Axe and Saw

[itsybitsy]

I have decided to invest in some tools. I want to start with an axe and a saw. Having had a look on the internet it seems, as with everything, that there is a plethora of kit - something for every eventuality. Which isn't helping me!

I was thinking that I should get a cross cut saw and a hand axe for general use.

Any thoughts anybody? I don't have £££s to spend on these so don't be telling me to get anything fancy!

What else do I need for a good basic toolkit - Handy Andy I ain't never gonna be, so just the bare essentials please folks!

[preppingsu]

Perhaps make a list of why you might need some tools - for general DIY, for sourcing firewood, shelter building etc or a bit of everything?
Once you've decided that, you can narrow down the type of tools you will need and how often you will need to use them and then that will determine how much you will need to spend.
(OH mantra - buy cheap, but twice!)

[itsybitsy]

Perhaps make a list of why you might need some tools - for general DIY, for sourcing firewood, shelter building etc or a bit of everything?
Once you've decided that, you can narrow down the type of tools you will need and how often you will need to use them and then that will determine how much you will need to spend.
(OH mantra - buy cheap, but twice!)

General DIY. Perhaps for sourcing firewood in the longer term if I find my dream cottage!

I won't use them often at all. But I think I should have some - does that make sense?

[preppingsu]

Makes absolute sense to have tools. I'll ask OH about basic woodworking tools and firewood needs when he gets back but I would be thinking drill, saw, chisels etc and for firewood axe, saw and splitter.
OH is now on board to get some hand tools so we will be frequenting many car boots over the coming months to try and get some 2nd hand tools. That might be the way to go for you although with electric you cannot guarentee working if buying from car boot.
How about putting a 'wanted' on freecycle, then you could always get the owner to show you that they work. Its always worth an ask.

[clearthedecks]

Hi Itsy -
I'd start with a hatchet or hand axe - for light work and kindeling , a 2 1/2lb felling axe and a log splitter if money allowed - you can split logs with an axe but the log splitter is the tool to use. (most axes are to slender to split wood down the grain and it can prove a danger)
Assuming you're not doing carpentry, I would get a bow saw with some length to it with spare blades - they are light, dont bind in the cut and their only restriction is the depth from the frame to the blade, will limit the diameter of what you are cutting.
hand axes are cheap on ebay - the larger ones can get expensive 20 odd quid - the bow saws are not expensive.
Please bear in mind these things are risky if not sharpened - sharpening stones are cheap and you may want a file if you get 2nd hand axes so as to restore the edge - Sharpening saws is a different ball game and a lot of modern blades are designed to be chucked not sharpened.
If your looking to saw a reasonable quantity of wood for fuel then I would recomend a two man saw, which will take sharpening with a file - see my post from yesterday in 'what preps are you doing this weekend' I think.

[itsybitsy]

Makes absolute sense to have tools. I'll ask OH about basic woodworking tools and firewood needs when he gets back but I would be thinking drill, saw, chisels etc and for firewood axe, saw and splitter.
OH is now on board to get some hand tools so we will be frequenting many car boots over the coming months to try and get some 2nd hand tools. That might be the way to go for you although with electric you cannot guarentee working if buying from car boot.
How about putting a 'wanted' on freecycle, then you could always get the owner to show you that they work. Its always worth an ask.

My local freecycle has turned into a joke. Hardly anyone giving stuff away except for random items such as lava lamps, and people are asking for motorbikes, canoes, sky + boxes and in one case a three piece suite!!!

[the-gnole]

If I didn't have too many already I would look at the charity shops who do house clearance as well, I saw a couple of bow saws for under a fiver for the pair a while back, if you ask the shop manager they might put some by for you.

I got a "good as new" military pick-axe for £3 last year, so it is worth hanging about to see what they might bring in.

[southernPrepper]

B&Q stock several bow saws all under £10.

They also do a 1.5lb fibreglass hatchet for £15.

No doubt Wickes and Homebase do similar.

Hardly worth bothering with freecycle or charity shops at that price.

[counsellor]

I would say if you are looking for a general hand saw, the get a jack saw from DIY store which should cost around £5 to £10
But beware they are as Sharpe as hell
So wear work gloves cos if it jumps you’ll have blood on your hands
The other down side is because they are hard tip you can’t re sharpen them

As for axe I would recommend that a small hand axe is a good place to start,
And as with all tools there is a skill so start with small stuff and work up

[the-gnole]

My small hatchet cost me £40, was hand made in Sweden though