Tools for constructing shop

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Cushing H.

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This is a little off topic…but not greatly so. I am mostly a power tool neophyte, so I am hoping people here can help me…

in settling into my new home ( and ultimately getting my shop put together), I am in great need of constructing massive amounts of basement storage racks (2x4 + plywood construction), and then constructing walls and benches for the shop. I figure one of the first things I need is a miter saw, but I am not a contractor, and ultimately my need for this tool will decrease. Mostly I need to cut 2x4, but maybe also some stair tread ( ? 1x8 or so?). I definitely don’t need/ want a really big saw, so am looking at the smaller ones. Both kobalt and Ryobi make a small suitable for cutting 2x4 max, but kobalt makes a small saw with a sliding cut head that will allow a cut of more like 7-8 inches.

two questions … are the saws with the sliding head function problematic ( as opposed to just a basic “ chop” function? Also, is there a recommendation for either ryobi vs kobalt, as one being higher quality?

oh, another question … harbor freight has a miter saw stand that is less than half the price of the corresponding kobalt/ ryobi ones. Given my ultimate limited use of the stand, is getting the harbor freight stand an ok idea … or something to be avoided?

hopefully you guys can help me … the person I would usually ask this question to is on vacation in Europe, and not available…
 
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well, id opt for a battery power circular saw, just so handy for little construction projects. probably like 110$ get one that uses the same batterys as your drill , and multi tool
 
timos- said:
well, id opt for a battery power circular saw, just so handy for little construction projects. probably like 110$ get one that uses the same batterys as your drill , and multi tool
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well .... I have an old (corded) circular saw that "technically" I could get by with. But, with constructing all these storage shelves I have need of cutting many cross braces to the same length. With the miter saw (and I guess to an extent a table saw) I can jig a length stop, and just cut-cut-cut-cut to get many pieces cut to the same length. Cant as easily do that with a circular saw (amazing the amount of "furniture" I created, when I was much younger and poorer, with just 2x4's and that circular saw.

I actually want to stay away from too many battery power tools. I use them so seldom, and the batteries do die, and then you are stuck (and the replacement batteries are *not* cheap!)
 
Contender Machine said:
I’ve got a Milwaukee cordless table saw and I use it way more than I thought I would. Very handy to have around and easy to get out when I need it.
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I thought about a table saw .... but am thinking that a miter saw (with stand) will be easier to jig many cuts to a specific length (see my comment above...)
 
I did a lot with a less then 200,- euro saw.
Now it comes in handy for cutting large pieces of wood.
If you are OK with an OK machine a $100~$200,- machine sould be good
 
Cushing H. said:
I thought about a table saw .... but am thinking that a miter saw (with stand) will be easier to jig many cuts to a specific length (see my comment above...)
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If I could only have one..... a tablesaw vs a miter? I'd choose the tablesaw.


Not to mention, a mitersaw Should be cheaper, so you can add it anytime.
Like if you are building a deck/shed.

as to your first question.
Ryobi is a Good cheap brand. Ridgid from Home Depot is pretty good too.
stay away from harbor freight and Menards crap, for That kind of stuff (power tools)
 
Crag the Brewer said:
If I could only have one..... a tablesaw vs a miter? I'd choose the tablesaw.


Not to mention, a mitersaw Should be cheaper, so you can add it anytime.
Like if you are building a deck/shed.

as to your first question.
Ryobi is a Good cheap brand. Ridgid from Home Depot is pretty good too.
stay away from harbor freight and Menards crap, for That kind of stuff (power tools)
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I dunno... if he doesn't plan on using it indefinitely I think HF will get the job done.
 
I don't know where I'd be without my sawzall.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Ryobi is a Good cheap brand. Ridgid from Home Depot is pretty good too.
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How about Kobalt from Lowes? They have one with a sliding head that makes somewhat deeper/longer cuts .... but I am not sure about either the "sliding" mechanism of the quality of the brand (though it seems pretty much a direct competitor to Ryobi...)
 
timos- said:
well, id opt for a battery power circular saw, just so handy for little construction projects. probably like 110$ get one that uses the same batterys as your drill , and multi tool
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IMO, battery powered framing saws are underpowered and some of the newer ones have weird guards that make them awkward to use.
 
i would avoid the big box stores offerings on power tools.. personally i picked up a old Makita miter saw many years ago from a "Estate sale" for $50
it cuts well.. i would say before you go into Lowes or Home Depot to go by the local "Pawn shops" and see what you can get for the same kind of money ??
you will likely find much better quality tools.. ( i don't care if it is a used tool).. maybe buy it a new blade.. no one wants (Old Tools)....
todays tools are a very far cry from the old tools as far as quality goes.. try finding wire cutters that can cut wire without having teeth cut in them after a few uses !!
the old ones cut nails in half all day long (no problem) heat treated blades my >>>..
 
Pinoy Knife said:
i would avoid the big box stores offerings on power tools.. personally i picked up a old Makita miter saw many years ago from a "Estate sale" for $50
it cuts well.. i would say before you go into Lowes or Home Depot to go by the local "Pawn shops" and see what you can get for the same kind of money ??
you will likely find much better quality tools.. ( i don't care if it is a used tool).. maybe buy it a new blade.. no one wants (Old Tools)....
todays tools are a very far cry from the old tools as far as quality goes.. try finding wire cutters that can cut wire without having teeth cut in them after a few uses !!
the old ones cut nails in half all day long (no problem) heat treated blades my >>>..
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good point
 
I would strongly recommend self drilling Torx head screws.

IMO torx is king, and high quality torx screws make putting together any sort of construction involving plywood and 2×4s so much easier and faster.
 
I've been a woodworker longer than I've been a bladesmith. From what you're saying I think you're on the right path. An inexpensive miter saw will crank out the simple cuts you need for 2x4 construction. It's not as versatile as a tablesaw, or as inexpensive as a circular saw, but for accurate, repeatable cuts it's hard to beat. I use mine regularly even though I'm doing less woodworking these days. I'm partial to Dewalt tools but other folks here have listed some less expensive brands that will do what you're after perfectly well.

I haven't heard or seen many problems with the sliding mechanism. But I should point out that I don't have one, simply because I have an ancient radial arm saw that does the same thing. Now I want to get rid of the radial arm saw (for space) and sometimes wish I had gotten the sliding miter. A word of caution though - a moving blade deserves a lot or respect. I've seen some dumb things attempted with a sliding miter saw, usually trying to cut material too quickly or simply too wide. I'd be curious what the price difference would be between a bigger normal miter saw and a smaller sliding one.

If you think it's a tool that will be part of your setup for a while, instead of a stand I'd recommend making it part of your workbench. If you build a platform for the saw that is high enough that the saw's table is even with the top of your workbench, you have a great way to manage those long 2x4's without needing clamping, work rests, or an extra set of hands.
 
dwaterfield said:
If you think it's a tool that will be part of your setup for a while, instead of a stand I'd recommend making it part of your workbench. If you build a platform for the saw that is high enough that the saw's table is even with the top of your workbench, you have a great way to manage those long 2x4's without needing clamping, work rests, or an extra set of hands.
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LOL ... catch 22 ... I dont have a workbench, and need the saw to be able to do a decent job of building a workbench. (plus, I would kind of like to keep the bulk of the cutting of 2x4 and plywood in the garage, and not in the basement (which is were the shelves and ultimately workbenches will be located). Good thoughts though .... and thanks for the other insights.

FWIW, I did finally get hold of the contractor/friend, and he says that his crew has given up on the sliding head miter saws, as they apparently become loose and make inconsistent cuts after a while....
 
by the time you have shelled out for wood and a saw you could probably get good quality second hand steel racking at an auction house.
Not to mention the time making it all, though I totally understand the need to do everything oneself.
 
Way-Barney said:
by the time you have shelled out for wood and a saw you could probably get good quality second hand steel racking at an auction house.
Not to mention the time making it all, though I totally understand the need to do everything oneself.
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Yes ... .I just pretty much want to do it myself. Also, I need to custom fit the shelves into the available space, and I can do that if I make them, not so much if I just buy pre made shelving.
 
OK, I've built storge sheds up to houses.

Here are some good guides:
1) Stay with the major brands - Ryobi, Mikita, Dewalt, Bosch, Milwaukee, Freud (expensive but very good).
2) 18V works quite well and the batteries are cheap on Amazon.
3) Cordless is great in drills, saber saws, and demo-saws. It isn't that great in a skill saw or table saw unless you get a 40V or higher unit. For what you pay for those you can get a good, corded tool and a small generator.
Black and Decker isn't what it used to be, and I would not recommend it.
4) If you plan on using it often, get the pro-grade. It will have more power and last longer.
5) Avoid "Bundle Deals". They toss in stuff you don't need, and the cost is not usually worth it. Get exactly what you need by buying one at a time. Sometimes there is a special where you get a good discount on buying more than one tool at a time. Places like Home Depot often have 10% and 15% off on purchases over $299.


This is my list of needed tools:
1) 120VAC Corded 7" circular saw (cordless works if you have lots of batteries, but it won't do what a corded saw will)
2) Cordless drill (I use Ryobi 18V One+ tools)
3) Cordless saber saw and a good assortment of blades (Match to the drill type)
4) 120VAC Sliding Miter Saw - A chop saw will work, but the sliding cut is SOOOO much smoother.
5) Multi-battery charger unit. My Ryobi unit charges 6 batteries.
6) At least three batteries. I have around 10 and on some bigger projects with a couple folks using tools that is barely enough. Don't try to save money by getting lower amp batteries. Get them in at least 4AH and have one or two 7AH or 9AH for the big tools. Again, the Chinese batteries are much cheaper and are just as good.
7) 50' 12-Gauge extension cord and a 25' 12-gauge extension cord.
8) FOOT CONTROL SWITCH - get a 15-amp unit and use it to control any corded tool you use. I have them on the drill press, band saws, and grinders. You really need both hands for many tasks and starting and stopping a tool can be dangerous when you have to free up one hand.

Not Necessary but nice to have in the shop:
1) 120VAC Corded Benchtop bandsaw - a 10"
2) 120VAC Corded 10" table saw - Not a necessity, but very useful for all sorts of things like cutting handle blocks and other projects.
3) Cordless reciprocating saw (AKA demo-saw)
4) Cordless 7" skill saw. - Nice for quick jobs where you only need a few cuts or where power isn't easy to get.
5) Cordless angle grinder - Useful to cut metal bars and many other projects. A corded unit is a better choice if you cut or grind a lot with it. I have both types and use them regularly.
6) Cordless chain saw - Yup, a 16" 40V or higher chain saw has just about replaced gas. Tip - Buy the cheap chains on Amazon or Ebay and consider them disposable. They cost around $5 to $6 each in six-packs.
7) Cordless backpack sprayer - Use for roundup, fertilizer, or insect control. The Ryobi one I have has lasted many years.
8) Corded Pressure washer - Use for washing the grinding swarf off the driveway, wash the car, clean the siding and deck, etc. I recommend the Ryobi unit.

TIPS:
1) Get all tools from one battery type. 18V Ryobi One+ is a good choice. They have hundreds of tools that all fit one battery.
2) Get larger tools in 40V, 60V, and 80V. Lawn mowers (push and rider), leaf blowers, backpack sprayers, chain saws, and so many more. A good cordless leaf blower is invaluable for cleaning the drive or shop (except a basement). I use mine nearly every day. I recommend Greenworks. I use a chain saw, pole saw, leaf blower, string trimmer (AKA weed-whacker), and hedge trimmer from them. The Chinese batteries on Amazon work fine and are much cheaper.
 
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