathe, a Harbor Freight Jet clone, was purchased new as well with a 20% off coupon. I bought a $1500 scroll saw used for $300 on Craigslist. My drill press came from CL as well. Eventually I migrated to mostly hand tools and like yourself I paid little to nothing for most of my used planes, braces, saws, etc...

[@jeffreyjbyron]

A lot of woodworkers will say a jointer isn't 100% necessary depending on what you build. If I was just starting, I'd choose the project I wanted, then tally up the tools I might need, then double that cost. Stuff like sandpaper, small tools, bits, clamps, glue, adapters, cables, shop towels, etc etc, can end up being more than you think. When I first started, I never planned to spend as much as I did. BUT, you'll end up spending for the enjoyment of it, not because you're starting a business.

[@AkosLukacs42]

Sadly lot of channels are mostly affiliate link harvesting at this point. When you see half a dozen "cheap" domino alternatives that still cost several hundred dollars, or "you don't need a (of course Festool, like there are no capable much cheaper alternatives on the market) tracksaw, just this track thingy for 199.99$. Yeah, pumping FOMO. But there are still some channels I love.

[@joeleonetti8976]

You said it early on that you can make it this hobby as expensive or as affordable as you want it to be. I’ve also found if you join a woodworking club, you will see all kinds of deals pop up for tools. Rather recently, an estate sale occurred for a woodworker. The hand tools didn’t sell. They literally gave away all kinds of hand tools (chisels, hand planes, etc). If budgets are tight, you can do it for even much less. A few years ago, there was a used dewalt 735 planer with Shelix head installed that sold for $200; yes, it sold fast but these kinds of deal happen.

[@stankrajewski8255]

This was a great discussion. I have a well appointed two car garage sized shop. I manage to work without a jointer or resaw bandsaw. This video talked from a funding perspective--my woodworking journey is influenced by a network of woodworkers and space constraints. I am heating my shop with an electric/oil bath heater. For safety and sanity, I am upgrading to a heat/cool mini-split. I want to get back to projects, but the environment needs to be secured to maintain temperature and humidity.

[@Dusty-Builds]

I've had this conversation with many people that come to me shop and see all the second hand machinery and hand tools I use. My Grandfather used to say "Machinery doesn't make you a woodworker. However, a woodworker can make a machine do things it wasn't intended to do." He also said "A true craftsman is someone who can make a mistake look intentional." lol

[@DaddyBooneDon]

I'm stubbornly trying to do my work with a miter saw and contractor table saw, 2 drills and a jig saw, plus a handful of handtools. I have a wish list that I add to and then ignore. Working like this means having to solve problems and swap time spent for the convenience of bigger priced power tools. I'm still learning and maybe down the road I'll need power tools when my arthritis wins the battle.

[@andrewunderwater2246]

Thanks for doing this. I got into ww about a year and a half ago and have been accumulating the necessities over this time. I’ve found that the best way to go about it is to think hard about what you need to get your current project accomplished, and as you go from project to project you start to build a decent arsenal of tools. I’m now at a point where I already have what I deem to be the bare necessities and can get just about anything done if I get creative in utilizing what I have. Last few months I’ve been acquiring the stuff that makes it more convenient and quicker. But for the folks at the beginning of the journey… spend some time getting creative with the bare minimum and it will make you a better craftsman.

[@acek100]

You don’t need a joiner but damn it’s changes everything having one. Just get a bench top joiner. 8 inch cutech

[@steveh7866]

That jointer's a luxury when you've already got a handplane, a router and a tablesaw on the list. Same with the circular saw when a disposable hardpoint handsaw does the same job (as would your router.) Hehe understand it's hard to think basics when you're used to all the frills, but your list sets the entry price far higher than it needs to

[@jbratt]

When I started I had a router two router bits , a straight edge, framing square,tape measure, pencil, cheap skill saw, and a cheap mitre saw. I built bedside tables with those tools 30 years ago. I now have a shop that rivals a KZbinr’s shop. I still use those bedside tables.

[@coolhands9927]

My first wood working project was a coffee table for my mother-in-law. The only power tools I had at the time was a circular saw, palm sander, and drill. I bought a $20 pocket hole jig and a few clamps from Harbor Freight and built it out construction lumber. 10 years later and it is still in her living room.

[@frijoli9579]

I really appreciate the way you did this. Real tools making real quality stuff. Not bargain basement tools but realistic tools.

[@jackthompson8560]

I got my house 18 years ago. I started buying tools as I needed them. Something I didn't buy the great tools but the one that got me by. I'm at the point of buy once cry once tools, on getting tools. I work out of my basement. So, space is important to me. Do I need it or want it and where am I putting it?

[@benrevell]

Carpenters and cabinet makers made superb furniture before electricity was discovered.

[@lorenschnabel6187]

Great video for someone who looking to get into woodworking. It’s how I’m building my shop. One tool at a time.

[@lewisdye1002]

This is some of the very best information and experienced opinion I have seen on ut. from a 50 year commercial cabinet and millwork vet

[@tomblanco8234]

My first work bench was a washing machine. So i couldn't do my wood working thing while doing laundry. The point is we can do what we want with what we have, at least to a point. Thanks for the video illustrating this. Something I do when I find myself complaining about not have fancy enough power tools is think about the masterpieces made before 1800. The master craftsmen got it done without any power tools, and did it with style! We should not give ourselves excuses for not doing good work.

[@antonia4722]

I use a Scheppach small contractors saw which I made a new table and fence for. It cost me £90 for the saw and £10 for the materials and it works just fine. It has a half decent motor mount and adjustment mechanism and with a bit of fettling is quite accurate.

[@BCToby]

@ENCurtis I'm walking this path right now... so happy you made this video. There are a LOT of costs I've come across... The right guage extension chord, lighting, shop vac (even a good BROOM is expensive). If you live in an area where used tools are scarce or in Canada your shipping costs can be as much as some of the tools. IF you work in a power supply limited area all you may opt to go battery powered for tools, which doubles or triples the cost once you factor in batteries. - Clamps were well north of $100 for me assuming you get 4+ with two even them being long enough to do larger pieces. - Dust mask? Organic filter (if your workspace has real poor ventilation), saftey gear, expendables. - How bout a finishing saw blade? Are you really going to cut using the framing saw blade that came with the $150 hand saw ;)? - Up in Canada I don't know what's going on with finishing products/paint but they're 50% more than just a couple years ago. - Hardwood costs are also way up there, i've been trying to just make a decent mallet not out of softwood for ages. - The #1 limiting factor though is SPACE if your living near a big city, which most people are. - How about router bits! They aren't all that cheap if you're buying them 1 at a time. Long story short, I'm lucky to be able to go down this road but I do feel the reality is that this hobby is out of reach for 90% of people, especially those in their earlier stages of their carreer/life. It might be better to just call out woodworking as a hobby for those privliged enough to be able to start off on it. Who knows how many tried and got discourged by costs halfway through thinking it was a budget friendly hobby!

[@katalytically]

The good thing about the list you came up with is that, as you said, one can start by saving and buying the more expensive tools at a pace that one can afford.

[@RaulV22]

Totally agree. Having basic tools can teach you tricks and workarounds. As you progress and hopefully start to make money, it’s okay to invest in fancy expensive tools because the primary purpose of those fancy tools isn’t for KZbinrs, it’s to save you time. If you’re an aspiring business owner then you need to realize that those expensive tools are what they are in order to save you time and time is money. So if you’re starting out, regardless if you are starting with power tools, a hand craft woodworker, or hybrid, none are right or wrong, regardless of what some purists say, start basic.

[@milkod2001]

The most important is actually not a few tools for 3-4k. That.s nothing but to have actual room to work in at least 4x5m.

[@Ramplcro]

Electric tools for working with solid wood and making fine furniture are expensive especially if you want to do it fast and precise. If someone have time/patience and not much money i would recommend starting with "Paul Sellers all hand tools" option. Lot's of cheap and good quality second hand tools around. There you can spend maybe up to a 1000 dollars (euros) for everything, including screws. Then with time you can get routers, circulars saw, ecc. P.s. If you want to save money from gym just ripsaw long boards with hand or frame saw. 😁

[@ClarkyClark]

I finally got electricity in my shop. I used it for 4 years before that. Little by little, I've added things here and there. Just put in my dust collection system, which was my largest purchase. All in all, I've dropped several thousand dollars on my hobby, but it's been spread over 7 years. Now I'm just more comfortable in my space (having heat is a godsend), more accurate with my cuts, and most importantly, more knowledgeable thanks to learning from channels like yours, and doing the work.

[@OldePhart]

Keith Johnson produces quality work out of a 2 car garage. He does have expensive tools but the organizational prowess of tool placement is really impressive

[@Iceburgh6901]

Most of my metalworking kit came from Harbor Freight with a bit from Vevor, not counting my anvil. In other words, metalworking's much the same way. My first forge setup was Craigslist dirt in a Craigslist bbq with Craigslist pipe and a thrift store hair dryer. First anvil was a chunk of railroad track my dad has that I put on a wooden stand built of scrap lumber. My hammer came from Harbor Freight. Altogether, my first setup cost me around $20.

[@steelsunpi]

As you mentioned: buy used starting out and you can bring that down to 1/3rd the cost.

[@guytech7310]

Depends on what you want to build. You can build cabinets with a very limited set of tools. Wall Cabinets & drawer cabinets can be built with only a track saw, a cordless drill & a pocket hole jig. Material can be plywood. if you use furniture grade lumber. the cost in lumber will exceed the cost of a track saw + drill + pocket hole jig. I know this is possible because I've done it several times. Optional tool is a good miter saw for cutting solid wood lumber to size, but you can also use a tracksaw, it just takes more time to set it up for the cuts. If you want to make tables, with low cost investment in tools, then buy a pre-made table top, and build the rest (legs & frame), & finish. In my opinion a track saw is a read game changer for DIY wood worker. Low cost and easy to use. Set up a makeshift table using a pair of saw horses with a cheap plywood table, & a track saw, you got all you need to cut up full sheet of plywood for a cabinet.

[@halsonger1317]

If you go to a place and there are two barbers, always get your hair cut by the one with the terrible haircut.

[@skippylippy547]

LOL! OK, I'll bite - Why get your hair cut by the barber with the terrible haircut?

[@halsonger1317]

@@skippylippy547 Because the barbers cut each other's hair. If one has a good haircut then he got his cut by the one with the bad one, which is the guy you want cutting yours.

[@skippylippy547]

@@halsonger1317 Thank you! I suspected that's what you were going to say. I love it. And it's so true! 👍

[@hansangb]

Hobbyist shop: jobsite table saw. foldable outfeed table. Circ saw or a jig saw. And drill driver set. That's all you really need. Another good resource is Steve Ramsey. He has a list of tools for under $1,000 all-in for beginners. But the key is you don't have to buy it all in one shot. It's an additive (never mind addictive hobby)

[@TomBuskey]

You could replace all those power saws with a japanese ryoba. Ripping is a slog, but resawing isn't too bad. I have a bandsaw for ripping but I rarely use it for crosscutting.

[@deek3048]

Harbor freight will knock down that list in half. Bauer brand is good. I bought a set of 6 chisels for $10, did have to sharpen them and straighten them but they are great!

[@karl_alan]

Both the circular saw cut & the resawing cut in the middle can be done with a cheap Japanese pull saw too.

[@omarc_br]

One can totally save on the jointer if making smaller projects and go for hand planes. A ryoba hand saw is great for finishing the resawing cut after the table saw passes and are pretty inexpensive

[@chrischarlton1033]

I would like to add that a will and desire to do the thing makes it easier to find workarounds. Another great video, Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Really good video, Erik! The minimum requirement to start making good furniture, or whatever you make, is surprisingly small, as you say! Thanks for addressing this super important topic! Oddly enough, being stuck at home during the 2020 Pandemic was a big deal for me. It kick-started my woodworking hobby after decades of half-ass making things out of wood. I started with a minimal tool set and was able to make my first woodworking workbench (Rex Krueger’s Joiners Bench pattern) with handmade dovetailed drawers. My only power tools were a circular saw and a pair of DeWalt drills; hand tools included a Crown dovetail saw, a set of DeWalt chisels, a hammer and mallet, a Wood River 5-1/2 jack plane and a block plane, and miscellaneous home handyman tools like pliers and screwdrivers. A cheap Rockler vise and a pair of holdfasts were essentials, as well as some sharpening stones and some F-clamps. By adding a GOOD panel saw (7 TPI, rip cut) and a used DeWalt table saw, I gained the capability to resaw rough lumber that I flattened and squared with my hand planes, and I made some really good bookshelves, tables, etc. I have much better chisels and a few more planes now, but the only power tools I’ve added to my shop are a thickness planer and a bandsaw, which make milling lumber much faster so I can get on to building furniture.

[@margaretumbsen9015]

Steve Ramsey also has a good approach for folks at Woodworking for Mere Mortals. His is for the hybrid (power/hand tools) woodworker. I think his starting list of tools lands at about $1000. Like Erik said in this video, these can come over time and there ain’t no shame in buying used either.

[@alexweaver6053]

One way you may be able to get access to tools without spending the money on big machines and having the space is to see if there is a maker space in the area.

[@matthewbakke1623]

I built up my clamp collection 1 paycheck at a time buying 1 or 2 clamps with each check.

[@bjy789456]

Always use the rounded side of the router guard against the straight edge

[@Bigdog1787]

What I spent on tools to get started was about $4k this all depends what you plan on making though can get by with way less if your just making small item's I planned on making as my first project a big workbench for my 3d printers. If you just plan on making small planters or cutting boards and stuff can get by with less tools.

[@rickettsdave]

Good video and good to see push back against the pricey tools. I would definitely remove the jointer - no need as a sled and plane will joint wood just as effectively. Also you would almost never need the flex shaft and rasp so drop that. Put the $1100 towards a shop vac, quality filter, ear protection, better quality plane, jig saw, a good quality table saw blade, basic router bits you will need. ( do not buy a "set" of useless bits - you will never use most of them), hand rasp, several rulers, bevel square, better quality chisels, and maybe a hack saw, metal file, and grinder. Consider a dado blade but you can get away without one (if your saw can handle one - check your saw brand before buying to see if it will handle a dado blade). You don't need a doweling jig if you cut your own mortise and tenons which is easy with a drill, chisel and table saw (and is a skill you should learn). . Pretty much every other jig you-tubers and advertisers are trying convince you that you must have can simply be made if you really want them.

[@karl_alan]

Honestly, I think of the jointer and planer as tools you really don't need starting out. They pay for themselves in price of lumber because you can use rough boards instead of being limited by the box store pre-surfaced boards, but starting out, use the box store boards.

[@philippboetcher9959]

Planer Thicknesser used: 300£ Table saw....around 500£ Stanley Nr. 5: 40£ Luban block plane: 60£ Trim router: 60£ Chisels, probably would get 3mm, 6mm, 1 inch... used maybe 30£.... Engineers square: used 15£ Measuring tape: mine was £40 because its Hultafors but could just be 5£... Marking gauge: (most important tool there is in my humble opinion: 40£ Electric drill....maybe 50£ ? Marking knife...1£ ??? = 1106£ ( Something like that... )

[@1deerndingo]

The cost to do wood working depends on how easy you want to work to be. You could replace a lot of the expensive kit (jointer, thicknesser, tablesaw) with a hand saw, a hand plane, a few F clamps, a hand router plane, a marking knife, a steel rule, patience.

[@MrMcstaysandeat]

Good/expensive tools do help, but it really comes down to skill and experience. I’ve worked in many professional shops and with many professional woodworkers. One guy I knew had all the Festool everything and the top of line tools but couldn’t even make a square box for a cabinet. Another guy had 30 year old Porter cable tools and very basic measuring tools and he could build heirloom quality furniture. I stopped caring about all the new tools coming out. If I do need a tool, no matter what how expensive it is I ask myself “will it make a difference in how I work for the woodworking I do?”

[@AKGatesway]

Another GREAT place to find 2nd hand tools - if you live in a “decent” sized town/city is the local woodworking club. Many of them have annual “garage sales” to raise money for the club but also have a great outlet for folks to sell their used equipment. I live near Greenville, SC and they have a killer sale every year..well worth the trip even if it is a long drive. Just say’n.

[@zionosphere]

Nice video again. This is a good look back on what you chose to have in a more minimalist setup. As others have said, you could even lower the initial cost with a few hand tool substitutions until you need the more specialty tools for efficiency or accuracy. With the data you put up, it is easy to choose your own price range based on necessity for the job.

[@mrscience1409]

Yes, they are lying. When the first tool you think you need is a camera and editing software, you are lost.

[@chrisnash2154]

Would you agree it comes down to cost vs convenience? Most of the work can be done by hand tools, but power tools makes it easier and saves time. Having said you can get large power tools used fairly cheap. I got a Jet 14” band saw for 150.00. I got a Grisly 6” jointer for 350.00. Floor model drill presses are 150.00. The deals are out there, but you may have wait a few weeks or so to find nice equipment at a good price.

[@Bob-o-h4k]

That’s $599 in that is the 10 in Dewalt saw

[@michaelanderson3063]

I started out with a plastic Black & Decker circular saw my dad gave when we bought your first house and my YOU TUBE was PBS with Norm Abram. If you want to see how to do wood projects watch some of his early shows.

[@Dustins_Woodworking]

I am pretty much right there with the Dewalt and harbor freight tools. Having tons of fun and not looking to buying the festools and sawstops. Just trying to build my skills.

[@Matallen-es5rs]

A cheap set of files and a little knowledge on how to use them is also invaluable. A lot of tools can be purpose made for free with some junk metal or old broken tools with nothing more then a clamp and some files

[@mothmansuperfan7513]

Another good option is to see if you have a makerspace local to you. I pay $40/month and have access to a professional-amount of tools and knowledge from people much more skilled than me and willing to help out

[@TheBert]

As a fingerprint examiner, I have to tip my hat @ the carving pattern on that cabinet.

[@reyrodriguez9237]

I just got that exact jointer used for 400 and it's super clean. I was about to spend that 930.00 lucky thing I check for used first.

[@monteglover4133]

There is sight WWMM (Woodworking for mere mortals) uses minimal tools I’m in the process of doing a restro-mod on an 80’s cast iron Craftsman table saw, rust removal , new rip fence, miter gauge, … I match for accuracy against many cabinet saws. All in under $500. These saws are usually easy to find and usually cheap often $200 or less , mine was free.😢

[@stuffwithkids7127]

I'm glad I found your channel. Very good, relatable information. Take care.

[@otakarschon]

Steve from woodworking for humas has 1000 usd tool list, rex kruger teaxhes peope how to start with a handplane and hand saw... It can be done for so much cheaper. This list would be much better without the jointer, thats one huge expense that is quite easy to replace with thicknes planer amd table saw or a track saw or handplane or a router to get that 90° My biggest expense so far is a lunchbox thickness planer and it made work much faster with rough sawn lumber but in the US, buying dimensioned lumber is quite easy unlike in my country so the thicknesser paid for itself already in a year

[@jerrybyrd7778]

Love this video. Yeah, it would be nice to have all the expensive tools. But, I am a hobbyist, that really enjoys making boxes 📦 and small things for my family. Keep up the the great work.

[@DavidRyanTaylor]

Perhaps someone else has already mentioned this, but couldn't you get by without a jointer, and build a basic jointing jig for the table saw?

[@donesry2902]

Thanks for the encouragement!! With inspiration from one of your previous videos, I made a plane with 53 degree angle. I haven’t used it a ton yet but I’m pleased with it and how well it works. Back to this video, how did you clean up the sawzall marks? I was definitely cringing when you did that. I have done something similar with but I used a Japanese pull saw and that was a lot of work to get cleaned up. I have a #6 which I really enjoy using.

[@WoodcraftBySuman]

EVERY successful social media page with fancy tools/shops started with the most modest of tools. It's important for folks to not compare your beginnings with someone else's middle and end. That goes for woodworking and just about every other aspect of life.

[@ENCurtis]

Like comparing your new guitar skills to Jimmy Paige. Just ain’t fair.

[@AkosLukacs42]

1:36 I think I built my first "furniture" - a big desk from laminated chipboard - with just a screw driver. Did the drawing in sketchup, and had it cut & drilled at a local shop. Maybe I did some iron on edge banding myself? Haven't thought about that piece a long time, but now looks like I have a long history of building furniture 😂

[@ateliergray]

This is like a woodworking bottle episode.

[@nicholasmanovich4330]

I wish I'd of started by making small boxes. I jumped straight into making furniture and there were so many lessons learned the hard way that I would of other wise learned during the box builds.

[@dennisoshea4906]

Very good video Been woodworking for over fifty years. I can only tell that when you're young starting out AKA New Yankee workshop My Shop is full of Delta Machinery The thought process was I can be as good as Norm with one of those. I think that thought process is true today. Your video was spot on and well done. The one most important tool that you left out was Talent And you can't put a price on that Again a well done video and for the beginner he or she had to get a lot from it thanks

[@terrytopliss9506]

That was a very interesting and helpful video Erik,I’m pleased you also mentioned used tool purchases. This is why I love your channel and you’re not up your own ass.👍👍

[@VivienLEGER]

Hello Eric, Feel free to delete this comment because i will talk about either content creator. So minimum amount is addressed in Paul Sellers Blog, with a full guide to hunt for tools, in the same style Rex Kruger devote his channel to the minimum cost woodworking. Rex also made a specific platform to source wood working tool for a decent amount. At the beginning you need two chisel, (let s say 3/8th and 3/4), a hand plane (4 or 4 and half) a decent dovetail saw and a large hardened teeth saw for big rip. and there you go.

[@barryomahony4983]

Beat me to it. This patron maybe needs to watch Paul's YT channel as well as this one. Or Roy Underhill's old TV show. A lot can be done with just a handful of cheap tools, albeit at a pace that would be way too slow for a pro.

[@VivienLEGER]

@@barryomahony4983 yeah definetly, but the question was from an amater stand point. for pro the computation boils down to : (tool cost - how many ours will this tool save you multiplicated by your hourly rate) and do you have a customer project with the revenue to support this investment.

[@dazlaa1641]

The only thing new tools allow is to do things faster your biggest obstacle is time you can make anything with very basic hand tools just look back 2,3,400years just most people don't have the time to do it this way and especially if your intention is to make money

[@PaleRider559]

Yeah... almost everything you did, can be done with yard sale hand tools. I got a pre-WW2, Stanley Bailey #5, for $20, and, after I cleaned it up and sharpened it, it's as good as any $300 Jack Plane. I can say the same thing about most of my tools. It's just depends on how committed you are to making things, and learning from your mistakes, and trouble shooting. The only thing that is tough, with a hand saw, is long rips, and resawing. I use a cheap Ryobi with a Milescraft track ($100), and bought an old Rockwell 14", for $300 on Craigslist.

[@wenziz87]

If you got an electric planer and mounted it upside down you could skip the $930 jointer?

[@protoform77]

Imo, the biggest issue isnt cost, it's space. Most people don't have the room for all the cool tools. That said, don't let that stop you. I teach a class of 6th and 7th graders and we use mini workbenches I built and hand tools and make amazing and fun projects. Don't let space or money be your barrier to entry, the only limitation is your imagination and creativity. Now get out there and build something! You will never regret it!

[@mm9773]

Pep talks like this are well-intentioned and not wrong, but they can be counterproductive without further explanation. Yes, the barrier to entry is very low, but people usually get discouraged a little further down the line, not at the entry. At the moment, my biggest limitation isn’t my imagination and creativity, but finding the time to prepare the material for what I’m building with the tools that I have. It’s OK, it will happen and it will be great, but I really had to learn to manage my expectations with regards to realistic time frames, motivation, that kind of stuff. There are some real stumbling blocks along the way, depending on what you’re trying to make, and when someone comes along and tells you that you’re only limited by your imagination, it can sound a little hollow.

[@protoform77]

@@mm9773 so....i agree 100% with what you have to say. The number one thing that helped me along my journey was having other craftsman to ask questions and get advice from. If I can help in any way please do not hesitate to ask.

[@karl_alan]

I think this is still overshooting it. My first dozen projects, all I had was a borrowed table saw, a Dowling jig, and either a jig saw or Japanese pull saw. Maybe a couple cheap harbor freight clamps. That's all you need to get started. Less than 100 bucks, and a friend with a table saw....or lacking that friend, still less than 400 bucks.

[@robohippy]

Well, as was said a long long time ago, it ain't the tools, it is the carpenter. I have seen terrible things come out of the most modern shops, and I have seen incredible things come out of minimalist shops. My first shop was a 400 sq. ft. garage. I now have all the room I need, except that wood seems to be taking over my shop. No I don't have a wood problem! I got my main shop tools from falling off a deck and blowing up a knee and then discovering I had bad arthritis in that knee. I would not recommend that for anyone. I had done residential concrete for 30 years, and every single contractor I worked for told me I was too dang fussy to be a concrete guy. Hmm, maybe I should have been a finish carpenter, but that possibility never came around.