Carpentry Tool Recommendations

[Pickled Piper]

I would appreciate some tips from any time served chippys or hobby carpenters. I am looking for some basic tools; small and medium hand planes a set of chisels etc. Are there any recommended makes or types?

I am a keen hobby / DIY carpenter. I like good quality tools and don't like to buy twice.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

pp

[C Lee Farquar]

Have a look at Paul Sellers on you tube. He shows you how to sharpen a set of Aldi chisels so that they are up there with the best.

[Slagathore]

I think there's quite a big gap in price between hobby/DIY and proper quality tools. I have an Irwin set from Screwfix that I thought was expensive until I saw the likes of Veritas etc.

The Americans and Canadians seem to be a bit ahead in range and quality.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/?ObjectPath=%2FS...

They have quite a large stock of Incra, Veritas, Woodpeckers and Jessem, which aren't that readily availble over here. They all make some really nice marking out and measuring tools.

http://rutlands.co.uk/

Sell loads of stuff, but sometimes I'm not convinced it's just tat from Alibaba with a nice markup on. They do quite a lot of Jap stuff.

https://www.workshopheaven.com/

Has some good stuff as well.

I'd start on those for proper stuff, or just the DIY sheds for the usual. As just said, you can get a decent edge on most chisels.

[Blakeatron]

For site bashing we use stanley planes and marples chisels (blue and yellow).

In fact most of our site kit is stanley - rulers, combi squares etc.

As said though, learn how to sharpen and keep the rust off!

[Simpo Two]

Pickled Piper said:

I am looking for some basic tools; small and medium hand planes a set of chisels etc. Are there any recommended makes or types?

I am a keen hobby / DIY carpenter. I like good quality tools and don't like to buy twice.

Sadly many trusted old names are now just cheap junk made in China, so beware.

The last bit is interesting as 'hobby/DIY' says to me 'not too expensive'. But then, if you want quality and want to buy the best, I recommend you have a shufti at https://www.classichandtools.com/index.html These guys have tools I didn't know existed! I've visited them a couple of times and it's like an Aladdin's cave. Nice people too with great customer service.

[Depthhoar]

For starters I would get a Stanley #4 or 4.5 smoothing plane & a Stanley block plane. Old (better made) planes are readily available on eBay at reasonable cost. Some say the newer Stanley planes are no match for the old stuff, many of which will be UK or American made.

If you want quality and are prepared to spend some money you won't do much better than Robert Sorby chisels, all Made in Sheffield. I bought a small (new) set of these: http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/woodworking/speciali.... They can take a lot of punishment but also be used for slightly finer work. Helped me build my timber-frame house. You'll need a mallet, or better still a rubber mallet (made by 'Thor').

[hyphen]

Take a look at the Axminster website.

[Simpo Two]

hyphen said:

Take a look at the Axminster website.

They have a good range but it's not all good quality; I had to send a pack of drills back as they were made of chocolate.

[ac13]

Hi,

The shop below is in Bristol and doesn't do mail order!

http://www.bristol-design.co.uk/



But they do specialise in old tools and all the chisels I have ever bought from them have been very good, (Not Cheap but good value) About £6 per chisel..
There really does seem to be a difference between old tools and modern Cheap\reasonably priced tools. If you pay top price for japanese chisels I am sure they are fabulous but it is a bit too rich for me, so buying old cisels seems a good compromise.

[dickymint]

Simpo Two said:

hyphen said:

Take a look at the Axminster website.

They have a good range but it's not all good quality; I had to send a pack of drills back as they were made of chocolate.

Not wood drills but if you're after a drill set for life get these.................

http://www.ttp-hard-drills.com/index.html

[tr7v8]

The best planes are old ones, I recon them & resharpen them. Chisels I tend to abuse so tend to buy reasonable mid range ones from the chain DIY houses & then sharpen them properly. That way if I drop them & chip them I don't feel too bad down grading it to gasket cleaner duties or whatever.
Aldi own label stuff is not bad, I have a lot of their tools & have had no issue with them.
Get a decent oilstone normally a dual one, in a box & learn to use it. I can sharpen freehand but you can get guides to assist if needed.
If they are really bad then you'll need an offhand grinder but that is the issue then you can buy a cheap bench grinder for £25 & clamp it to a workmate or similar. This is worth it for things like Screwdrivers, garden shears & a myriad other things.

[dickymint]

^^^ an offhand grinder in the wrong hands (i.e. Not quenching in water regularly) is an absolute killer for any blade.

I'm a Tolmek whetstone fan with all the jigs

[Pickled Piper]

Thanks everyone. Some food for thought here.

I spent some time sharpening my old assortment of chisels. I may also purchase the Aldi / Lidl chisel set.

I also have an old Stanley bench plane. I think I will dig this out and re-commission it.

This should get me started.

pp