Tools
Home Up The Shop - The Beginning Tools Layout

 

Mitre Saw
Assorted pics
As you can see, there is a definite "pattern" to the vast majority of my tools... i.e. Mastercraft, bought on sale at Canadian tire.  The tools may not be the best in the world, but I am not anything near approaching a "craftsman" when it comes to wood work.
My wife bought me the reciprocating saw, drill, circular saw and (no photo) flashlight in a combo kit from Canadian tire for Christmas.  All are 14.4V tools and are wonderful.  The circular saw on a single charge can make cuts totaling over 200 feet of 3/4 MDF before needing a recharge.  Much more than I ever thought it capable of.  It is light weight and easily placed.  The jig saw (sabre saw) was $19.99 and was bought for my wife to rough out fretwork and the like.  Lastly is the router, this is the newest addition to my tool collection.  A 1 1/2 HP 1/4" collet variable speed plunge router.  I had saved up and was going to go and buy this router at Canadian Tire, it of course hadn't come on sale in months and I had been waiting as my $50 pawn shop router had finally burned out, finally impatience caught up to me and I had to go.  I was checking out the routers as there was a Black and Decker that had also caught my eye when "Ed" a Canadian Tire customer rep I have come to know pointed out that a combo set of a router table and the exact same router was on sale.  After investigating, I discovered the router alone was $119.99.  The table/router combo on sale was $99.99.  After having Ed research the model numbers, we found it was the exact same router as I was going to buy minus the edge guide, needless to say I got the router table as well as a replacement to my old router table.  I store the table in the center cabinet and simply clamp it to the work bench when I need it.  Click on images for a higher resolution picture.

I do have tools other than Mastercraft

The large vibration sander, bought for $3 at a garage sale, my $50 pawn shop craftsmen router, the router has finally given up the fight, I replaced the brushes, but it appears the bearings are shot.  I am considering mounting it in the old router table until it finally seizes up completely.  The skilsaw circular saw,  no workplace is compete without one.  A really old Black & Decker single speed reversible drill, it isn't much in the way of creature comforts, but it has more power than any drills I have seen since, and I paid $20 for it about 10 years ago. Finally the grinder, bought at an auction (new) for $10, for as much as I have use of one, it was a wonderful investment.