"Must have" tools

[doug hodder]

Ptomaine...based on your experience...I'm sure we would all appreciate some of your "chef's delights" this is also an eating crowd!!! got any dutch oven experience? Welcome aboard...Doug

[PaulC]

Back to the topic of this thread. I have found my quick change countersink/driver thingy
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000022 to be very useful.

Okay, enough with the technical terms

Cheers
Paul

[Joanne]

For me, it's the BandAids! I'm on my second box. Did I mention I'm a klutz?!?!

The "surprise tool" of my build was the small block plane. I have used it more than I would have ever expected. Especially when I needed to shave 1/8 or so off the paneling to make it fit.

The "cool tool" was the Kreg pocket hole jig. I didn't even know what a pocket hole was when I started my build. After hearing about them here I went out and bought one. I've used it for everything.

The "best return on investment" was the Veritas sharpening jig. It paid for itself! Rather than buying new chisels and planes, I bought the sharpening jig and reconditioned all the old tools.

The best "time-saving tool" was a second drill. I used one to drill and countersink, and the other drive the screws. It's nice to have friends with tools. (Another friend let me use his power miter saw. It's nice but a little scary to use.)

Do the Dutch Ovens count? I have to eat while I build.

Ira, I would have thought your most important tool was your ICE CHEST! Gotta keep that beer cold!

Joanne


Still can't figure out how to get the router to do the miracles I see you guys doing with them.

[Juneaudave]

Joanne is right about the block plane...if you haven't used on since woodshop in high school...and couldn't make it work then...give it a try. An excellent starter is the Stanley 60-1/2 Low-Angle Block Plane. Very inexpensive and good for end cuts.

And to go with your block plane, chisels and scrapers...get a good sharpening stone. Joanne and I must shop at the same store. The Veritas sharpening jig is great when matched with a good stone.

I cannot tell you how good a very sharp chisel or plane will work until you try one. When you buy most chisels and planes, while they feel sharp, they are not.

[Gadget Man]

I agree with Cracker39 About the "Tool Belt"
You don't need a big huge one, (Does Size Matter?) just a small pouch to hold your tape, pencil and square. You can't believe how much time you save when you have your pencil and tape at your side all the time.
How many times have you made a measurement, then didn't have a pencil in hand to make a mark ? I bet more times than you care to admit.
When you put on the tool belt you are telling the world your are ready to work, and work more efficiently.
The tool belt was my most important tool.

Gadget Man

[cracker39]

I know I've said it, but want to echo Joanne's comments about the Kreg pocket hole jig and the 2nd drill. I couldn't do without either. The cheap HF drills are a fraction of the cost of the better ones, but make a great power screwdriver.

[BILLYL]

One more thought! Use the same tape measure throughout your build. As in previous discussions you can have significant differences between measures.

- Love the name

Bill

[Joseph]

Here's what I used:

Joseph

[dwgriff1]

I once bought a spendy tool for my cabinet shop.

My wife asked: "When does this stop?"

"It never does."

It would be good to buy a well equipped tool store, keep one of each and then sell the store.

dave

[cracker39]

We have a spending truce in effect. I buy tools and camper stuff. My wife buys scrapbooking stuff. Sort of a quid pro quo arrangement. At least I go to the stores for mine. My wife buys mostly online. The house is littered with QVC boxes and the UPS man makes scheduled stops at our house. If he misses a day, I get worried that my wife will go into withdrawal. The guest bedroom has a wall-length work table that I built for her hobby (to justify my tools and so that she can't say that I don't build her anything). But, she is working on a Squidget scrapbook page for me (We may frame it and put it on the TTT wall). We finally had to stand the bed up on end to make more room for the scrapbooking supply cabinets and boxes. At least, I only filled up the screened in back porch with my tools and work benches, so it wasn't me that caused our grandchildren to have to sleep on the floor when they come to visit unless they want to sleep in a bed standing up. Oh well, I suppose that we all need our hobbies.

[Miriam C.]

Simple tool, but makes reducing/enlarging patterns so much easier.



Aunti M

[Boodro]

Hey Aunti M , great for makin " Round tooits" also!

[tonyj]

Most important, must have tools in my shop? Eyes (2) and fingers (10)!

[Boodro]

Tony ,what about the opposing thumbs ???? Kinda handy to have with 8 fingers!

[Chris C]

Yeah, but it's nice to start with and end with the same number of digits..........................whether they be thumbs or fingers.............and let's not forget toes. It's easy to drop an anvil on a toe! (I'm a'thinkin' of Larwyn here!)