Preppin' Weapon Sanding Blocks

Rulers from Woodsmith

Veritas Saddle Square

These are some specific tools that I have found to be very handy in my workshop. I am well aware that some of them can be home made but in most cases I have chosen to save my shop time for other projects. In the videos I have tried to point out the features of each tool that make it handy for me. I have no connection to the companies who make or sell any of these tools.


I know that some of these videos were produced before I had my microphones and video equipment. Sometime I need to update them to improve the quality.

  

Center Point Rules

Electric Screwdriver

Rockler Sandpaper Cutter

A very simple but useful layout tool that's great when more than one side of a board needs to be marked precisely at the same spot.

I've found these rulers to be the ones I go to all the time. They are packed with features.

One of those tools that makes sanding easier and a little more pleasurable. Anything that helps to improve sanding is something I'm interested in.

I use these rulers more than I thought I ever would. They are useful in the shop as well as in the house.

Another tool that helps tremendously with sanding. In the end it may even save you some money.

I've been using them for years but have very rarely seen them in any woodworking videos, photos or magazine articles. They are a very versatile tool for the workshop and the home.

Tape Measure

This is by far the best tape measure I've found for the workshop. Rarely do I need to measure anything longer than nine feet and most tape measures are longer than that. This tape measure has some other outstanding features watch the video to find out more.

V Drill Guide

Sometimes drilling holes perpendicular to a piece of wood is necessary and a drill press may not be an option. This V Drill Guide is a tool that will get the job done. In addition this drill guide can be used to drill holes in dowels as well as the corner of a piece of wood. It's a versatile tool that will be useful in most woodworking shops. I've even used it on metal.

White Pencil for Marking

In my woodworking I tend to use a lot of black walnut and other dark wood. Over the years I've found seeing marks for where to cut on these woods to be difficult when using a standard pencil and almost impossible when I use a mechanical pencil. I recently ordered some white pencils that quilters use to mark places where they plan to cut their fabric. These pencils have become very handy for marking cuts on dark wood and labeling pieces.

Skill Auto Sharp

This is a highly unusual tool. I'm one of those people who hate, yes that's a strong word, bubble packaging, especially the kind that is glued ot heat sealed to the point where only a heavy pair of scissors will cut into the package. When we moved to this house I also had hundreds of feet of fairly fine mesh wire that I had to cut lengthwise. This took cuts through the wire and the packaging extremely well. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean.

Saw Blade Cleaning Kit

While I was at Rockler I noticed that their Router Bit and Saw Blade Cleaning Kit was on sale. I bought the kit and used it to clean my saw Forrest Woodworker II table saw  blade. This video shows the results and includes my thoughts on this particular kit for cleaning saw blades. I am in no way connected to Rockler or any of their stores. This is my honest opinion on this product.

Silicone & Glue Don't Mix

This video covers the use of silicone tools for glue ups. They make the gluing process easier and less messy and the materials aren't disposable. Clean up is very easy.

These lights are wonderful if you live in an area where the electricity cuts off unexpectedly.

I had a problem keeping track of my safety glasses and remembering to wear them. This video explains my solution to the problem.

Keeping track of pencils and other writing implements is a problem for many woodworkers. This video documents my attempt at solving this problem.

This is a very high quality small carpenter square. It's made by a small company, DFM Tool Works, in Chicago. Illinois. This company is trying very hard to make high outstanding tools.

I can't afford the lathe lights that many turning suppliers sell. This light that I found is ver inexpensive and works great. It could be used anywhere in the shop where the magnetic base will attach.

Mirka Abranet Mesh is a great alternative for sandpaper. I've now used it on my lathe on two projects and really like the results. It's possible that it will also be good for flat work including my Festool sander. More will be said about that in the future.

While this isn't exactly a tool it's made a big difference in my shop because it allow me to connect my Kreg Pocket Hole Jig with my Festool CT vacuum. It's how I found the adapter that's most important. The technique may help you find what you're looking for.

Forstner bits are very handy to have in a shop. I found this set of bits that has served me well over the years. I have also included information on the history of Forstner bits and the types of bits. I