Survey re most valuable and most desired tools

[Frank Pellow]

I thought that it would be of interest to many people to see which tools and shop equipment others value the most. I would also like to hear which items are highest on people's wish list.

As an example, I have compiled an ordered list of the 10 things that I find most useful in my workshop as well as a different list of the 10 items that I would like to add. In both cases 1 is the most important/desired. Cost of an item should not play any part in the ranking.

I encourage others to put together their top 10 lists. To assist, I have put together two templates and will post these to the same thread. If there are sufficient responses, I will build a database of the combined results them compile and "publish" a summary.

The form is not the greatest, but because of the automatic formatting that takes place, I was unable to use a tabular format.


Tools & Shop Equipment that I have in order of usefulness to me:
-------------------------------------------------------------

# Item

_____Manufacturer and Model and/or Comment

1 Electric drill

_____Bosch 1/2" hammer drill 1194AVSR

2 Circular saw (with guide rail)

_____Festool AFT 55 E

3 Clamps

_____Bessey K-body

4 Screw driver set

_____Robertson (these are often known as Square Drive in the USA)

5 Jig saw

_____Festool PS 2 E

6 Hammer

_____14 ounce with leather covered handle from my Dad and at least 70 years old

7 Palm sander

_____Makita BO4552

8 Compound miter saw (non electric)

_____Nobex Champion 180

9 Dovetail guide system (manual)

_____Veritas (Lee Valley # 05T03.01)

10 Table saw

_____Craftsman 10" bench saw -30 years old and I can't find model #




Tools & Shop Equipment that I would like to acquire:
-------------------------------------------------

# Item

_____Manufacturer and Model (if known) and/or Comment

1 Cabinet table saw

_____General 350

2 Workbench

_____Veritas (Lee Valley # OSA01.01)

3 Plunge router

_____Festool 2000 (not yet available in North America)

4 Orbital sander

_____Festool R01 50 E

5 Router table and lift

_____(I have not yet decided which ones to buy)

6 Dust Collector

_____14 Oneida 1.5 hp

7 Band Saw

_____Delta 28-241

8 Jointer

_____Powermatic 54A

9 Pocket hole system

_____Kreg K2000

10 Drill Press

_____(I have not yet decided which one to buy)

[Frank Pellow]

Tools & Shop Equipment that I have in order of usefulness to me:
--------------------------------------------------------------

# Item

_____Manufacturer and Model (if known) and/or Comment

1 item

_____make & model

2 item

_____make & model

3 item

_____make & model

4 item

_____make & model

5 item

_____make & model

6 item

_____make & model

7 item

_____make & model

8 item

_____make & model

9 item

_____make & model

10 item

_____make & model




Tools & Shop Equipment that I would like to acquire:
-------------------------------------------------

# Item

_____Manufacturer and Model (if known) and/or Comment

1 item

_____make & model

2 item

_____make & model

3 item

_____make & model

4 item

_____make & model

5 item

_____make & model

6 item

_____make & model

7 item

_____make & model

8 item

_____make & model

9 item

_____make & model

10 item

_____make & model

[John Piwaron]

Top 10 lists are fun, aren't they?

It's difficult, maybe impossible to pick a single tool that's most important or most useful. When I'm building a project, like the desk I'm on now, they are an orchestra and I am the conductor. They are all of critical importance at the time I need them.

But in spirit of the original posting, here goes:

1) Screwdrivers. Used all around the house. The jewelers size are particularly worth having to keep my glasses together.

2) Hammer

3) Wrenches

4) Workbench with vise and bench dogs.

5) Miter saw

6) Table Saw

7) Jointer/Thickness planer. A sybiotic duo. Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They play well together.

8) Paint brushes

9) Stud Finder

10) Chisels


My wish list:

Cabinet saw. More power for the thick planks I like.

Bandsaw blade tension gauge. Still waiting for that Itura catalog.

Thickness sander. Convenient, but not critical.

New hollow chisels for the mortiser. The mortiser is why I don't want a pocket hole system.

More clamps, K-Body, in various lengths. Quick grips & hand screws too.

Right now, that's it. You'll note that the more basic items are more important. Tablesaws and cool electric things are fun and necessary for furniture construction, but for day to day around the house things, can't beat the basics.

[Steve Clardy]

Don't really have a top ten list. I am self-employed. Cabinet maker and staircase builder. So---I have lot of tools I couldn't really do without, way over the count of ten. And it seems I am constantly buying some other tool, especially clamps.
Steve

[Dave Anderson NH]

Hi Fred- As most folks here on SMC know, I'm an old tool nut and hand tool user most of the time. Of all of the tools I have, the most valuable to me are the ones which are part of my g-g-g grandfathers toolchest. The familial association and the knowledge that I'm the sixth generation custodian and user of these tools is priceless.

What is on the top of my acquisition list? My Uncle in Idaho is supposed to be sending me the other chest which he has had since he and my Dad split up the tools when my Grandfather died back in '61. Other than that, all I really want now is to get the time to build another bench which is longer and more versatile than the one I have now.

[Frank Pellow]

I am sorry to say, but this tread went nowhere.

I think that it should be closed but I can't figure out how to do that. I will send Aaron a note asking him to do so.