I've gotten a few questions about what it costs to build the Tridarka Raider and what tools are needed.  I've published a rough estimate of costs in the www.TridarkaRaider.com web site.  Here is a look at the tools that are essential and a few more that can make the job easier or more fun.


These are the absolute essential tools you will need. 
A really good jigsaw
A battery operated drill
An 3/8 - 1/2 inch electric drill (some battery drills can do fairly heavy work so this might not be needed)
A random orbital sander with vacuum hose attachment
A belt sander
Sanding block
Wood rasp
Framing square
Bevel gauge
Right angle
Level
Combination square
Tape measure
Clamps - these Irwin clamps are super and a minimum of 12 are necessary but 20 or so is nice
Saw horses - two are shown here but my shop has 9 (used to be 10 but one broke - don't ask)
Shop Vac - with hose for attachment to RO sander and perhaps other tools

Notice I like the Bosch jigsaw, Bosch RO sander, and Bosch Ion Drill.  These have been oustanding tools.  The Ryobi belt sander is the smallest belt sander - only 50 bucks.  Their bigger one can double as a bench sander so you might want to consider that.  You'll see in a bit why I wanted the small one.  Of course you also need a bunch of standard hand tools like hammer, pliers, drivers, etc. which are not shown.

You could build a Tridarka Raider with just the above and, honestly, what man or woman reading this blog wouldn't like to have all those tools anyway! So that's the basics.  But the next group will make the job much easier.


The longer and higher quality level is really nice and doesn't cost all that much.
The router is attached to a Bench Dog router table top that can be clamped to a couple of saw horses.  If you buy a router make sure it can be used as both a plunge router and attached to a table.
The electric planer is really nice.  Note that a hand planer will work just fine too.
A circular saw makes building your scarfing table and several other tasks easier and faster than using the jigsaw.
The grinder worked really nice shaping the manu for the stem.  The large drill with the proper attachment could do the same but this one has more power and ergonomics for grinding.
The drywall framing square is longer than a standard framing square and was really nice for setting up the forms.
We already saw the short Irwin clamps.  These two are long and handy as heck - only two where needed.

A couple of bench top tools are super nice to have.


You'd be surprised how affordable these bench top tools are and how nice it is to have them.  I used the small bandsaw to cut all kinds of shapes, angles, and curves in very light wood to heaby teak.  If you can afford a larger band saw, go ahead.  But this 8" saw worked well for me. 

Same goes for the drill press.  This small one worked well and guarantees a straight hole.

Now for the big daddy tool that all men crave.


The table saw.  This one is a portable Bosch that has to be one of the best on the market today.  I got it for a steal during a tool show at a local shop.  Bosch was coming out with a newer model and the Bosch rep was literally throwing money at me to buy this saw.  I am so glad I did.  I could not have cut the shear stringers and several other parts without this saw.  The accuracy of the cuts and ease of use are outstanding.

Notice the Bench Dog featherr board, push stick and feeding stand - all are essential if you use a table saw.

You don't have to buy a table saw, but you might need to rent one for a few days or so.

And finally we get to the sublime.


Check out this big belt sander.  This bad boy is used almost daily.  The guy in the shop next to mine makes cabinet doors and bought a bunch of new equipment.  He loaned this sander to me for the duration of the project.  Most of you won't be so lucky.  Instead, buy a belt sander that can be used as a bench top belt sander or a portable belt sander.  Now you know why I bought the smallest belt sander.

OK, it's a lot of tools.  but admit it -- you've lusted after these tools for years.