Hand Tools - Best Place to Buy Them?

Fergy1987 on 31/01/2017 - 16:38

I've been looking at getting into doing some basic woodworking just to keep busy on the weekends. Sick of wasting them watching Netflix all day.
Just wondering where does everyone buy their hand tools from?
Been looking at some Chisels lately and don't really want to spend a fortune on them. Bunnings seems to have either really expensive, or cheap and nasty. Trying to find that mid range.

Im located in South/West Brisbane - can anyone suggest any decent places to go looking for tools?

Basically would like a set for about $50 if someone has any recommendations of a particular set.

Cheers :)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • altomic on 31/01/2017 - 16:50

    Op shops/pawn brokers

  • onetrickpony on 31/01/2017 - 16:58

    Try Total Tools at Salisbury. A quick check showed a few around that price. A set of 4 in Crescent for $56, a fairly good brand. A good online store as well. The shop is huge :)

  • nocure on 31/01/2017 - 17:18

    Don't scrimp on chisels, spend the money and grab some Irwin's.

  • mskeggs on 31/01/2017 - 17:29
    +3

    Garage sales, by far. I have picked up a cardboard box full of tools and things from 'uncle ted's cleaned out shed' for $5 on a couple of occasions.
    The quality of hand tools from 50 years ago is almost universally better than today.
    At best, they will be pristine, at worst, they will need a bit of a clean up, sharpening etc.
    But with the possibility to save $$$ it is well worth it.

  • stevednj48 on 31/01/2017 - 18:36

    i have a set of Craftright chisels used them a fair bit still going strong after 2+ years

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-5-piece-chisel-set_p5…

  • Fergy1987 on 31/01/2017 - 20:44

    Butt chisel vs bevel edge chisels? What's the best type for a beginner. I was just thinking some bevel edge chisels.

    • Euphemistic on 31/01/2017 - 21:37
      +2

      No idea, but I don't generally buy tools unless I have a job for them. The job determines which tool is most appropriate.

    • mskeggs on 01/02/2017 - 13:54

      No difference, just the slightly shorter length of butt chisel is an advantage in tight spaces, but also slightly less convenient to handle in normal tasks.
      If you are seeking to do joinery, either will be fine. If you are thinking of wood turning, neither are suitable.

  • hasselbladsnapper on 31/01/2017 - 22:20
    +1

    Hi, depends how deep your pockets are! … I started collecting my woodworking kit for retirement bit by bit.

    For Machines AND handtools Carbatec are across Australia, but I think the head office is in Brisbane …search online - their range of all tools is VERY extensive. I quite often get notices for sales, or clear out lines. They have a very thick product guide for $5 or it can be free.

    Hare and Forbes is another semi national tool outlet, but the range is split between metalworking and wood tools.

    Also GOOD trash & treasure markets can often have excellent pickings!.

    Look after those fingers though,I had one near miss! it helps your learning curve very fast!!.

    • Aboottarren on 07/02/2017 - 12:27

      Look after those fingers though,I had one near miss! it helps your learning curve very fast!!.!!!!!!!!

      Have you ever read the old saying "NEVER APPRENTICE WITH ANYONE WHO HASN'T STILL GOT ALL 10 DIGITS"…….How very true.

  • Aboottarren on 05/02/2017 - 18:42

    I had to smile when I read stevednj48 e-mail where he said his 2+years old chisels are "still going strong….I started my joiners apprenticeship in 1943 and I bought my first set of chisels which are MARPLES and they are still going strong as are my RECORD planes (3 sizes) and DISSTON PHILADELPHIA saws,(panel saw,Tenon saw,and dovetail saw.) I retired in 1992 and now live in a retirement village that has a big workshop and my tools are still getting quite a lot use out of them……steve,after only 2 years your chisels probably haven't yet been sharpened properly to get the best result from them.

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