So, as I think many of you know, I am working in an apartment, and primarily on small projects.
I have a very, very, very modest number of Japanese tools, and some western tools that I've ordered on ebay just this month (only one of which has actually made it across the pond).
I want to get all of your take on what you deem "essential" for someone looking to tackle a wide range of *small* projects, as in, projects rarely exceeding 3 feet in length, and more often, small boxes, toys, tools, and the like -- so typically under 2 feet in length. I want to be capable of making furniture on occasion, but I doubt I will make much of it -- maybe just the odd shelf, stool, or chest, and most likely never large dining room tables or cabinets and the like.
My starting point is the basics of course:
Marking Tools:
1. Try Square
2. Folding Ruler
3. Marking Knife
4. Marking Gauge (I've been using a Japanese cutting gauge, which is nice for splitting thin wood up to about 3/8" rather than ripping)
Mortise Gauge
Probably don't need a panel gauge or layout square, but can always make them if I do
Same goes for bevels and the like.
Saws:
1. Tenon Saw, and maybe Dovetail Saw
2. Ryoba (in place of a cross cut and rip cut panel saw)... This is perhaps not necessary though, because I intend to avoid resawing and ripping as much as humanly possible. If I need to reduce the width of something, I'd rather just cross cut, split, and plane it. Or go at it with my hatchet, maybe. I have a number of hatchets and Nata, but I guess I'm not including them here as they're part of my "camping / bushcraft" gear.
Chisels:
1. Set of 8 Chisels, sizes 1/8" through 1 1/4"
I find I use every size, including all of the inbetweens and the extremes (3/8", 1/8", etc.)
Much like bits, when you need a specific size, you need it.
I have a few specific sized Japanese chisels, but I just ordered a set of 8 (modern) Stanley Sweetheart Chisels. I prefer vintage chisels, but I don't want to spend so much time and money collecting all of the specific sizes I need, and I like the form factor of the Stanley Sweetheart chisels, so, done.
2. Gouge, maybe something around 1", for bowls, Kuksas, and other fun things
3. Carving chisels? I haven't gotten into carving, but I probably should. We'll see.
Are the Japanese Chisels redundant? Probably. Do I want to part with them? I dunno, I *should*.... There's one I like in particular. I'll keep that one. The rest are cheap and maybe not worth hanging on to. I really should avoid holding on to redundant tools if possible.
Boring Tools:
1. Japanese "Kiri" -- These come in square, triangular, and even spoon and other bits, but typically 6mm and under. I think I'll just stick to one square one for drilling starter holes for nails / screws, and larger bits. These are just way too convenient not to have at least one of, maybe even a couple.
2. Brace and Bits...
I have an egg beater drill and I have used it, but I wonder if I could just do away with it and use the brace exclusively... I'm looking to eliminate redundancy.
I guess it depends whether I see myself drilling a lot of little holes, and whether I am happy with just using a pin vise... I will do a lot of small projects, so perhaps I should hold onto it. Maybe gimlets instead? Am I happy just relying on a few gimlets? I'll have to think about this...
Planes:
1. Smoothing Plane (I went with a Stanley No. 2, of all things. I used to use a No. 3, and managed to make pretty large projects (work benches) with it)
2. Block Plane (I'll keep my Japanese block plane, and maybe even get a few baby planes, such as round bottomed ones and the like)
...maybe a spoke shave? I don't really need a spoke-shave I guess...
Am I missing anything?
What would you add, and way more importantly, what would you *not* add which I should avoid the temptation to buy at some point down the road?