Podcast Episode 55 — How to Spend $2,500 on Tools
From table saws to beer and snacks, the guys go all out in this heated debate.
In this podcast episode, editor and host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They take the entire episode to argue about the best way to spend $2,500 on tools. There is also a listener comment on using metric tape measures.
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This episode is sponsored by Feeney. Enter Feeney’s deck rail photo contest here. For more information, visit feeneyinc.com.
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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.
Resources mentioned in (or related to) this podcast episode:
- Patrick’s $2,500 Tool Wish List on Amazon.
- Justin’s $2,500 Tool Wish List on Amazon.
- Rob’s $2,500 Tool Wish List on Amazon.
- Jeremy Hess’s Tool Test article: Hammer Drills and Impact Drivers.
- All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
- Buy a shirt at KeepCraftAlive.org.
View Comments
When looking at the amazon lists, choose "purchased and unpurchased" to see the entire lists. Great pod fellas.
Great Blog and Lists.
I'd suggest more Personal Protection Equipment.
Get a good set of gloves, kneeling pad or knee pads, dust deputy for the shop vac $50 and keep the dust down a little with a WEN3140 Air Filtration System for $99 that you could move from room to room.
I enjoyed the back and forth conversation on tool purchases for the perhaps"novice" buying tools for his pending upstairs remodel. I think the very first item any novice or professional should buy if they don't already one is the table saw as you guys mentioned. However, regardless of the budget, this calls for a Sawstop contractors saw IMHO.
KEEP UP the good work, but KEEP ALL OF YOUR FINGERS FIRST AND FOREMOST.
Randy
Great episode. It's all good but I especially appreciate the prescription googles point. It's insanely frustrating wearing eyeglasses with regular safety goggles and it almost certainly results in not using them.
Matching your table saw and miter saw size allows you to share blades. Skip the torpedo level and get a better combination square (which has a level). Save money and get knee pads at harbor freight. Dust Deputy is the best option but $50 only gets you the cyclone, the complete one with container is $100. Cheaper option is for $21 get a second ridgid blue shop vac filter. Switch filter at the end of every day, wash out the used filter and it will be dry for use the following day
Great podcast, I agree with Justin on the clamp/spreaders, I use them all the time! Patrick as well, only buy 12g extension cords for high amp tools. Also, I don't think most home owners have a speed square which should be on the list. Lastly, a small combination square that fits in a tool belt is essential. Handy for transferring lines on framing when set to 3.5" where a speed square is too big, and essential for marking reveals for casing, and or marking out cutouts for a jig saw.
Lists links are not complete...Justin's shows no table saw, no cordless drivers..etc