I have learnt a lot in the last few years since we bought our house as well as honed my skills I already had as a builder from years gone by. But the one thing that stands out that I have learnt is this; “You don’t need the top of the line or the most expensive tools to make some great stuff and have fun doing it.”

Whilst I will agree that the cheaper power tools have some limitations and or may not be as accurate, but if you know the limitation of the tool there are usually work arounds to get the final result you are after. You just have to think a bit more.

My basement shop does not have any top of the line tools, I would class most in the mid range. My table saw which I have recently just upgraded use to be the bottom of the heap. However with that small table I made a few great projects.

With my upgraded table I don’t believe it will make any difference to the final quality of my projects, but it will allow me to cut bigger stock easier, as well as more accurate on the first cut, where as before I had to be aware that the fence on my old table had some movement. However if one is aware of it you make allowances for it.

Now on saying all this, I do know that some tools you don’t want to by too cheap either, as they don’t hold up to what wood workers want and expect from their tools, the quality and grade of the steel is too cheap, which is not good for blades and chisels, or the plastic handles and guards etc are just too flimsy. So one does have to use ones own judgement.   Give the tool a good looking over before you buy, weigh up the options, if it is too flimsy and too cheap (even for the price you are paying for it) upgrade it to the next model and give that a good looking over, keep doing this till you find a good balance.

Always keep an eye out for that special, or deal that stores have. Keep eye out for that second hand one on Trademe.co.nz (if in the States: ebay and craigslist etc) I personally have only paid full price on a couple of my tools…

Over all I am happy with my tool selection they are not top of the line like Festool, but they have given me some great final results and have done the job I have asked of them and will serve me into my future journey of wood working.