Episode 1 SHOW NOTES Buy Cheap and Treat ‘Em Well

Everyday Woodworking Podcast Ep1 011821 

SHOW NOTES 

https://anchor.fm/everydaywoodworking/episodes/Buy-Cheap-and-Treat-Em-Well-ep52n5

*** We all have visions of a million dollar shop stocked with the best and coolest tools. Right? But if you’re like us, you might have to deal with a little different reality! Join us today for a quick look at how we do the best work we can with the best tools we can afford. And then, how to make this babies last! ***

Welcome 

Welcome to Everyday Woodworking. When you walk out into your humble work space, whatever that may be, using simple tools and affordable materials with a little elbow grease, some common sense and creativity and you make something you can be proud of…that’s what we’re all about. It doesn’t take a ton of money or a fancy shop or a lot of expensive tools. And that’s OK if that’s what you want to aspire to for SOME day. But we’re here to talk about what you can do…EVERY day. 

Hey everyone. I’m your Host Ricky Fitzpatrick. And I am an everyday woodworker. We own Apple Valley Farm a small, one-man woodworking business. And we’re here to share what works for us and what we’ve been given, that might help your life as an everyday woodworker. 

So let me just get right in it. 

Today’s Show: Buy the best you can afford, then treat it like gold. 

You’ll find out that of woodworking heroes, Norm Abrams is my guy. Norm is the man. But even though I’m inspired when I watch his shows, I know I’ve got to somewhat do my own thing. Because I’ll never be able to afford those tools. 

Norm is using a $10K Timesaver and I’m using my Ryobi Random Orbit. That’s just the way it is for us. And probably for you too, to a degree. So we all have to work with what we’ve got. 

This is nothing new. We all know how to stretch a dollar. But when it comes to tools, you’ve really got to get serious. Tools are expensive, no matter where you get them. 

I use mostly Ryobi Tools. A few others, but Ryobi has been my go to from day one, 6 years ago. And why? Because they’re reasonable and nearby. 

Tools Direct guy. Homeowner affordable. They don’t last. You can’t make a living with them. But mine do. I make my living with them. 

I buy reconditioned tools most of the time. But otherwise, my tools are gifts, bargains, yard sales and the occasional new something. I have a couple of things that I’ve won, but that’s rare. 

We’re fortunate that our social media reach has made it possible for us to partner with a few tool and equipment companies who send us things from time to time. Nothing like the big boys use, but a drill or a sander here or there make a big difference to us. 

We buy a case or a bag whenever we can. Protect. Clean. Baby your tools. And a case is the easiest way to do it. 

Blow the dust out. If your tool can’t breathe, it can’t work. 

Keep them off the floor. The floor is a place for trash, junk and things that get kicked and lost and beat up. Not your tools. 

Put everything away, every day. Organization is my nemesis. I prefer to leave my tools where I last used them. But I know that only breeds chaos. Have a place for your stuff and use it every day. Before long it will feel odd if you don’t. 

And finally, like we said in the beginning, buy the best you can afford, then treat it like gold. My granddaddy taught me, there’s no shame in not having a bunch of name brand things to work with. Treat your bargain tools like they’re going to last you a lifetime, and they just might do it. 

That’s it. Hey thank you for hanging out with me for a few minutes. I hope this was helpful and I hope you’ll join me again here on Everyday Woodworking. 

If you enjoyed this, there are several things you can do. One, please let us know. Your comments and likes are more important that we can say. Two, leave us a great review. Your reviews are HUGE for us! And lastly, we’d love it if you subscribed to our podcast and became a regular listener. 

And if you’d like to learn even more about us, you can check out the show notes and head over to www.applevalleyfarmga.com for lots more. 

Thanks again. And I’ll see you next time…on Everyday Woodworking.

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