Basic power tools needed for cabinet building

[greenhorn]

I guess cabinets can be built the old fashioned way with old fashioned hand tools, but since time is a bit scarce, wonder what would be the minimum set of tools needed to build boxes - ie cut MDF sheets, holes, finish them etc...

I was doing some googling - I see multiple tools advertising overlapping capabilities. I already have a drill. What else must i buy - dremel, jigsaw, circular saw, router.....

plus any recommended acessories

 

[aks07]

1. Drill m/c with a set of wood working drill bits
2. Circular Saw
3. Jigsaw
4. Wood planer m/c
5. Orbital Sander (go for the "random orbital" type - slightly more expensive but worth it as these type are actually usable).

This entire set should cost about Rs 15,000. You don't need to go for high end BOSCH type brands. Even the cheap Chinese ones would work fine in DIY application.

But you will still need a set of hand tools, although it is impossible to get good finish just with them without years of practice. Nowadays even the carpenters prefer power tools and only resort to hand tools where it is needed.

 

[greenhorn]

i had read that the jigsaw and a circular saw have overlapping functions, and it was better to buy a router and a circular saw :/ as the router helps cut better circles?

 

[krell]

one of the main tools in my experience is Router (woodworking)

 

[jls001]

There are hole jigs for drilling machines that can be used to drill large holes, upto a certain diameter. Something like this listing:

https://m.ebay.in/itm/272256038847?...4686-213761-11394-80%26rvr_id%3D1037698101724

Of course one can use a router too with a very simple jig to cut out holes of almost any diameter, but you should be able to get away with the above drill bit.

IMO, a router is one of the most versatile tool one can have.

A jig saw has its place in the arsenal of tools, but it can at best be used to arrive at a rough straight or curved cut as the wavy blades are extremely difficult to control accurately. A home made blade guide can refine the jig saw to a much higher level. This entails mounting it upside down but gives you scroll saw like versatility. I'm in the process of building one for my jig saw

Besides power tools, invest in wood rasps and files of varying roughness. Buy sand papers of various roughnesses starting at 60 grit and progressing to 80, 150, 220, 320, 600, 800, and 1200.

A dremel is very, very useful but one can do without it for cabinet building. Personally I'd like to add a belt sander to my toolkits.

 

[krell]

Nice information,very useful

 

[sadik]

"F" type Clamps... They are also very necessary to hold work piece on place.

 

[jmascreen]

"F" type Clamps... They are also very necessary to hold work piece on place.

Is this easily available?

 

[aks07]

A jigsaw cost will be typically half that of a router. Ditto for its blade set vs the router bits. Thus if you only need to to cut a speaker hole once a while, a jigsaw along with a DIY circle cutting jig should suffice. You may need to sand paper a bit.

Ofcourse a router is much more versatile and faster. If you decide to have one, then go for atleast 12Amp plunger type with a soft start and variable speed control. To really extract the best from these you should have a router table.

I have an old router that needs some mechanical attention. It gave up the ghosts while fashioning a plinth for my 301 . You can have it if you can fix it.

 

[jls001]

Is this easily available?

I've seen the C-section type clamps at many hardware stores (in Mumbai), though they're rather short. These are typically just 4 and 6 inches. Good enough for clamping turntable plinths (for which I had bought), but for speaker cabinet building purpose one would need some long ones that can clamp the length of the cabinet.

Look for quick release F-type clamps.

 

[Hiten]

Woodworking set square is very important.
Regards.

 

[raghupb]

@greenhorn
This is what should be in every amateur woodworker's toolbox.
1. Hand tools
Jack plane, miniature hand plane, chisels (1.5", 1", 0.5", 0.25"), mallet/pipe, sharpening stone, sanding block, pliers, woodworker's square
2. A simple power drill
Used mainly for precision holes or pilot holes
3. Circular saw
Used for straight cuts
works best for rip cuts (along the grain of wood)
can be used for small lengths of cross cuts (across the grain of wood, up to 12")
4. A simple router with bit set
Used for making precision joinery fast
Chisels and elbow grease will substitute here if you have time and patience
5. Power screwdriver
Desirable; elbow grease will substitute if not available
6. Planing machine
Expensive; not really required for small jobs; hand planes will work just as well
7. Jig saw
Desirable; to cut circular holes or wavy designs
Can go to a local shop and get the same done turnkey
8. Sanding machine
Desirable; personally I prefer hand sanding
9. Clamps
Bar clamps - for holding joints in place after gluing
C/D clamps - very useful to hold work piece and small joints
F clamp - useful, but can manage with C/D clamps

If working with ply, MDF and veneer only for speaker cabinets, then many power tools may be skipped (planing m/c, sanding m/c, jig saw, possibly even router)

Ping me when you come to finishing, I can guide you effectively through hand finishing techniques.

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[greenhorn]

At this point I just need to cut a rectangular sheet of wood and make a hole in it for an ahuja 12 inch driver to make a very very basic open baffle setup for experimenting. Wondering if can do it at all

 

[GeorgeO]

Sh aks07 is an experienced second generation hobbyist, and I would go by what he has recommended-in phases if you dont want( or need) to go whole hog. For your very basic needs you just need to go to a carpenter and get your job done.

 

[rajesh srinivas]

Ping me when you come to finishing, I can guide you effectively through hand finishing techniques.

Since you mentioned finishing,if a cabinet is ready and it requires finishing like painting or veneering,laminates,vinyl etc., which do you prefer and how to achieve perfection.

According to me.

1. one can paint the whole cabinet but it requires lot of sanding applying in between wood puti or chalkpowder to get smooth finish,then apply wood premier,then 2 coats of satin automotive paint to get the glossy look.
2.doing the laminate way either veneer/laminate/vinyl which is good,i like the vinyl way
as it is easy to lay them on roundover edges and it can take the shape as required.
3.for front baffle i lilke to do the 1st method mentioned paint...

for diy speaker build tools,
1. i own circular saw 5301 doing a table with fence which i feel is very important to get perfect straight cuts which i will be using for my speaker box building.
2 just today received black and decker router which will also be fixed to the table.
3.drilling machine with different size of bits.
4.hand tools i own a planner,saw,and essential tools..


your views please.

thanks
rajesh

 

[mahaaprasaad]

There are hole jigs for drilling machines that can be used to drill large holes, upto a certain diameter. Something like this listing:

https://m.ebay.in/itm/272256038847?...4686-213761-11394-80%26rvr_id%3D1037698101724

This type of jigs are not suitable for the hand held drills and may be dangerous in hardwood and plywood. It is difficult to control the driller by hand and maintain 90 degree, because the impact of the rotation increases at the outer edge of the jig as it has to travel more perimeter than the center.

But these jigs can be used with the Bench drilling machines(Which, once again cost heavy and preferred for regular workshops) as they are sturdy and have variable speed adjustments.

2 just today received black and decker router which will also be fixed to the table.

Dear Rajesh, kindly share the details of Router, source and your experience with it.

Last week I have seen a Chinese Dongcheng make router at one of the Shop at SP Road, Bangalore, they quoted the cost around 2800/-. The equipment looks very strong and good. The same model is available at Tolexo Buy Dongcheng M1R-FF04-12 Wood Router at Best Price Online in India | Tolexo.com

I have seen most carpenters, electrical workers, granite workers using cheap Chinese brand equipment instead of brands like Bosch/dremel/KB&D

For DIY work I feel it is enough rather to invest 6 to 7 k on popular brand routers.

 

[jls001]

This type of jigs are not suitable for the hand held drills and may be dangerous in hardwood and plywood. It is difficult to control the driller by hand and maintain 90 degree, because the impact of the rotation increases at the outer edge of the jig as it has to travel more perimeter than the center.

But these jigs can be used with the Bench drilling machines(Which, once again cost heavy and preferred for regular workshops) as they are sturdy and have variable speed adjustments.

Very true.

It is difficult to get squared holes (meaning perpendicular to the main surface) using hand drills.

Anyway, the OP seems to have modest needs so all these suggestions are probably moot, though I definitely would encourage him to take up the hobby :thumbsup:

 

[kcnanand]

Power tools that i have:
A Skil circular saw, B&D Jigsaw, B&D Router, Orbital sander Indian made!, Bosch angle grinder, Skil power drill with a local drill press mount, cumi Power screw driver, hot air gun and even a small B&D vaccum cleaner and a blower. The dremel tool gave up its ghost a few months before. do not feel need for replacement.

What i use most : the circular saw, router and the cumi power drill cum screw driver.
Orbital sander etc good for large surfaces. Jigsaw useless unless you want to make curve cuts on less than 10mm wood/ply/mdf

Hand tools that i find most use of is the Block plane. Jackplane/smoothing plane good for larger surface but for speaker building and the like on mdf....5inch block plane rules especially for working on the edges.
stanley 100mm c clamp for thin surfaces and the most versatile Taparia F-Clamp, cannot have enough of it.
+ all the there usual hand tools.

So for starting a wood working/speaker building DIY you need the circular saw, router (hand held laminate trimmer type is enough, the higher the hp the merrier), power drill cum screw driver "cumi torque adjustable" with a few countersink bits. Handtools- mini block plane, F and c clamps, hand saw etc. and yes a good Try square and a Combination square like the "Kristeel 4pc Combination Try Meter Square" is a must.

 

[keith_correa]

Not to rain on your parade but ask yourself how many speakers you are going to build or how much of woodworking you are going to do. If not much then I suggest you do not buy anything and go the carpenter route. It's cheaper that way.

Speaking for myself, one starts with a lot of good intentions and intended projects and spends good money buying stuff. Then, pfft - all good intentions vanish and then one is stuck with lot's of stuff that might never be used eating up valuable space. Been there, done that.

 

[rajesh srinivas]

Dear Rajesh, kindly share the details of Router, source and your experience with it.

Last week I have seen a Chinese Dongcheng make router at one of the Shop at SP Road, Bangalore, they quoted the cost around 2800/-. The equipment looks very strong and good. The same model is available at Tolexo Buy Dongcheng M1R-FF04-12 Wood Router at Best Price Online in India | Tolexo.com

I have seen most carpenters, electrical workers, granite workers using cheap Chinese brand equipment instead of brands like Bosch/dremel/KB&D

For DIY work I feel it is enough rather to invest 6 to 7 k on popular brand routers.

black and decker router bought it from Urjakart for a price of 4400/-,the same is avilable in tolexo for 5200/-.

Its the same price as dongcheng,difference is wattage b&d is 1200w ,dongcheng is 1650w,but you are getting a branded with 6 yrs warranty.

Better to buy branded which can serve you for long,since most of power tools you are going to buy once.

thanks
rajesh.

So for starting a wood working/speaker building DIY you need the circular saw, router (hand held laminate trimmer type is enough, the higher the hp the merrier), power drill cum screw driver "cumi torque adjustable" with a few countersink bits. Handtools- mini block plane, F and c clamps, hand saw etc. and yes a good Try square and a Combination square like the "Kristeel 4pc Combination Try Meter Square" is a must.

From where did you get the power drill cum screw driver "cumi torque adjustable,i am interested to buy.

i already have skil circular saw,now b&d router,hand saw,jack plane,try square.

Kristeel 4pc Combination Try Meter Square in snapdeal price is 2445/-.

Need to buy the c or g and f clamps can you also guide me in buying these c and f clamps,what type,brand,and from where for speaker box build.

thanks
rajesh