Best products from r/Carpentry

Makita corded orbital sander for sure, any good 10" portable table saw such as Dewalt 745 or Skilsaw SPT70WT-22 that can later fit into one of these, and a Dewalt 734 planer if you really think you need one.

On a budget, a jointer can probably wait. Most of the things you listed as wanting to build won't need it. You'll get a lot more use out of a router early on, and as a bonus a good router costs a lot less than a jointer, and they take up a lot less space. Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Rigid, Porter Cable and others all make good routers. Routers generally come in two sizes, standard and compact (aka palm or trim) size. I have a standard size Milwaukee 5615, and it works great. I'm planning on getting the Dewalt DWP611pk for my compact, mainly because it's a highly regarded router, and it comes with a plunge base.

You might consider, instead of getting a table saw, getting a good circular saw and using a guide to do your rip cuts. You can get a Skilsaw SPT77WML-22, a really long ruler and a couple of quick clamps and make cuts just as accurate as any table saw, though it takes a lot more setup for each cut. You don't even need the heavy-duty Skilsaw (I sometimes do this with my baby sized Milwaukee M12 circular saw) but getting a good, big saw now will save you from having to get something more capable later.

If you're serious about getting into woodworking or carpentry, do yourself a favor and get better tools. Ryobi is ok if you're only going to use it once a year, maybe (I understand quality has gone up recently, but still...). Even then I wouldn't trust the accuracy much.

If $500 really is a hard limit, I would focus on getting a circular saw, a router, a sander, some good measuring/marking tools and a crapton of clamps. As many clamps as you can get, big clamps, pipe clamps, quick clamps, right-angle clamps, belt clamps, everything. You will never have too many clamps. However many clamps you have divided by about 4 is the number of things you can have gluing together at once. Get lots of clamps.

Edit: be sure to have some money set aside for good saw blades. Finish-quality saw blades can be $50-100 just for the blade.

Off the top, I have to say that I really don't like the tone of your post, it shows a lack of respect and ignorance for how much work and capital the owner of a company has to put in. Being good at business doesn't mean that you're the best technical carpenter or even a carpenter at all. It's like the typical restaurant feud where the kitchen staff doesn't appreciate what the wait staff do and visa-versa, while not realizing that one would not exist without the other.

Sales and dealing with clients is much more difficult than most give credit for. Knowing how to price things to make money, being able to work with all different types of personalities and keeping a level head under very stressful situations are skills we don't learn in the field. Not to mention the financial risk on every project, accounting, advertising, driving all over hells half acre to price jobs you might not get...etc.

All this to say, take a little time to research and learn what goes into the front end of a business that is successful. A few books you might want to check out:

1)Markup and Profit: A Contractors Guide by Michael Stone

2) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

3) Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

4) Running a Successful Construction Company by David Gerstel

5) How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie


Most important though is to find an accountant and learn what goes into accounting. Of all the things that I've seen take down really good carpenters going out on their own, accounting is #1. They don't put money away to pay taxes end up in a robbing peter to pay paul situation, or just don't know what their overhead is to charge appropriately to cover it as well as make a profit and cover their own wage.

As far as how much capital to start out with, I'd say 6 months salary. It's always a good idea to have a least 6 months worth of operating expenses as a capital reserve even while operating. It makes you less likely to be put in situations where you HAVE to work and end up taking jobs you shouldn't.

I'm fairly new to the trade. Been in for about a year now. The way I got in was by looking on craigslist for carpenter apprentices. A local contractor picked me up and I've been on the job learning since. It's very rewarding, expecially when you finish a project or big job, and it is very difficult at times too. Moving stacks of lumber around and working outside on roofs when it's over 100 out isn't fun. I would say with my company we dabble in many things from framing, finish work, remodels, and custom projects. I've heard of guys on this sub who had been working on prefab stuff in shops hoping to get out and work on real homes, but there are plenty of guys who love that stuff because being inside with ac is always nice. I've heard big companies that build track homes are pretty fast paced and a lot of people leave because the pressure and stress amd repetitivness. Also, attention to detail and listening to directions are very important no matter the job. Other than that tools are #1. If you don't have the tools you're useless. Not all jobs do you provide your own tools, but if you're not with some big company you will most likely provide that on your own. You can find some pretty good lists online of general tools you should have. Skilsaw (Mag77), bags, sawsall, grinder, impact, drill, holehawg, levels, nailers, hoses and compressor are some pretty basic things you should have and have experience with. Look up "Larry Haun" when you have a chance. He has good material that you can read/watch through. Other than that listen to advice from the OGs on the job and be confident in your measurements before you cut. As long as you're willing to learn there will be someone willing to teach you. Good luck out there :)

Hey, I'm in a similar boat as you, and just started carving as well. Also more into treen and not figures at the moment.

That set looks OK but I would rather go for a couple of knives, one straight and one bent. Look at this guy's page for pointers http://davidffisher.com/frequently_asked_questions (he is an amazing carver btw look at his gallery). Mora knives are popular. You might want a small carving axe as well. I bought a cheap ($10) hatchet and ground a larger bevel on one side. Also this book is excellent https://www.amazon.com/Swedish-Carving-Techniques-Fine-Woodworking/dp/1627106731/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= . Have fun! Happy to answer any other questions I can.

I've got one, It's absolutely fantastic. I only wish the lines were big enough to support the standard bic mechanicals because the lead that fits in there snaps a touch too easily. You can get a stronger (but not as strong as the ones in the bics) lead though: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCZ5UIE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Otherwise though, fantastic device. The ability to mark the exact same distance time after time is so useful in woodworking. And lines that have zero wander. The build quality is fantastic and mirock is a wonderful and very kind person so you're supporting him too. Check out his channel he has so many amazing builds.

Probably not so useful in carpentry, so I would probably have posted it to /r/woodworking instead of here.

If the idea is to learn to use hand tools, then the basics are chisels, saws, and planes.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=67707&cat=1,41504
Those are a good set of chisels at a reasonable price. I'd recommend the set of 4 (1/4" - 1").

http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Corp-10-2440-Fine-Cut/dp/B0000224U3/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1413255552&sr=1-2&keywords=ryoba+saw
Next I'd get a ryoba saw. One side has teeth for ripping, and one for crosscutting, so you get some versatility out of one tool. You could also look into dovetail saws.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=low+angle+block+plane&rh=n%3A228013%2Ck%3Alow+angle+block+plane
Planes come in massive variety. I'd start with a low angle block plane. The more expensive planes come ready to use right out of the box. The cheaper ones can take a bit of work to turn into a good tool. I have one of those cheaper stanleys, and I had to spend about 4 hours sanding the bottom to get it flat.

For a plane specifically for joinery, I'd also look at a rabbet plane.

Hope all that helps. If hand tools aren't really her thing, then you're looking at something more like table saws and routers. Good luck.

I've been wearing these for about a year doing mainly interior finishing work.
https://www.amazon.com/Timberland-PRO-Velocity-Alloy-Safety/dp/B019EK8Y5O/ref=sr_1_37?crid=35545JP9UWKX9&keywords=timberland+steel+toe+boots+for+men&qid=1564972197&s=gateway&sprefix=timberland%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-37
Super light and comfortable, but they're no work boot. They satisfy the safety requirements and are good for walking around and ladder work, but not so good on uneven ground or slopes. In fact, I would only recommend them if you need something super light and are working on solid surfaces.

Makita does make a systainer system that is interchangeable (and just as good) with festool and half the price. 4 different heights, and not as bulky as Dewalt, Milwaukee, ridgid.. Those three are great if you want to throw your tools off a cliff, but they use waay to much plastic (which wastes space) and their heights and sizes don't work well for me. Makita/festool ones are great for a pickup truck with hard top. Can get the boxes in and still get the ladder on top of em. (just my two cents)

(damn, I should get a few free ones from makita, you guys will love these if you didn't know about them)

Makita 197213-3 Interlocking Case, X-Large/12-1/2" x 15-1/2" x 11-5/8" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZUKZX66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AHxXDbYZMQQF9

Elipse P100, hands down.

https://www.amazon.com/GVS-SPR457-Elipse-Respirator-Medium/dp/B013SIIBFQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=38PFUWYZSPD3&keywords=elipse+p100+dust+mask&qid=1564515575&s=gateway&sprefix=elipse%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-3

I've tried many different dust masks and this is the most comfortable and best value mask I've found. I've tired 2 different versions of the RZ and hate they way they fit. the 3M respirators are ok, and I have one of those with organic filters for painting, but the Elipse is the best for me, especially when wearing other safety gear, like glasses, and over the ear hearing protection.

https://www.amazon.com/Milton-Industries-MILS115-Pocket-coupler/dp/B000K1LWHY/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482196252&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=milton+m+type+blow+gun

I like to keep one of these in the pouch, great for clearing snow/dust. Also pretty amazing for sticking in your boot when it's 100°.

Is there any way you can just get another bed frame, or is it too late? The majority of people really hate this bed for the issues you are hoping to address. Depending on how this thing is structured it is very possible that the manufacturers put enough "meat" for fasteners to bite into only in the places for the original assembly fasteners. That means that you wont be able to really put much meaningful reinforcements on there. For the price of this thing (holy crap expensive!) you can probably get something way better. Just looking at the structure of this thing makes me cringe. The material looks to be extremely thin and the 2 bands along each side that attach to the foot and headboard look like the only thing keeping the bed together. The only support for the slats also look wafer thin. The way the drawers are in there, and the separators for the drawers are really going to get in the way of you trying to install more reinforcing materials. How bout something like this https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-Platform-Mattress-Foundation-Boxspring/dp/B01LXNQGHH/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1478129452&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=bed%2Bframe&th=1 It's rated as a sturdy bed, you could use whatever you want as a headboard and with a smart little bedskirt you can have storage under there, too.

This magnetic armband is a great gift for carpenters.


https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-carpenters-craftsmen-handymen-technicians/dp/B07H36QK8G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1543377217&sr=8-6&keywords=magnetic+armband

I like your idea about the rope, but I think would be simpler and more effective to use some small cabinet knobs and a rubber band material. You could put a couple of knobs near two of corners and wrap a rubber band or hair tie around them. Space them so the band will be taut.

Here is a diagram (imagine the door is closed — knobs in red, band in black): https://imgur.com/a/wajgHCF

knob example: https://www.amazon.com/BINO-8-Pack-Cabinet-Knobs-Diameter/dp/B07VPRDQ6J

rubber band example: https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Preparedness-Resistant-Backpacks-Paintball/dp/B0716B9F6J

If you want to start making your own furniture, and have an interest in carpentry, you should get a book called The Complete Book of Woodworking.

The book will teach you a lot! and it has a couple of furniture projects you can complete, including a bookshelf. I got it when I was first starting and it helps a lot.