Shopsmith Forums

Tools to buy would depend on the projects you have in mind. See your other post for more.

I recommend that you start planning a project. Once you have a plan, you can get an idea of what tools you need. Then, buy exactly what you need. Buying tools isn't productive. Using them is.

What do you already own and what is or budget? How large is your shop? Has your financial manager bought into the idea?

First, get a 6" and/or 12" combination carpenter's square. Second, obtain a Shopsmith. Third, buy some clamps. Lots of clamps.

A good combination square not at $10 one

A carpenter's 'combination square' is not what you will need. A 'machinist's' combination square is appropriate. It can be used both for 'squaring' and 'measuring'. No need to go overboard and get Starrett... but a good quality accurate one will be adaquate.

The first tool to buy is a good first aid kit...
Everything else pretty much stops without a hammer. I have a few...
Wood is kind useless unless you can make it into smaller pieces which calls for a saw of some kind.
Then a plane and, and, and...
From that point on there can be no stopping.
There are those that believe that you only need a knife and a block of wood to whittle.
Others of us feel that we need hundreds of tools just to sharpen our pencil.
I would recommend a a trip to the library...
Good luck and keep it fun.

robinson46176 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 7:29 pm The first tool to buy is a good first aid kit...
Everything else pretty much stops without a hammer. I have a few...
Wood is kind useless unless you can make it into smaller pieces which calls for a saw of some kind.
Then a plane and, and, and...
From that point on there can be no stopping.
There are those that believe that you only need a knife and a block of wood to whittle.
Others of us feel that we need hundreds of tools just to sharpen our pencil.
I would recommend a a trip to the library...
Good luck and keep it fun.

JPG is right you can use less than the top. But I still use the combination square my late uncle (who was a tool and die maker) and it is from before WWII. So a fine tool will be accurate and useful for generations. That is always a trade off.

so true, my first guess would be it depends on what you plan to make? , some folks have everything from vacuum tables and resin to different kinds / styles of drill bits . I think a good start would be with marking and measuring devices , a good table for laying out and working and gluing / painting staining the project,that will bring you to the clamps , ya never have enough clamps . Then of course there is the fastening part , a air compressor if you are going to use a ail nail'r and then of course the nail'rs and nails, ya never have the right size nails . the biggest thing that comes to my mind though, is a sacred human trait is called patience . my .02