Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

I hope you haven't given up on getting a reply PapaBear. To answer your question, I'd start in the mall hardware stores and the home depot type hardware stores but this only to get an idea of the cost. Next, I'd try to find a nearby industrial supply. These stores are not your typical hardware store that sell materials. Most of them are of course in Binondo but there are some scattered all throughout the metropolis. Me, I usually stop here but if you have time, effort and patience to deal with Binondo, this is of course the best place in terms of prices. I factor in my transportation cost, my "poor-service" cost so my local industrial supply wins out.

Where are you located? Maybe I or the guys can point you to the stores we buy from.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

PapaBear, I hestitated to tell you this since you said you were a newbie but I think I should let you decide for yourself. Another place to get bargain tools are from HRM along Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong or from their Save-On-Surplus stores in the malls (non-SM I think). These guys sell GMC, Ryobi, and Ozito brands of power tools.

The tools are not bad, my workshop is filled with them, but I would not push them too hard. These brands are Made in China for the Australian market so they're OK for medium to light use in my humble opinion.

There are also other surplus houses selling these brands but you should be very careful since you are a newbie. I actually buy very surplus units and repair them which is why I have so many tools, too many according to the wife. If you have the inclination by all means give it a try, you can save a HUGE amount.

Good luck.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

try paying Fineline (along Alabang-Zapote Rd) a visit one of this days. Look for Tyronne, he's a very accomodating chap and they've got alot of stuff to ogle at. great discounts too...hth

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

thanks for your answers!

i've been surfing the internet while i waited for some answers here...

i guess what i need to ask now is: what tools and equipment do i have to buy that are essential for my workshop? ;D

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

I am tool crazy so my answer is anything and everything.

Seriously, I would suggest you start with a few basic tools: saw, hammer, chisels, block plane, carpenter's square, tape measure, clamps, and a drill. All of the above are manual tools, except for the drill.

One thing you must learn is how to keep your tools sharp. Sharp tools make a world of difference. Tool sharpening however is an art on to itself, which I have not had the time to learn. So what I used do is bring my tools to a sharpening shop. Now I have sharpening jigs but these are hard to come by.

Try to find a small saw. The regular saws found in the malls and hardware stores are difficult to handle. Take a look at what carpenters use, their saw are only 1/2 or 1/3 the size of the ones in the stores. My big saw was literally split in two at a sharpening shop.

Likewise, a smaller hammer than those commonly available is better for all around woodworking use.

Up until about 5 years ago, Stanley or Record style block planes were not available. These types are easier for us weekend woodworkers because adjusting them is easier than the wood body planes the pros use. There are several brands available, costing from P150 to >P2500. I got my first at P1700, it was a KYY or KYK brand. The thing to watchout for is low quality castings.

I really don't suggest someone starting out use power tools right away. They can be very dangerous. If you insist though, I would buy a 7-1/4 circular saw first with a thin kerf blade. Next would be a planer then a jigsaw. Someday you'll also want a router.

Oh, and if you have a chance buy a Japanese saw. There is no manual saw like them.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

I am tool crazy so my answer is anything and everything.

Seriously, I would suggest you start with a few basic tools: saw, hammer, chisels, block plane, carpenter's square, tape measure, clamps, and a drill. All of the above are manual tools, except for the drill.

One thing you must learn is how to keep your tools sharp. Sharp tools make a world of difference. Tool sharpening however is an art on to itself, which I have not had the time to learn. So what I used do is bring my tools to a sharpening shop. Now I have sharpening jigs but these are hard to come by.

Try to find a small saw. The regular saws found in the malls and hardware stores are difficult to handle. Take a look at what carpenters use, their saw are only 1/2 or 1/3 the size of the ones in the stores. My big saw was literally split in two at a sharpening shop.

Likewise, a smaller hammer than those commonly available is better for all around woodworking use.

Up until about 5 years ago, Stanley or Record style block planes were not available. These types are easier for us weekend woodworkers because adjusting them is easier than the wood body planes the pros use. There are several brands available, costing from P150 to >P2500. I got my first at P1700, it was a KYY or KYK brand. The thing to watchout for is low quality castings.

I really don't suggest someone starting out use power tools right away. They can be very dangerous. If you insist though, I would buy a 7-1/4 circular saw first with a thin kerf blade. Next would be a planer then a jigsaw. Someday you'll also want a router.

Oh, and if you have a chance buy a Japanese saw. There is no manual saw like them.

wow, sir... i'm writing all these down... ;D

thank you, i really appreciate your help!

a japanese saw? i read about that somewhere... is that available here in the philippines?

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

Sorry Papabear, I've not seen them being sold here which is why I said "if you have a chance". They are a bit expensive. My Japanese friend who bought my current set for me asked me to reimburse him P1,000 for 2 blades and a handle. I'm not sure but I don't think the blades can be sharpened, at least here.

By the way, you are most welcome.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

i got three power tools now: a drill, a 7-1/4" circular saw, and a jigsaw.

dang this rain in january, i can't start my project 😛

i got some questions... where're these sharpening shops? i really didn't know they exist! (talk about being a newbie!) i live in cainta, btw.

for the circular saw: how would i know if the saw has a thin kerf?

for the drill: someone told me of a contraption that can hold the drill vertically, so we can drill on the wood safely, steadily and as perpendicular as possible. what is this device called, is this available here in pinas, and where can i buy that?

thanks!

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

That's a good set of power tools to begin with PapaBear.

I also live in Cainta. I used to have my tools sharpened at the Taytay market on the northeast corner near the sewing machine shops. There used to be saw sharpening shop at the corner of Ortigas Extn and C Raymundo in Pasig.

What "thin kerf" exactly is not really defined. I say a blade is thin kerf when it cuts smaller than a standard blade. The 12" blade on my table saw cuts about 2.5. The old blade I had cut something wider.

The contraption you are talking about is called a drill press stand. These are neat to have. I saw one going for P1k at HMR Prioneer. Although I think they are neat, you might want to consider trying to get a 2nd hand drill press which is the reason why I never bought a stand - I lucked onto an old drill press for P3.5k through Buy & Sell. I've seen drill stands in some of the mall hardware stores but these can be expensive.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

That's a good set of power tools to begin with PapaBear.

I also live in Cainta. I used to have my tools sharpened at the Taytay market on the northeast corner near the sewing machine shops. There used to be saw sharpening shop at the corner of Ortigas Extn and C Raymundo in Pasig.

What "thin kerf" exactly is not really defined. I say a blade is thin kerf when it cuts smaller than a standard blade. The 12" blade on my table saw cuts about 2.5. The old blade I had cut something wider.

The contraption you are talking about is called a drill press stand. These are neat to have. I saw one going for P1k at HMR Prioneer. Although I think they are neat, you might want to consider trying to get a 2nd hand drill press which is the reason why I never bought a stand - I lucked onto an old drill press for P3.5k through Buy & Sell. I've seen drill stands in some of the mall hardware stores but these can be expensive.

drill press stand... i got to remember that one!

i'm planning to start with some easy wood projects: a simple bookshelf, then a shoe rack... till i can do a whole kitchen showcase ;D

the more i study, the more i realize that i know next to nothing....

like, i read that polyurethane varnish is good for preserving wood... but i don't know if we have that here... and it didn't say if i apply the varnish before or after i build the project...

sir, i really appreciate you taking time and effort to help people like me... thank you so much!

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

[Apologies to the moderator, OT] PU varnish is available here. The paint store near me has it. The mall hardware stores also have it. The local brand is Hudson but there are also imported ones available. If the your projects will be put outdoors, you should use Exterior PU.

No problem PapaBear, other people helped me along too so I'm paying it forward. Good luck with the projects, and remember safety first.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

i saw a router, 850w, at true value yesterday while window-shopping with my wife. the brand is MaxSell, priced at less than P6,000.

but i hesitated to buy one because i don't know MaxSell. the clerk said the parts came from the european union (eu), and assembled in taiwan.

can anyone give feedbacks on MaxSell? do you think it's a good buy?

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

If you have the money, I suggest you buy a Maktek. This is Makita's brand for non-commercial use. I've seen MaxSel before though I have never had the chance to use one. Regardless, IMHO, at that price, forget it.

The first router I bought is a John Benzen. I got it for P3,500 from a nearby tool store but this was quite some time ago. Check out the GMCs at Save-on-surplus or other surplus stores. I have quite a few them and although they're not quite up to par with Maktek (I think), they're ok.

Remember to factor the bits when investing in a router. A collection of bits can easily cost more than the router.

Re: Where to Buy Woodworking Tools?

the salesclerk said the maxsell router already has bits with it... plus a shirt and a pair of dark-tinted safety glasses (i'm still laughing at this... i mean, dark glasses for woodwork? it's not like i'm doing welding here!)

the price tag of P6,000 got me nervous ;D

i'll check out your suggestions, lncc... i really need power tools to save me time, i only have the weekends for my projects, and sometimes those aren't even free for me.

a friend suggested that i first make a pair of sawhorses, a tool cabinet or wall storage, and a small workbench. i think he's got a point there! ;D