Anyone found any useful shop accessories lately [Archive]

Philip Johnson

06-25-2010, 8:42 AM

I'm just looking for those little shop accessories or gadgets that you never seem to buy but when you get it you use it all the time and wonder how you got by with out it.

I think the number one gadget for me has been a magnetic feather board for the t/s. They always seemed so expensive for a piece of plastic and magnet that I never bought one. I finally picked one up on sale last winter. Now that I have it I use it for every cut, I think it has improved the accuracy of my rips 100 percent. I wonder why I didn't get one years ago.

Another is them Rockler bench cookies. I guess I got tired of the guy trying to sell them to me and finally told him it throw a set, I had already spent a few hundred whats another 10 bucks. So they laid on the bench for about 6 months till the other day I had to clean up a blind dado with a hand chisel. (I know this is is the power tool forum so I hate to admit I own any hand tools). I had no way to clamp the panel down as I looked around the shop I found the bench cookies so gave em a try. Worked great, worked great for holding a board for sanding and routing too. Might have to pick up a few more and that fancy little rack for them to keep em handy. Now I don't sand anything without setting it on a bench cookie.

Anyone else got any little gadgets that you hated to waste money on but it turned out to be a pretty useful little tool?

Phil

Kirk Poore

06-25-2010, 8:59 AM

Dedicated wrenches for my lathe & mortiser. They're always right where I need them, and always the right size. Note that these are cheapo wrenches, not expensive like Snap-On, though with some judicious yard-sale time I figure I could get some good ones. I still need one for my OSS, jointer, and maybe a few other tools.

Oh, and a rare earth magnet to hold my chuck key to my DP. That's been extremely handy, much better than the string it replaced.

Kirk

Darnell Hagen

06-25-2010, 9:00 AM

Lee Valleys Multi-Wedge Shims. Cheap, and they work as claimed.

http://thewayiwood.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-gets.html

Bill Huber

06-25-2010, 9:26 AM

I think the number one gadget for me has been a magnetic feather board for the t/s. They always seemed so expensive for a piece of plastic and magnet that I never bought one. I finally picked one up on sale last winter. Now that I have it I use it for every cut, I think it has improved the accuracy of my rips 100 percent. I wonder why I didn't get one years ago.

Phil

I had the magnetic feather board and it worked ok for me, it was just kind of hard to get it set just right and they would slip sometimes.
I found that I was not using the feather board as much as I should.

I then went to the Jessem ones and they to me are the best, they lock into the miter slot and then you push the feather board in and lock it with different knobs. You can also stack 2 of them together and it holds the wood against the fence better and flatter.

It is kind of hard to understand until you look at them, but they are great.

http://www.jessem.com/PARALIGN_FEATHER_BOARDS.html

I will have to say I also like the Bench Cookies, they work very well.

I guess one of the other things I have that at this point I just could not live without is the Saw Jaw. All my TS blades are in one now and I never have to worry about cutting myself or screwing up a tooth. Plus it makes it very easy to install the blade with just one wrench.
Tom did a review of them.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/sawjawrvu.html

Jerome Hanby

06-25-2010, 10:00 AM

A number one odd job is the handiest thing I've had in my pocket since..well..my hand. I use a Stotz Saw Aid (that may not be the correct name) almost every table saw operation.

Jason White

06-25-2010, 10:39 AM

I recently purchased my first woodworking vise with a built-in bench dog.

I love that thing!

Jason

I'm just looking for those little shop accessories or gadgets that you never seem to buy but when you get it you use it all the time and wonder how you got by with out it.

I think the number one gadget for me has been a magnetic feather board for the t/s. They always seemed so expensive for a piece of plastic and magnet that I never bought one. I finally picked one up on sale last winter. Now that I have it I use it for every cut, I think it has improved the accuracy of my rips 100 percent. I wonder why I didn't get one years ago.

Another is them Rockler bench cookies. I guess I got tired of the guy trying to sell them to me and finally told him it throw a set, I had already spent a few hundred whats another 10 bucks. So they laid on the bench for about 6 months till the other day I had to clean up a blind dado with a hand chisel. (I know this is is the power tool forum so I hate to admit I own any hand tools). I had no way to clamp the panel down as I looked around the shop I found the bench cookies so gave em a try. Worked great, worked great for holding a board for sanding and routing too. Might have to pick up a few more and that fancy little rack for them to keep em handy. Now I don't sand anything without setting it on a bench cookie.

Anyone else got any little gadgets that you hated to waste money on but it turned out to be a pretty useful little tool?

Phil

Frank Drew

06-25-2010, 10:55 AM

De-Sta-Co clamps; love 'em in the couple of applications I've used them for.

John A. Callaway

06-25-2010, 11:00 AM

I bought a pack of bench cookies, hadn't even thought to use them yet. maybe I should put them on the bench.

the best and most obvious gadget is a portable light source, a desk lamp or one with a clamp on it.... doesnt matter. better light and more lighting is priceless.

Gene Howe

06-25-2010, 11:31 AM

The Cookies were a surprise, they work so well.

The Veritas MKII sharpening guide wasn't a surprise. I expected it to be a great little tool and it is!

The KM1 Kerf Maker from Bidge City is a blast. I love this gadget.

Finally, the Kehoe Jig http://www.dovetailspline.com/
Is probably one of the top gadgets I have ever bought on a whim. If you are a box maker, this thing ROCKS!

Dave Gaul

06-25-2010, 11:46 AM

Bench cookies are great to have around.
Love my digital fractional caliper (iGaging)
Wixey Angle cube
Incra SE miter gauge...

Just to name a few!!

Mitchell Andrus

06-25-2010, 11:54 AM

This will sound really dumb, but I put cabinet catch magnets all over the place. They are GREAT for holding onto razor blades, small screw drivers, 6" steel rulers, allen wrenches right in the machine, small screws....
.

Paul Johnstone

06-25-2010, 12:20 PM

I put in some T-track on my work area, and was able to slide Kreg Bench Clamps in them. This is very useful for holding wood for pocket holes, biscuits, dominoes, etc.

I also like those right angles which you can use with clamps to hold your casework at 90 degrees while you are assembling. Rockler and Hartville have them.

Bessey K-blocks (or something similiar) make glueups a lot easier.

The Drill doctor has actually been much more useful than I ever imagined.
I think it has easily paid for itself after a few years of resharpening bits.
It's nice to be able to touch up the edge on a drill bit.

If you are using sandpaper or stones to sharpen chisels, a premium honing guide is well worth it. I was really frustrated with my first cheapo guide, then I got the Veritas one, and my sharpening improved a lot

That's all I can think of. Sadly, a lot of gadgets end up not being as useful as I thought they'd be.

Victor Robinson

06-25-2010, 5:57 PM

Love love LOVE the micromesh abrasive pads. Washable and last a long time!

Kevin Gregoire

06-25-2010, 6:59 PM

im kind of a clean freak so i have a HF bench brush about every 3 feet in my shop.
they are very cheap with soft bristles and clean great. no matter where im standing
i dont have to reach far to grab a brush.

paul cottingham

06-25-2010, 7:42 PM

I bought a little rig that makes putting paper on a ROS much easier. I rarely use the ROS, but I love the jig. The veritas scraper holder thingy is awesome. as well. Large scraper plane with thick blade-beats the dickens out of sanding. painters pyramids...rock.

Matthew Hills

06-25-2010, 7:44 PM

In addition to the lamp and brush/dustpan already mentioned by others:
- mechanics gloves (great for sorting through wood pile)
- quick grip clamps stashed around the shop
- veritas saddle square:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/images/item/woodworking/markmeasure/05n5601s4.jpg

Things I want to get:
- good pencil sharpener (using a small plastic one now -- seem to often break leads immediately after sharpening, etc.)

David Delo

06-25-2010, 8:20 PM

low-profile riving knife from leeway and grr-ripper from micro-jig for the t/s.

the rippers took a little practice to get comfortable on the t/s but instantly helped my technique on the jointer.

Sam Babbage

06-25-2010, 9:35 PM

Leigh hold downs. They are expensive for a hold-down, at least in Australia, but damn, they are great for work holding. I work in a small furniture shop and we dogged our "routing, dominoing and chiseling" bench for use with them. They enable really fast and secure holding of workpieces and fences and templates onto said workpieces.

Will Blick

06-26-2010, 12:03 AM

This is a dangerous thread...us tool nutz will just get more wants n needs...but, you started it..... ;-)

Ecogate dust collection automation control... auto on/off whenever machine turns on / off... its one hassle I don't have to deal with.

Cornering tools - a few strokes, remove the razor sharp 90 deg. edges on fresh milled wood.

Incra precision rules, truly the most remarkable marking tool ever made....specially for small projects...

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/36005-01-500.jpg

Carters spring loaded wood thickness gauges... a quick pop on the board in a few places, and you know where you are at. The joy is, the spring laoded jaws and more imporantly the round disc contact points that have large surface to surface contract with the wood.

http://www.carterproducts.com/images/Snap%203x2.jpg

Rocklers miter sled for perfect miters that are always not 45's.....why? Because the angle graduations are a great distance from the pivot point... this reduces error by a factor of the distance, (most miter gauges have the graduations only a few inches behind the pivot point) so it's incredibly accurate and fast to use, no fussing, once set, you can eye ball down to about .1 deg.

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/33113-02-500.jpg

and of course, in the past few years, using cordless impact guns to drive screws has been a godsend to this field... Bosch higher end models are beyond superb.... I tried a HF model, was so inferior in performance, and died in a 4 months... this is one tool I will gladly pay a premium for

glenn bradley

06-26-2010, 12:49 AM

+1 on the saddle square. I used the small one so much I got the big one. Both get used . . . a lot.

Van Huskey

06-26-2010, 1:12 AM

A scraper holder as someone mentioned and lately Magswitch in general. I have found so many uses for them, I think I have about a dozen.

Rich Engelhardt

06-26-2010, 6:21 AM

i have a HF bench brush about every 3 feet in my shop.
they are very cheap with soft bristles and clean great.
- +1
Great buy when they go on sale!

- Euro pocket hinge jig w/35mm bit.
About $10/$11 at Home Depot. A lot handier than I ever thought it would be.

- Folding utility knife. While not so good for heavy use - like scoring drywall - perfect for light use any time/any place a very keen edge is needed.

- HF bulk pack of utility blades. *see above about light use. Not so good for general cutting, but, their thin body makes them great for scribing.

- Starrett 7" Pro Site protractor. @ about $50, it's steep for occasional use. If you run a fair amount of crown or trim, it's a God-send.

- Digital fractional calipers. Cheap to the sky is the limit as far as price. Love my cheap HF 6" one.

- Aluminum faced peg board - about $5 more than regular pegboard @ Lowes. Amazing how it dresses up things!

- Menards. Nothing in particular - pretty much the whole store. As borgs go, IMHO, they beat the "other two" soundly. I have Lowes 5 min away, a HD 20 min away and a Menards nearly an hour's drive away. Menards is my "go-to" place for bulk/large purchases.

William Hutchinson

06-26-2010, 7:00 AM

Already mentioned, the Kerfmaker is simply ingenious- measures outside cuts of dado for precise fit.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Kerfmaker/perfectresult.jpg

Gene Howe

06-26-2010, 7:27 AM

I forgot to mention the Miterset. Makes producing segments of any angle a snap.

Philip Johnson

06-26-2010, 7:45 AM

I see I will have to make a shopping list and try a few of these out.

+1 on the Wixey digital cube and use the digital planner read out and caliper all the time.

Another for me was a good 12 inch combination square, I use that thing every 5 mins to set blade heights, check for square boards, keep my projects square. At first I put it away in its nice little box after every use but now I use it so much it just lays on the bench or saw.

Phil

Tom Rick

06-26-2010, 7:46 AM

For me its a couple of blower nozzles I can move about to keep cutting lines clear of chips/dust. They are set up on spring clamps or mag bases and have a small valve to regulate air flow.

Bill Huber

06-26-2010, 10:27 AM

- veritas saddle square:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/images/item/woodworking/markmeasure/05n5601s4.jpg

Things I want to get:
- good pencil sharpener (using a small plastic one now -- seem to often break leads immediately after sharpening, etc.)

A saddle square is a great tool, there is also another one that I like. It is M3 square from M Power. Eagle Am. sells it and I have had it for a long time now and really like it.

http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/424-3500/clearance

I use Pentel .05 mechanical pencils and never have to sharpen them.

Darnell Hagen

06-26-2010, 10:45 AM

- good pencil sharpener

I use a KUM, it's excellent.

I'm a traditionalist in the shop, so I use the beech (http://www.pencilthings.com/kum-wood-1-hole-pencil-sharpener-with-flexible-high-carbon-dynamic-torsion-action-steel-blade..html) model. :D

If you're looking for an eraser as well, my favourite is the Staedtler (http://www.pencilthings.com/mars-plastic-eraser-staedtler.html).

Matthew Hills

06-26-2010, 11:01 AM

I use Pentel .05 mechanical pencils and never have to sharpen them.

I switched to mechanical pencils when I was going through school, but haven't liked them as much for woodworking applications -- usually they have support tubes and whatnot near the lead tip that wreak havoc with running it against a straight edge (or around the corner on a saddle square). Somewhat tempted to go back to the old thick-lead mechanical pencils (lead holders) from drafting.

And for an earlier post, Menards has one characteristic that I dislike:
http://www.menards.com/web/static/images/storeLocator/menardMap2.gif

Kent A Bathurst

06-26-2010, 11:38 AM

There are two things I wish I had bought 10 years before I actually bought them:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=44836&cat=1,42936,50298

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-1202F-6-6-Inch-Fractional-Caliper/dp/B001LF3CG2

In the interest of full disclosure - I started out with a cheaper set of calipers. Got a deal on the Starrett from a Creeker. Like them much better

Steve Bracken

06-26-2010, 1:24 PM

Orange Pencils!

Bright orange, Home Depot Orange ...... Lots of them ... and they still get lost!!!

Neil Brooks

06-26-2010, 2:11 PM

Pretty much agree with ALL of the above that I DID know about, and hate each of you that posted an idea that I DID NOT know about ;)

Maybe it's just me, but I really like my HF flip-down magnifier visor.

It's NOT this one, but ... that's the idea....

http://www.wesci.us/opti-visor.jpg

Van Huskey

06-26-2010, 4:27 PM

STOP IT!

This thread could cost me a fortune, most of the stuff mentioned are things I thought I "should" buy at one time or another but I forgot about them. Now they are all in my mind at one time!!! Pure evil.

Kevin Gregoire

06-27-2010, 1:49 PM

gene, i have a miterset also, one great tool that gets used a lot!

http://miterset.home.comcast.net/%7Emiterset/images/fig_4-Gauge-at-90.jpg

http://miterset.home.comcast.net/%7Emiterset/images/fig_6-35.jpg

Dan Karachio

06-27-2010, 10:45 PM

I have the bench cookies too and use them now and again.

However, since you mentioned the feather boards for your ripping, I have been super super happy with my GRR-Ripper. Not only are my cuts better, but it is very safe. Use it on the jointer and router table too.

Back to the TS, I also use their splitter kit since I have a contractor saw and no riving knife options. All in all, this adds up to a great accessory for all over the shop.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004393/8909/Micro-Jig-GRR-Ripper-System-Model-GR200.aspx

John Thompson

06-28-2010, 10:42 AM

An old school pencil sharpener with a crank handle.. an old ice pick (my grand-fathers) to punch start holes for a drill bit.. self adhesive cork rolls to line vises. And a home-made set of vise shims 2" x 6" in 1/4"-1/8"-1/16" thicknesses alternated in the stack with a hole drilled in one end and a 1/4" bolt through them. The thickness you need can be found quickly and the remainer of the 4" thick stack can be rotated 90* degrees out of the way. You put the thickness of the piece you are clamping in your vise on the opposite end of your vise to avoid racking. It matters to those acme screws over time as eventually one side wears more than the other.

A bunch more but I gotta make a trip to my hardwood supplier. Early bird gets the non-worm wood. :)

Dan Friedrichs

06-28-2010, 11:13 AM

And for an earlier post, Menards has one characteristic that I dislike:
http://www.menards.com/web/static/images/storeLocator/menardMap2.gif

You don't like that there isn't one closer to you? :)

Gene Howe

06-28-2010, 11:58 AM

I set my miter saw with it, too. Lay a straight edge across the pegs (I use the blade out of my try square) and set the "block" against the fence. The block is machined perfectly square. Bring the blade to the straight edge. A little clumsy but it works.:D

Gene Howe

06-28-2010, 12:05 PM

Another neat thing is a couple sets of open end wrenches. One sae and one in MM. I use them to gauge thicknesses out of the planer.
They are handy to tighten nuts with, too.:D

Philip Johnson

06-28-2010, 2:43 PM

Brian Tymchak

06-28-2010, 2:57 PM

I bought a couple of the Starrett 4" engineers squares from Lie-Nielsen and just can't work without 'em now.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=13a

They are so handy, I'm considering buying one or 2 more.

Brian

Neil Brooks

06-28-2010, 7:33 PM

Bob Elliott

06-28-2010, 11:12 PM

May have to try the open end wrench thickness gauge...I do like the wixey digital planer read out and a digital caliper but now I obsess over is .7493245 close enough to 3/4 or give it one more bump.

Phil

I measure wood with my digital caliper as soon as it comes out of the planer. It has to be 0.750" or I'll run it through again.

BTW if you have a board that measures .7493245" didn't you bump it too far already?

Philip Johnson

06-29-2010, 12:20 AM

Yeah I guess I did, didn't I...should have used a wrench

Kevin Gregoire

11-30-2011, 11:24 PM

anyone else find any shop goodies lately?

Ray Newman

11-30-2011, 11:37 PM

Does money count as a "shop accessory"?

Or, is it a "shop necessity"?

Mike Barger

11-30-2011, 11:41 PM

Increased and decreased my productivity:

214312

Rich Engelhardt

12-01-2011, 7:49 AM

Jerome Hanby

12-01-2011, 10:10 AM

Rockler has Bench Cookies for $7.99 & free shipping.
They've already been mentioned though.
I just picked up some this past Summer & the dumb things work great.

Harbor Freight - the 6 1/4" magnetic welding holders (http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-4-quarter-inch-multipurpose-magnet-holder-1939.html).
Harbor Freight - 18" telescoping magnetic pickup rod. Quite possibly the best $3.00 I've spent in the last few decades.

I use that pick-up rod almost every time I'm n the shop. I obviously thought the welding holders would be a good idea for something since I have a pair of them hanging on my pegboard, but i can't recall what I was thinking of using them for <g>. What do you use yours for?

Brian Tymchak

12-01-2011, 1:50 PM

I bought the JDS Automated blast gate system a few years ago and I just love it. Just open the blast gate on the tool I'm using and on comes the DC. Take some installation time but I just love it.... did I mention I just love it?!! :rolleyes:

Rich Engelhardt

12-01-2011, 2:26 PM

Jerome,
I keep them stuck to the side of the table saw. I also keep a shop vac hose attached to the outlet on the bottom of the saw (it's a Ridgid TS3660). Whenever I unhook the hose, I stick the magnets on top in a V ans stick the hose in there to hold it in place.
I also use one for holding the screw that goes in the insert and the flange washer when I'm changing blades.
Whenever I'mscrewing something together, I stick abunch of screws on one to hold them.
I'm sure they'll be more things down the road.

Cast iron and magnets = can't beat em.

David Hostetler

12-01-2011, 3:46 PM

Another vote for Rockler's Bench Cookies. I use the heck out of mine! Rockler T track kits, the ones with the knobs and bolts are a good value, and priceless when putting jigs, router tables, drill press tables and such together...

I've got one of those magnetic dish thingies that holds screws without them going everywhere. Love that thing...

Rod Sheridan

12-01-2011, 4:18 PM

Paul McGaha

12-01-2011, 4:21 PM

Keith Westfall

12-01-2011, 8:00 PM

Isn't it great that someone would take the time to take him to a vet, rather than just keep going?

Well done.

Thad McCulloch

12-01-2011, 9:15 PM

Woodpeckers One Time Run Saddle T Square combined with a mechanical pencil that uses 0.7mm lead. Even though you can't order them online anymore, I found that if you call or email, they still have some left in some of the sizes and are happy to sell them to you - I got the 4" version.

Also, a couple of Bench Dog's Ultra Push-Blocs to replace my "standard" push blocks for the jointer, tablesaw, etc. The Ultras use the same gripping material that's on the Bench Cookies, so they work really, really, really well!

mark kosse

12-01-2011, 9:31 PM

Bruce Wrenn

12-01-2011, 9:57 PM

HF 20 oz gravity feed HVLP spray guns. I picked up first two for $9.99, paid $12.99 for last two. Currently I rehabing and building some steel hand rails. Spraying is so quick, it's almost criminal. Picked up the matching gun stands to hold guns. HF brad / 1/4" stapler for about $13. Works like a charm. Good Hand locking pipe clamps for $14.99 from ENCO. They hold rails in alignment for welding.

John A langley

12-01-2011, 11:22 PM

Glad you got your shop cat back. I'd be lost without my shop dog.

John Spitters

12-02-2011, 12:09 AM

I've had one of these 4" marking squares now for maybe 8 years or so and find that most every day that I work in my shop I tend to use it.
It has been one of my best small tool purchases. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=67795&cat=1,42936
John

Steven Wayne

12-02-2011, 3:51 AM

I bought a pair of the Micro Jig Grrr-Rippers (http://microjig.com/products/grr-ripper/) a while back. I really like them.

I bought a Double Dubby (http://www.in-lineindustries.com/double_dubby.html) and Deluxe A-Line-It (http://www.in-lineindustries.com/a-line-it.html) at the wood working show a couple weeks ago. Got my saw all lined up. Makes miters a breeze.

At the same woodworking show I picked up the new Carter MagFence II (http://www.carterproducts.com/product.asp?product_id=474&cat_id=75). I really like it for resawing. Works better for me than anything I have tried. The magswitch's are useful for all sorts of stuff.

Rod Sheridan

12-02-2011, 8:09 AM

Thanks Paul, Keith and John.

Yes it's great that he's back, and he's very happy to be home.

Animal services contacted the woman who found her at my request, and asked her to phone us. I was offering payment for her bills at the Vet's, however she told me that the Vet didn't charge her. I thanked the woman, and sent the Vet a thank you card.

It's nice to know that there are still great people out there..................Regards, Rod.

Jerome Hanby

12-02-2011, 1:40 PM

At the same woodworking show I picked up the new Carter MagFence II (http://www.carterproducts.com/product.asp?product_id=474&cat_id=75). I really like it for resawing. Works better for me than anything I have tried. The magswitch's are useful for all sorts of stuff.

That fence looks pretty nice. If you can adjust the saw to eliminate drift it would really rock.

Jim Rimmer

12-02-2011, 2:07 PM

I recently stopped by the 99 cent store and picked up some measuring spoons, a metal brownie pan and a metal bread pan that I plan to use for mixing and applying dyes (I had already picked up a Oyrex measuring cup at a flea market). Two pans and measuring spoons came to $3.25.

Steven Wayne

12-02-2011, 5:18 PM

That fence looks pretty nice. If you can adjust the saw to eliminate drift it would really rock.

I have no issues cutting paper thin with this fence. And I have made no other adjustments to my saw.

Neil Brooks

12-02-2011, 6:10 PM

I bought a Double Dubby (http://www.in-lineindustries.com/double_dubby.html)

Saving my pennies for one of those bad boys.

UPS just delivered my Thread Detectives (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21999), today (sorry if this is a repeat).

Played with them, at my brother's house, and was instantly sold !

http://toolguyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Rockler-Thread-Detective-Screw-Gauge.jpg

Roy Turbett

12-02-2011, 9:28 PM

My wife bought an electric leaf blower because she couldn't get the gas one started. I thought it was stupid at the time because our driveway is 200' long! Then one day I decided to use it to clean the shop. Works great.

Bruce Mack

12-03-2011, 10:57 AM

214353

My most useful accessory, Ellington the Shop Cat.

He went missing in September, last week we had a phone call from Toronto Animal Services that they had Ellington at the shelter.

He was 3 pounds lighter, and had a large shaved area with a weeping puncture wound.

A lady found him, took him to a vet's, who treated him for free and sent him to the animal shelter.

His identification chip allowed them to find us.

He's on anti-biotics and recovering well, it's nice to have the shop cat back, he was missed.

regards, Rod.

Congratulations, Rod. That's a fine story. My shop cat, also black, is 14 years old. His presence has led me to use hand tools much more. He sits on the bench and critiques the thickness of my plane shavings. We have a pact - if he goes first I'll bring in one of the other house cats as a trainee. If I go first, he gets the tools and the hardwood.
Regards,
Bruce

Bill White

12-03-2011, 11:51 AM

The small diamond paddle hones (3 grits), a stupid and cheap gun-style air nozzle from HF, and a plactic drafting triangle to check set ups.
Bill

Dave Stuve

12-03-2011, 11:56 AM

At the woodworking show in Portland I bought two things that put a big smile on my face. The first is Woodpecker's coping sled, which is so much better than the plywood scrap sled I built a few years ago. It feels much safer and is more accurate to boot. Second is a 'Mega Mat' from Peachtree, which is a foam anti-fatigue mat but instead of being 3/8" or 1/2" thick it's a spongy 1" thick. It's now right where I stand when I do lots of sanding, and my feet and back don't ache when I stand there for hours any more.

Jason Goodrich

02-07-2012, 12:18 AM

I am a newer wood worker, only done a handful of projects. My most recent was a new craft desk for my wife's jewelry business. I was planning on using biscuit joints but I picked up the Kreg pocket hole jig instead. That made it so much easier. I built the desk in about a week instead of who knows how long.

denis tuomey

02-07-2012, 11:43 AM

Picked up a set of the flip down casters for your work bench from Rocklers, on sale. These things are awsome, making my bench mobil now makes it alot easier to get to things stored behind it. With everything cramed in a 2 car garage, casters make life alittle easier.

jared herbert

02-07-2012, 1:57 PM

I bought a glue-bot bottle. I dont believe in gadgets that much but this one works good and I am glad I have it. Jared

Stew Hagerty

02-07-2012, 2:05 PM

I mounted a "Leg Up" on my tablesaw. Oh yeah... It makes it so much easier than manhandling large sheets of Plywood or MDF up onto the saw. I put a couple of roller stands in fromt of the saw to help support the work, then drop the edge in the Leg-Up and rotate. Really saves the back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdo90fJ4KLk

Stew Hagerty

02-07-2012, 2:24 PM

A saddle square is a great tool, there is also another one that I like. It is M3 square from M Power. Eagle Am. sells it and I have had it for a long time now and really like it.

http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/424-3500/clearance

I use Pentel .05 mechanical pencils and never have to sharpen them.

I have both 90 and 45 degree saddle squares that I got as "One Time Tools" from Woodpeckers:

222992222991

Speaking of Woodpeckers, I have a bunch of their stuff and use it all the time, but I have one tool of theirs that I ended up relying on a lot as I started getting more into handplanes & chisels. And that is their Mini-Square:

222993

It's perfect for making sure irons & chisels are perfectly square.

Jerome Hanby

02-07-2012, 2:56 PM

Their one time tools are killing me. I've got that mini-square and more than a couple of those one time tools I'd love to have.

I have both 90 and 45 degree saddle squares that I got as "One Time Tools" from Woodpeckers:

222992222991

Speaking of Woodpeckers, I have a bunch of their stuff and use it all the time, but I have one tool of theirs that I ended up relying on a lot as I started getting more into handplanes & chisels. And that is their Mini-Square:

222993

It's perfect for making sure irons & chisels are perfectly square.

Steven Lee, NC

02-08-2012, 11:11 AM

tablesaw crosscut sled, I use this almost all the time unless I need to rip something. Poor kapex just sits there looking pretty.

gripper, use with jointer, tablesaw, and router table

Van Huskey

02-08-2012, 1:16 PM

It probably has been mentioned but the Bridge City Kerfmaker is my new favorite gadget.

Ray Newman

02-08-2012, 1:22 PM

Van H: I purchased a Bridge City Kerfmaker during that last manufacturing run. Had my doubts at first, but it turned to be an interesting and usefult saw accessory.

Kevin Gregoire

05-15-2012, 9:31 PM

i got an email from Lee Valley today for a wall mount fan that is kind of cool
dont know who would be interested but i thought it was neat.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/garden/page.aspx?cat=2,43224&p=67357

232209

Dick Latshaw

05-16-2012, 4:56 PM

I find that I use this on just about every project. Of course, I seem to have a weakness for Lee Valley tools. :)

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32598&cat=1,42936

Paul McGaha

05-16-2012, 5:37 PM

Their one time tools are killing me. I've got that mini-square and more than a couple of those one time tools I'd love to have.

I'm glad you posted that Jerome. I just ordered one of those little squares. Does look like it would be ideal to check the edge on a chisel for square.

I bought a couple of their larger squares last year. They're really nice.

PHM

Thad McCulloch

05-16-2012, 7:41 PM

Woodpeck's saddle T-square combined with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil:

http://www.woodpeck.com/media/main_saddle_t-square.jpg

and Bench Dog's Ultra push block:

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/42790-07-200.jpg

which uses the same sort of gripping material that's on Bench cookies. It REALLY grips. I liked it so much I ordered a sheet of very similar gripping material from Lee Valley and replaced all the pads on all my other push blocks. Now none of them slip on anything.

Darren Ford

05-17-2012, 12:10 AM

My shop thanks the person that revived this thread. My wallet does not share that sentiment.

Lot's of gems here. That LegUp is on the short list.

Keep 'em coming!

Mark W Pugh

05-17-2012, 5:09 PM

Finally, the Kehoe Jig http://www.dovetailspline.com/
Is probably one of the top gadgets I have ever bought on a whim. If you are a box maker, this thing ROCKS!

Gene, they have 3 lengths to choose from, 8", 12", and 24". Any suggestions? Since you have used the product, do you wish you would have gotten a different size? Thanks.