New Christmas Toys ... uhhh ... I meant tools

[Martin Roper]

My wife got me a mini chain saw to prune some of the trees in our yard.

Santa (me) brought some Fisch Wave Runner Forstner bits...

...and an EnjoyWood miter gauge:

 

[junquecol]

Wife got the flu, and I got RSV. Not exactly the Christmas we had planned. This makes five in a row. 2019 & 2020 lock down, 2021, I had a heart attack, 2022, we BOTH had Covid, and then there is this year. Can hardly wait to see what next Christmas brings!

 

[Mike Davis]

No tools this year. No plans to buy anything.

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

Now that we're through all the jokes about shop lights and disco balls, my wife gave me new lights for my converted garage-to-workshop. WOW do they make a difference!!

When we moved in, as part of my shop set-up, I upgraded 4 dual bulb globe fixtures from 100W incandescent to the brightest LED bulbs available. There was a significant improvement in brightness, and I thought the job was done. My electrician has been prodding me to let him install the newest long tube LED fixtures. I've started struggling to read some of my measuring instruments--anything that's brushed steel with black markings--, so I went for it.

What got installed are 4' and 8' long twin tube fixtures that look like the old style fluorescent fixtures with skinny tubes. Again, WOW do they make a difference. The bulbs are rated "natural light", and to me they illuminate as well as sunlight through the windows. The light spreads out much better than the old globes, and the colors of various raw woods has even improved. This is one of the best investments I've ever made in my woodworking shop. There's no tool that will make my woodworking easier or less straining than these lights.

 

[Martin Roper]

Wiley, that's on my bucket list for my garage.

Can you provide more details; brand, lumens, number, etc.

 

[Long Acre Woodworks]

Well ..... This is what my wife agreed to be my Christmas present ......... Though it won't arrive for about a week or so. After using a table saw without any safety features for 57 years figured I ain't getting any younger. 3hp/52" table

Great gift!

 

[Oka]

When I moved here there were 2 tube light fixtures in the Garage (500²) and 6 in the adjacent basement (1100²)

Now I have 10 2bulb-T8/4ft led fixtures in the garage and 22 in the basement area .... Most areas are lit up to 45-50 ft candle. I got the fixtures from Costco when they were like 15 bucks/per, just had to run the additional circuits.

Now that we're through all the jokes about shop lights and disco balls, my wife gave me new lights for my converted garage-to-workshop. WOW do they make a difference!!

When we moved in, as part of my shop set-up, I upgraded 4 dual bulb globe fixtures from 100W incandescent to the brightest LED bulbs available. There was a significant improvement in brightness, and I thought the job was done. My electrician has been prodding me to let him install the newest long tube LED fixtures. I've started struggling to read some of my measuring instruments--anything that's brushed steel with black markings--, so I went for it.

What got installed are 4' and 8' long twin tube fixtures that look like the old style fluorescent fixtures with skinny tubes. Again, WOW do they make a difference. The bulbs are rated "natural light", and to me they illuminate as well as sunlight through the windows. The light spreads out much better than the old globes, and the colors of various raw woods has even improved. This is one of the best investments I've ever made in my woodworking shop. There's no tool that will make my woodworking easier or less straining than these lights.

 

[rcarmac]

Wiley, that's on my bucket list for my garage.

Can you provide more details; brand, lumens, number, etc.

I upgrade to LEDs a few years ago. Well worth the money. Made a huge difference. Don’t wait, go ahead and do it soon. You will not regret it and wish you did it sooner

 

[gamiller3rd]

Gift from my better half

 

[J_Graham]

No tools this year. No plans to buy anything.

We know you're always hunting "new" old tools @Mike Davis hahaha

 

[J_Graham]

New sharpening stones (DMT) and files from mom. New branding iron from my wife.

 

[Mike Davis]

We know you're always hunting "new" old tools @Mike Davis hahaha

You must have me confused with someone in the Eastern part of the State.

 

[Chris C]

You must have me confused with someone in the Eastern part of the State.

I resemble that remark....

 

[mpholway]

I will use this for construction projects more than wood working but I finally got a stiletto titanium hammer. If you have never used one it is like nailing in butter.

 

[Rushton]

I've always "cut to fit" for most of my work, but I've been doing small items recently that needed a bit of layout done. I've been skeptical of these "drag a line" marking tools, but this little Incra "Tiny T" 3-inch has been a treat to use:

Amazon.com

 

[Dee2]

Hey, but it’s not a disco ball. Next thing you know Gene will start wearing a three piece suit and walking with a strut.

Actually gave up 3 piece suits in the 80’s. Gave up ties completely, except formal nights on cruise ships about 5 years ago.

OBTW, ball is hung in the center of the shop. Need a spinner donation along with spot lights. Anybody?

 

[Dee2]

You know, Gene, all of us here (as well as your daughter) are going to want to see that installed in your shop. Pictures, please.

You asked…
And one of the new light fixtures. Most are pointed up to reflect off the ceiling and minimize shadows. I was surprised art how well it works.

 

[creasman]

Most are pointed up to reflect off the ceiling and minimize shadows.

Looks like a light sabre...

The ball needs a spotlight on it. Just saying...

 

[SabertoothBunny]

My wife surprised me with a pair of these amongst other random things from my kids from the new Rockler store:

 

[RobS.]

I got a 14 gallon, 6 hp Rigid shop vac. I've been cleaning up sawdust from the barn floor in an effort to make room for more.