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Creating a workshop, need some power tool suggestions

Hi All,

I'm looking at converting my double garage to a workshop (car will be outside when working as well). So I use to be a woodworking student 15 years ago before going to to white collar work but looking to get back into it and tools have changed/improved since.

I am wondering what tools I should buying. I have created a list have noticed I am mainly using ryobi/aeg due to their competitive prices and long warranty period, as well as going corded vs cordless. I am considering makita for some of the saws/jigsaw since their cheaper ones are quite affordable but not sure on durability.

I already own the ryobi cordless drill and impact driver kit.

Below is a list of wants. i have chosen based on functionality, and other buyer's review of the product. Please comment if I should get something else, corded vs cordless.

Mitre Saw: AEG 1800W 254mm Dual Bevel Slide Compound Mitre Saw

Circular Saw: AEG 1200W 184mm Circular Saw

Orbital Sander: AEG 300W 125mm Random Orbital Sander or Ryobi 300W Random Orbital Sander

Jigsaw: AEG 700W Variable Speed Jigsaw or Ryobi 600W 85mm Jigsaw

ShopVac: Ryobi 1500W 30L Wet and Dry Vacuum

Will buy down the track: Comment if I should get it earlier

Brad Nailer: Ryobi cordless ones. Haven't done much research on which one to get

Drill Press: Ryobi model

Planner: Ryobi?

If I'm missing anything to get started please also let me know.

Thanks!!!!

zool3

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @zool3. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

You can't really go wrong with AEG tools or Ryobi for that matter. I believe any of the tools you have selected are going to do a fine job for many projects around the home. What sort of projects do you wish to complete? Would it involve any fine joinery or very precise woodworking?

It's interesting to see you've selected corded equipment over the battery alternatives. Is there a reason behind this? There is absolutely nothing wrong with corded equipment, in some cases being the better option, but the trend has been towards battery units for the last several years and I'd be interested to know your thoughts. There's a quite longrunning discussion Tools - battery or corded? by @ProjectPete which you might find of interest. Personally, I have a mix of both and use each of them in different ways.

Here are some previous discussions about purchasing tools for woodworking:

Basic tools for an new/amateur woodworker by @MutsRenos

The great power tools debate - What is the best brand? by @JoshRaf

Should I buy Ryobi or Makita? by @Todd1

Essential and nice to have hand and power tools when starting out as a woodworker by @BigFella1956

For the "down the track" tools, I would buy them when you need them. Unless you are going to make full use of them now there are many more woodworking accessories which your budget would be better spent on. A good set of multisized clamps for one thing. You can never have too many clamps.

Let me mention some of our keen woodworkers @r23on, @Poppop, @Tara86 and @prettyliving to see if they'd like to contribute to the discussion.

Mitchell

zool3

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for a detailed reply.

I'm hoping to building some furniture for the house - dining table, shelfs, side tables, drawers, garage storage etc so there would be some precise woodworking.

Battery vs Corded

Cost

I guess it just comes down to cost since I am just starting off. I went with cordless drills because that makes sense when going up ladders for curtain installation as an example. As for the saws, I figured I'll just be in my garage so the hazard isn't a problem as I plan to have the power cable hang from the ceiling vs on the floor. Cordless skin are quite expensive, and then getting a 4ah or 5ah battery + an extra charger it just adds on to the cost. Corded tools just gives me the reliability and more power. But it would be good to read other people's thought or to counter argue my thought. I'm quite new to this so it would be great to great more insight.

Brand diversification

Since I have roybi cordless, i would just stick to it, otherwise I need to get more batteries/charger for other brands. You have no limit to brand choice for corded tools

Clamps

Based on my project which size clamps should I be getting to start off with? And how many do I need of each.

Thanks again 🙂

Noyade

"Drill Press: Ryobi model"

This one?

I'd look for a pedestal drill with more grunt - especially if you consider using large hole saws in the future with your woodwork.

Does anyone know why Ryobi perforated the induction motor casing with hundreds of ventilation(?) slots in the casing?

Up close you can even see the copper coils and wiring inside....just seems cheap and wrong to me.

MitchellMc

@zool3,

The AEG range would be more than suitable for what you have described.

That's exactly how I started off buying power tools. I would get what I could afford which was the corded options and they have served their purpose well. You might find in the future you wish to have a bit more freedom of movement and consider adding a few battery tools to your ensemble.

Clamp wise I'm a fan of Irwin Quick-grips as I've used them fairly extensively. I do have more budget-friendly clamps but they just don't clamp with the same degree of force as the Irwin variety. If I was to go out and buy them today I would get four Irwin 610mm Quick-Grip Medium Duty Bar Clamp and four Irwin 300mm Quick-Grip Mini Bar Clamp. That sounds like a bit to spend on clamps but they really are a necessity and should last a very long time. When I look at the money I have spent on tools to do one specific job the cost of those clamps which will do multiple projects isn't so bad.

Mitchell

zool3

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-390w-13mm-drill-press_p6210442

this is the one i saw online. It's currently on a want list. I'll accumulate tools as required

zool3

Thanks Mitchell.

I'll have to mix and match my tools. I'll probably stick with AEG corded (ciruclar and jigsaw) since the pricing is very close to to Ryobi. Although Makita corded saws aren't that expensive either but the 6 year warranty on AEG is hard to pass.,I will go with cordless ryobi since I already have 2 batteries and have seen good reviews and are much more affordable for the DIYer.

r23on

In the end it will boil down to what you will pay. Having said that the list of tools supplied I would not go past for quality But I only buy top end for long jeopardy. Enjoy the decision

Poppop

It's hard to compile a tool "want list" unless A, you know what sort of projects you'll be working on or B, you have the money to buy one of everything in the Bunnings catalogue. My tool list has grown as i the need arises. I started out building my garden bridges and wishing wells with a hand saw, a power drill and a Workmate vice bench.

JDE

Noyade

Most likely reason for perforations is to help disapate heat. As current flows through the armature / coils it generates heat. Unfortunately as the wires get hotter they cause resistance which in turn reduces the power of the drill. Same reason why if you are having trouble starting a car you only do quick burst not long continuous cranking as the starter motor gets hot and needs more electricity for same power. JDE

Noyade

Hi JDE.

Yes, it would appear that Roybi has dispensed with the traditional induction motor fan to remove heat and gone with simple convection through "holes".

Just seems a perfect entry point for dirt and dust.

Cheers.

Ryobi's drill press motor from 2009....

zool3

Hi @r23on just want to clarify when you said "not go past for quality" - are you saying they're poorly built/not durable?

I guess I am willing to pay a bit extra knowing I can get extra years on them. It might be that Bunnings option from Ryobi/AEG (my list shows the affordable option) to the makita (trade quality, not for your everyday DIYer) is quite wide.

Hence it would be good to see what people recommend/used as I did ask for suggestions.

Timberme

M8 all I can say is do the majority of whAT YOU CAN WITH HAND TOOLS - YOU WILL SOON find what tools you can use and which you need power to it, I am not too keen on focusses on power tooling and remember a lot of the stuff I see on the net looks more like the flogger has a pecuniary interest OR the bloke is a flat out woody.. Watch out for over assessing the tools too, if you put off sssstart date you might end up another GUNNER and I met a few of them too. I applaud your choice of a project as you have some limitations thrown in and my challenge to you is how about making the space do BOTH roles and make your space comfy and a "draw card" for you?

r23on

Sorry for the delay in reply

When it comes to AEG, Makita and a few others "I will not go past them" as I have found them to be among the most reliable. I never buy the lower end tooling and believe we get what we pay for. As all ways we will buy what the pocket / wallet tells us. As for the everyday DIYer Its a choice as to what they are willing to pay for.

When it come to battery driven or power lead they all have a place and how they are used. I know tradies who will only buy the lower end tool because the tools are missed use by their employees, stolen or add into the quote of the job then throw the tools way at the end of the job. I buy once and never look to replace the tool in a few week. Once a gain it's a choice. I hope I clarified this for you

Noyade

"I buy once and never look to replace the tool."

A glass of wine and attempting a mental bench-press, I wondered what the oldest 240 volt tool I have that's still working.

I'm going with my father's 1948 arc welder. A Schick brand - made in West Wyalong NSW.

The trolley is 1980's - it got too hard to lift with age.

Still going strong.

Kidbuilder

Aeg mitre saw, Makita circular saw corded, aeg jigsaw, the ryobi shop vac is bad, get an air nailer, ryobi drill press is not accurate and is not stable and the Ozito planer is nice

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