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Setting Up Shop
bwest:
A cheap straight edge can be had by cutting the long end of a sheet of plywood off. The factory edges on sheet goods are very straight. My straight edge is actually an 8' long piece of birch plywood that I have polyurethaned for stability. I have used it for years with just that factory edge.
Also, test cut with your circular saw to find the distance between the guide on your saw and the edge of the blade. Then cut a piece you can use as a guide to setup your straight edge and then you will cut perfect edges everytime.
Goodluck
javeryh:
These are all great responses! I'm going to Home Depot either tomorrow or Monday to make my first purchases. I think I'm going to buy the router, jigsaw and circular saw. That should be enough to get me started.
Where's the best place to buy sheets of birch plywood? I've decided to use it for my first cabinet...
fredster:
Eventually you will move past the Arcade cabinets and want to make more stuff.
You need a router. Routers make all the tmoulding and cut out relief grooves, slots, etc.
Like anything else, accessorize.
Don't forget there is a lot of money in all the drills and fastners. Get an organizer shelf so you can sort them out.
I also recommend at least a 12V cordless drill. You need a 3/8" variable speed hand drill, because sometimes you just need the power of a plug in drill. There is a tool for a drill that I got a walmart, it's a bending extension. It's about 3 bucks and it allows you to drive screws in tight places.
Do I need to mention a sander? I have a belt sander, a 1/2 sheet sander, and a 1/4 sheet sander. I use all of them from time to time.
And a Drimmel tool. Get a nice drimmel tool with an extension to get those little places. A sanding drum can move plexi all around.
If you have time, pick up a heat gun if you want to bend plexi or take off paint, stickers, etc.
And I agree about the table saw. It saves a lot of time.
Last, sawhorses. You can either build em or if you have the cash, buy the metal fold up type. they are sturdy and take up less room
Mameotron:
--- Quote from: javeryh on August 28, 2004, 11:13:16 pm ---
Where's the best place to buy sheets of birch plywood? I've decided to use it for my first cabinet...
--- End quote ---
I was at Home Depot yesterday, and they still have birch plywood for $30 a sheet. Pretty good, since after the hurricane regular plywood & paticle board prices have soared above $20 a sheet.
Robopede:
--- Quote from: Tilzs on August 27, 2004, 10:30:55 am ---If you are setting up a wood shop, you are going to be much better off getting a table saw with a cast iron top and a good fence than a drill press. Drill press is handy but a table saw is the cornerstone of any woodshop.
--- End quote ---
I'm considering two table saws, both made by Grizzly. The only differences seem to be horsepower (2 vs. 1.5), and one has a cast iron table and wings instead of sheet metal ones. I don't even know what wings are. Are cast iron ones worth an extra $90?