Reddit mentions of IRWIN Marples Chisel Set for Woodworking, 6-Piece (M444SB6N)

I wouldn't bother with trying to get that Skil to fall in under $100. I much prefer the Bosch having used it in a production environment for 6 months or so. The Skil units were frequently returned when I worked there, they seem to have far too much play in the spindle and are generally of a lower quality.

Since you're looking at mostly power tools I wouldn't spend a lot on your hand tools. This chisel set is $55. I'm happy with it so far and I'm working entirely with hand tools at this point. A 4 piece set is a bit cheaper and would probably cover you pretty well.

You could throw a basic Stanley jack plane in there for another $50. I have used one very similar to this with acceptable results. I've gotten comparable results with one of these from HF for a whole $10, but it did take a bit of tuning work, especially on the blade.

All of that said, I have no problem asking for Lowe's gift cards for Christmas. Tools are a pretty personal choice and my family completely understands. It may not be the coolest gift under the tree, but you could get $100 closer to a better router.

^This. I find Paul Sellers to be an amazing resource on how to do woodworking both incredibly well, and very cheaply. I wish that I had found his videos earlier, I could have saved quite a bit of money.

Figure out what level of woodworking you want to do. For really fine furniture / cabinetry / joinery, you will need to spend a fortune on machines to accurately process wood to this level. With just a few hand tools, you can produce the same quality or higher, it just takes more time and skill.

I personally have gone the hand tool route, and would highly recommend it. My first project has been a Roubo style workbench, which has been an amazing journey for me, because I have had to figure out how to sharpen, set up, and use my planes, chisels, etc. Even without the bench, I am still able to use my tools to do all sorts of woodworking projects - it's just a bit more time consuming to always be jury rigging my clamping to make plane stops, etc.

Try watching some videos, to see what can be made easily with a small number of tools. For example, a Joiner's Mallet, or a Wallclock. I started with just some cheap chisels, a piece of glass, and some sandpaper (80, 220, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit) and practiced chisel sharpening until I could get a really fine edge. Then I was ready to buy a cheap mallet and saw and start practicing dovetails](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCYjoj6cfno). This is something you could do all day long, in pine or oak trim board, in a small space. If you decide this is something that you really like, then look at buying more tools to be able to take on new projects! Another great, simple project might be to carve spoons, either with a gouge and spokeshave or an axe and knife.

I really like my Erwin Marples set. IRWIN Marples Woodworking Chisel Set, 6 Piece, M444SB6N https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RG2Y56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_eUeeAbXWX74SE

Interesting read on the chisel. I was actually looking at these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RG2Y56?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER


but they are plastic handle and made in China.. which Im not too excited about. Maybe it makes sense for me to just invest in a nice Stanley 750 1/2 inch vintage chisel on Ebay in really good condition and start with that?

I just want to say how awesome your contest is and thank you for holding it. :)

I'm an interesting and beautiful person, but only because I just got all the supplies I need to finally get back into wood working. NOW, I just need some inspiration to get me motivated again.

Also, because a wood worker can always use more of these or even something like this, both of which I have not had the money/couldn't justify buying for myself just yet.

My other hobbies include voiceover type stuff which you can hear some of my recordings here and I am also a gamer, so you can find me on Steam if you are a gamer as well and are looking for someone to game with... Just nothing to graphic intensive because my computer can not handle some of that stuff unless I get a better graphics card like this one... Either way though, hit me up, listen to my recordings if you want and hell, leave me a request for a recording or give me inspiration to make something with the wood and tools I have! lol!

Hope you have a fantastic day and best of luck to all the other people entering this contest! :D

I got the Irwin set off amazon here and they're $12 cheaper today than when I got them. They came pretty sharp out of the box but after sharpening I was extremily impressed. They've held their edge pretty well and the length is pretty excellent for chopping deep mortises. If you are a bit tight and can't stomach an $80 set of 4 chisels this is a great option. The handles may not last ten years of heavy use but they're designed so you can replace the handles with wood ones which you can make on your own which is handy.

Hopefully this works.
https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Tools-Marples-Woodworking-M444SB6N/dp/B000RG2Y56/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542902328&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=marples+chisel+set&dpPl=1&dpID=51gaBP8OZgL&ref=plSrch

> Marples blue handle

What about something like

https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-Marples-Woodworking-Chisel-M444SB6N/dp/B000RG2Y56/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1483322628&sr=1-1&keywords=Marples%2Bblue%2Bhandle&th=1

I could even use the wooden case, as I don't have a place to put them, and I wouldn't want them loose.

EDIT: Actually, the first review said it's Chinese crap again...