Carpentry and General Use Tools

[gstokes]

Getting back into carpentry after long hiatus and gathering up tools to build some projects, one of them being a ported subwoofer enclosure. I'm learning that the right enclosure can greatly improve a subwoofers performance and i've got lot's room under the bed in my van for a LARGE vented enclosure. I have nothing but time so this is what i am starting with, feel free to add something to the list that will make the job easier or something you enjoy using.

$29 Circular Saw w/blades

$24 Jig Saw w/blades

$9 60 Watt Soldering Iron

$20 Heat Gun

$20 12-piece Router Bit Set

$27 50" Straight-Edge

$8 4-piece 10" Saw Guide Set

$7 5-piece Countersink Bit Set

$8 18oz Wood Glue

$30 Electric Staple Gun

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Right off the bat I'm going to say your $20 router bit set is going to be complete junk. I bought a $60 set and even those were pretty shitty.

Also a $29 circular saw and $9 soldering iron aren't going to get you very far.

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

id invest in a table saw if you've got the space. much easier than using a circular saw and generally cuts come out straighter and cleaner.

As far as soldering iron, what are you going to be soldering? if its just wires together, a $9 wont be too bad. If its something more intricate, id go with something better.

And my circular saw was only $30 from harbor freight 5 years ago and its still going strong so...

I don't see plunge router on there, so I am going to assume you already have one. If not, get one.

Also, a circle jig is extremely nice to have for openings but you can get away with a jigsaw if you have steady hands and take your time. I just recently got a circle jig and had been using a jigsaw for years

 

[gstokes]

Right off the bat I'm going to say your $20 router bit set is going to be complete junk. I bought a $60 set and even those were pretty shitty.
Also a $29 circular saw and $9 soldering iron aren't going to get you very far.

Everybody and their brother has a skilsaw in their toolbox, for me a $29 circular saw will do just fine and will last me the next 20 years.

Factory-Reconditioned SKIL 5380-01-RT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw - Power Circular Saws - Amazon.com

356 people gave this $9 soldering iron 4 stars, works for me.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006NGZK0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMH4W1K8OCGMX

Granted, the router bits are crap, i may just buy individual bits as needed.

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Series-PS07426-Router-Bit-12-Piece/dp/B0056RP8KE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[CSCStang]

Dewalt carbide routerbits. I've had mine for 3+ years and still sharp after many a hole cutout. Plunge router is ideal.

 

[gstokes]

id invest in a table saw if you've got the space. much easier than using a circular saw and generally cuts come out straighter and cleaner.
As far as soldering iron, what are you going to be soldering? if its just wires together, a $9 wont be too bad. If its something more intricate, id go with something better.

And my circular saw was only $30 from harbor freight 5 years ago and its still going strong so...

I don't see plunge router on there, so I am going to assume you already have one. If not, get one.

Also, a circle jig is extremely nice to have for openings but you can get away with a jigsaw if you have steady hands and take your time. I just recently got a circle jig and had been using a jigsaw for years

I had included the router but forgot to list.

$41 Ryobi Plunge Router Ryobi ZRR163K 8.5 Amp 1-1/2 Peak Horsepower Router Kit - Power Plunge Routers - Amazon.com

The previously listed $8 4-piece 10" Saw Guide Set is for cutting circles: Milescraft 14000713 Saw Guide for Circular and Jig Saws - Circle Guide For Jigsaw - Amazon.com

18 gauge will be the heaviest wire used with the 60 watt iron, already have a Weller Heavy Duty 260/200 Watt gun for heavy duty projects like the Super-capacitor bank.

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

the saw guide isn't bad, but if you are getting a router, a circle jig made for a router will give you much better cuts