What are your handiest gadgets?

[Michael Ray Smith]

There have been several threads lately discussing which woodworking hand tools are essential for a basic shop. I thought about that today when I was working on a rabbet and reached for a small setup block that I use to make sure the edge of the blade on my rabbet plane is flush with the side of the plane. Specifically, what I thought about was those little tools and gadgets that I use without even thinking about them. I got the setup block a couple of years ago when I bought an old machinist's tool chest. I bought it primarily because it had several sets of calipers and dividers, but it also had some little things that since I've used a lot -- including a couple of small setup blocks and a small straightedge. (The straightedge is sort of interesting because it has an Atkins etch on it.) So I wondered about the sorts of little tools and such that others find handy, things that you might not even think of if you made a list of your essential woodworking tools.

[Mark Dorman]

I have 3 wedges that are scrap from a project that I use all the time. They fit my square dog holes and make great plane stops. I also use one in the Birds Mouth I made. When I made a chair with curved back legs I could trap the leg with the wedges using the dog holes. Use them for straight edges too. There just always on the bench and it's automatic to use them.

[Jim Koepke]

Most likely my small square. It has a 2" blade. It is useful for checking edges of boards being planed. They can even stay in the vise most of the time.

Next would have to be a marking gauge. Most used would be my Tite Mark®. Next would be my Odd Jobs gets used a lot for putting pencil marks on wood that is headed for the band saw to be ripped.

My caliper marked in 1/32" increments gets a lot of use for measuring small items that need a hole drilled or other reason requiring knowing the size.

jtk

[Chris Griggs]

Chip carving knife. I use it for marking, sharpening pencils, putting points on pegs, and other general purpose pocket knife type tasks in the shop (cuttting string, tape, etc.).

[Don Dorn]

Actually, one of my favorites is commercial. It's the Veritas small aluminum planning stop. It stays on the back of the bench and I just drop it in any two dog holes and plane anything from 1/4" up. Wasn't going to buy it and turns out to be used all the time.

[JimT Thompson]

That planing stop just went into my LV basket. For nearly 20 years I've constantly used 2 of these hold downs on my bench: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=31149&cat=1,41637

[Chris Griggs]

Actually, one of my favorites is commercial. It's the Veritas small aluminum planning stop. It stays on the back of the bench and I just drop it in any two dog holes and plane anything from 1/4" up. Wasn't going to buy it and turns out to be used all the time.

+1. I have the 12" and ht 18". I don't use the 18" much since my bench as built in stop running down the length, but the 12" literally never leaves my bench. I actually end up using it as a full length bench dog a lot of the time.

[Jim Matthews]

My Moxxon vise is the most used tool in my shop, but not the most flexible.

I have a cheapo 4" sliding square that I find very useful, in more ways than just marking out.
Its blade fits into lots of the things I cut, and acts as a feeler gauge, depth gauge and angle finder.
(I'm normally looking for 90 degrees, and it's pretty obvious when the rule isn't perpendicular to the adjacent face.)

Some of these basic uses were demonstrated by Phil Lowe, I didn't come up with them independently.

[David Weaver]

big fan of the long straight chip carving knife, too. Wouldn't have thought of it, but since chris brought it up...makes a great marking knife, it's strong, easy to sharpen, and you can use it like a pocket knife to trim.

[Rich Harkrader]

My Swiss army knife. I use the blades for marking and paring, the leather punch like an awl, the can opener for all kinds of prying, and the tweezers for the inevitable splinters.

Rich;)

[george wilson]

I use my Super Leatherman a lot,and wouldn't be without it. I modified it a little bit: The smallest screwdriver is filed down some. It serves as a screwdriver for tightening my ever loosening eyeglass screws. Very handy. I often use the Leatherman a dozen times a day.

When I first get a Leatherman,I put a knife blade under each rivet head,and drive it in a little,slightly loosening the rivet just a little. It makes the tool much easier to open and use. The Super Leatherman has blades that lock open,which is a simple but great feature. To unlock a blade,you open an adjacent blade 90º,which unlocks the other blade so it can close. A very clever,but as said,simple improvement over the first issued model. I keep 1 knife blade sharp,and use the other for opening cardboard boxes.

The accurately graduated rules are very handy when I am out somewhere,and need to measure something. The whole tool is masterful engineered. I've tried the others,and while they might look nicer in some cases,(The Wenger is cool looking,and highly polished) ,no other tool is as easy to use as the Super Leatherman.

I've been stuck out on the highway with my neck in a cast from surgery(essentially a broken neck). With the useful,strong pliers,I was able to loosen the battery cables in my car,and clean them with the knife,so the battery would start charging again. I'd noticed the battery wasn't charging as I was driving. Not something I welcomed doing,my neck being in its condition,but was accomplished with the Leatherman. I urge everyone to get one.

When we went to England,it was absolutely indispensable. Everything there seems to be broken!! No kidding,having that self sustaining tool there was a MUST!! I noticed one in a shop window for 99.00 POUNDS(Over $162.00 at the time).You can get a Leatherman at Costco,with a little flashlight,for about $52.00,IIRC. Everything is so much more reasonable here in the USA. Italy is very high,too(but a much more enjoyable place to visit).

[Joe Tilson]

I have an old el cheapo 4" vise made in China, for which I made wooden jaw out of 3/4" plywood years ago. It has been a really good third hand for me for just about everything.

[Mike Holbrook]

I just got my LV Planing stops last week. The smaller one I got is 9 3/4" and the other one use to be the large one but is now the medium size one is 17 1/22". The largest is now 25 1/4. I think they changed or added to the sizes fairly recently so I am guessing they are selling well. Since I am working on my benches I plan to build them specifically to use these stops. Maybe some of the guys that use them now have suggestions about bench top and dog holes that will fully utilize these guys?

The other item I just got is a Japanese square. It is interesting by virtue of the fact that the long edge can be bent into a gentle curve to hold it in place against a side or simply lever it against a surface while marking with it. It is light but 10 1/2" x 20 1/2", graduated in Imperial on one side and metric on the other. I have decided that I want to become better acquainted with metric, just bought a retractable tape measure that has both too. I think a square that size should handle just about all my marking. I have a small four inch sliding square and an old engineer's square for when things need to be checked for absolute square.

[Judson Green]

+1 on the shims. It seems I've always got more than a few on the bench. Some for preventing twisted boards from rocking whilst I'm surfacing them and another larger set to use in the vise to counter the racking.

272337

And two levels that I use for winding sticks. And shelf liner for a little extra grip in the vise and on top of the bench between dogs.

272338

[Jim Koepke]

Judson, your post reminded me of something that is almost always used and often ignored in my shop.

272354

It is a stack of spacers made to counter vise racking:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?183743-Anti-Rack-Spacer-Stack

jtk

[Tony Wilkins]

Since I don't have a full time bench yet, I rely on these puppies http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=31144&cat=1,41659,41661&ap=1
in place of a front vise.

[Judson Green]

That's pretty clever, Jim. Thanks

[Michael Ray Smith]

And two levels that I use for winding sticks.

Definitely in the "why didn't I think of that?" category!

[Winton Applegate]

These are some of my favorite things : Rain drops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles . . . oh wait that was my Jullie Andrews fan club / forum . . .
anyway :


http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy298/noydb1/IMG_2368_zpse2937751.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/noydb1/media/IMG_2368_zpse2937751.jpg.html)
Bright white Styrofoam block for sighting gaps and reflecting light.
The tray with , in this case leather pad in bottom but I have others with neoprene padding for keeping things from marking my bench such as when I toss a hammer down on my bench and for transporting small stuff or things that could role off the bench and get lost like drill bits, pencils etc.


The neoprene pad has been unimaginably useful from making my sharpening stones stick to the counter I sharpen on with just a film of water to padding trays, silencing rattles, protecting cutting tools in transit from storage to bench etc. to covering entire work benches for the fluid proofing for working on machines etc.
You can probably buy it locally at the bearing and hydraulics supply. That is where I buy mine
http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Neoprene-Rubber-Sheet-Length/dp/B006GR2VNK/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1381104938&sr=1-6&keywords=neoprene+sheet


I have hopes for this handy little hammer. It has replaceable screw on tips and I bought it for my plane adjusting hammer. Copper for the blade and medium plastic for the wood body of the plane. Works great so far. My lignum vitae mallet I made was marking up the planes, duh.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z7GGKQ/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


These are not necessarily woodworking related but things I find unexpectedly useful when ever I am working or in my wood shop etc.
From top left after the hammer :


Varitas bevel up block plane with the optional handles. Mostly I have them always installed. I feel like I could make an entire secretary with this one plane. It scrubs and it finish planes and perfects butt joint edge glue ups. I bet I could teach it to make a birthday cake with a little time.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,41182&p=48942


Knipex pliers : smooth jaws for gripping things that need to stay undamaged and mark free, the jaws stay parallel unlike channel locks they are essentially an adjustable wrench that can grip things like pliers. Handy for pressing in pins, bending sheet metal like things. Compressing or fine tuning fine things. They come in small and large sizes. Serious money though.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EXOJZK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Cheepy hand held vise with grooves in jaws running both ways.
You are on your own here. I have had this since I was a kid. Check out jewelry tool and hobby shops


Drill chuck I use hand held. It is rubber coated for grip. I use it to enlarge holes using a unibit, twist drill or paddle bit depending on sitiation and materials. Super handy for holding a tap to clean paint out of a pre tapped hole. Can use it to thread small holes. Can hold hex shaped tools such as quick change screw drivers and allens. Super useful for choking up on a skinny allen that is twisting. Crack ! The screw loosens ! To change the size fast role the chuck collar up or down your arm a couple of times.
I bought a couple at Home Depot


Two pry and adjustment tools : the tack puller with blue handle I use for a plethora of tasks and the little screw driver that I bent the blade on (I think I heated it but has been too long ago to recall) and then I rounded and reshaped the end to be a prying tool.
Home Depot , Sears, K-Mart etc


The tack puller is pointing to a tiny SUPER well thought out diode flash light.
this thing was so well thought out I feel guilty not giving them more money for it.
Must have come from another planet.
features :
spring clips on like a cloths pin
clip has three tiny magnetic dots so will stick to about any shape metal with iron in it.
ball joint between clip and light
By the way this means it clips to the bill of a ball cap, to your head phones, to your glasses . . . are you hearing me now ?
One bulb is driven by two watch batteries so it is plenty bright to perform about any task.
Dim able to preserve battery
Flash mode for emergencies
can flip the light over in the clip between the holder and the light so it absolutely can not come on in your pocket.
comes with a second clip to wear it on a string around your neck
has key ring and quick metal snap ring to clip to your belt loop or key ring.
The only limitation that I have found is it doesn't like high temperatures (in your pocket in 100 F heat) in that the light switch under the water proof flexible cover will move off center. Still works though.
Be sure to look at all the options in actual bulb. There are many. I like the normal bulb "white beam" but shrouded "covered" so you don't have to look at the side of the bulb. A spot light if you will.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GTP6W2/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Next items right in the middle of the tray purple heart wedges (one turned up on edge) for keeping planks from teetering while planing and as mentioned in other peoples posts.

And if the one pocket size light were not enough this little blue Swiss Army knife has a momentarily on / normally off light built into it and a retractable ball point pen.
When I ordered it I thought it was much larger and nearly sent it back.
I use the light ALL THE TIME. Has never run down in my pocket because the light won't come on unless you hold in the flat smooth to the surface Swiss Army emblem on the side of the knife. Is what I am attempting to show and failing to in the second photo
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V2E1FQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy298/noydb1/IMG_2373_zps71f7d568.jpg (http://s801.photobucket.com/user/noydb1/media/IMG_2373_zps71f7d568.jpg.html)


Lastly under the head of the hammer is one of my latest crazy conglomerations that I am very satisfied with.
The bag is for a cell phone or iPhone size pad etc. It has a velcro closing flap over the top I have folded back for the photo. Very well conceived belt loop : can metal clip over belt, can thread belt through a strong cloth "loop", can thread a vertical strap through the other way like a shoulder strap.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006WU7KN2/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Three Swiss Army knives ! That's just sick you may say.
I don't like the huge Champ knife I find it clumsy to hold and use
so
One thicker knife has a very precise pliers and the long blade is sharpened single bevel from left to right for marking and other tasks.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007QCORY/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The other thickest knife has fairly large scissors and a strong magnifying glass and the long blade is sharpened single bevel from right to left. and has a philips in line with the handle as opposed to the philips in the knife above which can only be used T-handle style.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007QCOX8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


The skinny knife just has one blade sharpened to a very acute double bevel angle and is scary in how fast it cuts through a large wire tie. It also has a bottle opener with flat screw driver blade.
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Bantam-Pocket-Knife/dp/B0007QCO4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1381105878&sr=1-1&keywords=swiss+army+bantam


Ahhhhh another novella under my belt and it isn't even midnight yet.

[Mike Holbrook]

Wow some great ideas here. I agree Michael why did I not think of using my levels as winding sticks, duuuu! It will take me a while to digest Wintons ideas, there are some great ones there too. I agree about the Veritas BU block plane. I think I will go tune and sharpen mine after I finish here.

A few items I am considering that others may use and be able to recommend: Panel gauge (Lie-Nielsen has a nice one), Dowel plate (again LN has a good one), Bird Cage Awl (Czech Edge)....

[Derek Cohen]

I have a couple of items close by.

The first is a 4" Chris Vesper square. This is perfect for marking joints. It has a little tab that enables it to sit square on a board and be held there with one hand.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/VesperatWIA3.jpg

Another is a detail marking knife. This is one I made. It is fine enough for dovetails, light enough for delicate marks, and strong enough to score deeply. With matching scratch awl ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/Markingknifeset2.jpg

And of course a pencil! And sharpener ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/GedessandCarandAcheFixpencil2.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Judson Green]

I have a couple of items close by.

The first is a 4" Chris Vesper square. This is perfect for marking joints. It has a little tab that enables it to sit square on a board and be held there with one hand.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/VesperatWIA3.jpg



Regards from Perth

Derek

Wowie Zowie! That little tab looks dreamy. I did not think square could be improved on.

[Derek Cohen]

I meant to add that the tab (on the square) folds flat when not needed.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tony Wilkins]

Dangit Derek, I've been trying to resist those Vesper squares for a while now. You aren't making it any easier!

[george wilson]

Those tabs have been on large machinist's squares for many decades. Chris has made a handy modification to it.

[Jim Koepke]

Wow some great ideas here. I agree Michael why did I not think of using my levels as winding sticks, duuuu! It will take me a while to digest Wintons ideas, there are some great ones there too. I agree about the Veritas BU block plane. I think I will go tune and sharpen mine after I finish here.

A few items I am considering that others may use and be able to recommend: Panel gauge (Lie-Nielsen has a nice one), Dowel plate (again LN has a good one), Bird Cage Awl (Czech Edge)....

I was thinking of a Dowel plate then saw this:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=70555&cat=1,42524

Just wish I had ordered the two smaller sizes when the set was bought.

Makes a couple more items to put in the cart to wait for a free shipping event.

jtk

[Judson Green]

Definitely in the "why didn't I think of that?" category!

Not sure where I read about this but I think it was in the comments somewhere on the Schwarz blog. Has it would happen both my levels are Stabila yellow so a little blue painters tape later. To improve contrast/ readability.

272487

[Mike Holbrook]

Good one Jim. I had to start a new cart for that one, the set with: 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" looks like it would handle just about anything. Before this thread ends I guess I will have another item or two in the cart. I ordered a Czech Edge Pattern Pilot Marking Knife and a very nice Bird Cage Awl yesterday, turns out Czech Edge is just down the road from me in Metro Atlanta.

[Steven Lee, NC]

272491 The Paolini pocket rule. I have 3 6" and 1 18" and use them alot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n04HfV4vPuo

[Hilton Ralphs]

It must be pretty tricky bashing a 3mm rod through that smallest hole.

[Jim Koepke]

The Paolini pocket rule.

That looks like what a specialized modern day Odd Jobs would be.


It must be pretty tricky bashing a 3mm rod through that smallest hole.

Actually, it would be easy since the smallest hole is 1/8" (0.125") versus 3mm being 0.118". It would just fall through.

In my experience, the best dowels come from first cutting them just a hair oversize with a hollow auger, then popping them through the guide.

Square stock does okay, but it doesn't come out as cleanly as stock that is first cut round.

jtk

[Hilton Ralphs]

Actually, it would be easy since the smallest hole is 1/8" (0.125") versus 3mm being 0.118". It would just fall through.


Hehe, I just knew you would say this. Nonetheless, do you find 1/8" dowels useful?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I was thinking of a Dowel plate then saw this:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=70555&cat=1,42524

Just wish I had ordered the two smaller sizes when the set was bought.

Makes a couple more items to put in the cart to wait for a free shipping event.

jtk


I stumbled across a complete master dowel maker set on eBay for around $100. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42331&cat=1,180,42288

Honestly it is way more than I needed, but I could not pass it up. I was amazed at how heavily it is built and how well it is engineered. The pictures don't do it justice. Really it is a heavy thing with a very thick blade like a fine plane. I got the entire set unused. I am always wishing for dowels of specific woods to match or contrast the wood I am using. It is nice to be able to make my own. The "hammer the wood through a hole" process looks like it may work for short dowels, but the dowel maker is a better method. That said, the price makes it out of reach for the hobbyist.

[Jim Koepke]

Hehe, I just knew you would say this. Nonetheless, do you find 1/8" dowels useful?

Some of my up coming projects will be small boxes with hinged lids. Using dowels instead of metal hinges is something I want to try. May just use pins cut from nails.

jtk

[Jay Maiers]

Judson, your post reminded me of something that is almost always used and often ignored in my shop.

272354


So simple, yet so useful. I keep meaning to make a set of spacers, and keep forgetting or putting it off. Maybe this time I'll get it done. Thanks for posting this!

[Gary Muto]

I stumbled across a complete master dowel maker set on eBay for around $100. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42331&cat=1,180,42288

Nice Gloat... very stealth. :cool:

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Nice Gloat... very stealth. :cool:

Funny thing is, I almost passed on it. I didn't realize how well they are made and how heavy as well. That said, it was a cool find, and I am the eBay master! :cool: