I was doing a bunch of stuff today, and realized how important all the accessories are to woodworking. Yes, you need good tools, but the accessories matter! My top 10 things I enjoy using every time:
10. Shop Fox DC remote. It seems like a small thing, having a remote, but even in my little shop not having to walk back and forth is big help. Especially when you turn on the table saw, board in hand, and realize the DC is off
9. Woodslicer band saw blade. I'm no expert at resawing, but with this blade, it just doesn't matter. Position board roughly parallel to blade. Push. Done.
8. Irwin Quick Clamps. Whenever I'm clamping a fence, stop block, well anything for that matter, these are the clamps I reach for. I have 8 and the next time they're on sale, I may just pick up 4 more.
7. McFeely's square drive screws. They're strong, they don't strip, they don't break, and they're cheaper than screws from the BORG. What's not to like?
6. Grr Rippers. Before I had these, I could not rip anything narrow on my table saw. These boys are super versatile and most importantly, SAFE!
5. Lee Valley Jack plane. I don't do a lot of hand planing, but when I do, there's nothing better than picking up a quality tool like this.
4. Plastic resin (urea) glue. This stuff is a real lifesaver for clumsy woodworkers like me. With PVA glue, I'm usually cursing and hurrying to get everything together. There is a lot of pounding with the dead blow, and I end up sweating like an ox on the verge of murder and mayhem. With plastic resin glue, I enter a Zen like state and assemble the project with peace, calm and confidence.
3. MJ splitter. Simple, effective. So simple I use it every time. Without this thing, I'd probably have several board hurled at my head by now.
2. JET parallel clamps. A handle you can really crank down. Deep throat. Release trigger that works. I have 8 and want 8 more. And then another 20 or so.
1. NC WoodWorker. The place that has everything!
10. Shop Fox DC remote. It seems like a small thing, having a remote, but even in my little shop not having to walk back and forth is big help. Especially when you turn on the table saw, board in hand, and realize the DC is off
9. Woodslicer band saw blade. I'm no expert at resawing, but with this blade, it just doesn't matter. Position board roughly parallel to blade. Push. Done.
8. Irwin Quick Clamps. Whenever I'm clamping a fence, stop block, well anything for that matter, these are the clamps I reach for. I have 8 and the next time they're on sale, I may just pick up 4 more.
7. McFeely's square drive screws. They're strong, they don't strip, they don't break, and they're cheaper than screws from the BORG. What's not to like?
6. Grr Rippers. Before I had these, I could not rip anything narrow on my table saw. These boys are super versatile and most importantly, SAFE!
5. Lee Valley Jack plane. I don't do a lot of hand planing, but when I do, there's nothing better than picking up a quality tool like this.
4. Plastic resin (urea) glue. This stuff is a real lifesaver for clumsy woodworkers like me. With PVA glue, I'm usually cursing and hurrying to get everything together. There is a lot of pounding with the dead blow, and I end up sweating like an ox on the verge of murder and mayhem. With plastic resin glue, I enter a Zen like state and assemble the project with peace, calm and confidence.
3. MJ splitter. Simple, effective. So simple I use it every time. Without this thing, I'd probably have several board hurled at my head by now.
2. JET parallel clamps. A handle you can really crank down. Deep throat. Release trigger that works. I have 8 and want 8 more. And then another 20 or so.
1. NC WoodWorker. The place that has everything!