Most Valued New Tool from rec.woodworking

As he cleaned his Delta 12-1/2" thickness planer, a woodworker got to thinking how certain newer tools (within 10 years) added a lot of capabilities to his home shop. Mentioning the cordless drill and air nailer, he wondered what recent tool developments other woodworkers considered to be their favorites.

Though he wished it was larger, a participant proclaimed his oscillating spindle sander to be his current favorite. Two posters mentioned the Kreg jig as a favorite. The one-handed bar clamp was mentioned. Noting that portable planers have actually been around since the mid-80s, a woodworker declared his affection for his Leigh dovetail jig. And a self-described "Normite" found that nothing beat an air nailer for speeding up the assembly of projects.

Taking a cyber approach, one responder wondered if faster access to the Internet information qualified as a favorite new tool. And in his further estimation, he thought close runners-up, in importance included low-cost, easy-to-use CAD or drawing software, and old-tool distribution via eBay.

Biscuit jointers were mentioned twice, with the second poster noting that the time he didn't spend using them (i.e., time saved) made them most valuable.

Though acknowledging it was beyond the 10-year limit, a woodworker cited the router as a unique concept without a predecessor in the pre-power-tools era. Another forum member questioned the uniqueness of the router, noting that the venerable router plane and molding plane did the same thing. Somewhat exasperated, the woodworker then explained that the router's cutting action and high RPMs had no precedent … and he'd just as soon change his original answer to the vacuum-press.

Table of Contents

Most Valued New Too

Is a Planer Good Enough for Joining Wood?

Larger Crosscut Capacity

Scrapers

Matching Color in a Project