Shop stuff that's a joy to use

[Bas]

I was doing a bunch of stuff today, and realized how important all the accessories are to woodworking. Yes, you need good tools, but the accessories matter! My top 10 things I enjoy using every time:

10. Shop Fox DC remote. It seems like a small thing, having a remote, but even in my little shop not having to walk back and forth is big help. Especially when you turn on the table saw, board in hand, and realize the DC is off
9. Woodslicer band saw blade. I'm no expert at resawing, but with this blade, it just doesn't matter. Position board roughly parallel to blade. Push. Done.
8. Irwin Quick Clamps. Whenever I'm clamping a fence, stop block, well anything for that matter, these are the clamps I reach for. I have 8 and the next time they're on sale, I may just pick up 4 more.
7. McFeely's square drive screws. They're strong, they don't strip, they don't break, and they're cheaper than screws from the BORG. What's not to like?
6. Grr Rippers. Before I had these, I could not rip anything narrow on my table saw. These boys are super versatile and most importantly, SAFE!
5. Lee Valley Jack plane. I don't do a lot of hand planing, but when I do, there's nothing better than picking up a quality tool like this.
4. Plastic resin (urea) glue. This stuff is a real lifesaver for clumsy woodworkers like me. With PVA glue, I'm usually cursing and hurrying to get everything together. There is a lot of pounding with the dead blow, and I end up sweating like an ox on the verge of murder and mayhem. With plastic resin glue, I enter a Zen like state and assemble the project with peace, calm and confidence.
3. MJ splitter. Simple, effective. So simple I use it every time. Without this thing, I'd probably have several board hurled at my head by now.
2. JET parallel clamps. A handle you can really crank down. Deep throat. Release trigger that works. I have 8 and want 8 more. And then another 20 or so.
1. NC WoodWorker. The place that has everything!

[Tarhead]

Here's my top 10 but not in any order:

Assembly table (Thank's Dino!) It really keeps things flat and worth the floor space it occupies. Good storage underneath. Waxed, nonstick MDF top. Flat, Flat, Flat



Sharkguard "Shorty" Splitter for the Unisaw w/ratchet handle...~10 seconds to install or remove and strong like bull:
http://www.leestyron.com/sharksplitter.php


18", 45 deg. Drafting triangle http://www.dickblick.com/zz554/47/
Dead nutz on square, no rust, no worries about dropping. Makes setting up cabinet/drawer corners, squaring crosscut guide, miters, etc a breeze

LV Bar Gauge for exact "no math" measurements:

I don't need no stinking tape measure
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,43513,43553

LV Saddle Square for wrapping a line around the corner:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42936,50298

Anything Festool...oops.."more tool than Bas will accept..or buy"
Let's see....how about a big roll of newsprint. Use it at least once in every project. Big enough to lay flat, scribble notes, etc.

Abranet abrasive discs. I got tired of finish gumming up and sandpaper not lasting more than a few minutes. This stuff is awesome and lasts forever! Converted my 6 and 8 hole RO sanders to 8,000 holes. As joyous as sanding can be:
http://www.fiberlay.com/abranet.pdf
http://www.supergrit.com/products/pr...cs-abranet.asp

Painter's Pyramids
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,43390&p=57821
These were in my stocking this past Christmas and I don't know how I sprayed, brushed or wiped without them for so long.

Silky "Woodboy" extrafine folding saw. It's almost reads my mind when I saw with it. How do it know? (They're based in Concord too!)
http://www.silkystore.com/Catalog/Do...tra-Fine-Teeth

Naniwa "Superstones"
All the benefits of a Japanese water stone w/o the hassle of soaking and constantly having to flatten.
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/M...egory_Code=THW

[Bas]

Awesome stuff Mark. Especially the smaller items like the Painter's Pyramids. I rigged something myself using toothpicks glued into a sheet of MDF, not a great solution. On my list of things to get! The Abranet discs also piqued my curiosity.

BTW, the Festool stuff doesn't count. Too much tool and not enough accessory. And because I don't have any

[JackLeg]

Osborne jig
Bosch Sliding Miter Saw
Bosch PS-20 Drill Drivers
Stanley 12' tape measure
PC RO Sander
Bosch Jig Saw
Kreg Jigs
Plumb 16 oz. Hammer

and probably #1 is my Solar Kiln!!

"Just a few of my favorite things!"

[Bigdog72]

1. Freud 8" Dado set (a dream to use)
2. Quick change chucks for all my drivers (time...)
3. Osborne and Dubby jigs (accuracy)
4. Fence clamps for sacrificial fence (cool)
5. Mobile bases for all my large tools (absolutely nifty)
6. Glu-Bot for my carpenter glue (no more shaking the bottle)
7. PC omnijig (couldn't make drawers without it)
8. XM INNO speaker dock (gotta have tunes)
9. GRRRRRRRRipper (see Bas's list)
10. Craftsmen mechanics gloves (they fit!)

[Outa Square]

I can't think of ten things at one time but i can list a few of my favorite things ....

16 d nails - first, I just feel more rugged when i know i have a box. I drive them in scrap 2x4s just enough to hold it and use it to elevated the projects that i am going to paint. The make handy nail sets when you have miss place your nail set. I put the nail head up against a nail that busted out of the side of project in order to remove the nail. Plus i have to do something with them as my father gave me a ten pound box of them and i just don't have that many projects that warrants the use of that caliber of nail.

Quick Clamps. Because sometimes i really need an extra hand, i my wife/kids can never hold it just right for as long as i need them too and the clamps never question my work.

A Well tuned plane or spoke shave. Because taking big piece of wood and reducing it to pile of thin ribbons is good way to reduce stress.

[junquecol]

Sensor in panel box for DC- no looking for remotes- it's automatic, Rolling clamp cart, Wood magazine cyclone- (don't anybody tell it what it can't do, as it is doing it), Kregg jigs, Quick clamps, Besies, home made Biese. fence, home made hanging air filter, key less chucks from Jacobs, B & D 7 1/4" Sawcat, Miller and Hobart welders. (MIG, and stick) B&D 4 1/2" angle grinders, $29.99 bench grinder from Lowes (30 years old), 4" support column to which grinder and vice are attached. The list could go on

[goodmund]

Speed square and metal ruler -- Better accuracy than just the tape measure dad always used. Plus, I've always had a hard time getting the combination square to stay tight enough so it doesn't wiggle.

Quick-Grip clamps -- Woodworkers waited decades for a one-handed clamp, I'm lucky to be here when they came along.

Kreg Pocket screw kit -- I just picked one up to build face frames for my kitchen remodel. I knew it would be easy to use, but it surpassed my expectations.

Toggle clamps -- What jig is complete without one or two?

DeWalt Biscuit Joiner -- Handy when a screw won't do, plus it's the safest power tool in the shop.

New saw blades vs. sharpened old blades -- It's always good to sharpen an old general purpose blade, but picking up a new one, with the thin kerf, anti-vibration grooves and factory-fresh shine, blows the old ones away.

Bosch PS40-2 driver -- Just bought one to take advantage of the freebee, and it's already saved my bacon once, fitting into a cabinet where my full size drill wouldn't go. I'm sure it will keep on being the perfect tool in many situations.

And even though she won't even read this, I have to add my wife, who is vital when it comes to ripping full sheets of plywood, holding things in place when a clamp won't fit and giving an honest second opinion.

Nice idea for a post, Bas.