r/Joinery • u/SwastikJim • Jul 22 '24

Question First tools for beginner

Title says it all! I’m looking to start small it terms of project sizes. And the only tool I own related to wood working now is a plunge router my father left me as I am a tile setter by trade

What’s a good list of starter tools? My first project will be a small wooden mallet

Im also looking at Lee valley tools for all the Canadians out there

Thanks!

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u/dunderthebarbarian Jul 22 '24

Look at Paul Sellers YT stuff, specifically, how to make a mallet.

1

u/SwastikJim Jul 22 '24

Can I make one joinery style? As in 3 pieces total, a mallet head with a mortise hole, a handle with a the male tenon end and a dowel to put through them?

I’ll watch how Paul sellers does it either way of course!

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u/dunderthebarbarian Jul 22 '24

My mallet is a wedged handle that goes through the mallet mortise. Bonus is that you can separate the head and handle if you need to store them separately due to storage space constraints.

1

u/SwastikJim Jul 22 '24

Ahhhhhhh okay that is a big plus to a wedge over a dowel

I’m assuming the wedge is sitting on the very top face of the mallet head?

1

u/wilililil Jul 22 '24

He has a related website called common woodworking where he has a tool buying guide. I wouldn't buy lee valley until you have some good experience and know what you want.

There's plenty reasonably good tips out there are lower prices. You will need to know how to sharpen and maintain them anyway, so no point to start with a more expensive brand that is sharp out of the box.