Tools to own

[asr10 user]

So im looking at making my first cabinet, after years of joystick modding.  But am unsure of which tools to get.  I already have a drill and a jigsaw.  I keep reading about routers and circular saws and other stuff.  Which power tools are required and highly suggested for everything?

[Nacimroc]

A Router is a must! Its used to match sides exactly (flush trim bit), cut slots for t-molding, making holes in you CP acrylic, flush trimming laminate (although I used an angle grinder at first  )

For the price its worth getting a circular saw aswell! To keep all the pieces lining up perfect, otherwise you'll spend hours messing with rasps and sanding. Try to get one with a laser site. Very helpful and only a fraction extra.

Don't worry, this hobby is a drug so you will definitely get more use out of them! You could easily get both for 50 quid and they'd last you for years!

[Franco B]

I think you can get away with a drill, jigsaw and router.

I have a circular saw but I can count on my left hand the amount of times I have used it. I always jigsaw my cuts and then use a router, straight edge and flush trim bit to finish perfectly straight.

You definitely want to purchase a router, they are the most versatile tool you will ever use.

 

[ami-man]

Yes a router a good tool and they can be purchased cheaply, however then do not last if you do a lot of work, I went through 3 before I got a Makita.

A circular saw would be good, I tend to use a straight edge clamped (speed clamps are purfect) to the boards to be cut to run the saw against produces the same cut boards.

I do not see hand planes mentioned on this forum at all but I use them all the time for finishin off prior to sanding.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[HaRuMaN]

Some sort of power sander usually comes in pretty handy.

[Ed_McCarron]

All of them.