DIY around the house is so much fun. Over the years I've built picture frames, shelves, cabinet doors, even a bed frame.
If I could offer one piece of advice to those interested: Understand that for nearly every project you see on Youtube where some dude is using a whole workshop full of power tools, you can build a LOT with a few small tools and proper technique. Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
You can do quite a lot with just a couple of hand saws (one for cross-cutting, one for ripping), a square, and a drill. The next step up would be a table saw, miter saw, and circular saw for time savings and increased precision. Much more than that is leaning into the territory of fine woodworking. Learning how to build your own jigs for specific tasks will save you hundreds or thousands in lieu of specialized tools.
My specific power tool advice would be to skip the miter saw, circular saw and possibly table saw and get a decent track saw for $500 US. Its a circular saw, you can also use it for angles, maybe with proper planning doing compound ones with a couple cuts, I've never tried.
Also if you set aside a certain budget for hobbies, etc. don't feel guilty about spending on it, go with the philosophy that is guilt-free spending. If you have fun and then lose interest, as happens with hobbies, you can sell the tools. But also see what you can get done with a small set of tools and see what you like first. Taking classes helps narrow in on what you like doing. I learned I like the mystique of hand tools but don't have the patience to do that 100%.
> Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
I can't recommend maker spaces enough. Of course each space is different, and some are incredible and some are lacking, but in general the ones I've visited (or been a member of) are awesome, filled with a diverse group of people who are usually excited to share their knowledge. Definitely look to see if there is a good maker space where you live!
This book (includes a link for freely downloading a PDF) might give you some ideas for making your workbench more useful. Measurements are in feet and inches because it’s written by a guy in Kentucky, but that’s not going to stop anyone in the UK.
Note that modern adhesives (esp. if coupled with the judicious use of a bit of hardware) are quite strong/lasting so long as they are appropriate to the purpose.
Just making a couple as a test/prototype will go a long way towards building skill and confidence.
I have that same Bosch. for me its just for cutting down ply and making crates and janky stuff, but it has very little torque, tends to cut ragged (slow I guess?) and a yes a shallow cut. a better saw would help a lot here I think.
If I could offer one piece of advice to those interested: Understand that for nearly every project you see on Youtube where some dude is using a whole workshop full of power tools, you can build a LOT with a few small tools and proper technique. Don't get sucked into the mindset of, I want to build a few projects, therefore I need $2000 worth of new power tools.
You can do quite a lot with just a couple of hand saws (one for cross-cutting, one for ripping), a square, and a drill. The next step up would be a table saw, miter saw, and circular saw for time savings and increased precision. Much more than that is leaning into the territory of fine woodworking. Learning how to build your own jigs for specific tasks will save you hundreds or thousands in lieu of specialized tools.
Also if you set aside a certain budget for hobbies, etc. don't feel guilty about spending on it, go with the philosophy that is guilt-free spending. If you have fun and then lose interest, as happens with hobbies, you can sell the tools. But also see what you can get done with a small set of tools and see what you like first. Taking classes helps narrow in on what you like doing. I learned I like the mystique of hand tools but don't have the patience to do that 100%.
I can't recommend maker spaces enough. Of course each space is different, and some are incredible and some are lacking, but in general the ones I've visited (or been a member of) are awesome, filled with a diverse group of people who are usually excited to share their knowledge. Definitely look to see if there is a good maker space where you live!
https://lostartpress.com/products/the-anarchists-workbench
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4942341-woodwork-joints
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17572619-the-complete-gu...
Note that modern adhesives (esp. if coupled with the judicious use of a bit of hardware) are quite strong/lasting so long as they are appropriate to the purpose.
Just making a couple as a test/prototype will go a long way towards building skill and confidence.